World War II in real time

Day 1187 of World War II, December 9th 1942

Air War over Europe

During the day, one each RAF Bomber Command Mosquitos bomb the marshalling yard at Creil and a railroad tunnel at Vierzy. During the night of 9/10 December, 11 RAF Bomber Command aircraft drop leaflets over the country.

During the day, an RAF Bomber Command Mosquito bombs the power station at Hengelo. During the night of 9/10 December, two RAF Bomber Command Stirlings lay mines in the Frisian Islands.

Battle of the Atlantic

The U.S. 7,057 ton armed freighter SS 'Coamo' is en route from Gibralter to New York when she disappears without a trace. There are 186 persons aboard, 133 crew, 37 Armed Guards and 16 Army personnel and all are lost, the greatest tragedy to befall a single crew on a US Merchant Marine ship in WWII. It is later learned that the German submarine U-604 torpedoed and sunk a single-funneled freighter off Bermuda today and the ship sunk by the submarine is probably SS 'Coamo.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Two British ships are torpedoed: Destroyer HMS 'Porcupine' is escorting submarine depot ship HMS 'Maidstone' from Gibraltar to Algiers, Algeria, when she is torpedoed by German submarine U-602 about 65 nautical miles NNE of Oran, Algeria. The destroyer is declared a total loss and is scrapped in England on 6 May 1946.

Three Italian S79 torpedo bombers of the 254^ Squadron of Group 105 attacked the ships of convoy 'MKS 31' to the west of Algiers, sinking the British corvette 'Marigold'. Six He 111s of II./KG 26 sank the French steamboat "Mascot' off the east coast of Carbon Head (Bougie).

RAF Bomber Command dispatches 227 aircraft, 115 Lancasters, 47 Halifaxes, 40 Wellingtons and 25 Stirlings to bomb Turin; 200 bomb the city with the loss of two Wellingtons and a Lancaster lost. This is a disappointing raid with the Pathfinders not able to perform as efficiently as on the previous night. Smoke from old fires partially obscures the target area. Turin records 73 more people killed and 99 injured.

North African campaign

Heavy rains stop most Twelfth Air Force air operations in eastern Algeria and Tunisia; a few P-38s fly reconnaissance south of Gafsa. In Algeria, P-40s flew an intercept mission over Youks-les-Bains. A Ju 88 bomber was shot down by the newly arrived US 33rd FG. USAAF Ninth Air Force P-40s fly a fighter sweep over the El Agheila region.

United States

The U.S. Army is reorganized into three autonomous forces: Army Air Forces, Ground Forces and Services of Supply.

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

The daily weather aircraft cannot return to base due to a sudden snow squall and crash-lands on Atka Island. An attempted bombing mission to Kiska Harbor by three B-26s and six P-38s is forced back by weather.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

The Japanese withdrawal from the Kokoda Trail enables the Allies to plan the encirclement of important Japanese positions in the Buna, Sanananda and Gona beachhead. After a preparatory bombardment from air and ground, the Australian 21st Brigade, 7th Division, launches a final assault on Gona area of Papua New Guinea and by 1630 hours overcomes resistance in hand-to-hand combat. Hundreds of Japanese dead are found.

The 3d Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 32d Infantry Division, completes an air movement to the Urbana Force front and prepares for the final assault on Buna Village.

In Papua New Guinea, B-26s bomb the Buna area as ground forces prepare for the final assault on the village. P-40s hit the area along the Sanananda-Soputa trail. In nearby Gona, following air and artillery bombardment, Australian forces overcome resistance, taking the village in hand-to-hand combat.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

Army Major General Alexander Patch, Commanding General Americal Division, assumes command of Guadalcanal from Lieutenant General Alexander Vandegrift, USMC. Vandegrift marks the occasion with a letter that pays tribute to the sailors, airmen, soldiers "and small band of devoted allies" that fought side by side with his Marines. The reference quoted is to the Coastwatchers and is so worded for security reasons. The Marines that were expected to make the landing and then hand off the fighting to the Army have been relieved, 124 days after landing.

The 5th Marine Regiment begins embarking. The 2nd Marine Rgmt, attached to the 1st Marine Division in place of the 7th Marine Rgmt, remains on Guadalcanal with the 2nd Marine Division.
USAAF B-17s bomb the airfield at Munda, New Georgia Island. No aircraft are lost.

USN motor torpedo boat PT-59 sinks Japanese submarine I-3, engaged in a resupply mission to Guadalcanal, 3 miles NE of Kamimbo Bay.

