World War II in real time

Day 1156 of World War II, November 9th 1942

Eastern Front

In air combat with numerically superior Russian fighters over Welish, Ofw. Franz-Josef Beerenbrock of 10./JG 51 downed 3 Russian fighters (victories 115 to 117), but his Bf 109F-2 "Weiss 12" recieved a hit in the radiator and he went down over Russian-held territory. After an emergency landing he was captured and made a POW. A few days later, the Russian fighter units in the area suddenly started using the very same tactics as Beerenbrock had used with such success. Beerenbrock's old friends in JG 51 were certain that Beerenbrock, who had a Russian mother, had gone over to the Russian side. The truth may never be known. But it is a fact that while in Russian captivity, Beerenbrock was one of the founders - together with General von Seydlitz and others - of a well-known pro-Soviet German prisoner's organization "Bund Deutscher Offiziere" or BDO.

Air War over Europe

During the day, 12 RAF Bomber Command (A-20) Bostons bomb Le Havre and score a hit on the large German merchant ship which has been the objective of recent raids. The ship is put out of action for several months. No Bostons are lost.

During the night of 9/10 November, 15 RAF Bomber Command Stirlings drop leaflets over France without loss.

RAF Bomber Command dispatches 213 aircraft, 74 Wellingtons, 72 Lancasters, 48 Halifaxes and 19 Stirlings, to bomb Hamburg; 155 aircraft hit the target. Fifteen aircraft, five Lancasters, four Stirlings, four Wellingtons and two Halifaxes, are lost, 7.0 per cent of the force. The bombers encounter cloud and icing and winds which had not been forecast. No clear identification or marking of Hamburg is made. Hamburg reports thick cloud and heavy rain and says that many bombs fall in the Elbe River or in open country. There are 26 fires in Hamburg of which three are large ones. Casualties are three people killed and 16 injured. Four other aircraft bomb Bremen and one each attack Husum and Sylt Island.

Bomber Command authorizes planning for the bombing of the Philips radio and valve works at Eindhoven named Operation Oyster. The works were the largest in Europe and provided over one-third of German valves and certain radio equipment. 2 Group were ordered to begin the planning for the precision daylight raid. (Plan D)

Lieutenant General Carl Spaatz, Commanding General USAAF Eighth Air Force, in a memo to Lieutenant General Dwight D Eisenhower, Supreme Commander Allied Expeditionary Force, agrees that any increase in air commitments to Northwest Africa must necessarily be made at the expense of U.S. forces in the U.K. as U.S. forces in other theaters are considered irreducible. (Syscom)

31 of 33 B-17s and 12 of 14 B-24s attacked the U-Boat base at Saint Nazaire, France from a reduced altitude. New orders requiring the bombers to fly at a lower level - 7,000 to 8,000 feet - allowed the defending AA guns to score hits on the oncoming formations. Ony one of the 12 Liberators bombing from 17,500 to 18,300 feet suffered AA damage, but the 31 B-17s at the lower altitude lost 3 of the bombers and had 22 damaged by AA fire. This ended the experiment with low-level attacks of heavy bombers against submarine bases.

More transfers were ordered for I./JG 2, led by Hptm. Erich Leie, and 10(Jabo)./JG 2 and 10(Jabo)./JG 26. The formations flew to Marsellies to support the German occupation of Vichy France and to guard against an Allied invasion on southern France. The aerial defense of the Channel coast was now left to I./JG 26, II./JG 26, III./JG 26 and III./JG 2.

Battle of the Mediterranean

In the Tyrrhenian Sea, the British submarine HMS/M 'Saracen' sinks the Italian submarine 'R.Smg Granito' about 63 nautical miles (117 kilometers) west-northwest of Palermo, Sicily.

North African campaign - Operation TORCH

US troops advanced on both sides of Oran, taking 20,000 French prisoners after stiff resistance. A flanking attack on Oran continues to meet resistance as it reaches the outskirts of the city, but La Senia Airport, located 4.6 miles (7,4 kilometers) south of Oran, is captured and French resistance at St Cloud is bypassed and contained. French General Henri Honer Giraud arrives in Algiers. Since Admiral Jean-Francois Darlan, High Commissioner in Vichy French North Africa, is in Algiers, U.S. Major General Mark Clark, Deputy Commander Allied Expeditionary Force, is pressing him to declare for the Allies. Marshal Henri-Philippe Petain, Head of the Vichy French Government, is secretly giving Darlan some encouragement to negotiate. General K. A. N. Anderson takes command of the British First Army at Algiers and prepares to move light forces as rapidly as possible to Tunis and Bizerte, Tunisia, in order to forestall the German seizure of these important objectives. The Western Task Force establishes headquarters at Fedala, where Rear Admiral H. Kent Hewitt, USN, transfers to Major General George S. Patton, Jr., USA, command of troops ashore. The beachheads were secured at Casabalanca. Heavy fighting continued at Port Lyautey. The 3d Infantry Division delays their advance on Casablanca to await unloading of heavy equipment and artillery. Regimental Combat Team 47, 9th Infantry Division, organizes the Safi beachhead. (Syscom)

On news of the 'Torch' landings, the first German troops were flown across from Sicily to Tunisia on the 9th and within two days started a large buildup. After Montgomery's Eighth Army chased Rommel's Afrika Korps across the Lybian desert into Tunisia, the Axis was in a better position than the newly arrived Allied forces. Troops and supplies were being rushed into Tunis and Bizerte from Sicily and Sardinia. Feldmarschall Kesselring was able to bring 3 German divisions; the 10.Panzerdivision, the Herman Goring and the 334th Infantry and 2 Italian divisions into Tunisia as reinforcements. By the end of the month, a total of 100,867 troops and officers, 12,549 tons of supplies and 1,256 tanks, armoured cars and vehicles were amassed due to airlifts.

Photo: French Navy and commercial ships in Casablanca harbour, Morocco, after the battle of 8 November 1942. The two damaged 1500-tonne destroyers at left are either Simoun or Tempête (T62) and the capsized Frondeur (T22). Another ship of that class is alongside the quay in right center. Among the merchant ships present are Endome (left), Delaballe (center, inboard) and Wyoming (center, outboard). All wear neutrality markings. Outside the harbor are the beached light cruiser Primauguet (left center), and the destroyers Albatros and Milan (closest to the beach)



Photo: Aerial view of the port of Casablanca, Morocco, at the time of the Allied landings in North Africa. Note the sunken ship in the center of the harbour and the French battleship Jean Bart on the left



Vichy French Admiral Platon arrives in Tunis with orders for the Resident General, Admiral Esteva and the Port Director of Bizerte, Admiral Derrien, to permit German troop landings. The Germans invade Tunisia without opposition from the French, initial elements landing on El Aouina airport in Tunis.

