This day in the war in Europe 65 years ago (1 Viewer)

1 October 1942

EASTERN FRONT: Bitter fighting continues within and near Stalingrad throughout October, German Heeresgruppe B making limited progress against determined resistance. Soviet Army efforts to relieve the besieged city, which is under severe air and artillery bombardment, prove futile. The drives of German Heresgrupe A are virtually halted by Soviet resistance and the Soviet Army contains attacks toward the Grozny oil fields. In the northwest sector of this front, fierce battles occur in the Novorossisk- Tuapse area along the Black Sea coast. The German offensive is steadily losing momentum because of fuel shortage, heavy losses in manpower, difficult terrain, and firm opposition.

Heavy actions against Russian aircraft in the morning found several pilots of JG 3 increasing their scores. Uffz. Gruber of 2./JG 3 claimed three Soviet planes while Lt. Friedrich Lorentzen of 1./JG 3 and Lt. Kurt Roisch from the Stab I./JG 3 each claimed two Russians downed before 0700 hours. By 1000 hours in the morning planes from JG 54 joined the fight and several Russian warplanes fell to German guns including a pair for Uffz. Kurt Stöber of 7./JG 54.

Major Gordon Gollob, Kommodore of JG 77, was transferred to the Stab of Jagdfliegerführer 3 on the Channel front. Hptm. Joachim Müncheberg received command of JG 77, soon to be battling in Sicily and Tunisia. Hptm. Dietrich Hrabak of II./JG 54 was promoted to major and took over command of JG 52 in the southern region.

The German government formally annexes northern Slovenia into the German Reich and declares all of the inhabitants of the region as German citizens.

GERMANY: During the night of 1/2 October, RAF Bomber Command initiates three small raids in difficult weather conditions and without Pathfinders:
(1) 62 of 78 Lancasters dispatched to bomb Wismar hit the target with the loss of two aircraft:
(2) 23 of 27 Halifaxes bomb Flensburg with the loss of 12 aircraft; and
(3) 20 of 25 Stirlings bomb Lubeck with the loss of three aircraft.

MEDITERRANEAN: US Army, Middle East Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb shipping in Pylos Bay, Greece, claiming two direct hits and several near misses on a large vessel; other B-24s dispatched to bomb a convoy at sea fail to find the target.

NORTH AFRICA: The British Eighth Army forces the Axis from positions in region of El Alamein.

Lt. Erich Schöfböck of 7./JG 27 downed his first enemy aircraft when he shot down a RAF Spitfire.

NORTH AMERICA: A Douglas (Model DC-2-243) C-39, msn 2081, USAAF s/n 38-524, crashes near Coamo, Puerto Rico at 0930 hours local killing all 22 aboard. The aircraft made a wide descending turn with engines running roughly and crashed into a hill.

Fuel oil is now rationed in most areas of the United States.

The first American turbojet aircraft, the Bell Model 27 XP-59A-BE Airacomet, msn 27-1, USAAF s/n 42-108784, makes its first flight at Muroc Army Air Base, Muroc, California. The flight was made with the landing gear in the down position and at 25 feet (7,62 meters) off the ground. Three more flights were made today in this aircraft.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt ends two-week trip to war plants across U.S.

WESTERN FRONT: Hptm. Helmut Lent, Gruppenkommandeur of II./NJG 2, was appointed Gruppenkommandeur of IV./NJG 1. The night-fighters of 4./NJG 2 were redesignated as 10./NJG 1. 3./NJG 1 was redesignated 1./NJG 5.

2 October 1942

ATLANTIC OCEAN: The British antiaircraft cruiser HMS 'Curacoa' is engaged in convoy escort duties with the passenger liner RMS 'Queen Mary'. While both ships are zigzagging, the 'Curacoa' crossed the 'Queen Mary's' bow with insufficient clearance. The 'Queen Mary' knifed into her at a speed of 28 knots, cutting the 'Curacoa' in two. Separated by about 100 yards 991 meters), she sank instantly about 56 nautical miles (104 kilometers) north-northwest of Londonderry, County Derry, Northern Ireland, with 338 casualties. The 'Queen Mary' did not falter or slow down, despite the fact of a 40 foot (12 meter) gash in her bow, for fear of German submarines. The convoy behind picked up 26 survivors. The 'Queen Mary' is transporting some of the subordinate units of the U.S. 29th Infantry Division including the 116th Infantry Regiment and 111th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm Howitzer, Truck-Drawn) from the US to Britain. (Ric Pelvin, Alex Gordon and Jack McKillop)

German submarine U-512 is sunk about 114 nautical miles (211 kilometers) north of Cayenne, French Guinea, by depth charges from a USAAF B-18A Bolo of the 99th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) based at Zandery Field, Dutch Guinea; only one of the 52 crewmen on the U-boat survived.

