World War II in real time

Day 1125 of World War II, October 9th 1942

YouTube (Stalingrad Thunderdome: Paulus vs. Chuikov)



Eastern Front

Premier Joseph Stalin takes away the command authority of Soviet commissars in the Red Army. They are still to have an important role in morale and propaganda, but responsibility for military decisions now rests entirely with the commanding officers.

Air War over Europe

Five RAF Bomber Command Mosquitos are dispatched to hit scattered targets; one bombs Koblenz.

In the largest raid to date from the Americans, 108 B-17s and for the first time B-24 bombers from the USAAF 93rd BG, attacked the steel and engineering works of the Compagnie de Fives and the locomotive and freight car works of Ateliers d'Hellemmes at Lille and airfield targets in northern France. Also flying for the first time were 24 B-17s from the USAAF 306th BG. Most of the bombers were flying with only 9 crewmembers as it was thought that a second waist gunner was not needed because of close defensive fire from other bombers. 59 B-17s and 10 B-24s hit the primary targets while 2 B-17s hit the secondary target, Coutrai Airfield. Other targets hit were Longuensse Airfield and Roubaix. The first mission-related midair collision sustained by the USAAF 8th AF heavy bombers occurred during the flight when a pair of 92nd BG (Heavy) B-17s collided. Both were able to return to base. A B-17 of the 301 BG that had been damaged by German fire became the first USAAF 8th AF bomber ever to ditch at sea when 1st Lt Donald Swenson landed the plane in 15-20 foot high seas. All the crewmen survived.

Battle of the Atlantic

German submarine U-171 (Type IXC) is sunk at 1300 hours Berlin time in the Bay of Biscay about 10 nautical miles (19 kilometers) southwest of Lorient, France, by mines. Thirty of the 52 crewmen survive.

North African campaign

B-24s hit shipping and harbor facilities at Bengazi, Libya. P-40s flew escort and strafed a landing ground west of El daba, Egypt and emplacements in the battle area west of El Alamein. major air battles erupted over the front all day. During the the latter Allied mission, 1st Lt. William J. Mount, a P-40 pilot with the 57 FG, scored the first USAAF aerial victory in North Africa against a German Bf 109 in the vicinity of El Alamein. Over El Daba in the morning, elements of JG 27 engaged the Allied fighters and bombers. Oblt. Gustav Rodel of Stab II./JG 27, brought down 3 Airacobras while Lt. Werner Schroer of 8./JG 27 claimed a Boston, a Spitfire and a Hurricane. Double scores were awarded to Fw. Heinrich Steis of 4./JG 27, Ofw. Fritz Luer of 5./JG 27 and Lt. Erich Schofbock of 7./JG 27. In the afternoon it was JG 53's turn to defend against the Allied warplanes. Lt. Jurgen Harder from 7./JG 53 brought down 4 P-40s while Lt. Klippgen of 9./JG 53 claimed 2 Kittyhawks.

United States

The USN opens the first three schools for enlisted WAVES (Woman Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) at Stillwater, Oklahoma, (Yeoman), Bloomington, Indiana, (Storekeepers) , and Madison, Wisconsin (Radiomen).

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

The USAAF Eleventh Air Force dispatches seven B-17 Flying Fortresses and ten B-24 Liberators, escorted by six P-38 Lightnings and four P-39 Airacobras to bomb the harbor on Japanese held Kiska Island, installations, and shipping: targets include shipping in Gertrude Cove, small cargo vessels in Kiska Harbor, installations at North Head, a hangar, Main Camp area (hit several times), and various shore facilities.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

(Fifth Air Force): 30 B-17s pound numerous targets at Rabaul. 14 B-25s hit the airfield at Lae.

CHINA

The British and U.S. governments formally relinquish extra-territorial rights and special privileges in China. This policy change reflects an effort to bolster the Nationalist Chinese government as a
strategic partner in the war against the Japanese.

NEW CALEDONIA

U.S. reinforcements for Guadalcanal in the form of the U.S. Army's 164th Infantry Regiment are on the way as a troop convoy consisting of the transports USS McCawley (AP-10) and Zeilin (AP-9) and eight high speed transports. The ships sail from Noumea.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

On the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, the Australian 2/25th Battalion is ordered to swing left to Kagi while the 2/31st Battalion keeps moving forward to Efogi North however, the patrol from 2/25th Battalion is still being held up by the Japanese rearguard on the Track.

In North East New Guinea, the USAAF Fifth Air Force completes the airlift of the Australian 2/7th Independent Company to Wau. Their orders are to harass the Japanese in the Mubo-Lae-Salamaua area. Meanwhile fourteen USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25 Mitchells bomb Lae Aerodrome.

HQ 49th Fighter Group moves from Darwin, Australia to Port Moresby.

NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS

The Japanese submarine HIJMS I-7 launches a "Glen" reconnaissance aircraft to reconnoiter Espiritu Santo Island.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

On Guadalcanal, the 7th Marine Regiment successfully completes its three-day offensive west of Henderson Field. The 1st and 2nd Battalions, 7th Marine Regiment, move out for Point Cruz and Matanikau Village where they met the Japanese 4th Infantry Regiment. About 690 Japanese are killed during the Battle of the Matanikau while the Marine Regiment have suffered fewer than 200 casualties.

Three USAAF P-39 pilots shoot down three Imperial Japanese Navy float biplanes over New Georgia Sound about 150 miles from Henderson Field at 0700 hours local.

In the afternoon, 20 F4F Wildcats of Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-121 are launched from the auxiliary aircraft carrier USS Copahee (ACV-12) and land at Fighter-1 Airfield. During the night, Japanese seaplane carrier HIJMS Nisshin delivers six antiaircraft guns, two 10 centimeters (3.9 inch) howitzers, equipment and 180 men on Guadalcanal while four destroyers unload mortars and 560 men of the 4th Maizuru Special Naval Landing Force.