In Algeria, Spitfires of the 31st FG attacked and halted an armoured column moving north toward Tafaraoui and also attacked artillery and flak batteries southeast of Tafaraoui and along the coastal road. major Joachim Muncheburg, Geschwaderkommodore of JG 77, downed a Spitfire for his 117th victory. Major General James H Doolittle, Commanding General USAAF Twelfth Air Force, arrives in Algeria from Gibraltar by B-17 Flying Fortress, escorted by 12 Spitfires of the 52d Fighter Group.

The USN transport 'Leedstown' (AP-73), bombed and torpedoed by German planes yesterday, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-173 about 12 nautical miles (22 kilometers) off Algiers. (Syscom) The British corvette HMS 'Gardenia' is sunk off Oran, Algeria, in a collision with the minesweeping trawler HMS 'Fluellen'.

The British Eighth Army resumes the pursuit of Axis forces as the weather improves. The New Zealand 2d Division reduces opposition at Sidi Barrani and continues west.

United States

The first German agent, Werner Alfred von Janowski, a trained German saboteur, comes ashore from German submarine U-518 off the Gaspo town of New Carlisle, Quebec. (New Carlisle is located on the north coast of Chaleur Bay between the provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick.) His strong accent and out-of-place possessions lead to his capture within twelve hours. Once the counter-spy section of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) takes him into custody, they decide to "turn" him and so produce their first double agent, code-named "Watchdog."

Vichy France

In Vichy France, Prime Minister Pierre Laval agrees to allow the German use of airfields in Tunisia.

Allen Dulles arrives in Bern on the last train from Vichy France, only hours before the Germans occupy southern France and cut the rail link. Ostensibly taking up a post as assistant to the American minister in Bern, Dulles's real job is to organize the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) Mission in Switzerland. He soon begins setting up a professional intelligence outpost on Germany's southern border.

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

Two USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-26's and four P-38's bomb a cargo ship in Gertrude Cove on Japanese held Kiska Island but no hits are scored; two P-38s then strafe the harbor area. A B-17 Flying Fortress and four P-38s attack Holtz Bay on Japanese-held Attu Island and the airfield destroying eight "Rufe" seaplane fighters. Meanwhile, a B-17 flies weather reconnaissance over Attu, Kiska, and the Segula Islands.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO

USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25s score a hit on a merchant vessel off the southern tip of New Ireland Island.

NEW GUINEA

In the Olivi-Gorari area of Papua New Guinea, Australian troops again attack Japanese troops but cannot budge them.

In Papua New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20's hit Japanese troops at Oivi in support of an Australian offensive in the Owen Stanley Range and B-26 Marauders bomb Buna. Advance elements of the 2d Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 32d Infantry Division, arrive at Natunga and the airlift of the 126th Infantry Regiment, less 2d Battalion, from Port Moresby to the forward area begins. Leading elements of 1st Battalion, are flown to Abel's field, since Pongani Field is temporarily unserviceable, and start toward Pongani on foot. The rest of the 1st Battalion (Companies D and C, less two platoons) is flown to Pongani and starts march toward Natunga.

In Northeast New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25s attack a schooner off Salamaua.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

On Guadalcanal, the 7th Marine Regiment, committing the 2d Battalion of the Army's 164th Infantry Regiment to its south, completes the encirclement of the Japanese along Gavaga Creek except for a small gap on the south at the creek line. They repel a spirited attempts by the Japanese to break out. During the night, most of the Japanese,under Colonel Shoji, escape between the flanks of the two regiments.

In preparation for renewing the attack on Kokumbona, the 164th Infantry Regiment units (Headquarters, Antitank Company and 3d Battalion) and Company B of the 8th Marine Regiment are withdrawn from Koli Point area to Lunga perimeter.

Day 1158 of World War II, November 11th 1942

Eastern Front

At Stalingrad, German 6.Armee (von Paulus) launches its last major attack to capture the city and succeeds in reaching the Volga River near the Red October factory on a frontage of 600 yards (549 meters). The heavy attacks in the factory district resulted in the capture of the Red October factory and cutting off the Barrikady factory. The Germans also captured another 500 yards of precious ground along the Volga River. Ice was beginning to form on the Volga and the floating chunks brought shipping to a standstill. The Soviets fragment the German effort and within two days the offensive degenerates into a series of unconnected actions. Both sides suffer heavy casualties. While some German units penetrate to the Volga River, others are cut off. Floating blocks of ice in the Volga cause problems with Soviet resupply efforts.

In the Caucasus, 13.Panzer-Division (von der Chevallerie) of III.Panzerkorps (von Mackensen) begins to disengage its units halted before Ordshonikidse to avoid being cut off by heavy Soviet attacks against its rear communications.

Air War over Europe

During the night of 11/12 November, RAF Bomber Command Wellingtons lay mines off Bay of Biscay ports: ten lay mines off St. Nazaire; nine off Lorient; six off La Pallice; and four off Brest.

Battle of the Atlantic

The German armored ship 'Admiral Scheer' returns to Kiel from Norway.

In the Bay of Biscay, the British submarine HMS/M 'Unbeaten', en route from the U.K. to Gibraltar, is sunk about 132 nautical miles SW of Brest, France, by an RAF Wellington Mk. VIII of No. 172 Squadron based at RAF Chivenor, Devonshire, England. All hands on the submarine are lost.

Battle of the Mediterranean

German submarine U-515 torpedoes and sinks the 10,850 ton British destroyer depot ship HMS 'Hecla' about 182 nautical miles NW of Rabat, French Morocco. A total of 279 crewmen went down with the ship and 568 men are rescued by escorting destroyers.

German submarine U-173 torpedoes and sinks transport USS 'Joseph Hewes' and torpedoes destroyer USS 'Hambleton' and oiler USS 'Winooski' off Fedala Roads, French Morocco.

German submarine U-407 torpedoes and sinks the 19,627 ton British merchant freighter SS 'Viceroy of India' about 47 nautical miles NNE of Oran, Algeria.

The British minelayer HMS 'Manxman' makes a dash from Alexandria, Egypt, to Malta delivering vitally needed supplies.

North African campaign - Operation TORCH

The Vichy French representative for North Africa, Admiral Jean-Francois Darlan, arranges an armistice with the Allies which ends the fighting in French Morocco and Algeria effective at 0700 hours local. Admiral Darlan also helps the Allied governments to gain control over French West Africa, which eliminates the threat to Allied convoys operating along the African coast. The U.S. Western Task Force canceled an attack on Casablanca because of the armistice and the 3d Infantry Division entered the city at 0730 hours. Combat Command B of the 2d Armored Division received the surrender of Mazagan and established a bridgehead at Azemmour without opposition. The British First Army lands elements of the 36th Brigade, 78th Division, at Bougie, 110 miles (177 kilometers) east of Algiers, without opposition. The Hart Force, a mobile task force based on the 11th Brigade of the 78th Division, moves out of Algiers toward Bône, traveling overland.

