This day in the war in the Pacific 65 years ago.

[syscom3]

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: A USAAF Eleventh Air Force weather and reconnaissance flight is flown over Japanese held Attu and Kiska Islands; over Kiska, the weather aircraft draws antiaircraft fire from Little Kiska Island; no other missions as all combat aircraft are alerted for a possible naval target.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17's bomb shipping at Rabaul on New Britain Island.

JAPAN: The Central Agreement between the Japanese Army and Navy, concerning the strengthening of defenses in the Aleutian Islands, Territory of Alaska, U.S., is published as Navy Directive No. 155. The objective of the operations is to increase the land forces necessary for occupying and securing the western Aleutian Islands, thereby strengthening its defenses.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Australian 2/31st Battalion on the Kododa Track arrives in Isurava early in the afternoon. Meanwhile, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20 Havocs bomb and strafe Nauro and the area to the north while B-25 Mitchells strafe supply trucks southeast of Gona.

GUADALCANAL: On Guadalcanal Colonel Tsuji Masanobu arrives at the Japanese 17th Army headquarters at Kokombona. He has retraced the route of the Japanese 2nd Division in 2.5 days wracked with malaria. Fresh men took a week to make this hike. He describes the failed attack and current situation. They abort plans to land the 38th Division east of the Lunga perimeter.
The 1st Marine Division completes preparations for their offensive on Guadalcanal. The 5th Marine Regiment and 2d Marine Regiment (less 3d Battalion) move into attack positions along the Matanikau River. During the night of 31 October/1 November, Company E of the 5th Marine Regiment crosses the Matanikau River and outposts the west bank, and the 1st Engineer Battalion constructs three footbridges.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17's bomb shipping in Buin, Bougainville- Faisi Island-Tonolai, Bougainville Island area.

 

[syscom3]

INDIA AIR TASK FORCE (IATF): During Nov 42, the 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Tenth Air Force, based at Karachi, India, with F-4s, sends a flight to operate from Kunming, China until July 1943 (first mission is 1 Dec).

HAWAII: HQ 307th Bombardment Group arrives at Hickam Field, Hawaii from the US.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): The 431st Bombardment Squadron, 11th BG (Heavy), moves from Viti Levu, Fiji , to Espiritu Santo with B-17s. During Nov, the 98th Bombardment Squadron, 11th BG (Heavy), based on Espiritu Santo, begins operating from Guadalcanal , Solomon with B-17s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25's bomb the airfield and dump area at Lae. B-17's strike shipping in the Buin-Faisi, Shortland-Tonolai. Kahili Airfield is also attacked. Lost is B-17E 41-2635. Force landed at 7-Mile Drome is A-20A "Little Hellion" 40-166. A detachment of the 33d Troop Carrier Squadron, 315th Troop Carrier Group, begins operating from Cairns, Queensland, Australia with C-47s (squadron is enroute to Australia from the US).

GUADALCANAL: On Guadalcanal, the 1st Marine Division, with artillery, naval gunfire, and air support, launches an attack toward the Poha River. The 5th Marine Regiment, followed by the 2d Marine Regiment (less the 3d Battalion) in reserve, crosses footbridges over the Matanikau River at 0630 hours and drives west about 1,000 yards (914 meters) in two columns to positions short of Point Cruz, the 1st Battalion , the right flank column, meeting considerable delaying opposition along the coast. The Whaling Group (3d Battalion of the 7th Marine Regiment and scout-sniper detachment) crosses the river upstream and advances west on the inland route to protect the left flank of the 5th Marine Regiment.
To forestall expected Japanese landings in the Koli Point area, east of the Lunga perimeter, the 2d Battalion of the 7th Marine Regiment starts east toward the Metapona River. The only authenticated US bayonet charge of the campaign is conducted by Company I. By nightfall they are west of Point Cruz.
The first squadron of Marine MAG-11, Marine VMSB-132 begins arriving at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal. The squadron is equipped with SBD Dauntlesses.

BOUGAINVILLE: B-17's strike shipping in the Buin area of southern Bougainville Island. Kahili Airfield on southern Bougainville is also attacked.

 

[syscom3]

EAST INDIES: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-26 Marauders bomb Dili on East Timor Island, Netherlands East Indies.

(POA, Seventh Air Force): The 370th, 371st, 372d and 424th Bombardment Squadrons, 307th BG (Heavy), arrive at Kipapa Field, Wheeler Field, Kahuku and Dillingham Field, Hawaii respectively from the US with B-24s (sea-search missions are flown in Nov-Dec).

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): The 68th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, arrives on New Caledonia from Tongatabu, Tonga with P-40s (first mission is 12 Nov).

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Australian 25th Brigade, which has reentered the battle for the Kokoda Track, seizes Kokoda and its airfield, greatly facilitating supply and reinforcement of Australians in this area. Piecemeal movement by night of the 128th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 32d Infantry Division, less elements still at Port Moresby, by lugger from Warngela to Pongani and Mendaropu is completed by this time and supplies are being accumulated. General Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief, Southwest Pacific Area, sets 15 November as the tentative date for an attack to reduce the Buna-Gona beachhead and agrees to a proposal by General Thomas Blamey, Commander in Chief Allied Land Forces Southwest Pacific and Commander in Chief Australian Military Force, that troops be transferred by air to Pongani.
- USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s sink a Japanese army cargo ship off Buna.

NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS: A "Glen" small seaplane is launched by a Japanese submarine and flies a reconnaissance mission over Efate Island.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the Tonkin Gulf of the South China Sea, USN submarine USS Tambor lays mines in Hainan Strait between Hainan Island and the Chinese mainland.

BISMARK SEA: In the Bismarck Sea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17's attack shipping northeast of Buna, Papua New Guinea while.

SOLOMON ISLANDS:In the Solomon Sea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25's strike at a convoy south of New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago.