Day 1127 of World War II, October 11th 1942

Eastern Front

A lull in the fighting around Stalingrad was the first in almost 2 months, as both sides sought reinforcements. III./JG 77 was transferred from Russia (Demyansk) to North Africa.

Air War over Europe

During the day, RAF Bomber Command Mosquitos bomb two targets: three bomb Hannover with the loss of two aircraft and one bombs Emden.

During the night of 11/12 October, RAF Bomber Command aircraft lay mines off four areas: 14 aircraft lay mines in the Heligoland Bight, six in the Kattegat, five in the Kiel Area and three off Swinemunde.

During the night of 11/12 October, five each RAF Bomber Command aircraft lay mines off Lorient and St. Nazaire.

During the day, one RAF Bomber Command Mosquito bombs a chemical plant at Sluiskil.

During the night of 11/12 October, nine RAF Bomber Command aircraft lay mines in the Frisian Islands.

A heavy Luftwaffe raid on the northeast of England caused some damage during the night. A Morrison shelter was buried, but the occupant was uninjured when a 1000kg bomb fell at Monkseaton. 10 houses were wrecked, 70 were badly damaged, 20 irreparably. At Cullercoats, 7 houses were demolished, 10 severely damaged, 6 people killed and 17 seriously injured. At South Shields, 16 buildings were damaged by fire and 28 pumps were employed to extinquish the flames. Severe damage was done to both industrial and residential premises.

Battle of the Mediterranean

German and Italian bomber forces began another offensive against the island of Malta. During this period, Axis forces flew 2400 sorties against the island. However, none of the airfields were put out of action for more than 30 minutes and onlt 2 aircraft were destroyed on the ground. The Luftwaffe lost 46 aircraft shot down and the RAF lost 30 Spitfires.

US Army Middle East Air Force B-24s attacked a convoy, hitting one vessel and claiming 1 fighter shot down.

Germany/Italy relations

Heinrich Himmler, Reichsfuhrer- SS, head of the Gestapo, flies to Rome to visit Italian dictator Benito Mussolini. The German government is very worried about the health of Mussolini. Himmler's visit is to assess Mussolini's health and the state of Fascism in Italy. Himmler later reports back to German Chancellor Adolf Hitler that if Mussolini remains alive, then so will the Fascist state.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Marblehead (CL-12) off New York City (USA), 11 October 1942



United Kingdom

Photo: HMS Hambledon, October 11th 1942



Photo: The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Winston Churchill, MP, with the Lord Privy Seal, Sir Stafford Cripps, and the Commander in Chief Home Fleet, Admiral Sir John Tovey, on the quarterdeck of HMS KING GEORGE V at Scapa



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

Japanese-held Kiska Island is hit by three bombing and strafing missions flown by ten B-24s and three B-17s of the USAAF Eleventh Air Force. The B-17s make no contact but the B-24s blast harbor targets and the Main Camp.

Photo: Kiska Reconnaissance Photo - 11 October 1942



NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

On the Kododa Track in Papua New Guinea, Australian troops of the 2/33rd Battalion are ordered to take Templeton's Crossing but they are unable to dislodge the Japanese.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

(Fifth Air Force): The 22d Troop Carrier Squadron, Air Carrier Service, Air Service Command, Fifth Air Force, movesfrom Essendon Airdrome to Garbutt Field, Australia with C-47's.

PACIFIC OCEAN

Japanese submarine I-25, homeward bound from her deployment off the U.S. West Coast, torpedoes and sinks Soviet submarine L16 about 653 nautical miles W of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Soviet submarines L-15 and L-16 are en route from Dutch Harbor, Territory of Alaska, to San Francisco, California, and the commander of I-25 assumed they are American.

USN submarine USS Searaven torpedoes a German blockade runner in the Sunda Strait between Sumatra and Java in the Netherlands East Indies.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

During the day, the Japanese Navy initiates a two-part air attack against Guadalcanal which is interecepted by 39 USMC F4Fs and 12 USAAF P-39 and P-400 Airacobras. The first attack is by 17 "Zeke" fighters which are not intercepted. The second part of the attack, which is forced to a low altitude by clouds, consists of 18 "Betty" bombers and 30 "Zeke" fighters. The Japanese second force is intercepted and the Marine Wildcat pilots shoot down nine "Bettys" and two "Zekes" and the USAAF Airacobra pilots shoot down two "Bettys." U.S. loses are one Wildcat and one Airacobra.

During the night of 11/12 October, a Japanese transport force (Rear Admiral Koji Koji), formed around seaplane carriers Chitose and Nisshin and six destroyers, reaches Tassafaronga, Guadalcanal, to disembark elements of the Japanese Army's 2d Infantry Division. Three heavy cruisers and two destroyers are to provide cover by shelling Henderson Field.

USAAF B-17s sight the cruisers and destroyers bearing down on Guadalcanal Island in the afternoon. USN Task Force 64 (Rear Admiral Norman Scott) consisting of the heavy cruisers USS Salt Lake City and San Francisco, light cruisers USS Helena and Boise and five destroyers has been formed to thwart the "Tokyo Express," a steady flow of Japanese vessels maintaining reinforcement and resupply to Guadalcanal. At about 1615 hour local, the USN ships commence a run northward from Rennel Island, to intercept the Japanese force.

By 2330 hours, when the ships are approximately 6 nautical miles NW of Savo Island, they turne to make a further search of the area. A few minutes after setting the new course, radar indicates unidentified ships to the west, several thousand yards distant. At about 2345, the Battle of Cape Esperance begins.

