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

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ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: An attempted bombing mission of Attu and Kiska Islands by six Eleventh Air Force B-24s and six B-26s, escorted by eight P-38s, is forced back by weather. An uneventful reconnaissance is flown by a B-24 and a B-26 over Attu, Agattu, Amchitka, Kiska and the Semichis Islands.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: Fifth Air Force B-24s bomb the airfield at Gasmata on the southern coast of New Britain Island.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Australian 39th Battalion, 7th Division, supported by artillery and mortars, attacks Gona and by nightfall, half of the Japanese perimeter defenses and the center of the garrison area have been taken. During the night of 8/9 December, the Japanese try to withdraw from Gona to Giruwa and about 100 of them are killed.
An Allied supply party reaches the roadblock on the Soputa-Sanananda trail against bitter opposition. Urbana Force continuing the battle for Buna Village, concentrates on a bunker position on the southern edge. Newly arrived flame throwers proves so ineffective that the weapon is not used again during the campaign.
The Japanese fail in an attempt to reinforce the garrison of the village with troops from the mission. On the Warren Force front, preparations are made to move guns closer to the Japanese bunkers as two more 25-pounder (88 mm) guns arrive by sea. The Navy agrees to provide corvettes for movement of fresh troops to Warren front.
In Papua New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20s and B-25s pound antiaircraft positions at Buna and the area around Buna Mission and Cape Endaiadere as ground forces attack bunker positions on the southern end of Buna. P-38s hit a wrecked vessel off Gona. Six Japanese destroyers carrying troops to reinforce the Buna-Gona beachhead are bombed by B-17s and a lone B-24 and turn back to Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Regimental Combat Team 132 (--), Americal Division, lands on Guadalcanal. This brings the Americal Division to full strength.

UNITED STATES: The Joint Chiefs of Staff present to President Franklin D. Roosevelt a proposal for the recapture of all Burma, Operation ANAKIM. The President agrees that Lieutenant General Joseph Stilwell, Commanding General U.S. China-Burma- India Theater of Operations, Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, and Commander in Chief Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC), must be provided means for his part of the operation in northern Burma, Operation RAVENOUS.

 

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

NEW GUINEA: The Japanese withdrawal from the Kokoda Trail enables the
Allies to plan the encirclement of important Japanese positions in the Buna, Sanananda and Gona beachhead. After a preparatory bombardment from air and ground, the Australian 21st Brigade, 7th Division, launches a final assault on Gona area of Papua New Guinea and by 1630 hours overcomes resistance in hand-to-hand combat. Hundreds of Japanese dead are found.
The 3d Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 32d Infantry Division, completes an air movement to the Urbana Force front and prepares for the final assault on Buna Village.
In Papua New Guinea, B-26s bomb the Buna area as ground forces prepare for the final assault on the village. P-40s hit the area along the Sanananda-Soputa trail. In nearby Gona, following air and artillery bombardment, Australian forces overcome resistance, taking the village in hand-to-hand combat.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Army Major General Alexander Patch, Commanding General Americal Division, assumes command of Guadalcanal from Lieutenant General Alexander Vandegrift, USMC. Vandegrift marks the occasion with a letter that pays tribute to the sailors, airmen, soldiers "and small band of devoted allies" that fought side by side with his Marines. The reference quoted is to the Coastwatchers and is so worded for security reasons. The Marines that were expected to make the landing and then hand off the fighting to the Army have been relieved, 124 days after landing.
The 5th Marine Regiment begins embarking. The 2nd Marine Rgmt, attached to the 1st Marine Division in place of the 7th Marine Rgmt, remains on Guadalcanal with the 2nd Marine Division.
USAAF B-17s bomb the airfield at Munda, New Georgia Island. No aircraft are lost.
USN motor torpedo boat PT-59 sinks Japanese submarine HIJMS I-3, engaged in a resupply mission to Guadalcanal, 3 miles NE of Kamimbo Bay.

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

 

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This is the 2nd day I have noticed P38's being mentioned in SW Pacific operations. This fighter radically changed the course of fighter ops in this location. A Bad omen for the Japanese!