The last German and Italian troops had been chased out of Egypt and Libya. In Libya the X Corps, British Eighth Army retook Sollum and Bardia while Panzerarmee Afika continued its withdrawl towards Tripoli.

Photo: A long line of transport, including a Sherman tank on a Scammell tank transporter, moving along the coast road in pursuit of the enemy, 11 November 1942



Photo: A Grant tank crossing a steep ditch outside Mersa Matruh, 11 November 1942



Fifteen US Army, Middle East Air Force B-24's bomb shipping north of Bengasi, claiming four direct hits and several near misses on a vessel. P-40s fly a sweep over the Gambut area, claiming three Luftwaffe Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers destroyed.

USAAF Twelfth Air Force fighters fly reconnaissance over the Oran-Tafaraoui area and escort C-47 Skytrains carrying paratroops from Gibraltar to Algiers.

United States

Henry J. Kaiser readies the launch of a Liberty ship in San Francisco Bay. The ship's keel was laid in Richmond at midnight 7 November and completed in 4 days, 15 hours, 26 minutes.

The Air Corps Board, which had been established before World War II to develop and determine military requirements, is redesignated the Army Air Forces Board.

United Kingdom

RCAF No.431 Sqn is formed on Wellingtons.

Vichy France - Case Anton

German troops occupy Vichy France, which had previously been free of an Axis military presence. Since July 1940 the autonomous French state has been split into two regions. One is occupied by German troops, and the other was unoccupied, governed by a more or less puppet regime centered in Vichy, a spa region about 200 miles SE of Paris, and led by Marshal of France Henri Philippe Pétain, a World War I hero. Publicly, Petain declares that Germany and France have a common goal, "the defeat of England." Privately, Pétain hoped that by playing mediator between the Axis power and his fellow countrymen, he could keep German troops out of Vichy while surreptitiously aiding the antifascist Resistance movement. However, Pétain receives a letter from German Chancellor Adolf Hitler informing him that all the German efforts to preserve the armistice and to improve relations with France proved futile. According to Hitler;

"When information had been received that the next objectives of Anglo-American invasion were to be Corsica and the south of France, Germany and Italy were forced to take all measures to "arrest the continuation of the Anglo-American aggression."

Pétain protested against the German invasion of occupied France as a;

"decision incompatible with the armistice agreement."

Italian troops land on Corsica and move into mainland France.

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

Three USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-26's, three B-17's, and three B-24's are over Japanese-held Kiska Island; the B-26s make unsuccessful runs on a ship in Gertrude Cove and the B-1's and B-24s find the submarine base closed by weather.

A weather aircraft flies over Attu and Amchitka Islands.

BURMA

Nine USAAF Tenth Air Force P-40s hit Shinghbwiyang causing heavy damage.

INDIAN OCEAN

Two Japanese armed merchant cruisers, Hokoku Maru and Aikoku Maru, attack the Indian minesweeper HMIS Bengal escorting the empty armed Dutch tanker SS Ondina about WNW of Perth, Western Australia, Australia, in position 19.45S, 092.40E. HMIS Bengal mounts one 3-inch (75mm) gun and some machine guns, SS Ondina mounts a 4-inch (10,2 cm) and several machine guns while the two Japanese armed merchant cruisers mount eight 5.5-inch (14.0 centimeter), two 3.1-inch (80 mm) and four 1-inch (25 mm) guns plus four torpedo tubes. They also carry two "Rufe" seaplanes.

One shell fired by SS Ondina hits the torpedo tubes on Hokoku Maru causing the torpedoes to explode and turning the ship into a flaming wreck and she sank.

Meanwhile, HMIS Bengal was firing at Aikoku Maru until she ran out of ammunition and steamed away leaving SS Ondina. The crew of the Ondina kept firing at the Japanese ship and in turn, was hit several times. However, a tanker has many individual tanks and she was empty so a shell in one or more tanks would not sink her.

The crew of Ondina fired their last shell and the captain ordered "Abandon Ship." Aikoku Maru approached the tanker and fired two torpedoes which struck the ship and exploded but did not sink her despite a 30-35 degree list. The Japanese then opened fire on the three lifeboats and two rafts, fired another torpedo at the tanker which missed, picked up survivors from the Hokoku Maru and then departed the area.

The tanker was still afloat and the crew reboarded her and set sail for Fremantle, Western Australia. HMIS Bengal arrived at Diego Garcia Island on 17 November while SS Ondina arrived at Fremantle on 18 November. After the failure of this engagement, the Japanese discontinue their armed merchant cruiser program.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

In Papua New Guinea, the Japanese Oivi-Gorari defenses are defeated and the Australian 16th Brigade moves forward and finds Oivi deserted. Meanwhile, the headquarters of the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, is flown to Pongani.

In the air, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20's bomb and strafe targets in the Wairopi area.

HQ V Fighter Command arrives in Australia from the US; Brigadier General Paul B Wurtsmith is named Commanding General.

PACIFIC OCEAN

Search aircraft from Guadalcanal Island report at least 61 Japanese ships in the Buin-Tonolai in the southern area of Bougainville Island and other ships are massed at Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago.

Four Japanese submarines launch "Glen" seaplanes to fly reconnaissance over

Allied bases:

- I-7's "Glen" flies over Vanikoro, Santa Cruz Island, Solomon Islands.

- I-9s "Glen" overflies Espirito Santo, New Hebrides Islands.

- I-21's "Glen" reconnoiters Noumea, New Caledonia Island.

- I-31's "Glen" overflies Suva, Viti Levu Island, Fiji Islands.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

The U.S. advance towards Kokumbona on Guadalcanal Island continues, in spite of the orders of Lieutenant General Sano Tadayoshi, commander of the 38th Division, the 2nd Battalion, 228th Infantry Regiment, to destroy the U.S. forces west of the Matanikau River. The offensive halts shortly after 1200 hours and the units are ordered to withdraw. The troops can not be told the real reason for the withdrawal; another Japanese offensive to retake Guadalcanal is in the offing.

The American westward offensive toward Kobumbona is halted because of strong indications of an all-out Japanese attempt to recover the Lunga area. After reaching positions a little beyond those gained on 4 November, the assault force begins withdrawal across the Matanikau River east of Lunga perimeter, the 2d Battalion of the Army's 164th Infantry Regiment closes a gap on the south flank of the U.S. line. along Gavaga Creek and drives north to the beach while 7th Marine Regiment closes in from east and west.

A Naval force bringing reinforcements and supplies from the New Hebrides Islands arrives and begins unloading; when the three transports of the force are damaged by Japanese aircraft, the group retires to join naval forces approaching from New Caledonia.

Admiral William F. Halsey, Commander South Pacific Forces and South Pacific Area, orders Rear Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, Commander, Cruisers Pacific Fleet and Commander, Task Force 61, to get aircraft carrier USS Enterprise underway and to "be prepared to strike enemy targets in Cactus [Guadalcanal] area."