Search planes are ordered launched from the cruisers, but in the process of launching, USS Salt Lake City's plane catches fire as flares ignite in the cockpit. The plane crashes close to the ship and the pilot manages to get free. He is later found safely on a nearby island. The brilliant fire is seen in the darkness by the Japanese flag officers, who assume that it is a signal flare from the landing force which they are sent to protect.

The Japanese flagship answers with blinker light, and receiving no reply, continues to signal. The American force forms a battle line at right angles to the Japanese T-formation (crossing the T), and thus are able to enfilade the Japanese ships. The USN cruisers open fire and continue scoring hits for a full seven minutes before the confused Japanese realize what is taking place. They had believed that, by error, their own forces are taking them under fire. When the Japanese warships reply, their fire is too little and too late. The action is over in half an hour.

The Americans sink heavy cruiser Furutaka and destroyer Fubuki and cripple heavy cruisers Aoba and Kinugasa; one destroyer of the five-ship force escapes damage.

After the battle, more than 100 of Fubuki's survivors refuse to be rescued from shark-infested waters and are forcibly pulled onto two American ships. Heavy cruiser USS Salt Lake City sustains three major hits during the action; light cruiser USS Boise is severely crippled, but manages to rejoin the group under her own power; and the destroyer USS Duncan is left gutted off Savo Island. The ships form up and steamed to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Islands.

Map: movements of Gotō's and Jojima's forces during the battle. The light grey line skirting Savo Island depicts Gotō's planned approach and exit route for the bombardment mission. Hatsuyuki is misidentified as Murakumo

Day 1129 of World War II, October 13th 1942

Eastern Front

One Corps of 4.Panzerarmee reached the Volga River in the southern part of Stalingrad, but to the north many of the large factory buildings are still stubbornly held. There are several Soviet counterattacks in the factory areas.

Air War over Europe

During the night of 13/14 October, RAF Bomber Command dispatches 288 aircraft, 100 Wellingtons, 82 Lancasters, 78 Halifaxes and 28 Stirlings, to bomb Kiel; 246 aircraft bomb the target. Eight aircraft, five Wellingtons and one each of the other types are lost. A decoy fire site is operating and at least half of the bombing are drawn away into open countryside, but the rest of the attack falls on Kiel and its immediate surroundings. Casualties are 41 killed and 101 injured. (Syscom)

Battle of the Mediterranean

US Army, Middle East Air Force P-40s fly a fighter sweep, patrol, and interception missions west of El Alamein, Egypt; fighters claim 2 Bf 109s destroyed and 1 damaged. (Syscom)

United States

Photo: USS Porpoise off the Mare Island Navy Yard, 13 October 1942



Photo: The U.S. Navy Boeing XPBB-1 Sea Ranger patrol bomber (BuNo 3144) in flight during its test period on 13 October 1942



United Kingdom

Photo: Airborne troops fire a 3.7-inch mountain howitzer, 13 October 1942



Pacific war

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO

Fifteen USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s again bomb Rabaul, New Britain Island, concentrating on Vunakanau and Lakunai Airfields.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

In Papua New Guinea, Australian troops on the Kokoda Track make no progress in advancing northward. One section of 2/25th Battalion finds evidence of Japanese cannibalism of dead Australian soldiers.

- A USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17 Buna, Papua New Guinea. A pair of B-25s search for Japanese warships off Goodenough, but fail to locate them. Instead they hit the Japanese landing party at Waytutu Point. On the return flight, lost is B-25C 41-12501. The 6th Troop Carrier Squadron, 63d Troop Carrier Group, arrives at Port Moresby from the US with C-47s. The 65th Bombardment Squadron, 43d BG (Heavy), moves from Torrens Creek to Iron Range with B-17s.

NEW HEBRIDES

The Japanese submarine I-7 launches a "Glen" reconnaissance aircraft to reconnoiter American installations on Espiritu Santo Island.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

Rear Admiral Richmond Turner, Commander of Amphibious Force, South Pacific Force, brings reinforcements to Guadalcanal. Two hundred ten men of the First Marine Aircraft Wing and 85 Marine replacements join 2,850 men of the Army's 164th Infantry Regiment in the transports USS McCawley (AP-10, ex SS Santa Barbara) and USS Zeilin (AP-9, ex SS President Jackson). Unloading despite air attacks, the vessels embark the 1st Raider Battalion and sail for New Caledonia. Troop strength is thus brought up to 23,088 men, excluding forces on Tulagi. Major General Alexander Vandegrift, Commanding General 1st Marine Division, divides the Lunga perimeter into regimental sectors, massing the greatest strength on the west. At 1202 hours local, as the Army reinforcements are being put ashore, 27 "Betty" bombers escorted by 18 "Zeke" fighters, all based on Rabaul on New Britain Island, attack Henderson Field. The runway is cratered and 5,000 U.S. gallons of aviation fuel are destroyed.

Forty two Navy and Marine F4Fs and 13 USAAF P-39 and P-400 Airacobras take off but only one bomber and a fighter are destroyed; one F4F is lost but the pilot is recovered. At 1350 hours local, a second attack by 18 "Betty" bombers and 18 "Zeke" fighters occurs while the Cactus Air Fighters are being refueled. The Henderson Field runway is further damaged. A Japanese convoy of six transports and eight destroyers is spotted, 200 miles north of Guadalcanal, by the afternoon search of the Cactus Air Force. Under the direct command of Rear Admiral Takama Tamotsu, Commander of Destroyer Squadron 4, 4,500 new soldiers, a battery of both 3.9 inch and 5.9 inch artillery, the 1st Independent Tank Company, and various supplies are headed for Japanese positions on Guadalcanal.

At about 1830 hours local, the first shell from a Japanese 15 centimeter howitzer lands on Henderson Field. "Pistol Pete" is finally in battle.