GERMANY: The Oberkommando der Wehrmach (OKW or High Command of the German Armed Forces) issues a decree which in one fell swoop "rehabilitated" c. 28,000 or so German citizens formerly unworthy of bearing arms" (unwehrwurdig) , and established the formation of the "999" Bewaehrungstruppe" at Tr.Ub.plz. Heuberg/Swaebisch Alb, (WK.V) south of Stuttgart. These men are a rather heterogenous grouping of dissidents who have previously spent time before the war in KL (konzentrationslager) "protective custody" detention or civil "zuchthaus" (prison) for both political and criminal reasons, and so are nominally exempted from military service. Their crimes ranged from having either Socialist or KPD backgrounds, to having exhibited overtly critical behaviour toward the NS regime; some are even German volunteers who have fought on the Republican side in the Communist Brigades during the Spanish Civil War who have the misfortune to have come under German jurisdiction again. Among them, though in smaller numbers, are rapists, murderers, thieves, and what, according to the Gestapo's all inclusive category of enemy of the State, are the ubiquitous grumblers and anti-social elements.

The Me 262V-2 prototype, also powered by Jumo-004As, was delivered. Despite all the delays and problems, the RLM had already ordered fifteen preproduction Me-262s in May 1942, and added thirty more to the order in October 1942. The He 280 was inferior in performance and the Me 262 was clearly the better option, but there was still no commitment to put the Me 262 into full production. The RLM was waffling between production of the Me 262 and the "Me 209", an improved version of the piston-powered Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter. The head of the RLM, Erhard Milch, was conservative and favored the Me 209 over the much more radical Me 262.

During the night of 2/3 October, RAF Bomber Command dispatched 188 aircraft, 95 Wellingtons, 39 Halifaxes, 31 Lancasters and 23 Stirlings, to bomb Krefeld; seven aircraft, three Halifaxes, two Wellingtons, a Lancaster and a Stirling, are lost, 3.1 per cent of the force. The Pathfinders encountered dense haze and their marking is late. The raid which developed is dispersed and not expected to cause much damage. Only three streets in the northern part of the town are mentioned as being hit.

INDIAN OCEAN: British forces take Antsirabe in the center of the island of Madagascar.

NORTH AFRICA: Whether at the instigation of a particularly understanding member of the Higher Command, or simply as a result of operational expediency, I./JG 27 was offered a complete change of scenery. Staging via the heel of Italy, where it converted fully on to the Bf 109G-2/trop, the Gruppe transferred to Sicily to take part in the renewed air offensive against Malta. By this time III./JG 27 had moved forward from Quasaba to Turbiya, closer to the Alamein front. But the Gruppe's morale was at a low ebb. Successes were still hard to come by, and its pilots were fed up of being treated as the Geschwader's 'poor relations'. This had only been heightened when they were handed II./JG 27's war-weary 'Friedrichs', which they would continue to fly while the other two Gruppen converted to the Bf 109G.

NORTH AMERICA: President Roosevelt is granted power to control wages, salaries and agricultural prices as of 1 November by the Stabilization of the Cost of Living Act which becomes law today.

The Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company, by amendment to a USN design study contract, is authorized to construct two 19A axial flow turbojet powerplants. Thereby, fabrication is initiated of the first jet engine of wholly American design.

WESTERN FRONT: During the day, six RAF Bomber Command Mosquitos attacked a steelworks at Liege without loss.

Former Fench prime minister and president of the chamber of deputies Edouard Herriot is arrested by the Vichy police. He challenged the legality of the 1940 parliamentary vote establishing the Vichy regime. Herriot is deported to German in 1944 but survived and re-entered French politics in 1945.

The USAAF Eighth Air Force flies Mission 13: 61 bombers and 54 fighters are dispatched to attack three targets in France; one fighter is lost:
(1) 32 B-17 Flying Fortresses bomb the Avions Potez aircraft factory at Meaulte; they claim 4-9-5 aircraft; escort is provided by 31 P-38 Lightnings; a P-38 is lost.
(2) Six B-17s fly a diversionary missions to Longuenesse Airfield at St Omer; they claim 5-4-4 aircraft. Escort is provided by 23 Spitfires; they claim 4-0-1 aircraft.
(3) Eleven unescorted DB-7 Bostons attack a ship in a dock at Le Havre without loss.

Intercepted by fighters from JG 2 and JG 26, the fighters of JG 26 lost their first Fw 190 to the four-engined bombers when a Focke-Wulf from 4./JG 26 was hit by fire from the bombers and force-landed at base. The pilot died later at hospital. The bombers returned to England without loss although six B-17s were damaged. Several escorting fighters were shot down including the twenty-eighth victory for Oblt. Fulbert Zink of 2./JG 26, who claimed what he called an Airacobra downed north-west of Cap Blanc Nez. First victories went to Uffz. Hans-Joachim Stoller of 2./JG 26, a P-38 near Calais and a Spitfire for Lt. Helmut Hoppe of 6./JG 26 destroyed over Sommemündung. A Spitfire was also credited to Obgefr. Vikto Hager of 7./JG 26 for his third victory. Ofw. Josef Wurmheller and Fw. Willi Morzinek from 1./JG 2 each claimed a Spitfire.

During the night of 2/3 October, RAF Bomber Command sent three Wellingtons to lay mines in the Frisian Islands.

3 October 1942

EASTERN FRONT: Premier Joseph Stalin stated, in a personal letter to the representative of the Associated Press in Russia, that Allied aid has so far been of little effect compared with the aid the Soviet Union as giving by drawing upon itself the main German forces.