GUADALCANAL: On Guadalcanal, the 3d Marine Regiment envelops the Japanese on the coast at Point Cruz. The 3d Battalion joins the 1st Battalion in the coastal battle east of Point Cruz while the 2d Battalion, on the left, drives north to the coast west of Point Cruz and turns east, trapping the Japanese. The 2d Marine Regiment (less 3d Battalion) moves forward on the left of the 5th Marine Regiment to continue a westward attack. Stores, ammunition, and one Army and one Marine Corps 155 mm gun battery arrive at Lunga Point. The two batteries are the heaviest U.S. artillery to reach the island and the first capable of countering enemy fire effectively. East of the Lunga perimeter, the 2d Battalion of the 7th Marine Regiment crosses the Metapona River mouth and establishes itself near Tetere village. During the night 2/3 November, the Japanese 17th Army lands supplies and about 1,500 men east of Koli Point to supply and reinforce the Japanese already there; they are ordered to construct an airfield.

 

[syscom3]

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: USAAF Fifth Air Fore B-17's attack a ship south of Gasmata, New Britain Island.

CHINA: Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek agrees conditionally to plans formulated during a recent conference in India, promising 15 divisions from Yunnan, provided the Allies furnish strong sea and air forces.
Lt. General Joseph Stilwell, Commander in Chief US China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, Chief of Staff to Chiang Kai-Shek and Commander in Chief Northern Area Combat Command (NCAC) in Burma, is to command the Chinese Army in India (CAl) during Burma operations. Chiang's promise of the Yunnan divisions leads to accelerated planning for the reorganization of Yunnan force, called Y-Force.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-26 Marauders bomb Dili on Portugese Timor Island.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17's bomb the airfield and wharf at Lae.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal, the 2d Battalion 7th Marine Regiment, begins a firefight with Japanese units east of the Metapona River. Without radio contact or air or naval support, Colonel Herman Hanneken, commander of the 7th Marine Regiment, conservatively pulls back. When he is finally able to contact Major General Alexander Vandegrift, Commanding General 1st Marine Division, in the afternoon, the 1st Battalion 7th Marine Regiment, by boat, with the 2nd and 3rd Battalions 164th Infantry Regiment, are sent to reinforce. With initial assistance of the Cactus Air Force, and the artillery of the 3rd Battalion 10th Marine Regiment, they turn the tide east of the Lunga Perimeter. In the closing moments the 2d Battalion receive friendly fire from the Cactus Air Force.
General Hattori has arrived on Guadalcanal to observe and report the situation of the 17th Army to Tokyo. His initial accounts are of battalions crushed by shelling; the "actual situation is beyond imagination. " He reports that no future contribution from the 2nd Division should be counted on.

 

[syscom3]

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: Japanese submarine HIJMS RO-65 is sunk in the harbor of Kiska Island, when she accidentally dives into a reef while seeking to avoid an attack. Bad weather at Umnak Island and Dutch Harbor on Unalaska Island and a flooded field at Adak Island preclude missions by the USAAF Eleventh Air Force; a new Adak Island runway permits an air alert.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-26 Marauders bomb Japanese strongpoints at Aileu on Portugese (East) Timor Island.

FIJI ISLANDS: Japanese submarine I-31 launches a "Glen" seaplane to reconnoiter Suva.

NEW CALEDONIA: Japanese submarine HIJMS I-9 launches a "Glen" seaplane to reconnoiter Nouméa, New Caledonia Island.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Australian 16th Brigade begins an attack on Oivi and finds the Japanese prepared fora firm stand. Colonel Leif Sverdrup, the deputy to the Southwest Pacific Area Engineer Officer, by this time has cleared sites for three more airfields in the general vicinity of Dyke Ackland Bay, the most important of these at Pongani.
In Northeast New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17's and B-25's bomb the town and harbor of Salamaua.
In Papua New Guinea, A-20's hit troop concentrations at Oivi, where an Australian attack meets firm resistance; transports fly most of the remainder of the U.S. 128th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, to Wanigela.

AUSTRALIA:HQ 90th BG and the 319th, 320th, 321st and 400th Bombardment Squadrons arrive at Iron Range, Queensland, Australia from Hawaii with B-24s (first mission is 13 Nov).

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Lunga perimeter command is reorganized and garrison is reinforced, two sectors are established, the commander of each being responsible to 1st Marine Division headquarters. Brigadier General William H. Rupertus, Assistant Commanding General of the division, is assigned the sector east of Lunga River and Brigadier General Edmund B. Sebree, Assistant Commanding General of the Americal Division, the western sector.
The 8th Marine Regiment, reinforced, of the 2d Marine Division debarks from a naval task force in the Lunga-Kukum area and is attached to 1st Marine Division.
The 1st Marine Division halts their westward offensive short of Kokumbona because of a Japanese threat east of perimeter. The 2d Marine Regiment (less 3d Battalion), reinforced by the 1st Battalion of the 164th Infantry Regiment, after driving 2,000 yards (1829 meters) west of Point Cruz, breaks off their attack and digs in at Point Cruz; the 5th Marine Regiment and the Whaling Group return to positions east of the Matanikau River.
East of the perimeter, Brigadier General Rupertus and Headquarters and 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, arrive in the Koli Point area to assist the 2d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. The 164 Infantry Regiment (less 1st Battalion) and Company B of the 8th Marine Regiment march to the west bank of the Nalimbiu River in the region south of the 7th Marine Regiment and elements start north along the river. Meanwhile, the naval task force transporting the 8th Marine Regiment lands forces at Aola Bay to establish an airfield.
The Aola Force (1st Battalion of 147th Infantry Regiment; companies C and E of the 2d Marine Raider Battalion; the 5th Defense Battalion detachment; Battery K of the 246th Field Artillery Battalion, Americal Division; and 500 naval construction troops) establishes a beachhead a little east of the Aola River without opposition.
This landing is the result of the cancellation of the landings on Ndeni Island in the Santa Cruz Islands; Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner, commander of Amphibious Force, South Pacific Force, wants to build another airfield there.
Coastwatcher Martin Clemens and Major General Alexander Vandegrift, Commanding General 1st Marine Division, oppose this plan. Work is begun at once on an airfield, but the site is later found unsuitable. The 2d Raider Battalion is ordered to Koli Point.
USN cruisers and destroyers of Task Group 65.4 bombard Japanese positions near Koli Point, Guadalcanal.