At 0930 hours local, nine "Val" dive bombers escorted by 18 "Zeke" fighters from the aircraft carrier Hiyo, attack USN ships offloading supplies and personnel at Guadalcanal. USMC Wildcat pilots shoot down five "Vals" and five "Zekes" but lose six F4Fs and four pilots. A USAAF pilot in a P-39 Airacobra shoots down a sixth "Zeke."

At 1100 hours local, 25 "Betty" bombers escorted by 26 "Zeke" fighters, bomb Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. Seventeen USMC F4F Wildcats intercept and shoot down seven "Bettys" and one "Zeke;" a USAAF P-39 Airacobra pilot shoots down an eighth "Betty." One F4F Wildcat is lost.

Fifth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses attack shipping off the south coast of Bougainville Island.

Photo: A USAAF Boeing B-17F-20-BO Flying Fortress (s/n 41-24528) over Mount Bagana on Bougainville after participating in a raid on the Japanese airfield at Buka and then heading for Shortland harbour to attack Japanese shipping, 11 November 1942

Day 1160 of World War II, November 13th 1942

YouTube:  Axis and Allies both invade France



Air War over Europe

During the day, six RAF Bomber Command Wellingtons are sent to bomb Emden but only one aircraft drops bombs, which hit fields.

During the night of 13/14 November, 12 RAF Bomber Command Wellingtons are dispatched to lay mines off Bay of Biscay ports: five lay mines off St. Nazaire and four off Lorient.

During the day, two RAF Bomber Command Mosquitos set out to Flushing to attack a damaged merchant ship but do not return. It is believed, however, that they did hit the ship again. Two more Mosquitos and six Bostons then take off to carry out a sea search for the crews of the two lost Mosquitos. These are not found and one of the Bostons is then lost.

Battle of the Mediterranean

German submarine U-411 is sunk about 185 nautical miles (343 kilometers) northwest of Casablanca, French Morocco, by four depth charges from an RAF Hudson Mk. V, aircraft "D" of No. 500 Squadron based at Tafaraoui, Algeria; all 46 crewmen are lost.

During the night of 13/14 November, RAF Bomber Command sends 67 Lancasters and nine Stirlings to bomb Genoa, Italy; 70 aircraft bomb the city and docks.

North African campaign

French Admiral Jean-Francois Darlan, Commander in Chief of the Vichy French Army, and U.S. Major General Mark Clark, Deputy Commander in Chief Allied Force, sign a formal agreement recognizing Darlan as head of the French civil government in North Africa. U.S. Lieutenant General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Commander in Chief Allied Force and French Generals Charles-Auguste Nogues, high commissioner of Morocco, and Alphonse-Pierre Juin, commander of Vichy forces in North Africa, will ratify it later. General Henri-Honer Giraud will command the French armed services. Lieutenant General Dwight D. Eisenhower, flies to Algiers to conclude the agreement with Admiral Jean-Francois Darlan.

Allied convoy arrives at B6ne and unloads 17/21 Lancers Regimental Group (later called Blade Force), 1st Parachute Brigade (-), transport of the 78th Division (-), and Advance Headquarters of the British First Army.

The main body of the 36th Brigade, 78th Division, advances to Djidjelli, 40 miles (64kilometers) east of Bougie.

Photo: A tank division enters Casablanca, Morocco, on November 13, 1942



Photo: USS Harry Lee (AP 17), tank lighters and support craft at Casablanca, Morocco, during the campaign, November 13, 1942



Tobruk falls to the British Eighth Army's X Corps.

YouTube: (Convoy Enters Tobruk - November 1942)



USAAF Twelfth Air Force C-47 Skytrains, with P-38 Lightning escort, fly antiaircraft guns and aviation gasoline (petrol) to Duzerville Airfield. USAAF Spitfires patrol the Oran-Tafaraoui area.

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

A USAAF Eleventh Air Force aircraft fly reconnaissance over Agattu and Japanese-held Attu Islands reveals five Japanese landing barges in Chichagof harbor on Attu Island.

ADMIRALTY ISLANDS

A USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s strafes a schooner in Lorengau harbor on Manus Island, Admiralty Islands.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

Australian troops destroy the Japanese rear guard at the Kumusi River crossing in Papua New Guinea. In the early afternoon, the Australian 2/31st Battalion reaches Waitropi.

BOUGAINVILLE ISLAND

USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17 bombs shipping off Tonolai-Komaleai Point and the airfield at Kahili.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

Naval Battle of Guadalcanal continues: USN Task Group 67.4, comprising the heavy cruisers USS San Francisco and Portland; light cruisers USS Helena, Atlanta and Juneau; and destroyers USS Aaron Ward, Barton, Cushing, Fletcher, Laffey, Monssen, O'Bannon and Sterett encounters the Japanese Bombardment Force that includes the battleships Hiei and Kirishima, the light cruiser Nagara and destroyers Akatsuki, Amatsukaze, Asagumo, Harusame, Ikazazuchi, Inazuma, Murasame, Samidare, Shigure, Shiratsuyu, Teruzuki, Yadachi, Yugure and Yukikaze, steaming to bombard Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, shortly after 0000 hours; a savage nocturnal naval action ensues.

Map: Position of Japanese and U.S. ships at 01:45 on 13 November



Rear Admiral Abe Hiroaki's force inflicts heavy damage on TG 67.4 before it retires northward; Rear Admirals Callaghan and Norman Scott are killed on board their respective flagships, heavy cruiser USS San Francisco and light cruiser USS Atlanta. Both Callaghan and Scott are awarded Medals of Honor (posthumously).

On board San Francisco, Lieutenant Commanders Herbert E. Schonland and Bruce McCandless prove instrumental in saving their ship, and Boatswain's Mate First Class Reinhardt J. Keppler performs a succession of heroic acts in fighting fires and removing wounded during the thick of the battle. Those three men (Keppler posthumously) also earn the nation's highest award for bravery.

Photo: Damage to "Battle II" and "Sky Aft" sections of the U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS San Francisco (CA-38) as a result of actions during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, on 12 and 13 November 1942. The photo was taken shortly after the battle



USN Task Force 16 (Rear Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid), formed around the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, the last operational fleet carrier in the Pacific, nears the battle area and launches air search and attacks against the Japanese.

Light cruiser USS Atlanta, irreparably damaged by Japanese naval gunfire and torpedo as well as by friendly fire from heavy cruiser USS San Francisco, is scuttled by demolition charges 3 nautical miles off Lunga Point; light cruiser USS Juneau, damaged by gunfire, is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-26 about 121 nautical miles SE of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal Island, in position 10.34S, 161.44E, as Juneau retires toward Espiritu Santo. Loss of life is heavy.