Units of the German 6.Armee continue to push the decimated Soviet 62nd Army further back toward the Volga River in the center of Stalingrad with heavy losses on both sides. On the Caucasian front, German Heeresgruppe A captures Elkhotovo, within 7 miles (11 kilometers) of Darg Kokh.

GERMANY: The A-4 (V-2) rocket is launched for the first time at Peenemunde and reaches an altitude of 53 miles (85 kilometers) and crashes in the Baltic 118 miles (190 kilometers) away. The brainchild of the brilliant young scientist Wernher von Braun and General Walter Dornberger, the station head, who have been working on rocketry since 1932, the A-4 was 46 feet in height and weighed 13 tons. Dornberger and von Braun had to convince the armaments minister, Albert Speer, that it warranted full-scale production.

MEDITERRANEAN: The US Army Middle East Air Force dispatches B-24 Liberators to attack shipping in Pylos Bay during the night of 3/4 October; they claim two fighters shot down.

NORTH AMERICA: The Office of Economic Stabilization is established and authorized to establish controls on farm prices, rents, wages and salaries.

4 October 1942

EASTERN FRONT: The fourth major offensive of the German forces at Stalingrad begins. The 14.Panzerkorps launched an attack in force to capture the Tractor Factory in the northern part of the city. Their street fighting capabilities have been strengthened with the addition of police and combat-engineer units. This will be the longest of the German offensives and will result in the fiercest fighting. The Soviets have prepared the ground better, attempting to funnel the German drives into specially prepared "killing fields." The end result of this offensive will be to seriously deplete the Germans in both morale and reserves.

GERMANY: Chancellor Adolf Hitler states that occupied countries must make up the food shortage caused by the Allied blockade.

Reichsmarschall Göring* stated:

"This war is not the Second World War: this is the War of the Races. Whether we, the Germanic and Aryan men, or the Jew rule the world - that is the final issue."

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WESTERN FRONT: A small British party raids the Isle of Sark in the English Channel.

5 October 1942

ATLANTIC OCEAN: Two German submarines are sunk by Allied aircraft in the North Atlantic south of Reykjavik, Iceland.

A PBY-5A Catalina of USN Patrol Squadron Seventy Three (VP-73) based at NAF Reykjavik, depth charges and sinks U-582 about 317 nautical miles (588 kilometers) south of Reykjavik. All 46 hands on the sub are lost.

U-619 (Type VIIC) is sunk about 330 nautical miles (610 kilometers) south of Reykjavik, by four depth charges from an RAF Hudson Mk. II or III of No. 269 Squadron based at Kaldadarnes, Iceland. All hands on the U-boat, 44 men, are lost.

EASTERN FRONT: The Soviet submarine "Sch-320" of the Baltic Fleet, Ladoga and Onega Flotillas is sunk in Finland Gulf. This sinking is made by Finnish submarine 'Vetehinen' (Kapteeniluutnantti Antti Leino) by ramming. 'Vetehinen' is also damaged, but manages to get back to base for repairs.

Josef Stalin, premier and dictator of the Soviet Union, fires off a telegram to the German/Soviet front at Stalingrad, exhorting his forces to victory.

"That part of Stalingrad which has been captured must be liberated.

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GERMANY: During the night of 5/6 October, RAF Bomber Commands sends 257 aircraft, 101 Wellingtons, 74 Lancasters, 59 Halifaxes and 23 Stirlings, to bomb Aachen; 184 aircraft bomb the target with a loss of ten bombers, five Halifaxes, two Stirlings, two Wellingtons and a Lancaster, 3.9 per cent of the force. A further six aircraft crash in England, possibly in thunderstorms. The weather continues to be bad over Germany. There is little Pathfinder marking at Aachen and most of the bombing falls in other areas. Aachen reports that the raid is carried out by an estimated ten aircraft and that the centre of the attack appears to be in the southern suburb of Burtscheid. Five people are killed and 39 injured. Many of the bombs intended for Aachen fall in the small Dutch town of Lutterade, 17 miles (27 kilometers) away from Aachen, and it seems that most of the Pathfinder marking are over this place. More than 800 houses are seriously damaged; 83 people are killed, 22 are injured and 3,000 are made homeless.

6 October 1942

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German submarine U-116 sends its last message when the boat is located about 1,125 nautical miles (2 084 kilometers) west of Brest, France. The sub is never heard from again; all 56 crewmen are lost.

EASTERN FRONT: The German III. Panzerkorps (Armored Corps) captures the oil city of Malgobek in the bend of the Terek River in the Caucasus Mountains while units of Heeresgruppe Mitte (Army Group Center) capture Brjansk on the road to Moscow.

GERMANY: During the day, two RAF Bomber Command Mosquitos bomb Bremen and one each bombs Munster and Saarbrucken.