 

[syscom3]

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: The USAAF Eleventh Air Force flies weather reconnaissance over Japanese held Kiska and Little Kiska Islands.

INDIA: A reconnaissance of the Ledo area, terminus of The Ledo Road to Myitkyina, Burma, and base from which operations in northern Burma, Operation RAVENOUS, are to start, is begun.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Australian 16th Brigade continues their attack on Oivi against determined resistance. The Australian 25th Brigade moves against Gorari from Kokoda.

Bismarck Archipelago: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25 Mitchells unsuccessfully attack a schooner near Arawe on the western tip of New Britain Island,

GUADALCANAL: On Guadalcanal, the US Army's164th Infantry Regiment (less 1st Battalion) crosses the flooded Nalimbiu River about 3,500 yards, east of the Lunga perimeter, and drive north along the east bank in an effort to outflank the Japanese facing the 7th Marine Regiment.
The Japanese light cruiser HIJMS Tenryu and five destroyers of the Otsu Detachment of the Tokyo Express lands part of the 228th Regiment at Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal. The Ko Detachment with ten destroyers of the Tokyo Express lands Major General Ito, commander of the 38th Infantry Group, his headquarters and with the balance of the regiment is landed at Tassafaronga. Among those evacuated is Lieutenant General Kawaguchi Kiyotake, commander of the 35th Brigade, 141 soldiers and 206 construction workers. The U.S. opposition tonight consists of motor torpedo boat PT-39 engaging destroyer HIJMS Murasame. The other three US PT boats do not detect the Express.

 

[syscom3]

NEW GUINEA: General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific, arrives in Point Moresby, Papua New Guinea, where the Advanced Echelon of General Headquarters opens to direct operations.
The Australian 2/2nd and 2/3rd Battalions, 16th Brigade, 7th Division, continue heavy fighting against the Japanese at Oivi in Papua New Guinea.

PACIFIC OCEAN: A single USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25 attacks a Japanese destroyer off the southern tip of New Ireland Island, Bismarck Archipelago; no hits are scored.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal, the 7th Marine Regiment establishes a bridgehead on the east bank of the Nalimbiu River. The Army's 164th Infantry Regiment (less 1st Battalion) continues toward Koli Point, the 3d Battalion reaching it after nightfall. Aola Force transports complete unloading operations and withdraw.
The run of the Tokyo Express tonight is commanded by Captain Sato Torajiro. The Cactus Air Force strikes for some damage, but not enough to stop the run.

(Tenth Air Force): INDIA AIR TASK FORCE (IATF): In India, the 25th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, based at Karachi, sends a detachment to operate from Sadiya with P-40s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): General Douglas MacArthur arrives in Point Moresby, New Guinea, where the Advanced Echelon of GHQ opens to direct operations. Force landed is DC-5 Tail Code VH-CXB near Charleville

UNITED STATES: First USN officer and enlisted women from training schools report for shore duty around the country.

 

[syscom3]

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: Six USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-24s and two B-26's attack the submarine base in Japanese-held Kiska Island Harbor, slightly damaging float fighters and a seaplane beached by a storm; a B-17 flies reconnaissance over the airfield west of Holtz Bay on Japanese-held Attu Island, and bombs the submarine base and a previously-damaged freighter in Gertrude Cove on Kiska Island.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25s attack shipping at Maklo Island off the south coast of New Britain Island.

CHINA: Lieutenant General Joseph Stilwell, Commander in Chief US CBI Theater of Operations, Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek and Commander in Chief Northern Area Combat Command (NCAC) in Burma, with the approval of Chinese Foreign Minister T. V. Soong, sends for Major General Raymond Wheeler, head of the Services of Supply, CBI Theater, to survey the Chinese supply situation in preparation for projected campaign in spring of 1943.

NEW GUINEA: USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20s bomb and strafe forces at Kakandeta in the Owen Stanley Range, Papua New Guinea while B-25's attack seaplanes at Lasonga Island. The 65th Bombardment Squadron, 43d BG (Heavy), moves from Iron Range to Mareeba with B-17s (first mission is 12 Nov).

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal, the Army's 164th Infantry Regiment enveloping force completes their northward movement along the east bank of the Nalimbiu River to Koli Point and joins the 7th Marine Regiment. The combined force then moves east along coast without opposition to within a mile of the Metapona River. Seven Marine SBD Dauntlesses and three Navy TBF Avengers escorted by 21 Marine Wildcats and nine USAAF Airacobras from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, attack a Japanese convoy, damaging destroyers HIJMS Naganami and Takanami. The 12 transports in the convoy are carrying 12,000 Japanese troops of the 38th Division for Japan's fourth attempt to take Henderson Field, Guadalcanal.

 

[Hunter368]

Nice thread here Syscom, I like the Europe one also.

One thing I would ask is it possible on both threads to add some more Axis actions instead of mainly Allied ones.

That would give everyone a more balanced view of daily events in WW2.

 

[syscom3]

Every one is free to contribute. Please add. I wish someone would add more on the fighting in Russia!

Just the stuff I'm doing is quite time consuming.

 

[Hunter368]

Just the stuff I'm doing is quite time consuming.

I would 100% agree there.

Good job and thanks.

 

[syscom3]

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians , there is an intermittent air alert; the weather aircraft returns due to icing.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25s bomb the radio station and airfield at Gasmata on New Britain Island.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20's hit Japanese forces in the Oivi area in the Owen Stanley Range as Australian ground forces push over the mountains toward the Gona-Buna area. USAAF transports fly the final elements of Task Force Warren (1st Battalion of 128th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 32d Infantry Division) from Port Moresby to Wanigela; from there are move forward by boat.
The 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th FG, moves from Port Moresby to Milne Bay with P-39s and P-400s. The 64th Bombardment Squadron, 43d BG (Heavy), moves from Iron Range to Mareeba with B-17s.