Also heading down the Slot towards Guadalcanal tonight is Vice Admiral Kurita Takeo with the battleships Kongo and Haruna on a bombardment mission. They carry special Type 3 shells designed for antiaircraft use, but equally deadly for bombardment use. For tonight spotting is assisted by a naval gunnery officer atop Mount Austen and another leading a group of spotter and illumination aircraft.

- Six USAAF B-17s bomb Buka Island and Tonolai on Bougainville Island.

Photo: Japanese ships under attack at Tonolei harbour in the Solomon Islands on 13 October 1942. The large ship is identified as the seaplane tender Akitsushima. Note the Mitsubushi A6M3 Zero fighter

Day 1131 of World War II, October 15th 1942

Eastern Front

In Stalingrad, German attacks continue to move slowly forward in the areas of the Tractor Factory and reach the Volga River just north of the main complex.

The Northwest Staging route began operation. The route was established to ferry aircraft to Russia and allowed movement of aircraft to Alaska to meet a possible Japanese threat . In 1943 up to 450 aircraft a month were heading up the route to Russia, mostly P39s. This route was not an easy route to fly with up to hundreds of miles between small settlements and very harsh weather. One of the airports in Snag Yukon still holds the record for the coldest recorded N American temp at -81f or -63 c. 

Air War over Europe

During the night of 15/16 October, RAF Bomber Command sends 289 aircraft, 109 Wellingtons, 74 Halifaxes, 62 Lancasters and 44 Stirlings, to bomb Cologne; 258 aircraft bomb the city. Eighteen aircraft, six Wellingtons, five Halifaxes, five Lancasters and two Stirlings, are lost, 6.2 per cent of the force. This is not a successful raid. Winds are different from those forecast and the Pathfinders have difficulty in establishing their position and marking the target sufficiently to attract the Main Force away from a large decoy fire site which received most of the bombs. Cologne reports one "Luftmine" out of seventy one 4,000 pound (1 814 kilogram) bombs carried by the bombing force), three other high-explosive bombs (out of 231) and 210 incendiary bombs (out of 68,590). 226 are damaged but only two of these receive what is classed as "serious damage;" four people are injured.

During the day, 23 Douglas (A-20) Bostons of RAF Bomber Command, attempt to bomb a large German merchant ship in Le Havre docks. The intended target has moved from its berth but a 5,000 ton ship nearby is bombed instead and so badly damaged that she is later seen aground and later still seen in dry dock. No Bostons are lost. The Bostons are escorted by the two squadrons of the USAAF 14th Fighter Group, flying P-38F Lightnings from RAF Ford and RAF Tangmere, Sussex, England. This is their first combat mission with the USAAF Eighth Air Force.

During the day, four Mosquitos of RAF Bomber Command bomb the Storch diesel engine factory at Hengelo and one Mosquito bombs the port area Den Helder, all without loss.

United States

Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron Army Air Forces Antisubmarine Command is activated at New York, New York, assigned directly to HQ USAAF. The new unit takes over antisubmarine operations of the First Air Force's I Bomber Command, which is inactivated; most observation squadrons that have been flying antisubmarine warfare patrols cease and are inactivated; 12 squadrons on the East Coast and the Gulf of Mexico are assigned to the new command.

The light cruiser USS 'Denver' (CL-58 ) is commissioned. The USN now has 27 light cruisers in commission.

United Kingdom

Photo: The King inspects a line-up of 26th Armoured Brigade Crusader tank crews in Scotland, 15 October 1942



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

The USAAF Eleventh Air Force dispatches three B-26s to bomb and a B-24 to fly photo reconnaissance over Japanese-held Kiska and Attu Islands; the B-26s hit a large cargo ship in Gertrude Cove on Kiska starting a fire, and hit buildings on Attu Island; antiaircraft fire claims a B-26.

AUSTRALIA:

The Advisory War Council agrees that the government should send a request to the British requesting the return of the Australian 9th Division, Australian Imperial Force, from North Africa.
The USN's Submarine Base, Fremantle-Perth, Western Australia, is established.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA HQ

318th Fighter Group is activated at Hickam Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii; squadrons assigned,all equipped with P-40s, are the 44th and 72d Fighter Squadrons at Bellows Field and the 73d Fighter Squadron on Midway.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

In Papua New Guinea, the Australian 25th Brigade, 7th Division, drives the Japanese back from Templeton's crossing. USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20 Havocs and P-40s attack the Japanese south of Templeton's Crossing and at Popondetta while B-25 Mitchells hit targets in the Owen Stanley Range and in the area around the bridge at Wairopi. In Northeast New Guinea, B-25 Mitchells bomb Salamaua.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

The Japanese 17th Army issues tactical orders for the assault on Lunga Point, setting the date tentatively for 18 October. Beginning at 0600 hours with a strafing by four USN Fighting Squadron Five (VF-5) F4Fs, the Cactus Air Force mounts piecemeal but effective attacks against ships and newly landed Japanese troops and supplies. At 1030 hours, Brigadier General Roy Geiger, Commanding General 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, finally organizes a planned attack of 12 SBDs dive bombers of USN Bombing VB-6 and Marine Scout Bombing Squadron VMSB-141 plus other unidentified units; eight F4F fighters of VF-5; three P-39s and a P-400 Airacobra fighters and 11 B-17s bombers of the USAAF; and a USMC PBY Catalina, the personal "flag" aircraft of General.

The PBY carries two torpedoes under its wings and after receiving radioed instructions on how to airdrop torpedoes, Marine Major Jack Cram attacks the Japanese ships. These aircraft conduct a succession of attacks on the Japanese supply convoy off Tassafaronga undamaged by VS-3s strike yesterday. The B-17s damage a transport which, along with a merchant cargo ship, is run aground, where uncontrollable fires destroy both ships. Air attacks also sink a freighter and damage destroyer HIJMS Samidare.