During the night of 6/7 October, RAF Bomber Command sends 237 aircraft, 101 Wellingtons, 68 Lancasters, 38 Stirlings and 30 Halifaxes, to bomb Osnabrück; 216 bomb the target. Six aircraft, two Halifaxes, two Lancasters and two Stirlings, are lost, 2.5 per cent of the force. The Pathfinders succeeded in illuminating the Dummer See, a large lake northeast of the target which is used as a run-in point. The town of Osnabrück is then found and marked. The bombing is well concentrated, with most of the attack falling in the center and the southern parts of the target. Osnabrück's report shows that 149 houses are destroyed, 530 are seriously damaged and 2,784 lightly damaged. Six industrial premises are destroyed and 14 damaged. Sixty five people are killed, 45 civilians, 16 policemen or servicemen and four foreign workers, and 151 are injured.

NORTH AFRICA: British General Bernard Law Montgomery, General Officer Commanding Eighth Army, issues instructions for the El 'Alamein offensive in the Western Desert.

US Army, Middle East Air Force B-24 Liberators hit Bengasi harbor, scoring a large number of near misses but no direct hits; a B-24 bombs Bardia during the return flight. Antiaircraft is heavy and accurate and fighters attack six B-24s over the target; two B-24s are lost.

NORTH AMERICA: The Second Protocol for U.S. aid to the U.S.S.R., covering the period to 1 July 1943, is signed in Washington, D.C. A total of 4.4 million tons (4 million metric tonnes) are to be sent to the Soviet Union, 3.3 million tons (3 million metric tonnes) by the northern Soviet ports and 1.1 million tons (1 million metric tonnes) by the Persian Gulf route.

Chester Floyd Carlson obtains a patent on the xerography process for making electrostatic copies. Carlson worked in the patent department of an electronics firm and is frustrated at the difficulty of making copies of patent drawings. He investigated various processes and developed xerography after four years of experimenting. He made the first Xerox copy on 22 October 1938. Although he received a patent in 1942, he failed to interest companies in producing copy machines until 1947, when the Haloid Company of Rochester, New York, licensed the process. The company, which later changes its name to Xerox, introduces its first copy machine in 1958.

WESTERN FRONT: During the day, three RAF Bomber Command Mosquitos attack the Stork diesel-engine works at Hengelo.

7 October 1942

EASTERN FRONT: The Tractor Factory at Stalingrad is the scene of fierce fighting.

MEDITTERANEAN: US Army, Middle East Air Force B-24s score 7 direct hits on a tanker and 8 on fuel installations at Suda Bay.

NORTH AFRICA: 66 P-40s escort bombers over the battle area west of El Alamein.

NORTH AMERICA: The British and US governments announce a United Nations Commission to investigate Axis war crimes. It will be a condition of any armistice that accused war criminals will be handed over for prosecution. Roosevelt says that a commission will be set up after the war to judge those guilty of atrocities and mass murder.

8 October 1942

ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-179 (Type IX D2) is sunk in the South Atlantic near Cape Town, South Africa, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS 'Active'. 61 dead (all crew lost).

MEDITERRANEAN: US Army, Middle East Air Force B-24s fail to reach the target at Bengasi, Libya because of bad weather. The Hal Bombardment Squadron manages to attack shipping at Bengasi.

UNITED KINGDOM: Major General Ira C Eaker, Commanding General Eighth Air Force sends a letter to Major General George E Stratemeyer, Chief of the Air Staff in Washington, indicating plans for the development of a highly-skilled intruder force capable of using bad weather as a cloak for small blind- bombing operations. These missions are also to serve the purpose of keeping the enemy from resting during periods of bad weather when big strategic missions cannot be flown.

WESTERN FRONT: German decrees are issued in Belguim, ordering registration for war work. These effect all males between 18 and 50 and females between 21 and 35. These decrees indicate that Germany's manpower needs are approaching a crisis situation.

9 October 1942

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

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

GERMANY: Five RAF Bomber Command Mosquitos are dispatched to hit scattered targets; one bombs Koblenz. (Syscom)

NORTH AFRICA: US Army, Middle East Air Force P-40s fly escort and strafe a landing ground west of El Daba and emplacements in the battle area west of El Alamein. During the latter mission, First Lieutenant William J. Mount, a P-40 pilot with the 57th Fighter Group, scores the first USAAF aerial victory in North Africa against a Luftwaffe Bf 109 fighter in the vicinity of El Alamein. (Syscom)

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

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

WESTERN FRONT: In the largest raid to date from the Americans, 108 B-17s and for the first time B-24 bombers from the USAAF 93rd BG, attacked the steel and engineering works of the Compagnie de Fives and the locomotive and freight car works of Ateliers d'Hellemmes at Lille and airfield targets in northern France. Also flying for the first time were 24 B-17s from the USAAF 306th BG. Most of the bombers were flying with only 9 crewmembers as it was thought that a second waist gunner was not needed because of close defensive fire from other bombers. 59 B-17s and 10 B-24s hit the primary targets while 2 B-17s hit the secondary target, Coutrai Airfield. Other targets hit were Longuensse Airfield and Roubaix. The first mission-related midair collision sustained by the USAAF 8th AF heavy bombers occurred during the flight when a pair of 92nd BG (Heavy) B-17s collided. Both were able to return to base. A B-17 of the 301 BG that had been damaged by German fire became the first USAAF 8th AF bomber ever to ditch at sea when 1st Lt Donald Swenson landed the plane in 15-20 foot high seas. All the crewmen survived. The fighters of III./JG 26, led by Gruppenkommanduer Hptm. "Pips" Priller - on his first atack of 4-engined bombers -took off at 0900 hours and attacked from the rear of the bomber formation on their return flight. He misjudged the altitude of the bombers and had to try 3 times before successfully engaging the bomber formation. To Lt. Otto Stammberger of 9./JG 26, the bombers reminded him of a large cloud of bumblebees;