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: The USAAF Eleventh Air Force weather aircraft which crashlanded on Atka Island yesterday is sighted on the west end of the island, its fuselage broken off aft of the wings. The crew, later brought back, is unharmed except for light injuries to Lieutenant General William Lynd, who was observing weather conditions in the Aleutians for General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold, Commanding General, USAAF. General Lynch sustained a cracked collar bone. A PBY lands and rescues the crew.
An uneventful reconnaissance covers Attu, Kiska and the Semichis Islands.
Four B26s and six P-38s abort a bomb run to Kiska due to weather.

AUSTRALIA: SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) The detachment of the 33d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group with C-47s operating from Cairns, Queensland, Australia returns to their base at Brisbane, New South Wales preparatory to moving to New Guinea.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Japanese remaining on the coast northwest of Gona, now greatly depleted in strength by air attacks as well as pressure of the Australian 39th Battalion, 21st Brigade, 7th Division, are ordered to establish a defensive perimeter around Napapo and await reinforcements. On the Sanananda front, a Allied supply party reaches the roadblock and finds the garrison in desperate need of relief.
On the Urbana Force front, the 3d Battalion, 127th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 32d Infantry Division, begins the relief of the 2d Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, which by now is also greatly understrength. The Warren Force continues to bombard and probe the Japanese line in an effort to soften it.
The Australian 2/6th Independent Company is detached and returns to the Australian 7th Division.
The Japanese are again supplied by air.
Australian Brigadier George Wootten, General Officer Commanding 18th Brigade, 7th Division, reports to General Thomas Blarney, Commander-in- Chief of the Australian Military Forces and Commander of Allied Land Forces, Southwest Pacific Area.
Six Australian (A-20) Bostons bomb Japanese positions at Buna.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Eleven B-17s escorted by eight P-38s of the 339th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, attack ships in Faisi Harbor; one tanker is hit; six Zekes are claimed destroyed, five by P-38s and one by a B-17.

UNITED STATES: The War Relocation Authority (WRA) establishes a "Citizens" Isolation Camp" at Moab, Utah, located about 195 miles (314 kilometers) southeast of Salt Lake City, for recalcitrant Japanese-American inmates. This camp, and one at Leupp, Arizona, are designed to hold troublesome individuals from the Japanese Relocation Camps in the western part of the U.S. It was found that in each relocation camp, a small number of men, mostly young Kibei (a person born in the U.S. of Japanese immigrant parents and educated chiefly in Japan) became uncooperative and caused trouble and had to be separated from the general camp population. In June 1943, it is decided to move the prisoners from these two camps to Tule Lake, California, a former relocations camp that had been converted to house the trouble-makers, dissidents and renunciants. After they are moved, the camps at Moab and Leupp are closed.

 

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

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

NEW GUINEA: Brigadier George Wootten, General Officer Commanding Australian 18th Brigade, 7th Division, inspects the Warren Force front, where positions are virtually static. The first of a number of freighters to bring supplies and personnel to Oro Bay arrives during the night of 11/12 December and unloads four light tanks of the Australian 2/6th Armoured Regiment and supplies.
In Papua New Guinea, B-26s bomb the airfield and targets of opportunity in the Buna area while B-25s and B-26s attack Lae Airfield.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: USAAF B-17s bomb the Munda Airfield on New Georgia Island with no losses.
Tonight another "Tokyo Express" run with 11 destroyers is lead by Rear Admiral Tanaka Raizo. One destroyer is sunk by the U.S. PT Boats. Only 300 of the 1200 drums of supplies reach Japanese forces on Guadalcanal.

 

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ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: An attempted photographic reconnaissance mission over Kiska Island by a B-24 and two P-38s returns without result due to weather. Another reconnaissance B-24 is turned back by a weather front west of Buldir Island.
The detachment of the 42d Fighter Squadron, 54th FG, which has been operating in Alaska with P-39s since Jun 42, returns to its base at Harding Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

NEW GUINEA: From Oro Bay, Papua New Guinea, tanks are moved forward by sea to Hariko and hidden. Corvettes with Australian forces embarked (18th Brigade Headquarters, 2/9th Battalion, and Officer Commanding 2/10th Battalion) arrive off Soena Plantation after nightfall; they withdraw to Porlock Harbor after a few troops are unloaded because of the news that Japanese naval force is moving on Buna. Around midnight, the Japanese begin landing at the mouth of the Mambare River, near Cape Ward Hunt.
In Papua New Guinea, USAAF A-20s strafe barges off Sanananda Point while B-17s bomb the airfields at Lae and Salamaua.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal, the 2d Marine Division begins the relief of the Army's Americal Division west of the Matanikau River. A Japanese party raids Fighter Strip 2 under cover of darkness. The 2d Marine Division Signal Company and the 18th Naval Construction Battalion arrive.
B-17s begin a series of daily attacks on the Japanese airfields nearing completion at Munda, New Georgia Island. Nine SBDs join the attack which is the first by the USMC.