Day 1189 of World War II, December 11th 1942

YouTube (One Year Since Pearl Harbor)



Eastern Front

The Soviet Army retains the initiative, making progress in the Stalingrad sector and in the Caucasus Mountains; sharp thrusts are continued against the Germans on the central and northern fronts without materially changing the situation. The German 6.Armee, isolated between the Don and Volga Rivers on the Stalingrad front, is under strong pressure. German Heeresgruppe A withdraws their main line of resistance in the vicinity of the Terek River in the Caucasus. The Germans finally realized that their attempt to take Baku and the rich oil fields of the Caucasus had failed and began to withdraw from Elista and Mozdok. Zhukov launched fresh attacks from the Vazusa River bridgehead as the Soviet 20th and 29th Armies supported by 350 tanks from the 5th and 6th Tank Corps. Despite the amount of men and material thrown into the attack, the Germans held and inflicted losses on the Russians. General Fiebig and Quartermaster Kurt Stollberger flew into the Stalingrad pocket to discuss the situation with General von Paulus. Paulus berated Fiebig on the complete failure of the airlift and stated he needed 600 tons of supplies a day, not the less than 100 he was getting. Paulus asked if the airlift could be stepped up in order to effect a breakout that was being planned. He ordered that the priority of supplies be fuel and ammunition.

The Soviet submarine SC-212 is lost after 11 Dec near Fiodonisi Island due to a Romanian minefield. All 44 crewmen are lost.

Air War over Europe

A nighttime Luftwaffe raid on England caused some damage. Two bombs fell in Princess Street, Murton demolishing 4 houses, partly demolishing 2 others and damaging 58 houses and 1 butcher shop. At 05.10 hours a parachute flare fell in Murton Colliery Yard, about 30 yards from an explosive store and stacked lumber. The flare failed to ignite. About the same time 2 delayed action bombs exploded in the sea off Seaham. 2 IBs also fell in Seaham without causing any damage. An IB dropped at Dawdon set fire to a house, bringing down an electric cable and damaging a gas main. One person was killed. The roof of a house on Embelton Street, Dawson was damaged by shrapnel. 2 HEs fell at Littlethorpe, Easington and failed to explode. 200 to 250 IBs fell near Hart, causing no damage or casualties. One HE fell in a field at Hart causing a large crater, damaging a number of houses, greenhouses, hen houses and piggery by the blast. The Germans stated that, "extensive fires and destruction" was wrought by "waves of bombers" at Sunderland. The total force overland was in fact less than 10 aircraft and although flares were dropped in Sunderland, it was not bombed at all.

German occupied France

Cockleshell Heroes Raid - Ten British commandos in five two-man canoes launched from a submarine carry out an attack on enemy shipping in the port of Bordeaux, Three canoes are lost but the remaining two paddle 70 miles up river to plant limpet mines on ships in the harbour.

During the night of 11/12 December, RAF Bomber Command Wellingtons lay mines off three Bay of Biscay ports: Six aircraft lay mines off La Pallice, five off Lorient and four off St. Nazaire. Three other aircraft drop leaflets in the Rouen area.

During the night of 11/12 December, six RAF Bomber Command Wellingtons lay mines in the Frisian Islands.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Eighteen USAAF Ninth Air Force B-24s bomb the harbor and surrounding areas at Naples with good results; one B-24 is lost.

During the night of 11/12 December, RAF Bomber Command dispatches 82 aircraft and the Pathfinders, 48 Halifaxes, 20 Lancasters, eight Stirlings and six Wellingtons, to bomb Turin but more than half of the force turns back before attempting to cross the Alps, because of severe icing conditions; 28 crews claim to have bombed Turin but the city reports only three high-explosive bombs and a few incendiaries, with no casualties. Three Halifaxes and a Stirling are lost.

German submarine U-443 torpedoes and sinks the British escort destroyer HMS 'Blean' about 60 nautical miles WNW of Oran, Algeria; 89 crewmen are lost. The destroyer is escorting the fast convoy KMF-4 (U.K. to Gibraltar to Alexandria, Egypt).

North African campaign

General Montogomery resumed Eighth Army's advance. Montgomery, General Officer Commanding Eighth Army, issues orders for an attack on El Agheila on 14 December. Another German attack on Medjez el Bab from the north and east is repulsed. The British 6th Armoured Division begins arriving in the forward area. Combat Command B, U.S.1st Armored Division, is relieved in the Bedja area by the 11th Brigade, British 78th Division, and is placed in V Corps reserve. Under direct and flanking attacks, Rommel abandoned El Aghelia and withdrew to defenive lines at Beurat on the approaches to Triploi. By now he had decided to make his main stand on the Mareth Line in southern Tunisia.