PACIFIC OCEAN: On her seventh war patrol, USN submarine Seawolf sinks a Japanese gunboat about 50 nautical miles SSE of Davao, Mindanao, Philippine Islands, in position 06.22N, 126.02E.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: In the action east of the Lunga perimeter, on Guadalcanal, Colonel Lewis (Chesty) Puller, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, suffers multiple wounds. The 7th Marine Regiment and 2d Battalion of the Army's 164th Infantry Regiment, latter being attached to 7th Marine Regiment as reserve, move east along the coast to surround the Japanese now disposed astride Gavaga Creek, west of Tetere. 1st and 2d Battalions of 7th Marine Regiment take up positions on the west and east banks, respectively, of the creek.
The "Tokyo Express" has been landing reinforcements along the coast from Kokumbona to Cape Esperance during the period 28 October to date. A run of the "Express" is located too late in the day for interception by the Cactus Air Force.
During the day Admiral William F. Halsey, commander of the South Pacific Area and the South Pacific Force, lands on Guadalcanal to observe conditions for himself. Halsey is treated to a demonstration of why the Marines refer to the waters north of the island as "Sleepless Lagoon" by a shelling from the Tokyo Express.

UNITED STATES: The Bogue class auxiliary aircraft carrier (ACV) USS Card iis commissioned; the USN now has 13 ACVs in commission. The ACVs will be redesignated escort aircraft carriers (CVEs) on 15 July 1943.

 

[syscom3]

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

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

NEW GUINEA: In the Olivi-Gorari area of Papua New Guinea, Australian troops again attack Japanese troops but cannot budge them.
In Papua New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20's hit Japanese troops at Oivi in support of an Australian offensive in the Owen Stanley Range and B-26 Marauders bomb Buna. Advance elements of the 2d Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 32d Infantry Division, arrive at Natunga and the airlift of the 126th Infantry Regiment, less 2d Battalion, from Port Moresby to the forward area begins. Leading elements of 1st Battalion, are flown to Abel's field, since Pongani Field is temporarily unserviceable, and start toward Pongani on foot. The rest of the 1st Battalion (Companies D and C, less two platoons) is flown to Pongani and starts march toward Natunga.
In Northeast New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25s attack a schooner off Salamaua.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal, the 7th Marine Regiment, committing the 2d Battalion of the Army's 164th Infantry Regiment to its south, completes the encirclement of the Japanese along Gavaga Creek except for a small gap on the south at the creek line. They repel a spirited attempts by the Japanese to break out. During the night, most of the Japanese,under Colonel Shoji, escape between the flanks of the two regiments.
In preparation for renewing the attack on Kokumbona, the 164th Infantry Regiment units (Headquarters, Antitank Company and 3d Battalion) and Company B of the 8th Marine Regiment are withdrawn from Koli Point area to Lunga perimeter.

 

[syscom3]

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: The USAAF Eleventh Air Force flies reconnaissance over Semichi, Segula, Alaid, and Japanese-held Attu and Kiska Islands; five B-24's and a B-17's bomb Kiska Island, but they cannot bomb the Kiska submarine base and return with some bombs; two P-38 Lightnings fly local air coverage.

EAST INDIES: On Timor Island, the commander of "Sparrow Force," the Australian and Dutch troops that landed on the island in December 1941 and continued fighting a guerilla war against the Japanese, radios that the 2/2nd Independent Company, one of the two Australian units of the force, urgently needs relief.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Japanese are forced back from Oivi by Australian 16th Brigade. Japanese troops doggedly contest the Australian pursuit down the northern face of the Owen Stanley Ranges.
In the air, USAAF B-26's bomb antiaircraft positions and supply dumps along the Sanananda-Soputa trail; A-20's hit positions at Soputa as Australian ground forces push the Japanese from Oivi toward the mouth of the Kumusi River.
The 30th Bombardment Squadron, 19th BG (Heavy), begins a movement from Mareeba to the US (the squadron will convert to B-29s and return to the Pacific in Jan 45).
Lost is C-47 "Flying Dutchman" 41-18564 returning to Port Moresby.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN high speed minesweeper USS Southard sinks Japanese submarine HIJMS I-15 about 47 nautical miles S of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, in position 10.13S, 161.09E. All 91 crewmen are lost.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal the Japanese survivors (about 3000) that escaped from the pocket on the Metapona River, east of the Lunga perimeter are led inland by Colonel Shoji. During their trek around the Marine perimeter, they will be pursued by Colonel Evans Carlson's 2nd Marine Raider Battalion. They will reach other Japanese forces west of the perimeter after 13 days, subsisting on what edible items they can find in the jungle. The jungle, disease and the 2nd Raiders will whittle their number down to about 1300. The 7th Marine Regiment and 2d Battalion of the 164th Infantry Regiment continue the reduction of the pocket astride Gavaga Creek and they make an unsuccessful attempt to close gap in line. Westward offensive toward Kokumbona is renewed by the 2d Marine Regiment. 1st Battalion of i64th Infantry Regiment and 2d Marine Regiment (less 3d Battalion) attack west from Pt Cruz with 8th Marine Regiment protecting left rear.
Fifteen Japanese Navy "Zeke" fighters attempt a fighter sweep over Guadalcanal. There are 31 Marine F4F Wildcat fighters in the air but only two are able to intercept the Japanese; one "Zeke" is shot down.