 

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

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

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, further futile efforts are made to supply the roadblock on the Soputa-Sanananda trail, which is now out of contact with the rest of front. Buna Village is subjected to heavy fire in preparation for an attack on 14 December; after nightfall, the Japanese garrison, now reduced to about 100 men, evacuates the village and swims for Giruwa. Corvettes return to Oro Bay under cover of darkness and finish unloading Australian troops.
In Papua New Guinea, a Japanese convoy of five destroyers, bringing some 800 men (among them Major General ODA Kensaku, General Horii's successor as commander of South Seas Detachment), is detected off Madang while proceeding toward the beachhead and unsuccessfully attacked by Allied planes. USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack as it moves south but fail to deter its progress.
Meanwhile A-20s bomb and strafe the Cape Killerton area while B-17s bomb the Salamaua area.

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

 

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JAPAN: USN submarine USS Sunfish lays mines in entrance to Iseno Umi Bay. She continues these mining operations in those waters through 17 December.

NEW GUINEA: The convoy of five destroyers reaches the Mambare River mouth early in morning and unload about 800 men without being detected. Allied planes subsequently deliver damaging attacks on troops, supplies, and landing craft.
On the Sanananda front, a supply party succeeds in breaking through to the roadblock. West of the block, Company K and Cannon Company are relieved by Australian troops and move to the rear. On the Urbana Force front, Companies I and K of the 127th Infantry Regiment move cautiously to Buna Village after an artillery and mortar preparation and find it empty of Japanese. The Australian 2/9th Battalion, 18th Brigade and six tanks being moving to Hariko from Oro
Bay. USAAF Fifth Air Force transports establish a record for Papuan campaign by bringing 578 tons (524 metric tonnes) of materiel to Dobodura and Popondetta airfields.
In Papua New Guinea, the five Japanese troop-carrying destroyers attack by USAAF Fifth Air Force aircraft yesterday, reach the mouth of the Mambare River and unload without being detected. However, medium and light bombers and fighters, along with Australian aircraft, subsequently deliver damaging blows against these troops and their supplies and also hit forces along the Kumusi River in the Cape Endaiadere area and along the Mambare River. The five destroyers are attacked off Cape Ward Hunt by medium and heavy bombers. Attacks are also carried out against the Lae Airfield and the airfield on Gasmata Island, Bismarck Archipelago. The Japanese use a seaborne landing 30 miles (48 kilometers) west of Gona to outflank the Australians.

PACIFIC OCEAN: During the night of 14/15 December on board USN submarine USS Grayback, on war patrol in the Bismarck Archipelago, an appendectomy commences at 2300 hours by Pharmacist's Mate First Class Harry B. Roby, USNR, on Torpedoman First Class W.R. Jones. The surgery is completed by 0200 hours. This is the second of three such procedures that will be performed on board U.S. submarines during the war.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal Islands, additional elements of the Army's Americal Division arrive. B-17s attack Buin on Bougainville Island with no losses.

 

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NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Australian 2/7th Cavalry Regiment, 7th Division, begins arriving at Soputa. On the Urbana front, the 2d Battalion, 128th Infantry Regiment, employing a small force of 80-odd men immediately available, attacks and encircles Coconut Grove, the last Japanese position on the west bank of Entrance Creek. After nightfall, a Dutch freighter unloads additional Australian tanks and cargo at Oro Bay. The tanks are moved forward to Hariko and, with others already there, are organized into X Squadron of the Australian 2/6th Armoured Regiment.
In Papua New Guinea, Fifth Air Force A-20s hit Japanese forces along the Mambare River while a B-24s bombs a wrecked ship at Gona.