Air action is stepped up in preparation for the offensive. USAAF Twelfth Air Force B-25s with fighter escort, attack the rail bridge at La Hencha while P-38s fly sea patrol off the north coast and over the Gulf of Tunis and reconnaissance over the Sousse region. USAAF Spitfires sweep over Medjez el Bab and Bone. USAAF Ninth Air Force P-40s fly several fighter-bomber missions and sweeps over the battle area in preparation for the ground assault on El Agheila.

One of the Allied fighter sweeps in the afternoon was intercepted by units of JG 77. Hptm. Heinz Baer, Lt Heinz-Edgar Berres and Hptm. Kurt Ubben all added to their scores while Lt. Horst Marotzke of 9./JG 77 went missing after a scramble near Arco Philaenrum.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Phelps (DD-360) off San Francisco, California (USA), on 11 December 1942. Note that her No. 3 127 mm turret was removed to save topweight. She was also fitted with radar



Photo: The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS San Francisco (CA-38) steams under the Golden Gate Bridge to enter San Francisco Bay, California (USA), on a foggy 11 December 1942. She was en route to the Mare Island Naval Shipyard for battle damage repairs



Photo: The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS San Francisco (CA-38) entering San Francisco Bay, California (USA), on 11 December 1942, after being damaged in action during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on 13 November 1942



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

Air Force aircraft fly an uneventful reconnaissance covers Attu, Agattu, Amchitka, Kiska and the Semichis Islands. Three B-26s and four P-38s bomb and strafe a previously bombed cargo vessel in Kiska Harbor, scouting two more direct hits. The P-38s also strafe and bomb the Kiska Harbor submarine base and seaplane hangars, camp area and nearby gun emplacements.

ANDAMAN ISLANDS

USAAF Tenth Air Force B-24s of the India Air Task Force attack shipping at Port Blair, with negative results.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

Brigadier George Wootten, General Officer Commanding Australian 18th Brigade, 7th Division, inspects the Warren Force front, where positions are virtually static. The first of a number of freighters to bring supplies and personnel to Oro Bay arrives during the night of 11/12 December and unloads four light tanks of the Australian 2/6th Armoured Regiment and supplies.

In Papua New Guinea, B-26s bomb the airfield and targets of opportunity in the Buna area while B-25s and B-26s attack Lae Airfield.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

USAAF B-17s bomb the Munda Airfield on New Georgia Island with no losses.

Tonight another "Tokyo Express" run with 11 destroyers is lead by Rear Admiral Tanaka Raizo. One destroyer is sunk by the U.S. PT Boats. Only 300 of the 1200 drums of supplies reach Japanese forces on Guadalcanal.

Day 1191 of World War II, December 13th 1942

Eastern Front

Battle Group Hoth's tanks continued to make headway against the Soviet 51st Army as the German drive to relieve Stalingrad continued.

Air War over Europe

During the day, RAF Bomber Command dispatches four Bostons and four Mosquitos on railway marshalling yard attacks in France and Belgium but only two Mosquitos bomb, one each at Laon and Criel.

During the night of 13/14 December, one each RAF Bomber Command Wellingtons lay mines off Lorient and St. Nazaire on the Bay of Biscay.

German occupied Netherlands

It is announced that Anton Mussert, head of the Dutch Nazis, had been appointed Fuhrer for Holland following a visit to German Chancellor Adolf Hitler's headquarters in the Soviet Union. Dr. Arthur von Seyss-Inquart remained the supreme authority. In the nature of a probationary leader to see if, he can bring the Netherlands people nearer to Naziism. Reluctance to make Mussert a full-fledged Premier is thought to be an indication that the Nazis had learned their lesson in Norway. Mussert is one of the founders of the Dutch Fascist Party and he also founded the all-Dutch volunteer SS unit, the SS-Freiwilligen- Legion Niederlande, in 1941.

Vichy France

Pierre Laval, Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of the Interior, and Minister of Information, holds a press conference and again predicts that Germany will win the war, saying that the only alternative is to be ruled by;

"Jews and Communists." He concludes by announcing, "I must say without any ambiguity that I want Germany's victory."

