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

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BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Heavy and medium bombers bomb Naba, Burma.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 7 B-24's bomb Htawgaw, Burma.

BOUGAINVILLE: - Over the past two days (16-17) Japanese records indicate the loss of 15 Zeros in the air, and deaths of 13 pilots (half a squadron). One VMF-214 pilot Milton E. Scheider went MIA, and two F4Us minorly damaged.

NEI: 6 B-24's bomb Ternate, a 2,200-mile round trip.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: The Japanese submarine HIJMS I-36 launches a small "Glen" seaplane to determine how many aircraft carriers are in Pearl Harbor (there are none). The absence of the carriers coupled with the 5 and 6 October raids against Wake Island lead Japanese Navy intelligence officers to believe that an invasion of Wake is imminent. Because of this misinterpretation, Japanese carrier based aircraft that could have been used to oppose the upcoming invasion of Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands, are withheld for more than a week.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, the Japanese continue vigorous attacks from Sattelberg after attempting to land four barge loads of troops, of which only one reaches shore. Eighteen USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20s and B-25s bomb and strafe Sattelberg and seven B-25s hit Boram Aerodrome and Wewak (Wirui) Airstrip with a low-level attack during which 15 Japanese aircraft are destroyed on the ground and four claimed shot down. Four P-39s intercept 18 Japanese airplanes attacking Finschhafen, claiming six shot down. Over 40 fighters intercept a large group of Japanese aircraft attempting to attack Oro Bay; US fighters claim 24 shot down.

PACIFIC OCEAN: The German auxiliary cruiser, HK Michel (ship H), the former Polish freighter SS Biolskoi captured in Norway, is sunk at 0200 hours by the USN submarine USS Tarpon about 121 nautical miles south of Tokyo, Honshu, Japan, in position 33.42N, 140.08E. A tremendous explosion after a torpedo struck sank the ship and she went down within 13 minutes with the loss of 263 crewmen and 19 Norwegian sailors who had been captured; 110 crewmen survived. Michel has sunk three ships on this cruise (with 17 total for two cruises) and is the last auxiliary cruiser in operation for Germany.

PACIFIC: Aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill: "We pulled out of Pearl Harbor early for two days of maneuvers in the area.. First, we retrieved our aircraft, respotted the deck and the ship went to General Quarters. The 5-inch guns started firing and I started looking for what they were shooting at. By the time I found the target, the 40 mms and then the 20 mms started. I found what I took to be a "yellow peril" (biplane trainer) buzzing around with all these guns shooting at it. I was wishing I could go home then as nobody hit it. And to think I was going into combat with a bunch of gunners like this.???? Oh well, life was hell for a war hero."

SOLOMON ISLANDS: USMC SBDs and TBFs attack Kahili Airfield near Buin on Bougainville Island while six USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-25s and 21 USMC F4Us sweep Ballalae Airfield on Ballalae Island south of Bougainville. The latter strike is engaged by 40+ Zero fighters; 14 Zeros are shot down with the loss of a Corsair.

 

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ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): The 406th BS (Medium), Fourth Air Force, departs Elmendorf Field, Anchorage for the US. The squadron will transition from B-25's to B-24's and arrive in England on 2 Nov 43.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 530th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 311th Fighter-Bomber Group, transfers from Nawadih to Dinjan, India with A-36's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 28 B-24's and 40+ USN dive bombers, with cover of 50+ fighters including F4U Corsairs of VMF-214 and VMF-221 hit Ballale Airfield. Lost is F4U 17557. 14 P-39's join 20+ US Navy aircraft in a strike on Kakasa village and a tent area on Choiseul. The 70th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, transfers from Guadalcanal to New Georgia with P-39's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): Nearly 80 B-24's and fighters are sent against Rabaul, but abort due to bad weather. The mission cost five Liberators, including B-24D "Mitsu Butcher" 41-24043, B-24D 42-40670, B-24D 42-40885, B-24D 41-41088 and B-24D "Mission Belle" 42-40389. 13 of the B-24's bomb Cape Hoskins; 7 others bomb Cape Gloucester and hit Sio. However, 50+ B-25's slip beneath low clouds and pound the town, airfields, and shipping from treetop and mast-height level; the B-25's sink 2 vessels and claim 70+ planes destroyed on the ground and in the air. Lost are B-25D "SNAFU / MFUTU" 41-30054, B-25D "Sorry Satchul" 41-30056, B-25C "Daisy May" 42-32262.
Other B-25's bomb and strafe a road at Bogadjim.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, the Japanese 78th and 80th Regiments continue their assaults against Australian troops in the Finschhafen

 

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BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 1st Troop Carrier Squadron, Tenth Air Force, transfers from New Delhi to Sookerating, India with C-47's. The 529th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 311th Fighter-Bomber Group, transfers from Nawadih to Dinjan, India with A-36's.

BORNEO: Local Chinese and native Suluks rise up against the Japanese occupation of North Borneo. The revolt, staged in the capital, Jesselton, resulted in the deaths of 40 Japanese soldiers. The revolt is dealt with quickly and brutally by the Japanese. They destroy dozens of Suluk villages, round up and torture thousands of civilians, and execute almost 200 without trial. In one extreme example of cruelty, several dozen Suluk women and children have their hands tied behind them and are hanged from their wrists from a pillar of a mosque. They are then shot down by machine-gun fire.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): SOLOMON ISLANDS: Kara and Kahili Airfields on Bougainville Island are hit by 24 USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-24s, 14 P-38s and 20 P-40s, and eight PV-1s, 20 SBDs, 12 TBFs and ten F4U Corsairs. The targets include antiaircraft emplacements. One PV-1 is lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): A-20's and RAAF airplanes hit Sattelberg and surrounding areas and bomb Gasmata; enemy air raid against Finschhafen causes no effective damage. B-25's and RAAF Hudsons bomb Fuiloro on Timor.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, the Australian 9th Division, assisted by artillery, contains further Japanese attacks in the Finschhafen