 

[syscom3]

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

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

INDIAN OCEAN: Two Japanese armed merchant cruisers, Hokoku Maru and
Aikoku Maru, attack the Indian minesweeper HMIS Bengal escorting the empty armed Dutch tanker SS Ondina about WNW of Perth, Western Australia, Australia, in position 19.45S, 092.40E. HMIS Bengal mounts one 3-inch (75mm) gun and some machine guns, SS Ondina mounts a 4-inch (10,2 cm) and several machine guns while the two Japanese armed merchant cruisers mount eight 5.5-inch (14.0 centimeter), two 3.1-inch (80 mm) and four 1-inch (25 mm) guns plus four torpedo tubes. They also carry two "Rufe" seaplanes.
One shell fired by SS Ondina hits the torpedo tubes on Hokoku Maru causing the torpedoes to explode and turning the ship into a flaming wreck and she sank.
Meanwhile, HMIS Bengal was firing at Aikoku Maru until she ran out of ammunition and steamed away leaving SS Ondina. The crew of the Ondina kept firing at the Japanese ship and in turn, was hit several times. However, a tanker has many individual tanks and she was empty so a shell in one or more tanks would not sink her.
The crew of Ondina fired their last shell and the captain ordered "Abandon Ship." Aikoku Maru approached the tanker and fired two torpedoes which struck the ship and exploded but did not sink her despite a 30-35 degree list. The Japanese then opened fire on the three lifeboats and two rafts, fired another torpedo at the tanker which missed, picked up survivors from the Hokoku Maru and then departed the area.
The tanker was still afloat and the crew reboarded her and set sail for Fremantle, Western Australia. HMIS Bengal arrived at Diego Garcia Island on 17 November while SS Ondina arrived at Fremantle on 18 November. After the failure of this engagement, the Japanese discontinue their armed merchant cruiser program.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Japanese Oivi-Gorari defenses are defeated and the Australian 16th Brigade moves forward and finds Oivi deserted. Meanwhile, the headquarters of the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, is flown to Pongani.
In the air, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20's bomb and strafe targets in the Wairopi area.
HQ V Fighter Command arrives in Australia from the US; Brigadier General Paul B Wurtsmith is named Commanding General.

PACIFIC OCEAN: Search aircraft from Guadalcanal Island report at least 61 Japanese ships in the Buin-Tonolai in the southern area of Bougainville Island and other ships are massed at Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago.
Four Japanese submarines launch "Glen" seaplanes to fly reconnaissance over
Allied bases:
- HIJMS I-7's "Glen" flies over Vanikoro, Santa Cruz Island, Solomon Islands.
- HIJMS I-9s "Glen" overflies Espirito Santo, New Hebrides Islands.
- HIJMS I-21's "Glen" reconnoiters Noumea, New Caledonia Island.
- HIJMS I-31's "Glen" overflies Suva, Viti Levu Island, Fiji Islands.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The U.S. advance towards Kokumbona on Guadalcanal Island continues, in spite of the orders of Lieutenant General Sano Tadayoshi, commander of the 38th Division, the 2nd Battalion, 228th Infantry Regiment, to destroy the U.S. forces west of the Matanikau River. The offensive halts shortly after 1200 hours and the units are ordered to withdraw. The troops can not be told the real reason for the withdrawal; another Japanese offensive to retake Guadalcanal is in the offing.
The American westward offensive toward Kobumbona is halted because of strong indications of an all-out Japanese attempt to recover the Lunga area. After reaching positions a little beyond those gained on 4 November, the assault force begins withdrawal across the Matanikau River east of Lunga perimeter, the 2d Battalion of the Army's 164th Infantry Regiment closes a gap on the south flank of the U.S. line. along Gavaga Creek and drives north to the beach while 7th Marine Regiment closes in from east and west.
A Naval force bringing reinforcements and supplies from the New Hebrides Islands arrives and begins unloading; when the three transports of the force are damaged by Japanese aircraft, the group retires to join naval forces approaching from New Caledonia.
Admiral William F. Halsey, Commander South Pacific Forces and South Pacific Area, orders Rear Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, Commander, Cruisers Pacific Fleet and Commander, Task Force 61, to get aircraft carrier USS Enterprise underway and to "be prepared to strike enemy targets in Cactus [Guadalcanal] area."
At 0930 hours local, nine "Val" dive bombers escorted by 18 "Zeke" fighters from the aircraft carrier HIJMS Hiyo, attack USN ships offloading supplies and personnel at Guadalcanal. USMC Wildcat pilots shoot down five "Vals" and five "Zekes" but lose six F4Fs and four pilots. A USAAF pilot in a P-39 Airacobra shoots down a sixth "Zeke."
At 1100 hours local, 25 "Betty" bombers escorted by 26 "Zeke" fighters, bomb Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. Seventeen USMC F4F Wildcats intercept and shoot down seven "Bettys" and one "Zeke;" a USAAF P-39 Airacobra pilot shoots down an eighth "Betty." One F4F Wildcat is lost.
Fifth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses attack shipping off the south coast of Bougainville Island.

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

 

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ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: USAAF Eleventh Air Force bombers are on alert at Umnak and Adak Islands to attack any reported naval targets; intermittent fighter patrols fly over Adak Island.

CHINA: Lieutenant General Josepeh Stilwell, Commander-in- Chief U.S. China-Burma- India (CBI) Theater of Operations, Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek and Commander of the Northern Area Combat Command in Burma, sends a memorandum to Chinese Foreign Minister T.V. Soong suggesting that a commander be chosen at once for the Yunnan Force (Y-Force); that units to participate in the offensive be designated and reorganized; that available 75-mm guns be sent to Yunnan; and that incompetent commanders be removed.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, Gorari falls to the Australian 25th Brigade. The Japanese succeed in withdrawing their main forces across flooded Kumusi River, during the night of 12/13 November. During the Japanese retreat, Lieutenant General HORII Tomitaro, commander of the South Sea Detachment, drowns and 600 soldiers die. Japanese resistance outside their beachheads at Buna and Gona has collapsed. The 2d Battalion of 126th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 32d Infantry Division, moves toward Gora and Bolu. The 3d Battalion of the 126th, is airlifted from Port Moresby to Pongani and the troops immediately start overland toward Natunga.