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

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

 

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BURMA: In the Arakan coastal sector, the Eastern Army of India Command, under Lieutenant General N. M. S. Irwin, opens a limited-objective offensive for Akyab Island, at the end of Mayu Peninsula, which at this time is lightly held by the Japanese. Lacking resources for an amphibious assault, as planned originally, an advance is made overland by the Indian 14th Division, which consists at this time of four Indian brigades and is later strengthened by four more Indian brigades and one British brigade. The Indian 123rd Brigade, leading off, finds Maungdaw free of the Japanese and occupies it.

NEW GUINEA: On the Urbana front in Papua New Guinea, the 2d Battalion of the U.S. 128th Infantry renews the attack on the Coconut Grove and clears it by 1200 hours; they also establish a bridgehead across Entrance Creek, where engineers repair a bridge, from which to attack the Triangle. A platoon of Company F, 126th Infantry, called the Schwartz patrol, is ordered to Tarakena, west of Siwori, to protect the left flank.
In the Gona area, the Australian 39th Battalion and 2/14th Battalion, 21st Brigade, 7th Division, compete their encirclement of the Japanese at the creek mouth west of Gona. Meanwhile, the 36th Battalion, 30th Brigade, and the 2/7th Cavalry Regiment, serving as infantry, arrive at Soputa. The 39th Battalion Australian Militia Force and 2/14th Battalion Australian Imperial Force have skirmished from Gona towards Haddy's Village, 2 miles to the west, to delay and destroy reinforcements landed by the Japanese some days earlier. Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Honner's 39th Battalion are moving by an inland route while Lieutenant Colonel Challen's 2/14the Battalion moves along the coast.
This is where the Japanese 3rd Battalion, 170th Regiment had landed between the Kumusi and Amboga on the night of ½ December. Together with stragglers from the Kokoda Track fighting Honner estimates the Japanese to muster about 600 personnel. Having fenced in the Japanese at Haddy's village between the sea (north), creek (west) and the Australians (south and east), the final actions next day saw 170 Japanese buried in the village area and an estimate of at least the same number (if not more) in the preliminaries. The cost is a total of 129 casualties (2 officers and 105 Other Ranks from the 39th Battalion). The 39th Battalion is critical to the success of the Kokoda track and the Gona/Buna
battles.
In Papua New Guinea, USAAF A-20s and B-26s hit forces in the Buna area and at the mouth of the Kumusi River, and strafe barges on the lagoon shoreline south of the Kumusi's mouth. Meanwhile, B-24s attack a wreck off Gona.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s attack a cargo vessel in the Bismarck Sea, and a destroyer, two cargo ships and two tankers in the Solomon Sea, southeast of Cape Orford on New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal, Major General Alexander M. Patch, Commanding General I Corps, orders the 132d Infantry Regiment, Americal Division, to occupy Mt. Austen, which dominates the island, as a preliminary to a major offensive to be undertaken in January 1943.
B-17s of the 5th BG attack the airstrip at Munda, New Georgia Island. They are met by 16 Zekes; the B-17s claim four Zekes with the loss of one B-17.

 

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ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: A reconnaissance team lands on Amchitka Island and discovers test holes dug by the Japanese for a possible airfield. The Eleventh Air Force flies a reconnaissance sortie over Attu, Agattu, Kiska, Amchitka and the Semichis Islands. Two attacks by five B-24s, two B-25s and four B-26s,
the second attack escorted by eight P-38s, take off for Kiska Island. On the first mission, four B-24s, get through and hit the submarine base area, marine railway, buildings, and communication facilities.
The second mission aborts due to weather. P-38s and B-24s also fly offshore patrol between Vega Point on the southern tip of Kiska and Little Kiska Island.

BURMA: Continuing drive toward Akyab, the Indian 14th Division seizes Buthidaung without opposition.
Aircraft of the USAAF Tenth Air Force's China Air Task Force bomb Lashio.

NEW GUINEA: On the Urbana front in Papua New Guinea, Companies G and E of the U.S. 128th Infantry Regiment make a fruitless and costly attack on the Triangle, which they dub "Bloody Triangle." In this action, Company G loses ten of its 27 effectives. Orders are issued for the capture of Musita Island., between Buna Village and Mission, tomorrow and the Triangle on 19 December to pave the way for an assault on the main objective, Buna Mission. Australian Brigadier George Wootten takes command of the Warren Force and prepares for an attack tomorrow. U.S. M3 "Stuart" tanks of "X" Squadron, Australian 2/6th Armored Regiment, start toward the line of departure at 1800 hours local, the noise of their engines covered by mortar fire.
In Papua New Guinea, B-26s bomb Buna Mission while U.S. ground forces make fruitless attacks on the Triangle now dubbed "Bloody Triangle."