Two of the transports pull out at 1200 hours and the others pull out during the afternoon under continued attacks of the Cactus Air Force, but the attacks continue with another ship damaged. As the two remaining transports approach to finish unloading, they are waved off by General Ito.

A small USN resupply convoy consisting of the cargo ships USS Alchiba and Bellatirx, the gunboat USS Jamestown, the destroyers USS Meredith and Nicholas and the tug USS Vireo, each towing a barge carrying barrels of gasoline and 250-pound bombs, is en route to Guadalcanal when spotted by Japanese aircraft. All ships but the tug USS Vireo and the destroyer USS Meredith beat a hasty retreat. Cautiously proceeding, the pair beat off a two-plane Japanese attack before they received word that Japanese surface ships are in the area. Only then did they reverse course.

At 1200 hours, USS Meredith ordered old, slow, and vulnerable USS Vireo abandoned and took off her crew. Meredith then stood off to torpedo the tug at 1215 hours so that she would not fall into Japanese hands intact. Suddenly, 27 "Val" dive bombers and "Zeke" fighters, from the Japanese aircraft carrier Zuikaku attack.

Before Meredith can scuttle the tug with a torpedo, however, after shooting down three aircraft, the destroyer is overwhelmed and sunk in the ensuing air attack, by bombs and aerial torpedoes. Vireo and the two gasoline barges, however, drifted to leeward, untouched. One life raft, crammed with some of Meredith's survivors, succeeded in overhauling the derelict tug and the men gratefully scrambled aboard.
The barges and the tug are later found, intact. When a salvage party boarded Vireo on 21 October, the ship is dead in the water with no lights, no steam, and no power. After abortive attempts to light fires under the boilers, using wood, the tug has to be taken under tow by the destroyer USS Grayson. In company with Grayson and USS Gwin, Vireo arrived safely at Espiritu Santo Island, on 23 October. Only seven officers and 56 men from the Meredith survived the attack and the three ensuing days of exposure to the open sea and sharks until they are rescued.

At 1245 hours, 27 "Betty" bombers escorted by 9 "Zeke" fighters attack Henderson Field against virtually no opposition. A USN VF-5 pilot flying the last operational squadron F4F Wildcat, shoots down a "Zeke." During the day, the Japanese lose six "Zekes" and a reconnaissance biplane vs. three SBDs, two P-39s and an F4F. Four American pilots and 3 aircrew are lost. In the afternoon, the Hornet Air Group in the aircraft carrier USS Hornet which is on station south of Guadalcanal but out of range of Japanese aircraft, assumes responsibility for the air defense of Henderson Field while the Cactus Air Force reorganizes and repairs aircraft. By the end of the day, the Cactus Air Force is able to maintain air defense over Henderson Field and USS Hornet retires.

During the day, Japanese land-based artillery bombards the Marines' Lunga Point Perimeter.

Air resupply and reinforcements for the Cactus Air Force arrive in the form of three Marine Utility Squadron Two Hundred Fifty Four R4D-1 Skytrains each carrying twelve 55 U.S. gallon drums of aviation fuel while Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-21 pilots ferry six SBDs from Espiritu Santo Island in the New Hebrides.

A single USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17 attacks shipping near Treasury Islands during the day. At the end of the day, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander of the Pacific Fleet and Commander of the Pacific Ocean Area, calls the situation on Guadalcanal "critical."

During the night of 15/16 October, Japanese heavy cruisers Chokai and Kinugasa (Vice Admiral Mikawa Gunichi) bombard Henderson Field between 0147 and 0217 hours, covering the movement of six destroyers and eleven transports with 5,000 troops to Tassafaronga. More U.S. aircraft are destroyed or damaged, more fuel is set afire and more facilities are destroyed on the airfield.

Day 1133 of World War II, October 17th 1942

Battle of the Atlantic

A convoy that will carry American and British troops to French North Africa begins assembling in the Firth of Clyde the estuary of the River Clyde in Scotland.

Air War over Europe

94 Avro Lancasters of RAF Bomber Command were dispatched in a daylight raid on the Schneider munitions and heavy engineering factory and the associated electricity transformer at Le Creusot, over 300 miles inside France and 170 miles southeast of Paris. The Schneider factory at Le Creusot is regarded as the French equivalent to Krupps and produces heavy guns, railway engines and, it is believed, tanks and armoured cars. A large workers' housing estate is situated at one end of the factory. RAF Bomber Command has been given this as the highest priority target in France for a night attack but only in the most favourable of conditions. Air Marshal Arthur Harris, Air Officer Commanding RAF Bomber Command, decides to attack by day, at low level. The task is given to Air Vice-Marshal Coryton's 5 Group and its nine Lancaster squadrons carry out a series of low-level practice flights over England. After a favourable weather report, 94 Lancasters set out on the afternoon of 17 October. The force is led by Wing Commander L. C. Slee of 49 Squadron. Eighty eight aircraft are to bomb the Schneider factory; the other six are to attack a nearby transformer station which supplies the factory with electricity. The Lancasters fly in a loose formation over the sea around Brittany, and cross the coast of France between La Rochelle and St Nazaire without any fighter escort. For 300 miles (483 kilometers) the Lancasters fly at tree-top level across France. No German fighters attack the bombers during this flight. The greatest danger is from birds; four aircraft are damaged and two men injured in bird strikes. After a fine piece of work by Wing Commander Slee's navigator, Pilot Officer A. S. Grant, the force reaches its last turning-point near Nevers and gains height for bombing. There is practically no Flak at the target and bombing takes place in clear conditions at heights of between 2,500 and 7,500 feet (762 and 2 296 meters).The attackers dropped 140 tons of bombs on the target. The Lancasters return home safely as darkness closes in. One airman, describing the daylight flight without fighter cover, said,

"It was like the Grand National, except that no one fell!"