Battle of the Mediterranean

The British sloop HMS 'Enchantress' rams and sinks the Italian submarine R.Smg. 'Corallo' about 165 nautical miles NE of Algiers, Algeria. HMS 'Enchantress' was escorting the slow convoy KMS-4 (Gibraltar to Algiers, Algeria). The submarine was depth charged and forced to the surface and then rammed by HMS 'Enchantress'. All crewmen on the submarine are lost.

North African campaign

The Germans begin withdrawing from El Agheila positions early in morning, leaving rear guards and numerous mines to delay British pursuit. The 51st Division, British Eighth Army, penetrates the eastern sector of the defenses. V Corps, British First Army, is ordered to be prepared to renew the drive on Tunis. The lull ensues as preparations are made for attack.

In Libya, aircraft of the Western Desert Air Force, including more than 100 RAF aircraft and P-40s of the USAAF Ninth Air Force, flew strafing and bombing missions against German ground forces which began withdrawing from El Aghelia during the early morning. The Luftwaffe attempted to cover the withdrawl and lost 2 Bf 109s to US 57th FG P-40s over the battle lines. JG 77 claimed 7 P-40s shot down along with 6 Spitfires.

Fifteen USAAF Twelfth Air Force B-17s bomb the harbor and docks at Tunis. Over Bizerte, ten B-17s bomb the harbor and docks; they are followed shortly by 19 B-24s which are detached from the USAAF Eighth Air Force in England, that attack the same targets. Meanwhile, six B-25s bomb the harbor area at Sousse while B-26s blast a bridge north of Sfax; P-38s escort both missions. Other P-38s attack several targets including vehicles north of Gabes and a schooner off Cape Dimasse. In other action, P-38s, P-40s and USAAF Spitfires fly reconnaissance and patrols over much of Northwest Africa and C-47 Skytrains fly 17 transport missions between various points in Northwest Africa.

Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

A largely negative reconnaissance is flown over Attu, Agattu, Kiska, Amchitka and the Semichis Islands by two B-24s and two P-38s.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO

USAAF Fifth Air Force B-26s hit Gasmata Airfield on New Britain Island.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

In Papua New Guinea, further futile efforts are made to supply the roadblock on the Soputa-Sanananda trail, which is now out of contact with the rest of front. Buna Village is subjected to heavy fire in preparation for an attack on 14 December; after nightfall, the Japanese garrison, now reduced to about 100 men, evacuates the village and swims for Giruwa. Corvettes return to Oro Bay under cover of darkness and finish unloading Australian troops.

In Papua New Guinea, a Japanese convoy of five destroyers, bringing some 800 men (among them Major General ODA Kensaku, General Horii's successor as commander of South Seas Detachment), is detected off Madang while proceeding toward the beachhead and unsuccessfully attacked by Allied planes. USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack as it moves south but fail to deter its progress.
Meanwhile A-20s bomb and strafe the Cape Killerton area while B-17s bomb the Salamaua area.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

On Guadalcanal, the Army's 3rd Battalion, 182d Infantry Regiment and Company C of the 2d Marine Engineer Battalion arrive.

Day 1193 of World War II, December 15th 1942

Eastern Front

The 2nd Guards Army moved into positions along the Myshkova River, backstopping the 51st Army, still retreating before the German relief attacks on the Stalingrad pocket. Zhukov and Konev abandoned the attacks on the eastern side of the Rzhev salient as the 20th and 29th Armies simply burnt themselves out. On the other side of the bulge, the 40,000 men of the Soviet 41st Army attempted to break-out of their encirclement. The force lost all of its tanks and heavy weapons and only about half of the men escaped. Operation "Mars" was over, an inglorious defeat for Zhukov.

Air War over Europe

During the night of 15/16 December, RAF Bomber Command Wellingtons lay mines off French ports on the Bay of Biscay: three lay mines off St. Nazaire and two lay mines off Lorient.

Battle of the Atlantic

German submarine U-626 is sunk about 469 nautical miles SSW of Reykjavik, Iceland, by depth charges from the U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC 'Ingham'; all 47 crewmen are lost. (Syscom)

Battle of the Mediterranean

Royal Air Force Liberators of No. 205 Group, operationally controlled by the USAAF IX Bomber Command, hit Naples harbor during the night of 15/16 December. (Syscom)

The British destroyer HMS 'Petard' and the Greek destroyer RHS 'Vasillisa Olga' capture the Italian submarine R. Smg. 'Uarsciek' south of Malta - however she sinks while in tow. (Syscom)

North African campaign

While the 7th Armoured Division, British Eighth Army, engages the Axis rear guards from the east, the New Zealand 2d Division drives rapidly to the coast in the Merduma area to block Axis’ escape on the west.