Also sunk are destroyers USS Cushing and Monssen to gunfire, USS Laffey to gunfire and torpedo, and USS Barton to two torpedoes. Heavy cruiser USS Portland suffers torpedo damage; USS San Francisco, light cruiser USS Helena and destroyer USS Aaron Ward are damaged by gunfire; and friendly fire damages destroyer USS O'Bannon. With the loss of two light cruisers, the USN now has 25 light cruisers in commission.

The Japanese, however, do not emerge from the brutal nocturnal slugfest unscathed: battleship Hiei, damaged by gunfire from heavy cruisers USS Portland and San Francisco and destroyers USS Cushing, Laffey, and O'Bannon, is sunk by TBF Avengers of VT-8 in aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and USMC SBD Dauntlesses of Marine VMSB-142 and TBF Avengers of VMSB-131 from Henderson Field. Destroyer Akatsuki is sunk by San Francisco and Atlanta gunfire near Savo Island. Destroyer Yudachi, damaged by gunfire, is sunk by heavy cruiser USS Portland southeast of Savo Island. Japanese destroyers Murasame, Ikazuchi, and Amatsukaze are damaged by gunfire; destroyer Yukikaze is damaged by aircraft, off Guadalcanal. Destroyer Michisio is also damaged by aircraft off Shortland Island.

Photo: B-17s of the 11th Bombardment Group based at Espiritu Santo bomb the damaged Japanese battleship Hiei north of Savo Island on November 13, 1942. Hiei, which was damaged in the 1st engagement of the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal hours earlier, appears to be trailing fuel



Eight P-38s of the 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, arrive on Fighter 1 strip just east of Henderson Field after flight from Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea.

At 0925 hours, a USAAF B-17s sights 12 Japanese transports escorted by ten warships in New Georgia Sound. The force turns back and not sighted again today.

During the night of 13 November, heavy cruisers Suzuya and Maya approach Guadalcanal to shell Henderson Field, intending to render it inoperable the following morning.

Air strength on Guadalcanal Island is raised by the arrival of three B-26s of the 69th and 70th Bombardment Squadrons, 38th BG (Medium), from New Hebrides Island as the naval battle of Guadalcanal Island continues; Japanese cruisers and destroyers bombard Henderson Field on Guadalcanal during the night of 13/14 November, and destroy one of the new P-38s.

Day 1162 of World War II, November 15th 1942

Air War over Europe

During the night of 15/16 November, RAF Bomber Command Wellingtons lay mines off thee French ports in the Bay of Biscay: seven aircraft lay mines off La Pallice, three of Lorient and two off St. Nazaire. One aircraft is lost.

Germany

The He 219V-1 prototype flew with test pilot Peter at the controls, only 11 months after the design request. The He 219 was concieved by Ernst Heinkel in the summer of 1940 as Project P.1060, a private venture multi-role aircraft. The design was rejected as too radical by the RLM, where Heinkel had a few enemies. By late 1941, night-bombing by the RAF had reached such serious proportions that the existing Ju 88 and Bf 110 night-fighters were unable to counter it. At the urging of Major General Josef Kammhuber, the RLM asked Heinkel to redesign the P.1060 as a radar equipped night-fighter. The Germans first used aerial intercept radar in early 1942 and the radar antennas, which looked like an array of toasting forks, slowed the Ju 88 night-fighter by some 40 kph (25mph). More speed was needed. The 'Uhu' was found to have excellent handling and performance qualities. The Uhu was the only piston-engined night fighter capable of meeting the British de Havilland Mosquito on equal terms.

Battle of the Atlantic

British escort aircraft carrier HMS 'Avenger' is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-155 about 47 nautical miles (87 kilometers) south of Faro, Portugal. The ship had participated in the Operation TORCH landings of North Africa and departed Gibraltar with convoy MKF-1 (Mediterranean to U.K.) yesterday. Early in the morning, U-155 fired a spread of four torpedoes at the convoy and one of the torpedoes hit the port side amidships, which in turn ignited her bomb room, blowing out the centre section of the ship. Her bow and stern sections rose in the air and sunk within two minutes, leaving only 12 survivors of the 526 crewmen aboard. Later in the day, German submarine U-98 is sunk about 72 nautical miles (134 kilometers) WSW of Ca¡diz, Spain, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS 'Wrestler' which is escorting convoy MKF-1; all 46 crewmen are lost.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Operation Stonehenge; A convoy from Alexandria, code-named 'MW 13' - consisting of 4 merchantmen, 5 cruisers including HMS 'Euryalus' and 16 destroyers - set out to deliver 35,000 tons of supplies to Malta. Although the cruiser 'Arethusa' was badly damaged by German torpedo aircraft on the 18 November and had to return with over 150 casualties, the convoy got through. HMS 'Penelope' was damaged in this convoy but all the ships otherwise made Malta despite passing through a November gale. 3 Spitfires based on Malta were lost due to the severe weather. The convoy's arrival effectively marked the end of the long and bloody seige of the island. Since Operation Excess in January 1941, 2 aircraft carriers, 4 cruisers, 16 destroyers and 5 submarines had been lost in the many attempts to supply and reinforce the island, and in the heavy air attacks launched against the island.

During the night of 15/16 November, RAF Bomber Command sends 78 aircraft, 40 Halifaxes, 27 Lancasters and 11 Stirlings, to continue the raids on Genoa with further accurate bombing; 68 bomb the target without loss.

German submarine U-259 is sunk about 35 nautical miles (65 kilometers) north of Algiers, Algeria, by depth charges from an RAF Hudson Mk. V, aircraft "S" of No. 500 Squadron based at Tafaraoui, Algeria; all 48 crewmen are lost.

North African campaign

French Admiral Jean-Francois Darlan assumes the position of High Commissioner of France for North and West Africa, appointing General Henri-Honer Giraud as commander in chief of French armed forces in North Africa.

The British First Army's 36th Brigade, 78th Division, captures Taberka on the coast road to Bizerte 80 miles (129 kilometers) west of Tunis. The Germans have rapidly built up their forces in Tunisia and now count over 10,000 troops and over 100combat aircraft based on French fields. The Allied aircraft are flying from temporary fields which are not as close to the front. The British Eighth Army's X Corps captures Martuba Airfield which is soon occupied by the USAAF 57th Fighter Group.

Photo: A Stuart tank being refuelled from an RAF fuel bowser outside Sidi Barrani, 15 November 1942



USAAF Ninth Air Force B-24 Liberators from two groups are sent to bomb Tripoli, but unfavorable weather prevents them from reaching the target. However, one group bombs a motor convoy, as well as an airfield and crowded roads in the Bengasi area. P-40s fly sweeps and fighter-bomber missions against the retreating enemy west of Martuba.

USAAF Twelfth Air Force C-47 Skytrains transport the 2d Battalion, U.S. 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment to Youk-les-Bains, near Tobessa and 100 miles (161 kilometers) south of Bone.