"The Staffel had just landed under my command at Wevelghem, when around 0830 hours we were scrambled. We should climb in the direction of St. Omer. However we didn't gather systematically as when we were flying at a height of 3500 to 4000 meters, we already spotted quite a large pile of formidable fat bluebottles, approaching from the direction of St. Omer. They were American bombers of the Boeing B-17 type. They were not flying in a tight formation, as they flew in 3 rows and all 'vics' obviously flew higgledy-piggledy... Approached from the rear. Full throttle. The things just grew bigger and bigger. Opened fire much too early and broke away for fear of ramming the 'barn doors'. I was puzzled not to have scored any hits until I remembered the size of the beasts - wingspan 40 meters! Right, get in much closer, things won't start to happen too soon. Concentrate on the engines of the left wing. Third pass and both port engines are burning. Then a good burst into the starboard outer as she starts to slide left, losing altitude in wide spirals. At about 2000 meters 4 or 5 men manage to bail out before the crate hits the ground east of Vendeville."

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Lt. Stammberger's B-17 was from the 327BS/92BG flown by Lt. Francis Chorak. 4 of the crewmen bailed out of the falling bomber and survived. Now out of ammunition, Lt. Stammberger returned to his base at Wevelghem. Along with Lt. Stammberger's B-17, Hptm. Priller claimed a Fortress from the 306 BG that crashed south of Lille. Hptm. Klaus Mietusch, Staffelkapitaen of 7./JG 26 first destroyed a B-24 - mistaken as a RAF Stirling - from the 93 BG that also crashed near Lille, then focused on a B-17 from the 419 BS 301 BG. His first pass caused little damage but return fire from the bomber hit his wingman, Uffz. Viktor Hager who was badly wounded and bailed out of his plane. His parachute failed to open and he fell to his death - the only casualty for JG 26 on this day. Hptm. Mietusch's second pass succeeded in damaging the bomber and Oblt. Kurt Ruppert of 9./JG 26 continued to attack the bomber, watching it crash into the Channel when he ran out of ammunition. Although the USAAF lost 4 bombers to fighters with a further 2 damaged beyond repair and another 46 damaged, only 69 bombers hit their target and many of the bombs failed to explode. In dogfights, Polish pilots claimed 3 kills and the RAF 2 kills.

Fourteen RAF Bomber Command Wellingtons lay mines in the Frisian Islands without loss. (Syscom)

10 October 1942

ATLANTIC OCEAN: After a refit in the U.K. British submarine HMS/M 'Unique' (N 95) left Holy Loch, Scotland, on 7 October. She is ordered to patrol in the Bay of Biscay while en route from Britain to Gibraltar. She left her escorts off Lands End on the 9 October and is not heard from again. HMS/M 'Ursula' (N 59) on patrol off the coast of Spain reports hearing the sounds of explosions like depth charges, but no Axis claims have been made for this loss, and it seems likely that she is the victim of a drifting mine or an accident. She is reported overdue on 24 October when she fails to arrive at Gibraltar.

The German submarine U-172 torpedoes the 23,456 ton British troop transport SS 'Orcades' about 124 nautical miles (230 kilometers) north of Cape Town, South Africa. The U-boat has to fire five more torpedoes before the ship sinks. Of the 1,065 aboard the ship, 1,017 survive.

In the South Atlantic, the German submarine U-178 torpedoes and sinks the unescorted 20,119 ton British passenger ship SS 'Duchess of Atholl' about 622 nautical miles (1 152 kilometers) north-northwest of Ascension Island. After being hit by three torpedoes, the ship sinks. Only five of the 832 aboard are lost.

EASTERN FRONT: Ofw. Wilhelm Schilling of JG 54 was awarded the Ritterkreuz for his 46 air victories. Erich Hartmann arrived at 7./JG 52 in the Caucasus.

The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet issued a decree establishing a single command and abolishing political commissars in the army. The commissars have gained military experience and their former status has become superfluous. The decree is issued to free responsible military commanders from any hindrances in carrying out their duties and to add to their ranks.

GERMANY: Eva-Marie Buch, a bookseller who also works for the Schutze-Boysen- Harnack resistance group (The Red Orchestra), is arrested today for passing messages to French slave workers in factories. She is sentenced to death by the People's Court on 3 February and hanged in Platzensee Prison, Berlin, on 5 August 1943.

MEDITTERANEAN: The Axis commences a massive assault on Malta. Italian and German bombers hammer the island, flying between 200 and 270 sorties daily until 19 October. The Axis runs into considerable trouble, however, as Malta is now well-guarded by squadrons of Spitfire Mk Vs and Beaufighters, which are more than a match for the German Ju 88 and Italian SM 79 bombers. The RAF knows the attacks are coming from breaking the German Enigma messages allowing Spitfires to intercept the Germans over the sea sparing Malta a good deal of bombs.