The Allies continued to attack ground targets and ports in Libya and Tunisia. Nine B-24s of the 376th BG (Heavy) opening the US Ninth Air Force offensive against Tunisian ports, hit the rairoad yard, repair shop and roundhouse at Sfax dropping 75 500lb bombs. B-26s attacked El Aouina airfield while B-17s bombed the harbour area and other B-17s hit the harbour at Bizerte. Over Libya, B-25s and P-40s struck at retreating troops and vehicles between El Aghelia and Merduma. A Bf 109 was shot down by a 79th FG P-40, the first for the American fighter group. A Ju-87D-1 and a Ju 87D-3 of II./StG 3 were blown up by German troops at Nofilia-North to avoid capture by the Allies.

Twelfth Air Force F-4s fly several photographic reconnaissance missions over coastal Tunisia covering the area from Bizerte to Gabes.

The British First Army is slowly building up strength. The 6th Armoured Division completes concentration in Tunisia and is followed early in February 1943 by the 46th Division. Tanks and selected personnel of the U.S. 1st Battalion, 1st Armored Regiment, are sent back to Oran, Algeria, to rejoin the 1st Armored Regiment, 1st Armored Division.

United Kingdom/Australia relations

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill informs Australian Prime Minister John Curtin that shipping will be available at the end of January 1943 to transport the Australian 9th Division with minimal equipment from North Africa to Australia. Churchill says, "the 9th Australian Division would carry with them from the African desert a splendid reputation, and the honour of having played a leading part in a memorable victory for the Empire and the common cause."

Pacific War

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

In Papua New Guinea, the Australian 2/7th Cavalry Regiment, 7th Division, begins arriving at Soputa. On the Urbana front, the 2d Battalion, 128th Infantry Regiment, employing a small force of 80-odd men immediately available, attacks and encircles Coconut Grove, the last Japanese position on the west bank of Entrance Creek. After nightfall, a Dutch freighter unloads additional Australian tanks and cargo at Oro Bay. The tanks are moved forward to Hariko and, with others already there, are organized into X Squadron of the Australian 2/6th Armoured Regiment.

In Papua New Guinea, Fifth Air Force A-20s hit Japanese forces along the Mambare River while a B-24s bombs a wrecked ship at Gona.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

During the next ten days, Rear Adm. Tanaka Raizo’s Tokyo Express also runs supply missions to Munda airfield on New Georgia Island, while still making express runs to Guadalcanal Island.
Two radar-equipped PBY-5A Catalinas of USN Patrol Squadron Twelve arrive on Guadalcanal from Nandi in the Fiji Islands to begin night operations. As a result of the matte-black paint schemes and night-time bombing operations conducted by the squadron, VP-12 officially becomes known as a "Black Cat" squadron, along with VP-11, VP-91 and VP-51. The area of operations during this period is concentrated around Guadalcanal.

Day 1195 of World War II, December 17th 1942

Eastern Front

The Volga River froze, allowing the Soviets to resupply the depleted 62nd Army in Stalingrad as Operation 'Wintergewitter' continued to inch closer to the trapped 6.Armee. Soviet 292 ShAD made more than 100 combat flight to support the 3rd Assault Army. This cost them 6 combat losses. The Geschwaderkommodore of JG 3, Major Wilcke passed the 150 victory score, becoming the 4th pilot to reach that number. By this time, more and more Il-2s equipped with rear gunners began to appear.

Photo: German Panzer III in the Southern Soviet Union in December 1942



Air War over Europe

During the night of 17/18 December, small numbers of RAF Bomber Command aircraft fly minor missions. Sixteen Stirlings and six Wellingtons are sent to bomb the Opel factory at Fallersleben but only 13 bomb the target and eight are lost. Twenty seven Lancasters are sent on raids to eight small German towns with the loss of six aircraft.

There were attacks at several points in Northeastern England. Most of them were of small account, but at York 2 gasholders were set alight and a school extensively damaged. A Dornier Do 217E-4 from 7./KG 2 flew into a hillside at Crow Nest, near Helmsley, Yorkshire at 22.15 hours. The Staffelkapitaen, Oblt. R. Haussner, Uffz. Erd, Ofw. Hupe and Ofw. Weiderer were all killed. Owing to the remote nature of the crash site, the wreckage was not found for 2 days. Another Do 217E-4 from 2./KG 2 also flew into a hillside at Ravenstones, Wheeldale Moor, near Pickering, Yorkshire at 22.00 hours. Fw. Stoll. Obergefr. Roschner, Obergefr. Wicht and Obergefr. Armann were all killed.