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN submarine USS Drum mines the Bungo Strait in the Japanese home islands. The Bungo Strait separates Kyushu and Shikoku Islands.

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

 

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ADMIRALTY ISLANDS: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24 Liberators attack a transport northwest of Lorengau on Manus Island.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: A B-24 flies reconnaissance over Kiska, Attu, Agattu and Semichis Islands.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Australian 39th Battalion, 7th Division, which has been joined by elements of the 2/14th Battalion, 21st Brigade, has reduced the Japanese strength at Napapo to about half and is being relieved for action on the Sanananda front by the Australian 2/16th and 2/27th Battalions, 21st Brigade. The Australians, supported by fire of the Americans, begin a concerted attack on the Sanananda front. The Australian 2/7th Calvary Regiment, 7th Division, having moved elements into the roadblock against firm opposition, attacks north along the Soputa-Sanananda trail, bypassing resistance just ahead of the block.
The Australian 30th Brigade attacks at the track junction, employing two battalions in a frontal assault and another in the region east of the track, but makes little headway. The Urbana Force attempts to clear Musita Island. Elements of Company L, U.S. 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, reach the island by means of a cable, but with draw upon meeting heavy resistance.
On the Warren front, a concerted assault against Cape Endaiadere and New Strip is spearheaded by Australian tanks, which prove invaluable in reducing concrete and steel fortifications. After preliminary air and ground bombardment, the Australian 2/9th Battalion, 18th Brigade, begins an attack on Cape Endaiadere and soon breaks through the main Japanese positions and reaches their objective; then drive west along the coast until halted near Strip Point by a new line of bunkers.
The 3d Battalion, U.S. 128th Infantry Regiment, mops up and establishes a defensive perimeter in the Duropa Plantation. Americans and Australians attack New Strip from the south and east. While the 1st Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, pushes toward the bridge between the strips, elements of the Australian 2/9th Battalion, reinforced during the day by the 1st Battalion, U.S. 128th Infantry Regiment, reduce a strongpoint at the eastern end of New Strip and pursue the Japanese west along the northern edge of the strip toward the bridge.
The Australians sustain heavy casualties and lose three tanks in the action, which is otherwise highly successful. Advance elements of Australian 2/10th Battalion, 18th Brigade, arrive at the front by sea during night of 18/19 December.
In Papua New Guinea, Fifth Air Force A-20s hit positions at Kurenada in the Cape Endaiadere area while Allied ground forces launch a concerted assault.
B-17s attack a convoy in Astrolabe Bay off Madang, while B-24s bomb the Alexishafen area and other B-24s bomb the airfield at Lae and attack the convoy off Madang.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN submarine USS Albacore torpedoes and sinks Japanese light cruiser HIJMS Tenryu about 8 nautical miles east of Madang, Northeast New Guinea, in position 05.12S, 145.56E. Albacore survives counterattacks by escorting destroyer (HIJMS Sukukaze or Isonami).

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The 3d Battalion, 132d Infantry Regiment, Americal Division, advances up the northwestern slopes of Mt Austen to Hill 35, where Japanese fire is encountered.

UNITED STATES: The Joint Chiefs of Staff authorize the occupation of Amchitka Island, Aleutian Islands, less than 100 miles from Japanese held Kiska Island, provided it is suitable for an advanced air base from which Kiska can be attacked.

 

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

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

NEW GUINEA: Continuing the assault on the Sanananda front in Papua New Guinea, the Australians reduce several Japanese positions just beyond the track junction in a frontal drive; flanking elements reach positions near the roadblock. A Japanese attack on the block is repulsed.
Australian cavalrymen destroy a Japanese force 300 yards north of the block and establish a new perimeter, which they call "Kano". The Urbana Force, after air and mortar preparation, attacks the Triangle, Companies E and G of the U.S. 126th Infantry Regiment driving south on it while Company F blocks from below. The attack is soon halted by cross fire, which causes heavy casualties. The battalion commander is lost in this action.
Troops on the Warren front regroup. The rest of Australian 2/10th Battalion, 18th Brigade, 7th Division, arrives at the front after dark. U.S. troops are to operate the Oro Bay port and the engineers charged with the construction of a road from Oro Bay to Dobodura airfields land at Oro Bay during the night of 19/20 December.
Additional cargo is also brought ashore. In Papua New Guinea, USAAF A-20s and B-25s hit the Buna Mission area. B-17s and B-24s attack warships, transports and cargo vessels off Madang in Astrolabe Bay and north northwest of Finschhafen off the coast of Huon Peninsula damaging a destroyer. Meanwhile, B-25s bomb Lae Airfield.