That was not quite accurate - one of the Lancasters (61 Squadron ) was lost when it flew into a building during its bombing run. The 5 Group crews claimed a successful attack on the Schneider factory but photographs taken later show that much of the bombing had fallen short and had struck the workers' housing estate near the factory. Some bombs had fallen into the factory area but damage there is not extensive. It has not been possible to obtain a report from France on the casualties suffered by the local people in this raid.

Eleven RAF Bomber Command Douglas (A-20) Bostons sent to Le Havre have to turn back but six other Bostons carry out a sweep to create a diversion for the Le Creusot force. No Bostons are lost.

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

Four USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb the Main Camp area on Japanese-held Kiska Island and a beached vessel in Trout Lagoon; the results are unobserved due to clouds; a B-24 flying weather reconnaissance finds no trace of two destroyers, confirming their sinking on 16 October.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

In Papua New Guinea, bitter fighting is in progress on the Kokoda Track at Eora Creek, where the Japanese commit reinforcements.

The point unit for the Australians is the 16th Brigade which has taken over from the 25th Brigade.

Abel's Field at Fasari, on the upper Musa River near Mt Sapia, becomes operational; the field is named for Cecil Abel, a missionary who constructed it with assistance of native labor and equipment dropped by USAAF Fifth Air Force.

First luggers reach Wanigela and continue toward Pongani with men and supplies.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

A force of 18 "Val" dive bombers and 18 "Zeke" fighters from the aircraft carriers Hiyo and Junyo have been temporarily based at Buka Airdrome on Buka Island just north of Bougainville Island. This force is airborne this morning to attack shipping off Guadalcanal. At 0720 hours local, eight Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-121 F4Fs intercept this force as the "Vals" attack two USN destroyers, USS Aaron Ward and Lardner, shelling new Japanese Army supply dumps west of the Lunga Perimeter near Tassafaronga. The Marine Wildcats disrupt the attack and shoot down six "Vals" and four "Zekes;" one Wildcat is lost along with its pilot. The destroyers continue their bombardment and fire 1,925 5-inch rounds at the supply dumps.

Throughout the day, numerous P-39 and P-400 Airacobra fighter-bombers and six B-17s bomb the Japanese supply dumps. In the afternoon, the Japanese Navy sends 15 "Betty" bombers and nine "Zekes" to bomb Guadalcanal; the Japanese aircraft are unopposed.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

(Fifth Air Force): The 403d Bombardment Squadron, 43d BG (Heavy), moves from Torrens Creek to Iron Range, Australia with B-17s.

Day 1135 of World War II, October 19th 1942

Battle of the Atlantic

The U.S. freighter SS 'Steel Navigator', straggling from convoy ON 137, is attacked by German submarine U-610; 'Steel Navigator' briefly drives off the shadower with 5-inch (12.7 centimeter) gunfire, but the U-boat returns and torpedoes and sinks the freighter about 828 nautical miles ENE of St. John's, Newfoundland. A hastily launched motor boat swamps in heavy seas; No.3 lifeboat swamps as the ship plunges and spills its 35 occupants into the sea. 'U-610' surfaces and approaches the survivors' boats and rafts; when questions shouted by the submarine's commander fail to get answers, the Germans threaten to cut a raft in two. After answers are given in the brief interrogation, the Germans refuse to provide a course to the nearest land and depart. Subsequently, survivors right No.3 boat and redistribute themselves; the boats become separated.

U-116 (Type XB) is listed as missing in the North Atlantic, details and position not known; all hands, 55 men, are lost. The last radio message was sent on 6 October when the boat was about 423 nautical miles NNW of Lagens Field, Azores Islands.

Battle of the Mediterranean

British submarine HMS 'Unbending' torpedoes and sinks the Italian destroyer 'Giovanni da Verazzano' and a 4,459 ton merchant vessel south of Pantelleria Island.

North African campaign

The air offensive preliminary to the British Eighth Army ground attack west of El Alamein, Egypt begins as RAF aircraft and US Army, Middle East Air Force B-25 Mitchells hit a landing ground and B-24 Liberators claim a direct hit on vessel at Tobruk, Libya.

United States

The initial installation and deployment of the AN/ASB-3 airborne search radar is reported. This radar, developed by the Naval Research Laboratory for carrier based aircraft, has been installed in five TBF-1 Avengers by NAS New York, New York, and five SBD-3 Dauntlesses by NAS San Pedro, California. One aircraft of each type is assigned to Carrier Air Group Eleven in USS 'Saratoga' and the others shipped to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The remaining sets on the initial contract for 25 are to be used for spare parts and training.

The War Department agrees to equip 30 more Chinese divisions.

United Kingdom

Photo: Churchill tanks of A and B Squadrons, 43rd Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment, 33rd Brigade negotiating obstacles



Photo: Churchill tanks of A and B Squadrons, 43rd Battalion, Royal Tank Regiment, 33rd Brigade moving across rough terrain



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

A USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-17 flies weather reconnaissance and bomb runs over Attu, Semichi, Kiska, and Amchitka Islands; six B-24s dispatched to bomb Japanese-held Kiska Island abort the mission due to weather.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

The U.S. 25th Infantry Division is alerted for movement to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.

