ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: A Japanese reconnaissance airplane over Adak Island establishes U.S. occupation of the island. Seven USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-24 Liberators on a search-attack and photo reconnaissance mission over Japanese-held Kiska Island hit hangars and ramps, starting several fires; four Japanese fighters appear and are engaged; one probable victory is claimed; two other B-24s take off, after a USN PBY Catalina sights a transport, but cannot locate it.
NEW GUINEA: General Headquarters issues a plan for the encirclement and reduction of the Buna-Gona beachhead. Upon securing Kumusi River line from Wairopi southeastward, Goodenough Island, and the north coast from Mime Bay to Cape Nelson, concerted assault is to be made on the Buna-Gona area. The advance will be along three routes: Kokoda Trail, where Australians are now pursuing the Japanese; from the south coast to Jaure along either the Rigo or Abau track, both of which are being reconnoitered; and northwest along the coast from Milne Bay.
- A U.S. force is to move over the Kapa Kapa Trail to join the Australians on the Kokoda Trail to cut the Japanese retreat at the Kumusi River. In Papua New Guinea, soldiers of the Australian 25th Brigade advance northward on the Kokoda Track from Nauro toward Manari.
- In Papua New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses and P-400 Airacobras attack Japanese forces and communications in the Owen Stanley Range, hitting Menari, Kagi, Myola Lake, the Kokoda area, Wairopi bridge, and the Buna-Wairopi trail.
PACIFIC OCEAN: In the South China Sea, the 7,053 ton Japanese transport vessel SS Lisbon Maru, is sailing from Hong Kong, China, to Japan carrying 1,816 British and Canadian POWs. The prisoners are contained in three holds which soon became foul with the stench of sweat, excreta and vomit. Many POWs become unconsciousness through thirst, lack of fresh air and extreme heat. Men are reduced to licking the condensation from the sides of the ships hull. A bucket of liquid is lowered by the guards and thirsty men rush to grab it, only to find it was filled with urine.
On the top deck are 778 Japanese military men on their way home to Japan. At 0700 hours, a torpedo fired by the USN submarine USS Grouper strikes severely damaging the ship but causing no casualties among the prisoners. Soon a Japanese ship, the freighter SS Toyukuni Maru comes alongside and takes off all the Japanese soldiers but none of the Allied prisoners. The SS Lisbon Maru is then taken in tow heading for Shanghai, China, but some hours later the ship, now low in the water, begins to sink by the stern. Prisoners in Number 3 hold are unfortunately below the waterline and now beyond rescue. Some
prisoners in the other two holds manage to break free but are shot down as they emerge. Lisbon Maru sinks about 107 nautical miles SE of Shanghai, China, in position 29.57N, 122.56E. Another four Japanese ships appear on the scene and some escaped prisoners, swimming in the water, manage to reach the dangling ropes and start to climb aboard only to be kicked back into the water when within a few inches from the deck. Eventually, most of the surviving prisoners are taken on board the four ships and taken to Shanghai where 35 sick and wounded are unloaded. A few however, managed to swim away from the Lisbon Maru and are rescued by Chinese fishermen and taken to a group of small islands nearby.
At Shanghai, a roll call accounted for 970 men, a total of 846 had perished, 154 were from the Middlesex regiment. Of the 970 survivors, some 244 died during their first winter in the Japanese camps.
SOLOMON ISLANDS: Japanese Navy Destroyer Division 11, (HIJMS Fubuki, Shirayuki, Hatsuyuki, and Muakumo), make a Tokyo Express Run to Guadalcanal. Major General Nasu and the 4th Regiment are landed.
UNITED STATES: Fuel oil is now rationed in most areas of the country.
- 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 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.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC In New Guinea, B-17s andP-400s pound forces and communications in the Owen Stanley Range, hitting Menari, Kagi, Myola Lake, the Kokoda area, Wairopi bridge, and the Buna-Wairopi trail; and the 71st Bombardment Squadron, 38th BG (Medium), moves from Bredden Field, Australia to Port Moresby with B-25s.