NORTH AFRICA: US Middle East Air Force B-24s bombed shipping and the dock area at Benghazi while B-25s hit landing grounds. The air war over the desert became increasingly more active as the Luftwaffe and US air forces began to clash. Claiming multiple kills this day were Oblt. Gustav Rodel of StabII./JG 27 who downed 3 Airacobras to bring his score to 60 kills, Lt. werner Schroer of 8./JG 27 who claimed 3 Allied aircraft to reach 48 kills and Lt. Jurgen Harder from 7./JG 53 who destroyed 4 P-40s to get to 22 kills. Those with double claims were Fw. Heinrich Steis of 4./JG 27, Ofw. Fritz Luer of 5./JG 27, Lt. Erich Schofbock of 7./JG 27 and Lt. Klippgen from 9./JG 53.

NORTH AMERICA: The U.S. Senate approves the largest tax bill in history. Americans will pay US$8.5 billion (US$95.96 billion in year 2005 dollars) in corporate and income taxes during 1943.

WESTERN FRONT: During the night of 10/11 October, RAF Bomber Command aircraft lay mines off Biscay Bay ports: nine lay mines off Gironde, six off St. Nazaire, five off La Pallace and four each off Brest and Lorient.

During the night of 10/11 October, ten RAF Bomber Command aircraft lay mines in the Frisian Island and five lay mines off Texel Island.

11 October 1942

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

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

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

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

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

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

NORTH AFRICA: When III./JG 27's Hptm. Erhard 'Jack' Braune departed to the staff of XI Fliegerkorps, his replacement was ex-Geschwader-Adjutant Hptm. Ernst Dullberg.

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

WESTERN FRONT: During the night of 11/12 October, five each RAF Bomber Command aircraft lay mines off Lorient and St. Nazaire. (Syscom)

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

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

12 October 1942

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German submarine U-597 is sunk about 475 nautical miles SSW of Reykjavik, Iceland, by depth charges from an RAF (B-24) Liberator Mk. III, of No. 120 Squadron based at Reykjavik; all 49 crewmen are lost.

EASTERN FRONT: The Soviet submarine "Sch-302" of the Baltic Fleet, Ladoga and Onega Flotillas was mined and then finished off by the Luftwaffe north of Bolshoi Tuters Island.

Deportations from Upper Silesia commence. Fifteen thousand Jews are transported to various murder sites.

GERMANY: During the night of 12/13 October, RAF Bomber Command dispatches 59 Lancasters to bomb Wismar. They encounter bad weather conditions but 51 claim to have started a large fire at the target. Two aircraft are lost and one bombs Lubeck.

NORTH AFRICA: US Army Middle East Air Force B-17s hit shipping in Tobruk harbour.

The U.S. Army, Middle East Air Force, is organized at Cairo with Colonel Patrick W Timberlake as Commanding Officer; this step comes about as part of a move to preserve the Lieutenant General Henry H "Hap" Arnold-Air Chief Marshall Sir Charles F Portal-Admiral John H Towers, USN, agreement that US combat units in theaters of British strategic responsibility are to be organized in homogeneous "American formations" and under strategic control only of a British Commander-in- Chief.

NORTH AMERICA: In Washington during a radio "fireside chat," President Franklin D. Roosevelt announces that 18- and 19-year-olds will be drafted into the military services. In Washington, Attorney General Francis Biddle says 600,000 first-generation Italian-Americans, including some who have lived in the United States for decades, no longer will be classified as enemy aliens due to the result of the "splendid showing the Italians of America have made in meeting this test [loyalty to U. S.]."

13 October 1942

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

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

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

George Beurling of RAF No. 249 Squadron claimed and was credited with 2 Bf 109's, a Ju 88 and a Ju 88 damaged over Malta. (pbfoot)

While leading I./JG 77, Hptm. Heinz "Pritzl" Bar downed several British fighters over Malta. His victims were 2 Spitfires from RAF No. 185 Sqdn and 1 Spitfire from RAF 1435 Sqdn. Also claiming Spitfires around Malta were Oblt. Fritz Geisshardt of 3./JG 77, Oblt. Siegfried Freytag of 1./JG 77 and Oblt. Gerhard Michalski of Stab II./JG 53.

NORTH AFRICA: P-40s flew a fighter sweep and intercept mission west of El Alamein. The Curtiss fighters claimed 2 Bf 109s destroyed and 1 damaged. Lt. Erich Schofbock of 7./JG 27 was killed. Oblt. Gustav Rodel of Stab II./JG 27 brought down an Airacobra southwest of El Alamein. Ofw. Werner Stumpf of 9./JG 53 destroyed 3 Allied fighters before being shot down and killed.