In the North Sea during the night of 17/18 December, RAF Bomber Command aircraft lay mines in two locations: four aircraft lay mines in the Heligoland Bight, the arm of the North Sea extending south and east of the island of Helgoland, Germany; and three lay mines in the Kattegat, the broad arm of the North Sea between Sweden and Denmark.

During the night of 17/18 December, three RAF Bomber Command aircraft lay mines in the Cadet Channel, the strait between Storstrom Island, Denmark, and Germany. Five RAF Bomber Command aircraft lay mines off Bayonne and three others lay mines off St. Jean de Luz. In a separate mission, five aircraft drop leaflets over the country. Five RAF Bomber Command aircraft lay mines in the Frisian Islands.

During the day, RAF Bomber Command aircraft hit two marshalling yards (M/Ys): two hit a M/y at Ghent and one bombs a M/Y at Courtrai. Five RAF Bomber Command aircraft attack the marshalling yard at Roosendaal and one hits a target of opportunity at Vlieland.

Battle of the Atlantic

The U.S. Coast Guard district patrol vessel USCGC 'Natsek', part of the Greenland Patrol, disappears in Belle Isle Strait, the 90 mile long, 10 to 17 miles wide, strait lying between Newfoundland on the east and Labrador on the west. All 24 crewmen are lost without a trace. The most probable cause is that she capsized due to severe icing.

Battle of the Mediterranean

The British submarine HMS Splendid torpedoes and sinks the Italian destroyer R.N. 'Geniere Aviere' about 45 nautical miles NNE of Bizerte, Tunisia. 'Geniere Aviere' and her sister ship 'Camicia Nera' are escorting the German transport SS 'Ankara'.

North African campaign

The Germans leave a rearguard to cover Rommel's retreat to Buerat. A lull continues on the British First Army front. The 2d Battalion, U.S. 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, and 3d Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 26, U.S. 1st Infantry Division, raid Maknassy, 30 miles northeast of Tobessa.

Photo: The crew of a 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun celebrate Christmas with some bully beef decorated with camelthorn, 17 December 1942



The port facilities at Tunis and Bizerta and the airfields at Gabes and Sidi Tabet were again targets for Allied bombers. 36 B-17s hit the harbours and docks at Tunis and Bizerte, claiming damage to both targets and the destruction of 1 vessel and 3 aircraft at Tunis. DB-7s and A-20s hit military installations north and west of Gabes airfield and the landing ground near Sidi Tabet. P-38s on a sea mission off the northern Tunisian coast engaged German aircraft in combat. The Luftwaffe lost 2 Bf 109s and a Ju 88 to P-38 fighters of the US 1st FG. Fw. Siegfried Ott of 1./JG 77 was shot down and captured.

B-25s and B-26s sent on a shipping raid in the Gulf of Tunis fail to find the target; and P-38s and USAAF Spitfires escort all bombing missions. P-38s and F-4s fly reconnaissance missions.

Lt. Erich Rudorffer rejoined II./JG 2 after recovering from wounds and flew his first combat missions, attacking A-20s over Cape Serrat.

French Admiral Jean-Francois Darlan, the civil and military chief of French North Africa, announces that French Fleet units at Alexandria, Egypt; Dakar, French West Africa; and North African ports are joining the Allies.

United Kingdom

Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, in a written reply in the House of Commons, states that the British Government wishes to see Albania freed from the Italian yoke and restored to her independence.

Photo: Crusader and Valentine tanks negotiate boggy ground on a training course at Linney Head in Wales, 17 December 1942



United States

Photo: Aerial view of The South Boston Naval Annex, Massachusetts (USA). The photo was probably taken between October and December 1942, when RMS Queen Mary was being repaired at Boston after she had collided with (and sunk) the light cruiser HMS Curacoa (D41) on 2 October 1942. Queen Mary is most probably the ship visible in the dry dock at right. The troop transport USS Wakefield (AP-21) is most probably the ship in the upper right, being razed after her fire in September 1942



Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Tarbell (DD-142) underway in Charleston harbour, South Carolina (USA), 17 December 1942



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

A reconnaissance team lands on Amchitka Island and discovers test holes dug by the Japanese for a possible airfield. The Eleventh Air Force flies a reconnaissance sortie over Attu, Agattu, Kiska, Amchitka and the Semichis Islands. Two attacks by five B-24s, two B-25s and four B-26s, the second attack escorted by eight P-38s, take off for Kiska Island. On the first mission, four B-24s, get through and hit the submarine base area, marine railway, buildings, and communication facilities.