AUSTRALIA: HQ 374th Troop Carrier Group is activated at Brisbane, Australia.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal, a Japanese pocket along Gavaga Creek is completely eliminated. The action has cost the Japanese 450 killed, and the few who have eluded the trap are being harassed, while retiring toward Mt Austen, by the 2d Marine Raider Battalion marching west from Aola Bay. The Kokumbona assault force completes withdrawal across the Matanikau River.
Eleven Japanese transports carrying 13,500 troops and supported by a force of cruisers and two battleships, HIJMS Kirishima and Hiei, leave the Shortland Island area and head for Guadalcanal Island;
during the afternoon the reconnaissance value and defensive capability of the B-17's are ably demonstrated when a single B-17 sights a carrier 350 nautical miles off Guadalcanal Island and maintains contact for two hours before returning to base with claims of six "Zeke" fighters shot down.
The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal opens: Six U.S. transports of USN Task Force 67 (Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner) are unloading about 6,000 troops, including Regimental Combat Team 182 of the Army's Americal Division, in Lunga Roads under the protection of air and surface forces. These are reported to Japanese headquarters at Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, by Japanese observers, as three battleships, three heavy cruisers, 11 destroyers and five transports.
At 1305 hours local, 19 "Betty" bombers, escorted by "Zeke" fighters, make a low-level torpedo attack against the ships. The Japanese aircraft are intercepted by USMC Wildcats and USAAF P-39's and 16 "Betty" bombers and seven "Zeke" fighters are shot down by the fighters and antiaircraft fire. Three transports are damaged and the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco is damaged when hit by a crashing bomber; destroyer USS Buchanan is hit by friendly 5-inch (12,7 centimeter) shell. Twenty four sailors on San Francisco are killed, 45 are wounded and the after fire control radar is destroyed; five men are killed on Buchanan and Their unloading is interupted shortly afternoon by an Japanese Navy air strike.
U.S. search planes spot the Japanese Bombardment Force consisting of the battleships HIJMS Hiei and Kirishima, the light cruiser HIJMS Nagara and 13 destroyers under Rear Admiral ABE Hiroaki, steaming south at 25 knots. They also spot Destroyer Division 4 and Rear-Admiral Tanaka Raizo's 13 transports trying to catch up with the battleships.
Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner pulls his transports out in the evening. He leaves Rear-Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan with Rear Admiral Norman Scott and heavy cruisers USS San Francisco and Portland; light cruisers USS Helena, Atlanta and Juneau; and destroyers USS Aaron Ward, Barton, Cushing, Fletcher, Laffey, Monssen, O'Bannon and Sterett, to face the Japanese battleships.
Admiral Callaghan is in tactical command, due to 15 days seniority over Admiral Scott. Scott had successfully commanded the US forces in their victory at the Battle of Cape Esperance in October.
The first 12 P-38 Lightnings as well as USMC and USN aircraft, are moved from Tontouta Airfield on Noumea, New Caledonia Islands and Espiritu Santo Island to Henderson Field to bolster the defense of Guadalcanal Island.
USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s bomb Japanese shipping at Tonolai harbor in southern Bougainville Island.

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

 

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

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

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

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

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Naval Battle of Guadalcanal continues: USN Task Group 67.4, comprising the heavy cruisers USS San Francisco and Portland; light cruisers USS Helena, Atlanta and Juneau; and destroyers USS Aaron Ward, Barton, Cushing, Fletcher, Laffey, Monssen, O'Bannon and Sterett encounters the Japanese Bombardment Force that includes the battleships HIJMS Hiei and Kirishima, the light cruiser HIJMS Nagara and destroyers HIJMS Akatsuki, Amatsukaze, Asagumo, Harusame, Ikazazuchi, Inazuma, Murasame, Samidare, Shigure, Shiratsuyu, Teruzuki, Yadachi, Yugure and Yukikaze, steaming to bombard Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, shortly after 0000 hours; a savage nocturnal naval action ensues.
Rear Admiral Abe Hiroaki's force inflicts heavy damage on TG 67.4 before it retires northward; Rear Admirals Callaghan and Norman Scott are killed on board their respective flagships, heavy cruiser USS San Francisco and light cruiser USS Atlanta. Both Callaghan and Scott are awarded Medals of Honor (posthumously).
On board San Francisco, Lieutenant Commanders Herbert E. Schonland and Bruce McCandless prove instrumental in saving their ship, and Boatswain's Mate First Class Reinhardt J. Keppler performs a succession of heroic acts in fighting fires and removing wounded during the thick of the battle. Those three men (Keppler posthumously) also earn the nation's highest award for bravery.
USN Task Force 16 (Rear Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid), formed around the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, the last operational fleet carrier in the Pacific, nears the battle area and launches air search and attacks against the Japanese.
Light cruiser USS Atlanta, irreparably damaged by Japanese naval gunfire and torpedo as well as by friendly fire from heavy cruiser USS San Francisco, is scuttled by demolition charges 3 nautical miles off Lunga Point; light cruiser USS Juneau, damaged by gunfire, is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine HIJMS I-26 about 121 nautical miles SE of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal Island, in position 10.34S, 161.44E, as Juneau retires toward Espiritu Santo. Loss of life is heavy.
Also sunk are destroyers USS Cushing and Monssen to gunfire, USS Laffey to gunfire and torpedo, and USS Barton to two torpedoes. Heavy cruiser USS Portland suffers torpedo damage; USS San Francisco, light cruiser USS Helena and destroyer USS Aaron Ward are damaged by gunfire; and friendly fire damages destroyer USS O'Bannon. With the loss of two light cruisers, the USN now has 25 light cruisers in commission.
The Japanese, however, do not emerge from the brutal nocturnal slugfest unscathed: battleship HIJMS Hiei, damaged by gunfire from heavy cruisers USS Portland and San Francisco and destroyers USS Cushing, Laffey, and O'Bannon, is sunk by TBF Avengers of VT-8 in aircraft carrier USS Enterprise and USMC SBD Dauntlesses of Marine VMSB-142 and TBF Avengers of VMSB-131 from Henderson Field. Destroyer HIJMS Akatsuki is sunk by San Francisco and Atlanta gunfire near Savo Island. Destroyer HIJMS Yudachi, damaged by gunfire, is sunk by heavy cruiser USS Portland southeast of Savo Island. Japanese destroyers HIJMS Murasame, Ikazuchi, and Amatsukaze are damaged by gunfire; destroyer HIJMS Yukikaze is damaged by aircraft, off Guadalcanal. Destroyer HIJMS Michisio is also damaged by aircraft off Shortland Island..
Eight P-38s of the 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, arrive on Fighter 1 strip just east of Henderson Field after flight from Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea.
At 0925 hours, a USAAF B-17s sights 12 Japanese transports escorted by ten warships in New Georgia Sound. The force turns back and not sighted again today.
During the night of 13 November, heavy cruisers HIJMS Suzuya and Maya approach Guadalcanal to shell Henderson Field, intending to render it inoperable the following morning.
Air strength on Guadalcanal Island is raised by the arrival of three B-26s of the 69th and 70th Bombardment Squadrons, 38th BG (Medium), from New Hebrides Island as the naval battle of Guadalcanal Island continues; Japanese cruisers and destroyers bombard Henderson Field on Guadalcanal during the night of 13/14 November, and destroy one of the new P-38s.