WESTERN FRONT: The German authorities declare all Jewish property confiscated in the Baltic States. (Syscom)

14 October 1942

ATLANTIC OCEAN: In Cabot Strait between Nova Scotia, Canada and Newfoundland, the 2,200-ton steel hulled Newfoundland Railway Fleet SS 'Caribou' is struck by a torpedo at 0330 hours local fired by the German submarine U-69. The ferry was en route from North Sydney, Nova Scotia, to Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, and escorted by the Canadian minesweeper HMCS 'Grandmère', is sailing in a zig-zag course. HMCS 'Grandmère' is equipped with ASDIC (sonar) but not radar and she does not "see" U-69 which had surfaced to recharge her batteries. The sub crew spotted the two ships and fired one torpedo that strikes the ferry and she immediately starts sinking about 21 nautical miles southwest of Port aux Basques. There are 237 people aboard the ferry, 46 crewmen, 73 civilians and 118 military personnel; 136 people lost their lives. (Syscom)

In the English Channel, the German Hilfskreuzer (Auxiliary Cruiser) HK 'Komet' (Raider B) attempts to pass down the Channel on the way out for a second cruise. A force of British escort destroyers and motor torpedo boats (MTBs) attack off Cherbourg, France, and in spite of a strong escort, she is torpedoed and sunk by MTB-236. (Syscom)

EASTERN FRONT: In Stalingrad, General von Paulus declared "the final offensive" and sent 3 infantry divisions and 2 panzer divisions, deployed on a 3 mile front. The Luftwaffe flew 3000 sorties against the entrenched Russians in the factories using every aircraft at its disposal. The sky was full of German aircraft, bombing and strafing almost constantly. In the city, the German's main objectives were the Dzerzhinsky tractor factory, which fell, and the Barrikady gun factory. The ground outside these buildings was littered with German dead, caught by an artillery and katyusha barrage as they prepared to attack. Fighting was going on inside the battered, burning buildings. Workshops became battlefields. The enemies were so close that they could hear each other's breathing. The slaughter was terrible. Some divisions of the Russian 62nd Army were wiped out. The 13th Guards existed in name only. Units formed from poorly trained civilians took appaling casualties, but the survivors became expert street fighters.

On another sector of the Eastern front, Lt. Walter Hagenah of 2./JG 3 destroyed 2 IL-2 Sturmoviks for his 5th and 6th victories before his Gruppe was withdrawn from the front and transferred to Germany for Reichsverteidigung duties in January 1943. Oblt. Detlev Rohwer, acting Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 1 was appointed Staffelkapitaen of 2./JG 3 and relinquished command to Hptm. Robert Kijewski.

Newly arrived Erich Hartmann of 7./JG 52 flew his 3rd sortie;

"When we leveled off I saw 2 dark green aircraft in front and a little higher than us at about 3000 metres distance. Thoughts of achieving my first kill immediately flashed through my mind and I slammed open the throttle and powered after them, forgetting all notion of protecting my Schwarmfuhrer..."

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Not only did he manage to lose his flight leader, he became disoriented in clouds, took a number of hits and was forced to belly in. The result was an uncomfortable de-briefing and 2 weeks of ground duties.

GERMANY: Chancellor Adolf Hitler orders the suspension of all activity on the eastern front except for Stalingrad and the Terek river in the Caucasus. (Syscom)

MEDITERRANEAN: In the skies over Malta, Canada's top scoring pilot, George Beurling of RAF No. 249 Sqdn, nicknamed "Screwball" by the popular press but known as "Buzz" or George to his mates, shot down 2 Bf 109s and a Ju 88 before he was wounded in the heel by return fire from the Ju 88 gunner and crash landed. With his score at 26 and 1/3, he was awarded the DFC and spent a fortnight in hospital before an eventful trip back to England. It would be the last time he would fly over Malta to defend the island. (pbfoot)

NORTH AFRICA: US Army Middle East Air Force B-17s hit shipping at Tobruk, scoring 2 direct hits on a large vessel and demolishing a smaller ship moored alongside. P-40s flew patrols, reconn and interception missions between El Alamein and Burg el Arab, Egypt.

WESTERN FRONT: Two of the five RAF Bomber Command Wellingtons dispatched lay mines in the Frisian Islands without loss. (Syscom)

15 October 1942

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

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

The Staffelkapitaen of 3./SchG 1, Oblt. Heinz Frank, was severely injured in a crash-landing at Tusov.

Lt. Ludwig-Wilhelm Burckhardt of 6./JG 77 was awarded the Ritterkreuz after 53 victories in the East and was then transferred to North Africa with his unit. (Njaco)

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

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

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

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

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

Major Gordon Gollob with the Stab of Jagdfliegerfuhrer 3, was appointed Jagdfuhrer 5 at Deauville, France, being responsible for the tactical fighter command of northwestern France. (Njaco)

16 October 1942

ATLANTIC OCEAN: While tracking Convoy SC-104 (Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, to U.K.), German submarine U-353 (Type VIIC) is sunk about 657 nautical miles (1 217 kilometers) south-southwest of Reykjavik, Iceland, by depth charges from the British destroyer HMS 'Fame'. Thirty nine of the 45 men aboard the sub survive. This is the second U-boat to be sunk around convoy SC-104 (Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, to the U.K.); U-661 was sunk yesterday with all hands.