GUADALCANAL:USAAF aircraft, especially P-39s, and USMC SBDs, provide support and continue to do so as the offensive progresses from coastal supply points, hitting reinforcements moving through the jungle, and destroying ammunition dumps.
the 3rd Battalion, backed up by 1st Battalion of the 132nd Infantry Regiment, Americal Division, has spent two days moving into contact with Japanese forces in the area that will become known as "The Gifu" on Mt. Austen. After an artillery and aerial bombardment, Colonel William Wright, battalion commanding officer, moves forward with his unit. He is wounded by machine gun fire. While attempting to hit the Japanese position with grenades, he is mortally wounded.
The action is stalemated for the rest of the day, until the battalion executive officer can move forward. The next few days will show small gains as the U.S. forces aggressively patrol in their attempts to locate the Japanese forces. The Japanese will continue to send forward infiltration parties, making the front lines of the U.S. forces jittery and harassing the rear supply forces.

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

 

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ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: , four B-26s, five B-24s, five B-25s and nine P-38s make a coordinated bombing, strafing, and incendiary attack on Kiska Harbor installations and vicinity, especially on the submarine base and near the marine railway and gun emplacements. A direct hit is scored on a probable ammunition dump. P-38s also strafe a previously damaged cargo ship off Trout Lagoon. One B-24 and two P-38s fly photographic and reconnaissance patrol over Attu, Agattu, Semichis and Amchitka Islands.

CBI (Tenth Air Force) In Burma, China Air Task Force bombers hit Lashio. In India, Japanese aircraft bomb Calcutta and vicinity, hitting docks, shipping and airfields in the area.

NEW GUINEA: A-20s and B-25s pound Giropa Point and the area around Buna Mission near which are located strong bunker positions. After preparatory bombardment Australian forces again assault the positions, attacking twice under cover of smoke, but are beaten back. A decision is made to bypass The Triangle. Lost on a ferry flight from Cooktown to Port Moresby is B-25D "Eight Ball Esquire" 41-29709.

GUADALCANAL: The 44th Fighter Squadron, 318th FG with P-40s based at Efate begins operating from Guadalcanal. The squadron will fly its first combat mission tomorrow, 21 Dec. Force landed on a training flight due to bad weather are P-40F "Bone Crusher" 41-14112 and P-40F 41-14205, all the pilots survived.

 

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ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: A B-24 flies an uneventful reconnaissance over Amchitka, Attu, Kiska and Semichis Islands while a B-24 and two P-38s abort a photographic mission due to weather.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff direct that Amchitka Island in the Aleutian Islands is to be occupied as near 5 January 1943 as possible.
A detachment of the 56th Fighter Squadron, 54th FG, which has been operating P-39s in Alaska since 20 Jun 42, returns to its base at Harding Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) The air echelon of the 371st Bombardment Squadron, 307th BG (Heavy) based at Wheeler Field, Territory of Hawaii with B-24s, flies to Midway Island.

BURMA: The British forces advancing towards Akyab, capture Alethankgyaw.

CANADA: In Ottawa, Ontario, the Wartime Prices and Trade Board mandates butter rationing.