The second mission aborts due to weather. P-38s and B-24s also fly offshore patrol between Vega Point on the southern tip of Kiska and Little Kiska Island.

BURMA

Continuing drive toward Akyab, the Indian 14th Division seizes Buthidaung without opposition.

Aircraft of the USAAF Tenth Air Force's China Air Task Force bomb Lashio.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

On the Urbana front in Papua New Guinea, Companies G and E of the U.S. 128th Infantry Regiment make a fruitless and costly attack on the Triangle, which they dub "Bloody Triangle." In this action, Company G loses ten of its 27 effectives. Orders are issued for the capture of Musita Island., between Buna Village and Mission, tomorrow and the Triangle on 19 December to pave the way for an assault on the main objective, Buna Mission. Australian Brigadier George Wootten takes command of the Warren Force and prepares for an attack tomorrow. U.S. M3 "Stuart" tanks of "X" Squadron, Australian 2/6th Armored Regiment, start toward the line of departure at 1800 hours local, the noise of their engines covered by mortar fire.

In Papua New Guinea, B-26s bomb Buna Mission while U.S. ground forces make fruitless attacks on the Triangle now dubbed "Bloody Triangle."

PACIFIC OCEAN

USN submarine Drum (SS-228) mines the Bungo Strait in the Japanese home islands. The Bungo Strait separates Kyushu and Shikoku Islands.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

On Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, the 1st and 3d Battalions, 132d Infantry Regiment, Americal Division, begin their advance from the Lunga perimeter toward Mt Austen and the Japanese position that will become known as the Gifu .The Mount Austen area overlooks Henderson Field and the Japanese offer bitter resistance. Advance elements of 25th Infantry Division (Regimental Combat Team 35) arrive on the island. USAAF aircraft, especially P-39s, and USMC SBDs, provide support and continue to do so as the offensive progresses from coastal supply points, hitting reinforcements moving through the jungle, and destroying ammunition dumps.

Submarine Grouper (SS-214) sinks Japanese army passenger-cargo ship Bandoeng Maru about 15 miles northwest of Cape Henpan, Buka Island, Solomons, 04°54'S, 154°17'E. Escorting submarine chaser Ch 29 carries out unsuccessful counterattack.

ESPIRITU SANTO, NEW HEBRIDES

Photo: The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Pensacola (CA-24) alongside the repair ship USS Vestal (AR-4), undergoing repair of torpedo damage received during the Battle of Tassafaronga, off Guadalcanal on 30 November 1942. Note the hole in her side below the mainmast, and the extensive fire damage in the area of that mast and the number three eight-inch gun turret. Photographed at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, on 17 December 1942

Day 1197 of World War II, December 19th 1942

Eastern Front

Stalled for several days a mere 30 miles from the pocket, Hoth's troops attacked in an all-out effort to relieve Stalingrad. They succeeded in reaching the Myshkova. General von Manstein, knowing the relief attack would not succeed, ordered von Paulus to breakout. However, von Paulus took the advice of his Chief of Staff, General Schmidt - a sycophant of Hitler's - and stayed in Stalingrad. Meanwhile the Soviets captured Kontemirovka and continued to grind the Italian 8th Army to a bloody pulp. At Stalingrad the airlift was increased in order to assist with von Paulus' possible breakout from the besieged city. Despite a massive effort to supply the surrounded defenders from the air, it failed. This day saw the Luftwaffe fly 250 tons to von Paulus' army, less than half the minimum required simply to sustain his forces. Even this inadequate level was never met again.

During the Luftwaffe's attempts to support the 4.Panzerarmee's breakthrough to the Caucasus, the Staffelkapitaen of 4./JG 54, Oblt. Gerhard Barkhorn gained his 100th kill. But the Luftwaffe continued to lose aircraft. Four Bf 109E-7s of I./SchG 1 were lost between 30 November and 19 December, at least 2 of these to Soviet fighters, as the Gruppe was forced back to Millerovo.

Air War over Europe

During the night of 19/20 December, RAF Bomber Command Wellingtons lay mines off three ports on the Bay of Biscay: six lay mines off Lorient, five off St. Nazaire and four off Brest.