 

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ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: On USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-24 flies armed reconnaissance over Japanese-held Kiska and Attu Islands and bombs Holtz Bay and Chichagof on Attu with negative results. Bombers at Adak and Umnak Islands are alerted for shipping targets.

(CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force): INDIA AIR TASK FORCE (IATF): In India, the following squadrons of the 7th Bombardment Group begin operating or move to Gaya with B-24s: - 9th Bombardment Squadron based at Karachi, begins operating from Gaya with B-24s - 436th Bombardment Squadron moves from Ambon Lahabad to Gaya - 492d Bombardment Squadron moves from Karachi to Gaya

NEW GUINEA: The New Guinea Force, which commands all Australian and U.S. forces in Papua and Northeast New Guinea, issues an attack plan for the reduction of the Buna-Gona beachhead in Papua New Guinea. Advance
elements of 126th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 32d Infantry Division, are consolidating positions at Natunga. Task Force Warren (128th Infantry Regiment of 32d Infantry Division and Australian 2/6th Independent Company) is consolidating and patrolling in the Oro Bay-Embogu-Embi area.
On the Kokoda Trail, the Australian 25th Brigade starts crossing the improvised bridge at Wairopi, and the USAAF Fifth Air Force drops bridging equipment.
In the air, a Fifth Air Force B-25 Mitchell bombs and strafes the track north of Soputa.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Rear Admiral NISHIMURA Shoji with heavy cruisers HIJMS Maya and Suzuya, light cruiser HIJMS Tenryu and destroyers HIJMS Yugumo, Makikumo and Kazegumo as the Support Force to Vice Admiral Mikawa Gunichi's main body of heavy cruisers HIJMS Chokai and Kinugasa, light cruiser HIJMS Isuzu and two destroyers bombard Henderson Field with almost 1,000 eight-inch (20,3 centimeter) shells at 0130 hours.
In the morning, Japanese heavy cruisers HIJMS Chokai, Kinugasa, Maya and Suzuya, light cruiser HIJMS Isuzu and Tenryu and six destroyers come under attack by planes from carrier Enterprise and from Henderson Field,
Guadalcanal. HIJMS Kinugasa is sunk by USMC Dauntlesses of Marine VMSB 132, 15 nautical miles northwest of Rendova Island; HIJMS Maya, crashed by a crippled VB-10 SBD and Isuzu are damaged south of New Georgia Island; Chokai, Tenryu, and destroyer Ayanami are also damaged.
Aircraft from the USN aircraft carrier USS Enterprise are joined by land-based USMC and USAAF aircraft in driving off the force that bombarded Henderson last night.
In view of the pressing need for aircraft in the South Pacific Area, Admiral Chester W Nimitz, Commander Pacific Ocean Areas and Commander Pacific Fleet, is given more freedom to deploy his air weapons; he receives authority to distribute as he sees fit all available air units assigned to the South and Central Pacific provided he move units rather than individual aircraft and crews.
In the afternoon, USMC and USN land-based SBD's and TBFs bomb a Japanese convoy off Guadalcanal, sinking two transports/cargo ships and five merchant transport/cargo ships. A cargo ship is damaged. U.S. losses are five SBDs, Wildcats vs. 13 Japanese Zero's fighters. One of the Wildcats lost was piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Harold W. Bauer, USMC. He had downed a "Zeke" bringing his total to ten and bails out of his aircraft but is never seen again. Admiral TANAKA's convoy, with four remaining transports, continues to Tassafaronga after nightfall to unload about 4,000 troops and a few tons of supplies.
During the night of 14/15 November, the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal is fought between the Japanese and U.S. Navies.
The Japanese forces, under Vice Admiral Kondo Nobutakare, are the battleship HIJMS Kirishima, heavy cruisers HIJMS Atago and Takao, light cruisers HIJMS Sendai and Nagara and the destroyers HIJMS Asagumo, Ayanami, Kagero, Oyashio, Shikinami, Uranami. The USN's Task Force LOVE consists of the battleships USS Washington and South Dakota and the destroyers USS Benham, Gwin, Preston, and Walke under the command of Rear Admiral Willis "Ching" Lee, Commander Battleship Division 6. Lee arrives first about 2200 hours and radios Henderson Field for last minute intelligence. There are no preplanned radio codes, so Lee is forced to radio "Cactus, this is Lee. Tell your boss 'Ching' Lee is here and wants the latest information. " At 2317 hours, motor torpedo boat (PTs) from Tulagi Island are spotted moving in. Lee radios "Refer your big boss about Ching Lee; Chinese, catchee? Call off your boys!" Henderson Field has no new information for him.
Meanwhile Admiral Kondo, north of Savo Island, splits his force with one cruiser and three destroyers heading east of Savo and the bombardment force west. At 0001 hours, Washington makes radar contact with enemy east of Savo and at 0016 hours, Washington opens fire at 18,500 yards using radar ranges and optical train. About a minute later, South Dakota opens fire on the nearest ship of the main group at a range of 15,700 yards,using radar control.. Their targets are the ships east of Savo.
At 0019 hours, after the Washington's seventh or eighth salvo, her flaming target disappears and is presumed to have sunk. Several reports reach Admiral Kondo identifying the US ships as battleships, Kondo does not believe them. By 2358 hours lookouts on the flagship heavy cruiser HIJMS Atago re-identify USS South Dakota as a cruiser.
At 2359 hours, the Japanese recognize their error but Admiral Kondo still hesitates but Japanese "Long Lance" torpedoes are launched. At midnight, heavy cruisers HIJMS Atago's searchlights open on battleship USS South Dakota and Admiral KONDO is convinced about her size. This time the Japanese torpedoes miss, but South Dakota has an electric fault that takes her guns out of an early part of the battle and she is hit with 27 shells. The damage topside knocks out all radios, most radar and control crew.
USS Washington now takes battleship HIJMS Kirishima under fire while South Dakota pulls out of the fight to concentrate on damage control. The Japanese lose Kirishima and a destroyer, the US loses 3 destroyers with damage to South Dakota and destroyer Gwin.