NEW GUINEA: From Napapo, Papua New Guinea, Japanese Major General Oda Kensuku, commander of the 5th South Seas Detachment, and his staff arrive at Giruwa. In the Australian 7th Division area on the Sanananda front, the Australians continue to batter Japanese positions in front of the track junction. The 49th Battalion, 30th Brigade, succeeds in entering the roadblock and protects the supply line to it while the 2/7th Cavalry Regiment pushes north from the Kano position toward Sanananda.
In the Australian 18th Brigade Buna area, the Japanese continue to withdraw toward Giropa Point and to defend their positions around the two airfields as the 2/9th and 2/10th Battalions advance.
The Urbana Force feinting toward the Triangle, draw Japanese from bunkers and kill many with artillery fire. In preparation for the drive through Government Gardens to the sea, Company K of the U.S. 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, crosses Entrance Creek in rubber boats under fire during the night of 21/22 December, to establish a bridgehead above the Triangle.
On the left flank, the Schwarz Patrol (Company F, U.S. 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division) meets firm resistance at Tarakena, about 1 mile west of Siwori, and retires eastward; 30 more men of the 2d Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Regiment, reinforce the patrol. The Warren Force finishes clearing the region east of Simemi Creek and begins to cross after the patrol discovers suitable site some 1,300 yards below its mouth. The crossing is undetected by the Japanese.
In Northeast New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s attack vessels in Finschhafen harbor while B-24s carry out single-bomber strikes on a cargo ship north of Finschhafen and barges at the mouth of the Mambare River and off Cape Ward Hunt.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Ordered to cut the Maruyama Trail on Guadalcanal, Company C of the 132d Infantry Regiment, Americal Division, pushes 1,000 yards south without making contact with the Japanese or finding the trail.
B-17s attack two cargo ships near Kahili, Bougainville Island; a direct hit is scored on one ship.

 

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Australia:
HMAS WARREGO arrived at Cairns on 22 December, where she remained boiler cleaning until 2 January 1943, she was almost constantly at sea. Between 15 November and 22 December she was under way on 33 out of 37 days. On 31 December 1942 WARREGO had steamed 78,870 miles since commissioning.

 

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23 Dec:

AUSTRALIA:
RAN:
The Bathurst class minesweeper, (corvette), HMAS WAGGA, (LEUT D. K. Cracknell, RANR), was commissioned.

RAAF: DC 2, A30-6 crashed on landing at STOCK ROUTE AIRFIELD,
TOWNSVILLE , QLD

NEW GUINEA:
In New Guinea, A-20s strafe troops near Gona and at Woiba Islands while B-24s attack a cargo ship at Arawe. In the Bismarck Archipelago, B-25s bomb Cape Gloucester Airfield on New Britain Island and attack a ship at Pilelo Island. B-24s carry out single-bomber attacks on a transport west southwest of Cape Orford, a vessel northwest of Lorengau and the Cape Gloucester Airfield.

PAPUA:

From the 23rd the Second 10th Battalion AIF started making attacks against Japanese bunkers around the old airstrip. The attacks finished on the 2nd of January at the cost of 113 killed and 205 wounded.

 

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BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Islands, a single USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24 sinks a Japanese merchant cargo ship off Gasmata on the south coast and B-17s hit a ship in the harbor at Arawe.

BURMA: Major General Wilfrid Lloyd, General Officer Commanding Indian 14th Division, orders the 47th Brigade, to advance down both sides of the Mayu Peninsula while the 123rd Brigade is to send the bulk of it's force towards Rathedaung. A small detachment is to move farther inland in the direction of Kyauktaw. These dispositions are less than ideal because of the dispersions they bring about.
B-25s of the USAAF Tenth Air Force's China Air Task Force bomb Lashio.

FRANCE: The Vichy French government appoints Admiral Henri DeCoux as Governor General of Indochina and High Commissioner for French territories in the Pacific. The Marshal Petain regime hopes that once Japan occupies the islands it will be allowed to exercise sovereignty over them. DeCoux makes a number of broadcasts over Saigon Radio urging New Caledonians to revolt against Free France.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, Japanese Major General ODA Kensuku, commander of the 5th South Seas Detachment, takes responsibility for the Japanese beachhead from Colonel Yokoyama and personally directs operations on the Sanananda front.
In the Australian 7th Division area, reinforcements (21st Brigade Headquarters and the 39th Battalion of the 30th Brigade) reach Soputa from Gona; and relieve the U.S. 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, forces of the roadblock on the Soputa-Sanananda trail. The Australian 21st Brigade takes command of the 49th Battalion, 2/7th Cavalry Regiment, and U.S. forces from the roadblock.
The 30th Brigade, which is responsible for clearing the pockets at the track junction, retains command of the 36th and 55/53d Battalions and the rest of U.S. forces on this front. Firm opposition by seasoned Japanese troops limits efforts to advance north along the track and to clear the track junction.
On the Urbana Force front, Company I, 127th Infantry Regiment follows Company K across Entrance Creek, strengthening the bridgehead. Other elements of the 127th Infantry Regiment begin to clear Musita Island after engineers repair a bridge to it.
On the Warren front, the Australian 2/10th Battalion (less Company C), 18th Brigade, continues to cross Simemi Creek near Old Strip, while the 2/9th Battalion plus Company C of the 2/10th Battalion mops up east of the creek.
Fifth Air Force B-25s bomb Maimba mission and the village near Buna where Japanese ground forces continue to resist stubbornly.