NEW CALEDONIA

The Japanese submarine I-19 launches a "Glen" reconnaissance aircraft to reconnoiter Noumea.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

In Papua New Guinea, U.S. Colonel Leif Sverdrup's reconnaissance party completes march along Kapa Kapa trail, which is so poor that it is rejected as a possible route of advance, to upper Musa River, where Abel's Field is already in use. Sverdrup is the deputy to the Southwest Pacific Area's Engineer officer and he is charged with locating and developing landing fields. He began his march on 17 September.

NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS

The USN submarine USS Amberjack arrives at Espiritu Santo, assigned temporarily to Commander, Aircraft, South Pacific, for duty. Over the next three days, two of the submarine's fuel tanks will be cleaned and converted to carry aviation gasoline. She will also take on board 100-pound bombs and embark USAAF enlisted ground crew for transportation to Guadalcanal.

PACIFIC OCEAN

The USN destroyer USS O'Brien, damaged by submarine torpedo on 15 September 1942 breaks in two and sinks en route to United States for repairs, 53 miles NNE of Tutuila, Samoa.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

The last elements of the Japanese 2nd "Sendai" Division step off along a primitive road (the "Maruyama Road") through Guadalcanal' s jungles and struggle toward attack positions south of the American-held airfields. The "road" is a 24-inch wide trail hacked through the jungle for 20-miles; the initial march started on 16 October. Each member of the elite 2nd "Emperor's Own" Infantry Division lugs his rifle, pack and a 30-pound artillery shell over ridges and gorges. Lieutenant General Maruyama Masao, commander of the 2nd Division, is confident his division will massacre Henderson Field's defenders with a surprise attack and his staff is already planning the surrender ceremony. Another 3,000 Japanese infantry supported by artillery and tanks are readying a diversionary attack west of the airfields. As yet, the Americans have not detected the moves.

During the day, a USN minesweeper arrives off Lunga Point with one hundred seventy five 55 U.S. gallon drums of aviation fuel and a fuel barge is towed from the New Hebrides to Tulagi Island by a fleet tug. Cactus Air Force F4Fs fly a constant combat air patrol (CAP) over the fuel.

SBDs dive bombers of the USN's Bombing Squadron VB-6 and Scouting Squadron VS 71 and Marine Scout Bombing Squadron VMSB-141 from Henderson Field attack three Japanese destroyers north of Guadalcanal, damaging Uranami.

Japanese artillery fire closes Henderson Field for part of the day.

The USN submarine USS Grampus lands Australian coastwatchers on Choiseul Island.

INDIAN OCEAN THEATRE - BATTLE OF MADAGASCAR (OPERATION STREAM LINE JANE)

British East African troops press southward from Tananarive to clear the southern part of island and in two- pronged attack overcome opposition at Andriamanalina. The King's African Rifles capture 800 Vichy troops near Ivato.

TUTUILA,SAMOA

Destroyer O'Brien (DD-415), damaged by submarine torpedo on 15 September 1942, breaks in two and sinks en route to United States for repairs, 53 miles north-northwest of Tutuila, Samoa.

ESPIRITU SANTO,NEW HEBRIDES

Submarine Amberjack (SS-219) arrives at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, assigned temporarily to Commander, Aircraft, South Pacific, for duty. Over the next three days, two of the submarine's fuel tanks will be cleaned and converted to carry aviation gasoline. She will also take on board 100-pound bombs and embark USAAF enlisted ground crew for transportation to Guadalcanal.

Day 1137 of World War II, October 21st 1942

Eastern Front

A combined German, Finnish and Italian force launched an unsuccessful attack on Suho Island on Lake Ladoga to break the Soviet supply route to Leningrad. 12 'Seibel' ferries were dispatched on this operation. If it had succeeded, it would have posed a major threat against the Soviet sea-line to Leningrad. But the attack was beaten back by the island's Russian garrison.

German street fighters make gains in the Red October area of Stalingrad and over the next two days more than half of the Barrikady Factory and housing project in the north are taken in a series of vicious attacks.

The first FW 190 claimed shot down by Soviet fighters appears to have been a case of mistaken aircraft idenity. When six I-16s of the Soviet naval Guards fighter aviation regiment, 4 GvIAP/VVS-KBF, led by 1st Eskadrilya's ace Kapitain Ovchinnikov, attempted to intercept a formation of Ju 88s over the Gulf of Finland, the Soviets came under attack by "two finger-four groups" of "air-cooled-engined fighters" - identified as FW 190s. Ovchinnikov was hit and barely managed to withdraw from combat with severe wounds. Two of the German fighters immediately pursued his Ishak. Kapitain Petr Kozhanov and his wingman immediately turned to Ovchinnikov's assisstance. Kozhanov aimed carefully and fired all his six RS rockets at the German plane. The explosion threw the leading"FW 190" into a spin and the triumphant Soviet pilot saw it crash into the water. The confusion among the surviving Axis fighters enabled the I-16s - including Ovchinnikov - to withdraw and return to base. No such loss can be found in the German records for this date. One possibility is that the aircraft downed by Kapitain Kozhanov in fact was a Finnish Brewster Buffalo.

Air War over Europe

The USAAF Eighth Air Force flies Mission 15 against two targets; three B-17 Flying Fortresses are lost: 83 B-17s from the USAAF 97th, 301st and 306th BG along with 24 B-24s from the 93rd BG, were dispatched to attack the U-Boat pens at Keroman and an airfield in France. 17 B-17s from the 11th CCRC were sent to bomb Cherbourg. Heavy cloud cover forced a recall of the bombers but 15 Fortresses from the 97th BG continued to its target. After bombing the target, the formation was bounced by 36 FW 190s over the French coast. 3 B-17s were shot down and another 6 badly damaged. 5 bombers were claimed as destroyed by fighters from JG 2. The bombers claimed have shot down 10 Luftwaffe fighters. The second mission consisting of eight of 17 B-17s bomb Cherbourg Airfield; they claim 10-4-3 aircraft without loss.