UNITED STATES: At the Colorado River Relocation Camp for Japanese-Americans near Poston, Arizona, two popular inmates are arrested accused of attacking a man widely perceived as an informer. This incident soon mushrooms into a mass strike.

 

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

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

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Australians complete bridges on the Kumusi River and the Australian 25th Brigade its crossing of the river and heads for Gona. The 16th Brigade begins crossing the river but only headquarters and one battalion gets across by the end of the day.
USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20's strafe targets near Gona while B-25 Mitchells and B-26 Marauders hit antiaircraft positions at Buna and Soputa as U.S. and Australian ground forces prepare to move against the Buna-Gona beachhead.

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

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Admiral Tanaka heads his destroyers north from Guadalcanal at 0430 after beaching the four remaining transports from his convoy. Between 0600 and 0845 the Cactus Air Force and aircraft from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise attack and sink these ships and the supplies unloaded on shore. They are joined by 155mm artillery from the 244th Coast Artillery Regiment and two of the 5-inch (12.7 centimeter) coast defense guns of the Marines. Destroyer USS Meade, which escorted the cargo ship SS Okpara to Guadalcanal, joins in.
She ignites blazes on the three transports not already on fire from the aircraft strikes. Later in the day the Cactus Air Force strikes at some of the transports abandoned previously in the slot.
The air and sea battle which has raged around Guadalcanal has been fought to enable each side to resupply their forces on the island. The Japanese have landed 2,000 troops with few supplies and losing all transports committed. The U.S. lands over 5,500 men (two battalions of the 182nd Infantry Regiment) and full supplies, losing no transports.

 

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ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: A USAAF Eleventh Air Force weather reconnaissance flight is flown over Japanese-held Kiska and Attu Islands. On Attu Island, demolition charges are dropped on Holtz Bay, antiaircraft guns, and on a village; results are not observed.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, the Japanese establish the 8th Army Area at Rabaul under command of Lieutenant General IMAMURA Hitoshi. This command comprises two armies: the 17th, charged with operations in the Solomon Islands, and the 18th, to operate in New Guinea.

NEW CALEDONIA: Admiral William F. Halsey, commander of the South Pacific Area and commander of the South Pacific Force, moves the responsibility for handling cargo discharge and loading at Noumea to the Army. Brigadier General Raymond E.S. Williamson applies skill and leadership to this task, successfully!

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the U.S. 32d Infantry and Australian 7th Divisions move forward to eliminate the Buna-Gona beachhead, the 32d toward Buna and 7th toward Gona and Sanananda. The Japanese, expected to be few and dispirited, are prepared for a determined stand and have organized a series of strong positions favored by terrain for defense.
Colonel Yokayama Yosuke commands all forces west of the Girua River and Captain Yasuda Yoshitatsu those east of river. In the Australian 7th Division sector on the west, the 25th Brigade moves toward Gona and Sanananda and the 16th Brigade completes crossing the Kumusi River and moves forward to Popondetta, about 15 miles SW of Buna. To the east, the U.S. 32d Infantry Division's 126th Infantry Regiment heads for Buna along the axis Inonda-Horanda- Dobodura, and the Warren Force (based on 128th Infantry Regiment) moves the along coast toward Cape Endaiadere. Although by evening the Australian artillery is employed to support coastal advance, Warren Force suffers severe blow when small craft bringing urgently needed supplies are destroyed by Japanese planes; among personnel embarked on these is Major General Edwin F. Harding, Commanding General U.S. 32d Infantry Division, who swims to shore.
In the air over Papua New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-26's, B-25', and A-20's attack the areas around Buna, Gona, Soputa, Sanananda, and Giruwa, hitting antiaircraft positions, buildings, barges, and troop concentrations.

UNITED STATES: The first USN/USMC night fighter squadron, Marine Night Fighting Squadron Five Hundred Thirty One [VMF(N)-531] , is commissioned at MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina. The first aircraft received were two SNJ-4 Texan trainers later supplemented with SB2A-4 Buccaneers.
The squadron will be assigned two PV-1 Venturas equipped with Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment, Very High Frequency (VHF) radio sets and British Airborne Intercept (A.I.) Radar Mk. IV. Unlike the USN's PV-1 patrol aircraft, the crew of the Marine aircraft consisted of three men, the pilot, radar operator and dorsal turret gunner.