Photo: Flying Officer K.L. Waud (standing) of No. 81 Squadron RAF, accompanied by two other pilots, points to the damage on the wing of the Heinkel He 111H which he shot down near Bone, Algeria, on 15 November 1942



United Kingdom

Church bells across Britain, silent since June 1940, pealed out this Sunday morning to celebrate victory at El Alamein. The bells of Westminster Abbey were broadcast by the BBC to occupied Europe and Germany. The bells of Coventry Catheral's only surviving bell-tower were heard with the 0900hour news on the second anniversary of the city's great Luftwaffe raid. Many bellringers had to be "lent" from the services.

Photo: HMS Chesterfield (I28), 15 November 1942



Iceland

The Regent of Iceland, at the opening session of the newly elected Althing, speaks of Iceland's excellent relations with Britain and America. (The British troops had, now left Iceland, and have been replaced by Americans. The British had come against the will of the Icelanders but quickly gained their respect and sympathy; the Americans came at their request and according to their free agreement, and Iceland's respect and sympathy for the United States had increased on closer acquaintance).

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

(Eleventh Air Force): The 21st Bombardment Squadron, 30th BG (under control of the 28th Composite Group), ceases operating from Adak and returns to base on Umnak with B-24s. The 406th Bombardment Squadron, 41st BG (Medium) (attached to 28th Composite Group), arrives at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage from the US with A-29s and B-18s (the squadron has been operating from Alaska since Jun 42).

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO

USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s attack shipping in Rabaul Harbor on New Britain Island.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

In Papua New Guinea, the Australians complete bridges on the Kumusi River and the Australian 25th Brigade its crossing of the river and heads for Gona. The 16th Brigade begins crossing the river but only headquarters and one battalion gets across by the end of the day.

Map: The Allied advance across the Owen Stanley Range, 26 September – 15 November



USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20's strafe targets near Gona while B-25 Mitchells and B-26 Marauders hit antiaircraft positions at Buna and Soputa as U.S. and Australian ground forces prepare to move against the Buna-Gona beachhead.

AUSTRALIA

The 435th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), begins a movement from Townsville, Australia to the US (the squadron will re-equip with B-29s and return to the Pacific in Aug 1945).

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

Admiral Tanaka heads his destroyers north from Guadalcanal at 0430 after beaching the four remaining transports from his convoy. Between 0600 and 0845 the Cactus Air Force and aircraft from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise attack and sink these ships and the supplies unloaded on shore. They are joined by 155mm artillery from the 244th Coast Artillery Regiment and two of the 5-inch (12.7 centimeter) coast defense guns of the Marines. Destroyer USS Meade, which escorted the cargo ship SS Okpara to Guadalcanal, joins in.

She ignites blazes on the three transports not already on fire from the aircraft strikes. Later in the day the Cactus Air Force strikes at some of the transports abandoned previously in the slot.

The air and sea battle which has raged around Guadalcanal has been fought to enable each side to resupply their forces on the island. The Japanese have landed 2,000 troops with few supplies and losing all transports committed. The U.S. lands over 5,500 men (two battalions of the 182nd Infantry Regiment) and full supplies, losing no transports.

Photo: The Japanese transports Hirokawa Maru and Kinugawa Maru beached and burning after a failed resupply run to Guadalcanal on 15 November 1942



Photo: Guadalcanal Campaign, 1942: Japanese warships photographed in the Solomons about 15 November 1942 by a U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 10 (VT-10) from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6). The ship nearer to the camera seems to be a destroyer or a light cruiser. The official description identifies the second ship as a battleship. This would then probably be either Kongō or Haruna. In mid-November 1942, these battleships and other warships provided distant cover for the ultimately unsuccessful efforts to bombard Henderson Field again and land reinforcements on Guadalcanal. Their sisterships Hiei and Kirishima were both sunk on 14-15 November 1942



HAWAII

Photo: View of the so-called "Circus tent" at the U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Territory of Hawaii, on 15 November 1942. It was used by squadrons for administrative work, ready room, training and instruction purposes

Day 1164 of World War II, November 17th 1942

Continuation War

Photo: Finnish army test of trophy Soviet 125 mm ampoule thrower



Air War over Europe

During the night of 17/18 November, an RAF Bomber Command aircraft lay mines off the port of Gdynia.

During the night of 17/18 November, RAF Bomber Command aircraft lay mines: five lay mines off the Heligoland Bight the body of water south and east of Heligoland Island, three lay mines off the port of Danzig and two off Pillan.

Two locations in France were targeted by the US 8th AF. 65 B-17s and B-24s - including the Fortresses of the 303st BG flying its maiden mission - attacked the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire. 15 Fw 190s attacked the last formation of the group -the 306th BG - and badly damaged several bombers, a total of 9 B-17s and 7 B-24s. 6 B-24s were dispatched to hit Maupertus Airfield at Cherbourg but aborted due to the cloud cover. 10 B-17s flew a diversion to cover the mission.

The Fw 190s of II./JG 2 began their transfer from Beaumont-le-Roger in France to Sicily and finally to Tunisia in North Africa.

During the night of 17/18 November, two RAF Bomber Command aircraft lay mines off the Danish island of Bornholm.

In Vichy France, Marshal Henri-Phillipe Petain appoints Pierre Laval his successor, which reflects increasing German control over the Vichy French government. After the Germans invaded Vichy on 11 November, Petain had become nothing more than a figurehead. Laval, President of the Council, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of the Interior, and Minister of Information, receives the power to make laws and issue decrees.

The USAAF Eighth Air Force's flies Mission 20: 2 locations are targeted: Twenty three B-17's and 12 14 B-24's bomb the U-boats pens at St Nazaire but six B-24s dispatched to hit Maupertus Airfield at Cherbourg abort due to cloud cover.

During the night of 17/18 November, 14 RAF Bomber Command aircraft drop leaflets over the country with the loss of one Halifax. Eleven other aircraft lay mines off two Bay of Biscay ports: six lay mines off Lorient and five lay mines off St. Nazaire. During the night of 17/18 November, 14 RAF Bomber Command aircraft lay mines in the Frisian Islands.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Convoy MW 13 - consisting of four merchant vessels escorted by the light cruisers HMS 'Euryalus', 'Dido' and 'Arethusa' and ten destroyers, and known as Operation Stonehenge - passed Gibraltar bound for Malta.

German submarine U-331 is sunk about 35 nautical miles (65 kilometers) northwest of Algiers, Algeria. The sub had been badly damaged by depth charges from an RAF Hudson Mk. III or V of No. 500 Squadron based at Tafaraoui, Algeria, and the crew signaled surrender to a seaplane but is attacked and sunk by a torpedo-equipped Fleet Air Arm Albacore Mk. I from the British aircraft carrier HMS 'Formidable'; 17 of the 49 crewmen survived.