NORTH AFRICA: US Army Middle East Air Force B-24s bombed shipping in Benghazi harbour but other B-17s and B-24s, dispatched to attack Tobruk and Benghazi were forced to abort by bad weather. (Njaco)

NORTH AMERICA: In the arena of US public opinion, an article in The New York Times newspaper on 16 October states,

"The shadows of a great conflict lie heavily over the Solomons-all that can be perceived is the magnitude of the stakes at issue. ... Guadalcanal. The name will not die out of the memories of the generation. It will endure in honor."

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US Navy Secretary Knox responds to a question of holding Guadalcanal:

"I certainly hope so and expect so ... I will not make any predictions, but every man will give good account of himself. What I am trying to say is that there is a good stiff fight going on. Everybody hopes we can hold on."

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UNITED KINGDOM: Another major Luftwaffe raid on the northeast of England was heavier than of late. The Education Architect's Offices at Sunderland were demolished and houses either demolished or damaged. Aircraft dropped 8 combination HE and firepot type IBs, 7 of which fell on the Air Ministry site at Seal Sands, Haverton Hill, setting fire to 30 square yards of grass. (Njaco)

WESTERN FRONT: During the day, RAF Bomber Command dispatches six (A-20) Bostons to attack Le Havre but they are turned back by bad weather.

During the night of 16/17 October, 23 Wellingtons and 11 Stirlings of RAF Bomber Command 16/17 October are dispatched to lay mines off Bay of Biscay ports: five each lay mines off La Pallice, Lorient and St. Nazaire, four each off the Gironde Estuary and Nantes, and three off St. Jean de Luz. Three aircraft are lost.

During the day, six RAF Bomber Command Mosquitos bomb the Stork diesel engine factory at Hengelo without loss.

During the night of 16/17 October, four RAF Bomber Command bombers lay mines in the Frisian Islands; one aircraft is lost.

17 October 1942

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

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

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

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

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

18 October 1942

ATLANTIC OCEAN: U.S. freighter SS 'Steel Navigator', straggling from convoy ON 137 (U.K. to North America), takes on a 40-degree list as her sand ballast shifts. USN Armed Guard volunteers shovel ballast for 30 hours without relief reducing the list to 12-degrees until a financial bonus offered by the ship's master induces reluctant merchant sailors to lend a hand in the arduous work.

EASTERN FRONT: Renewed German attacks in the Krasnye Oktyabr area make gains against the Soviet defenses which have held over the past two days. In the Caucasus, the advance by Heeresgruppe A (Army Group A) toward the Black Sea port of Tuapse is halted due to difficult terrain and stubborn Soviet resistance.

GERMANY: Chancellor Adolf Hitler issues his "Commando Order" decreeing that all prisoners taken from Commando units shall be handed over to the SD (Sicherheltsdienst or security service of the SS) or Gestapo and summarily shot.

19 October 1942

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

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

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

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

NORTH AFRICA: Over El Daba, elements of JG 27 and JG 53 met Allied fighters. Lt. Jurgen Harder of 6./JG 53, Oblt. Willi Althof of 7./JG 27 and Uffz. Erich Krainik of 8./JG 27 each claimed a fighter.

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

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

20 October 1942

ATLANTIC OCEAN: German submarine U-216 is sunk about 491 nautical miles WSW of Cork, County Cork, Eire, by six depth charges from an RAF Liberator Mk. II, aircraft of No. 224 Squadron based at Beaulieu, Hampshire, England; all 45 crewmen are lost.

GERMANY: During the day, RAF Bomber Command sends six Mosquitos to individual German targets; two aircraft bombed Bremen and one each hit Minden and Varel Hafen. One Mosquito is lost.

NORTH AFRICA: Air action by the US Army, Middle East Air Force is intensified with the aim of attaining strong air superiority preceding General Bernard L Montgomery, General Officer Commanding British Eighth Army, El Alamein offensive.

US Army, Middle East Air Force Libya, B-17's and B-24's sent to attack shipping at Tobruk fail to locate the target due to bad weather and poor visibility; three of the B-17s bomb a coastal road near Bardia during the return trip. Meanwhile, B-25 Mitchells, in conjunction with the Royal Air Force (RAF), attack landing grounds.

NORTH AMERICA: The largest tax bill in history, US$6.8 billion (US$79 billion in 2004 dollars), is approved by Congress.

The Government orders the seizure of Nazi German banking operations in New York being conducted by Prescott Bush. The U.S. Alien Property Custodian takes over the Union Banking Corporation and its stock shares, all of which are owned by E. Roland "Bunny" Harriman, Prescott Bush, two other Bush associates, and three Nazi executives.

The trial of Gordon K. Hirabayashi, who violated Seattle, Washington's curfew and exclusion restrictions on 16 May 1942, starts in Seattle with Judge Lloyd L. Black presiding.

UNITED KINGDOM: Lieutenant General Dwight D Eisenhower, Commanding General, European Theater, issues a directive reflecting the immediate urgency of Operation TORCH (plan for the Allied landings in North and Northwest Africa in November 1942) as the currently important item of Allied strategy and requiring the Eighth Air Force, as a matter of first priority, to protect the movement of men and supplies from the U.K. to North Africa by attacking German submarine bases on the west coast of France, with shipping docks on the French west coast as a secondary targets for these missions and with German aircraft factories and depots in France as second priority.