During the day, three RAF Bomber Command Mosquitos are dispatched to Germany but only two are able to bomb targets, the Stork diesel engine factory at Hengelo and the airfield at Leeuwarden. No losses.

During the night of 21/22 October, RAF Bomber Command dispatches seven Stirlings and seven Wellingtons to lay mines off Denmark and in the Frisian Islands of the Netherlands but the Wellingtons are recalled. Six of the seven Stirlings lay their mines in the Frisian Islands with the loss of one aircraft.

Battle of the Atlantic

In the North Sea, the 3,974 ton cargo/passenger ship SS 'Palatia' departs Kristiansand, Norway. On board are 999 Russian POWs and 135 ships crew and guards, a total of 1,134 men. About an hour after sailing, the ship is torpedoed by a Hampden Mk. I torpedo bomber from No. 489 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, based at Wick, Caithness, Scotland. The 'Palatia' sinks near the Sangnvaar Lighthouse, with the loss of 954 men.

Battle of the Mediterranean

German submarine U-431 is sunk about 75 nautical miles (139 kilometers) east of Cartagena, Spain, by depth charges from an RAF Wellington Mk. XIV, of No. 179 Squadron based at Gibraltar; all 53 crewmen are lost.

Battle of the Baltic

In the Gulf of Bothnia between Finland and Sweden, the Soviet submarine S-7 surfaces in the open sea at 1926 hours and is located by the Finnish submarine 'Vesihiisi' 8 000 meters (4.3 nautical miles) away. A single torpedo is fired from 2 000 meters (1.1 nautical miles), hitting the Soviet boat in the stern and sinking it. Only the four men standing in the bridge, including the captain survive, and are made POWs.

North African campaign

In advance of the Allied North African landings, U.S. Major General Mark W. Clark, Deputy Commander in Chief Allied Expeditionary Force; Brigadier General Lyman M. Lemnitzer, Assistant Chief of Staff to Supreme Allied Commander Mediterranean; two additional Army officers; and Navy Captain Jerauld Wright are landed at Cherchel, about 49 miles (79 kilometers) west of Algiers, from British submarine HMS/M '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 Henri-Honere Giraud, a POW in occupied France. Since none is available for that mission, a British submarine under temporary U.S. command will be substituted. The meeting comes to an abrupt halt after a servant tips off police who happen to belong to the resistance. Clark's party gets a good soaking when their boat capsizes on return to HMS/M 'Seraph'.

US Army, Middle East Air Force B-24 Liberators dispatched against shipping at Bengasi fail to locate target because of bad weather; during the return flight, several B-24s bomb tent areas along the coast and also hit landing grounds; B-25 Mitchells, cooperating with the RAF, bomb a landing ground and tent area.

United States

Admiral Ernest J. King, Chief of Naval Operations and Commander in Chief United States Fleet, informs Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander of the Pacific Ocean Area and Commander of the Pacific Fleet, that the Joint Chiefs of Staff have agreed to strengthen air forces in South Pacific by 1 January 1943.

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Stanly (DD-478) off Charleston, South Carolina (USA), circa in October 1942. She was originally configured to receive an aircraft catapult which was never fitted. Note that the wartime censor has removed the fire control radar of the Mark 37 gun director



Pacific War

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO

USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25's hit Luscan Harbor on the south coast of New Britain Island.

CHINA

B-24 Liberators of the USAAF Tenth Air Force's India Air Task Force (IATF) stage through Chengtu to bomb coal mines at Lin-hsi; 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 USAAF strike north of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

In Papua New Guinea, a 50-man patrol of Cannon Company, U.S. 32d Infantry Division, sets out from Jaure for the Kumusi River Valley, where it subsequently establishes a defense line and is joined by Captain Alfred Medendorp's main group (Company E, 126th Infantry Regiment, Antitank and Cannon Companies and native carriers), the entire force being called the Wairopi Patrol.

The Australians maintain pressure on the Japanese along the Kokoda Track, slowly gaining ground in flanking attacks. The 16th Brigade advances and finds that the Japanese have abandoned the positions they held yesterday.

Australian General Thomas Blamey, Commander in Chief Allied Land Forces Southwest Pacific Area and Commander in Chief Australian Military Force, sends a message to Major General Arthur Allen, General Officer Commanding 7th Australian Division, stating, "You should consider acting with greater boldness ...General MacArthur (considers) that progress on the trail is not repeat not satisfactory. The tactical handling of our troops in my opinion is faulty." General Allen responds, "I feel that the difficulty of operations in this country are still not fully realised.... the track between Alola and Myola is the roughest and most precipitous throughout the complete route."

Photo: Port Morsbey, Papau, C. 1942-10. A Daouglas Boston bomber aircraft ofNO. 22 Squadron RAAF on the runway of the airfield at Port Morsebey



PACIFIC OCEAN

The Japanese aircraft carrier Hiyo is damaged by an engine room fire after departing Truk in the Caroline Islands and thus cannot participate in the Battle of Santa Cruz on 26 October.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

The Japanese 11th Air Fleet at Rabaul begins its attacks on Guadalcanal in support of the upcoming offensive. Nine "Betty" bombers , escorted by 25 "Zeke" fighters strike Henderson Field. USMC and USN F4F pilots shoot down six "Zekes;" two F4Fs are lost.

On Guadalcanal, the Japanese 2nd Division is advancing towards the point south of Henderson Field for their attack. They have been marching for six days and are heavily engaged by the jungle. Due to their lack of progress, the attack scheduled for tomorrow night is postponed one day. Meanwhile, the Japanese coastal force, with support of artillery and tanks, attempts to cross to eastern bank of the Matanikau River but pulls back after losing a tank to U.S. fire.