North African campaign

The advance of the British Eighth Army reaches Derna on the coast and Mechili, inland. British troops at Djebel Abiod and French troops at Medjez el Bab repelled simultaneous German Attacks. The General Officer Commanding British First Army orders the 78th Division to concentrate for an advance on Tunis. The 36th Brigade, 78th Division makes contact with the Germans west of Djehel Abiod, 70 miles (113 kilometers) west of Tunis. To the south, the 2d Battalion, U.S. 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, occupies Gafsa Airfield. Elements of the British 78th Infantry Division tangled with German paratroops 70 miles west of Tunis, the first combat action in Tunisia, while the first clashes occurred between the newly landed US and German forces.

USAAF Twelfth Air Force air action is limited to routine patrols in the Tafaraoui area. USAAF Ninth Air Force P-40s patrol over Tobruk and the Derna road.

Photo: HMS Venomous (D 75), with survivors of HMS Hecla at Casablanca, Morocco, November 17, 1942. Hecla was a destroyer depot ship and was sunk during this operation on November 12, 1942 by German submarine U-515



United States

President Franklin D. Roosevelt makes the following statement regarding the U.S. political arrangements in North and West Africa:

"The present temporary arrangement in North and West Africa is only a temporary expedient, justified solely by the stress of battle. . . . Temporary arrangements made with (French) Admiral (Jean-Francois) Darlan apply, without exception, to the current local situation only."

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Maddox (DD-622) underway off New York City (USA) on 17 November 1942



United Kingdom

Photo: A 40mm Bofors gun of 91st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment is hauled into a landing craft during combined operations training in Scotland, 17 November 1942



Photo: Men of 6th Battalion, the Black Watch crouch down in a landing craft as it approaches the shore, during combined operations training in Scotland, 17 November 1942



Photo: Men of the 1st Battalion, Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment wade ashore from landing craft during combined operations training in Scotland, 17 November 1942



Pacific War

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO

On New Britain Island, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25s bomb Gasmata while a lone B-24 Liberator bombs the wharf area at Rabaul.

BURMA

The amphibious operation against Akyab is cancelled by General Archibald Wavell, Commander-in- Chief India.. He then orders an advance by the 14th Indian Division which is more limited. It will advance down the Mayu Peninsula.

PORTUGUESE EAST TIMOR

Six Australian Beaufighter Mk ICs of No. 31 Squadron based at RAAF Coomalie Creek, Northern Territory, Australia, attack Moabisse and Bobonaro in Portugese East Timor with the loss of one aircraft.

FRENCH INDOCHINA

Four USAAF Fourteenth Air Force P-40s hit construction equipment at Dong Cuong Airfield.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

In Papua New Guinea, Australian and U.S. forces continue toward the Japanese beachhead in the Buna-Gona area. The Australian 16th Brigade, Maroubra Force, spends the night between Isivita and Sangara, about 10 miles SW of Popondetta. The U.S. 32d Infantry Division's Task Force Warren suffers another setback as Japanese planes put two more supply luggers out of action, leaving only one serviceable and necessitating supply of vital items by air until more luggers become available. The Wairopi Patrol (units of the U.S. 32d Infantry Division) reports to the Australian 7th Division at Wairopi.

Japanese destroyers land the III/229th Battalion and 300 reinforcements for the 144th Regiment at Basabua, 2 miles E of Gona in the evening.

The strong fortifications built by the Japanese since September now have a full complement of defenders.

In Papua New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-26s hit Gona Mission as the US 32d Infantry and Australian 7th Divisions continue to move toward the Buna-Gona beachhead. B-25s bomb airfields at Lae, Northeast New Guinea.

Day 1167 of World War II, November 19th 1942

Eastern Front

The Red Army unleashed Operation Uranus, a counter-attack on the German Forces at Stalingrad causing total surprise and mayhem. The attack was planned in strict secrecy by Zhukov and was aimed initially at the weakest links in the Axis positions - The Romanian forces north and south of the city. The attacking Soviet units under the command of General Nikolai Vatutin consisted of 3 complete armies, the 1st Guards Army, 5th Tank Army and 21st Army, including a total of 18 infantry divisions, 8 tank brigades, 2 motorized brigades, 6 cavalry divisions and 1 anti-tank brigade.

Map: Operation Uranus. Campaign counterattacked and surrounded the enemy of the Soviet Army at Stalingrad, 19 to 30 November 1942 A: Army (infantry) TA: Tank army BA: Aviation army AK: Infantry corps TK: Tank corps KK: Cavalry corps MK: Motorized corps ПД: Infantry Division TД: Tank Division MД: Motorized Division KД: Cavalry Division Bф: Groupe Aviation army



The preparations for the attack could be heard by the Romanians who continued to push for reinforcements, only to be refused. The offensive, along 250 miles involved the forces of 3 Russian fronts, the south-west under General Vatutin, the Don under General Rokossovsky and the Stalingrad under General Eremenko. They were supported by 1,100 aircraft, one quarter of all of the Red Air Force. Equipped with the new La-5 and Yak-9 fighters, a new version of the Sturmovik battlefield bomber and US supplied Boston bombers, they were facing a worn-down Luftwaffe, depleted by the need to reinforce North Africa. At 07.30 hours, on a foggy, dank morning, 3,500 guns of Vatutin's Southwest Front opened fire on the positions of the 3rd Romanian Army along the Don, 70 miles northwest of Stalingrad. The barrage lasted 80 minutes and was followed up by an immediate infantry assault. Elements of the Soviet 5th Tank Army overran the Romanian left wing. Soviet 21st Army, spearheaded by the new 4th Tank Corps, struck the right wing. The Romanians held briefly, but they were soon routed. Thinly spread, outnumbered and poorly equipped, the 3rd Romanian Army, which held the northern flank of the German 6.Armee, was shattered after an almost miraculous one-day defense. It was in a difficult position. Its 8 divisions were each holding at least twice the normal divisional frontage. Four of those divsions had every battalion of footsoldiers - even the engineers - actually in the frontline. The other 4 divisions each had one battalion in reserve, instead of the recommended two. Shortages of mines and barbed-wire left much of 3rd Army's extended front inadequately fortified (3rd Army was also short of every type of munitions except grenades, 60mm mortars and anti-tank ammo.).