German/Vichy France relations

Chancellor Adolf Hitler receives French Prime Minister Pierre Laval at his headquarters in the presence of Italian Foreign Minister Count Gian Ciano, Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering, head of the German Air Force; and German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop, to discuss;

"the existing problems of France."

Battle of the Mediterranean

While escorting a convoy to Benghazi, Libya, the British corvette HMS 'Snapdragon' is bombed and sunk off Bizerte, Tunisia, by German aircraft.

North African campaign

Rain curtailed most aerial operations in Tunisia, although A-20s and DB-7s, with fighter escort, hit the marshalling yards at Sfax. A Ju 88 was destroyed by US 33rd FG P-40s near Sfax.

United States

Photo: The Royal Navy frigate HMS Foley (BDE-22) after her launching at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California (USA), on 19 December 1942. On 25 January 1943, Foley was reallocated to the U.S. Navy. She was redesignated "DE-22" on 19 February 1943 and commissioned as USS Wileman (DE-22) on 11 June 1943



Pacific War

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

A reconnaissance sortie is flown over Attu, Agattu, Kiska, Amchitka and the Semichis Islands. Two attacks by five B-24s, two B-25s and four B-26s--the second attack escorted by eight P-38s--take off for Kiska Island. On the first mission, four B-24s, gets through and hit the submarine base area, marine railway, buildings, and communication facilities. The second mission aborts due to weather. P-38s and B-24s also fly offshore patrol between Vega Point and Little Kiska.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force) China Air Task Force aircraft bomb Lashio, Burma.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

Continuing the assault on the Sanananda front in Papua New Guinea, the Australians reduce several Japanese positions just beyond the track junction in a frontal drive; flanking elements reach positions near the roadblock. A Japanese attack on the block is repulsed.

Australian cavalrymen destroy a Japanese force 300 yards north of the block and establish a new perimeter, which they call "Kano". The Urbana Force, after air and mortar preparation, attacks the Triangle, Companies E and G of the U.S. 126th Infantry Regiment driving south on it while Company F blocks from below. The attack is soon halted by cross fire, which causes heavy casualties. The battalion commander is lost in this action.

Troops on the Warren front regroup. The rest of Australian 2/10th Battalion, 18th Brigade, 7th Division, arrives at the front after dark. U.S. troops are to operate the Oro Bay port and the engineers charged with the construction of a road from Oro Bay to Dobodura airfields land at Oro Bay during the night of 19/20 December.

Additional cargo is also brought ashore. In Papua New Guinea, USAAF A-20s and B-25s hit the Buna Mission area. B-17s and B-24s attack warships, transports and cargo vessels off Madang in Astrolabe Bay and north northwest of Finschhafen off the coast of Huon Peninsula damaging a destroyer. Meanwhile, B-25s bomb Lae Airfield.

SOLOMON CAMPAIGN

USAAF aircraft, especially P-39s, and USMC SBDs, provide support and continue to do so as the offensive progresses from coastal supply points, hitting reinforcements moving through the jungle, and destroying ammunition dumps.

The 3rd Battalion, backed up by 1st Battalion of the 132nd Infantry Regiment, Americal Division, has spent two days moving into contact with Japanese forces in the area that will become known as "The Gifu" on Mt. Austen. After an artillery and aerial bombardment, Colonel William Wright, battalion commanding officer, moves forward with his unit. He is wounded by machine gun fire. While attempting to hit the Japanese position with grenades, he is mortally wounded.

The action is stalemated for the rest of the day, until the battalion executive officer can move forward. The next few days will show small gains as the U.S. forces aggressively patrol in their attempts to locate the Japanese forces. The Japanese will continue to send forward infiltration parties, making the front lines of the U.S. forces jittery and harassing the rear supply forces.

Photo: A U.S. Navy Douglas SBD-3 Dauntless flies over the aircraft carriers USS Enterprise (CV-6), foreground, and USS Saratoga (CV-3) near Guadalcanal on 19 December 1942. The aircraft is likely on anti-submarine patrol. Saratoga is trailed by her plane guard destroyer. Another flight of three aircraft is visible near the Saratoga. The radar array on the Enterprise has been obscured by a wartime censor



NEW GEORGIA

B-17s, escorted by P-38s, hit the airfield at Munda on New Georgia Island. They are attacked by 20 Zeke fighters; the Americans claim three Zekes with no American losses.