PACIFIC OCEAN: On board submarine USS Silversides (SS-236), submerged in the shipping channel off Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, Pharmacist's Mate First Class Thomas A. Moore performs a successful appendectomy on Fireman Second Class George M. Platter. This is the third of three such procedures that will be performed on board U.S. submarines during the war.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Army Forces in South Pacific Area) The 26th Bombardment Squadron, 11th BG (heavy) with B-17s transfers from Efate Island, New Hebrides Islands to Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands. The 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, which has been operating from Henderson Field Guadalcanal Island with P-39s since 22 Aug, returns to its base on New Caledonia Island.

WAKE ISLAND: During the night of 22/23 December, 26 Seventh Air Force B-24s (Detachments of the 370th, 372d and 424th Bombardment Squadrons, 307th BG) stage through Midway Island from Hickam Field, Territory of Hawaii, and bomb Wake Island from 2,500 to 8,000 feet dropping one hundred thirty five 500 pound bombs. The total length of the mission, from the Territory of Hawaii and return, is over 4,300 nautical miles. No aircraft are lost

 

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Australia:

RAAF: Wirraway A20-249 piloted by LAC Hinsley and Wirraway A20-344 piloted by LAC Williams from 7SFTS RAAF were carrying out dummy strafing runs in unison on a farmer's tractor when they collided 9 miles west of Mathoura near Deniliquin in New South Wales. They had been going through together and then would each peel left and right after the dummy strafing run. At the end of one strafing run they came too close together.
The pilots were DAVID JAMES HINSLEY and GRAEME MARWICK WILLIAMS aged 20 and 19.

New Guinea:

24 December
Australian and United States forces recapture Buna airstrip in New Guinea.

 

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ADMIRALTY ISLANDS: A single B-24 attacks a Japanese vessel northwest of Lornegau on Manus Island.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, Fifth Air Force B-24s attack a cargo ship at Arawe while other B-24s carry out single-bomber attacks on a transport west-southwest of Cape Orford and the Cape Gloucester Airfield, B-25s bomb Cape Gloucester Airfield and attack a ship at Pilelo Island.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, a stalemate exists on the Sanananda
front, where the Japanese are stubbornly defending their well-organized
positions. On the Urbana front, the U.S. 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d
Infantry Division, completes the capture of Musita Island and begins firing on Buna Mission at close range; the regiment prepares to drive east across Government Gardens to the sea.
The Warren Force continues movement across the creek, where engineers repair a bridge under fire, and takes up positions for a concerted assault on Old Strip. The Australian 2/9th Battalion, 18th Brigade, 7th Division and the U.S. 3d Battalion, 128th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, hold their positions
along the coast and finish mopping up the region east of the creek.
During the night of 23/24 December, two Japanese vessels sink a barge loaded
with ammunition and strafe the beach at Hariko; a vessel bringing more tanks and supplies to the Warren Force unloads at Oro Bay.
In Papua New Guinea, Fifth Air Force A-20s strafe troops near Gona and at Woiba Islands.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: USMC SBDs dive bombers attack Munda Airfield on New Georgia Island. The escorting F4Fs of VMF-121 shoot down five Japanese Zeke fighters over Munda at 1210 hours.

UNITED STATES: Bob Hope agrees to entertain U.S. airmen in the Territory of
Alaska. It is the first of his many famous Christmas shows for American armed forces around the world. The tradition continued for more than 30-years.

 

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Port Moresby:

33 Squadron RAAF was based at the Stock Route airfield which is now Dalrymple Road. It was in the section of Dalrymple Road where the large electricity steel tower lines run beside the road back to Duckworth Street. It was a satellite airfield to Garbutt airfield and aircraft would often taxi between the two areas.

33 Squadron was comprised of Ansons, Dragons and Moths.

The squadron moved to Port Moresby on 25 December 1942.