The Romanians were largely situated on open terrain - perfect for tank attacks. Since late August, the Russians had established 2 bridgeheads across the now frozen Don river, the only natural barrier in the 3rd Army sector. Although some Romanian units resisted staunchly, the powerful concentrations of Russian forces quickly achieved breakthroughs (in part because the 47mm and captured Soviet 45mm anti-tank guns used by most Romanian units could not stop the heavier Russian tanks). The intact lines of the Romanian 6th Division - under Mihai Lascar, one of the best Romanian commanders - formed a rallying point for other Romanian units driven back by the onslaught. The 13th Division resisted stubbornly, knocking out 25 Soviet tanks before its right flank was overwhelmed by 3 Russian infantry divisions. Part of the division managed to fall back into the pocket forming around 6th Divison. Mazarini's 5th Divsion (Romania) was overrun by Soviet tanks, but most of this unit also fell back into the 3rd Army pocket. Sion's 15th Division, on the shoulder of the breakthrough area, defeated an attack by 35 Soviet tanks supported by infantry, knocking out 5 tanks and taking 45 prisoners. Later a significant portion of 15th Divsion would break out and reach Axis lines, but Sion would be killed during the attempt. Despite the tough Romanian resistance in most places, the Soviets achieved their planned breakthroughs in both sectors. The central portion of the Romanian 3rd Army's front - consisting of all or part of 5th, 6th 13th and 15th Divisions - was bypassed and soon completely encircled, while the Soviet spearheads raced on deep into the Axis rear, making for Kalach, where the road and rail lines supporting the Germans in Stalingrad crossed the Don. An Axis armoured corps stationed in reserve behind 3rd Army and consisting of the German 22.Panzerdivision and Rumanian 1st Armoured Division, attempted to counter-attack to seal off the breach, but found themselves attacked and seperated instead and were quickly forced over to defensive fighting.

The surrounded 3rd Army pocket would hold out for 5 days before surrendering, the Romanian Army Chief-of-Staff Steflea's pleas to Hitler for an early breakout attempt denied. Losses to the 3rd Army would reach 75,000 men and 34,000 horses in less than 5 days. Aside from parts of 15th Division, only one detatched battalion of 6th Division - which held a rear-area airfield with Luftwaffe help until early December - would manage to breakout and regain Axis lines. The 6.Armee and 4.Panzerarmee's hurriedly dispatched mobile units to bolster the unprepared and crumbling Romanian defensed west and south of the Don. In the Romanian 4th Army sector, the Russians took 10,000 prisoners. The Germans were desperately trying to stem the tide, but they faced 10 new Russian armies spearheaded by 900 T-34 tanks backed by 13,500 heavy guns. Soviet 1st Tank Corps was advancing southeast to the Don river in a deep flanking move. Soviet 26th Tank Corps was heading to the important supply center and major Don crossing point at Kalach. Meanwhile, Soviet 4th Tank Corps was aimed at Golobinsky, to hit the immediate area behind Stalingrad. All the Germans had to halt the attack was the much depleted 48.Panzerkorps. In the midst of all this, Hitler relinquished his command of Heeresgruppe A to von Kleist. The Battle of Stalingrad had entered a new phase.

Romanian chief-of-staff, Lieutenant General Ilie Steflea, urges Antonescu to authorize a break-out of the trapped units in the 3rd Army pocket at once. But the Romanians are operating under German command. Chancellor Adolf Hitler refuses a withdrawal plan by General Kurt Zeitzler, who had replaced General Franz Halder as Army Chief of Staff, that would have allowed General Friedrich Paulus, commander of 6.Armee, to pull out of Stalingrad and strike the Soviet forces from the rear, crippling their offensive.

Air War over Europe

RAF Bomber Command dispatches 11 Wellingtons to lay mines off two Bay of Biscay ports: five aircraft lay mines off St. Nazaire with the loss of one and four lay mines off Lorient.

North African campaign

The British Eighth Army recaptured the key Libyan port of Benghazi as Rommel's Africakorps continued to retreat westwards, but that was the only good news for the Allies in North Africa. Elsewhere their armies were meeting tough resistance from German forces, now being reinforced by an airlift into Tunisia. Already the Germans had forced the British back to Djebel Abiod. The Germans launched limited attacks at Djebel Aboid and Medjez el Bab but were stopped by British and Free French forces. The French garrison withdrew from Medjez el Bab to Oued Zarga after repulsing German attacks that utilized tanks and infantry under General Nehring. The British engaged a German tank column only 30 miles from Tunis while the British Army occupied Cyrenne in Lybia. B-17s, escorted by p-38s, bombed El Aouina airfield, Tunisia.

USAAF Twelfth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses, escorted by P-38 Lightnings, bomb Carthage Airfield, 1.6 miles (2,6 kilometers) west of El Aouina.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Boise (CL-47) arrives at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Pennsylvania (USA), in November 1942 for repair of battle damage received during the 11-12 October Battle of Cape Esperance. Note the forward 6"/47 triple gun turret trained to starboard. It was jammed in this position during the action, when a Japanese 8" shell hit the armored barbette just below the turret



Photo: U.S. Navy sailor W.R. Martin points out details of the Japanese trophy flags painted on the pilothouse of the light cruiser USS Boise (CL-47) as a scoreboard of enemy ships claimed sunk in the Battle of Cape Esperance, 11-12 October 1942. The six Japanese ships (two heavy cruisers, a light cruiser and three destroyers) represented in this scoreboard greatly overstates the actual enemy losses, which were one heavy cruiser (Furutaka) and one destroyer (Fubuki) sunk and one heavy cruiser (Aoba) badly damaged. This overclaiming was typical of contemporary night surface actions. The photo was taken at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Pennsylvania (USA), soon after Boise arrived there for battle damage repairs in November 1942



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

USAAF Eleventh Air Force reconnaissance aircraft over Attu and Agattu Islands sight two unidentified float monoplanes east of Buldir Island.

PACIFIC

The 12th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group, moves from Christmas in the Line Islands to Efate in the New Hebrides with P-39s.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

In Papua New Guinea, forward elements of the Australian 25th Brigade, Maroubra Force, encounter the Japanese 1 mile S of Gona while the Australian 16th Brigade, Maroubra Force, makes contact with the Japanese just outside Soputa. After establishing contact with Australians near Popondetta, the 126th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 32d Infantry Division, heads for Buna, since the Japanese appear to be concentrated west of the Girua River, and is directed to assist Major General George A. Vasey's Australian 7th Division instead. Major General Edwin Harding, Command General 32d Infantry Division, thus loses half his assault force; the left flank of Task Force Warren is left exposed. The 1st and 3d Battalions of the 128th Infantry Regiment, Warren Force, attack in parallel columns, the 1st Battalion from Boero and the 3d Battalion from Simemi. Both meet accurate Japanese fire from concealed positions and suffer heavy casualties; a maximum gain of 200 yards is made on right along the coast.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

On Guadalcanal, the 1st Battalion, 182d Infantry Regiment, crosses the Matanikau River and moves west along the shore with Company B, 8th Marine Regiment, covering the left flank; they dig in just east of Port Cruz. A gap of over 1,000 yards separates the 1st and 2d Battalions of the 182d Infantry Regiment west of the Matanikau River. During the of night 19/20 November, the Japanese move forward from Kokumbona and open fire on the 1st Battalion.