 

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CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): HQ 30th BG and it's 27th, 38th and 392d Bombardment Squadrons arrive at Hickam Field, Moluleia Field, Kahuku and Barking Sands, Territory of Hawaii respectively from the US with B-24's. The 396th and 820th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 41st BG (Medium) arrive at Hickam Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii from the US with B-25's.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The bridge at Meza, Burma, being repaired after being damaged severely on 10 Oct, is attacked and damaged by B-25's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): Kakasa on Choiseul is attacked 3 times by Venturas, P-40's, and USN fighters and dive bombers. 24 P-40's and nearly 50 USN F4U's sweep Kahili; one force of F4U's encounters fighters, claiming 3 destroyed. The 69th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d BG (Medium), ceases operating form Guadalcanal with B-25's and returns to it's base on Plaine Des Gaiacs Airfield.

CENTRAL SOLOMONS: - The "Tokyo Night Express" completes the evacuation of the Japenese garrison at Kolombangara. Kakasa on Choiseul Island is attacked three times by six USN PV Venturas and seven SBDs. Twenty four P-40s and 24 USN F4U Corsairs, escorted by F6Fs, sweep Kahili Airfield on southern Bougainville Island; one force of F6Fs encounters fighters, claiming four destroyed.

PACIFIC OCEAN: At 1500 hours in the South China Sea, USN submarine USS Kingfish sinks a cargo ship off the coast of French Indochina about 25 nautical miles NE of Nha Trang in position 12.30N, 109.30E.

JAPAN: The Japanese order the air groups from six aircraft carriers, HIJMS Hiyo, Junyo, Ryuho, Shokaku, Zuiho and Zuikaku to Rabaul on New Britain Island in the Bismarck Archipelago, to augment land-based air strength and delay Allied progress while the main perimeter defenses of Japan are being strengthened. This plan is called Operation RO.

GILBERT ISLANDS: USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24s and USN PB4Y-1s begin extensive photographic reconnaissance of Tarawa Atoll.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's bomb and strafe the Bogadjim area; B-24's hit 2 freighters near Manokwari and bomb the Manokwari area; and an attack on Finschhafen by 30 Japanese aircraft causes minor damage. A-20's hit Gasmata. Lost in an aerial collision is B-25D 41-30573.

NEW GUINEA: The Australian 24th Brigade arrives by sea at Finschhafen, Northeast New Guinea to reinforce the Australian 9th Division there. They will continue to attack the dug in Japanese units. In the air, B-25s bomb and strafe the Bogadjim area south of Madang. An attack on Finschhafen by 30 Japanese fighters causes minor damage.
Australian General Headquarters in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, issues RENO III, the plan for the operations ending with the capture of islands in the Southern Philippines. The plan consists of five phases between 1 February 1944 and 1 February 1945. According to the plan, the Australians will only participate in one phase, i.e., the capture of islands in the Arafura Sea between New Guinea and Australia in June 1944.

NEI: In Dutch New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s hit two freighters near Manokwari and bomb the Manokwari area.

RAAF: Lost on a ferry flight is CA-12 Boomerang A46-87.

 

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CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): The 72d Fighter Squadron, 318th Fighter Group, transfers from Hilo Field to Wheeler Field with P-39's.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 530th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 311th Fighter-Bomber Group, based at Dinjan, India with A-36's sends a detachment to operate from Kurmitola, India.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-24's bomb Nawlang, Burma; the barracks area is blasted by at least 3 direct hits. 6 P-40's pound the barracks area at Kunlong, China.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 12 B-25's, with an escort of 36 fighters, attack Kara Airfield. The runway and several buildings suffer direct hits. The 23d Bombardment Squadron, 5th BG, based on Espiritu Santo , New Hebrides with B-24's begins operating from Guadalcanal. The 75th Bombardment Sq, 42d BG (Medium), transfers from Guadalcanal to the Renard Field with B-25's.

D'ENTRECASTEAUX ISLANDS: Headquarters of the ALAMO Force (the code for the U.S. Sixth Army while operating as a special ground task force directly under GHQ, Southwest Pacific Area) moves from Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, to Goodenough 1sland.

NEW GUINEA: In the Finschhafen area of Northeast New Guinea, the Japanese again attack Australian troops but the intensity of the assault is diminished and by the end of the day it appears that the Australians are winning.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 50+ B-24's bomb positions at Sattelberg; 19 B-25's follow with a low-level strike: other B-25's carry out a sweep along the Bogadjim road. In the Bismarck Archipelago, P-40's bomb Gasmata and attack 2 light cruisers off New Ireland, damaging 1 of them.

 

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CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): The 819th Bombardment Squadron, 30th BG (Heavy), arrives at Barking Sands, Territory of Hawaii with B-24's. The squadron, the ex-3d Antisubmarine Squadron (Heavy), will fly sea searches and supply the 30th Group with replacement crews and planes until May 44.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, a B-25 strike against a railroad bridge on the Ye-u branch line over the Mu River between Ywataung and Monywa fails to damage the structure. This raid marks the final assault of the year on this bridge.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): Kahili Airfield and the surrounding areas are pounded by 22 B-24's, 30+ P-39's and P-40's and about 160 USN fighters and dive bombers. 18 B-24's and USN airplanes hit targets in the Choiseul area. Other USN aircraft hit Kara Airfield. A single B-24 claims hits on a carrier NW of Buka. HQ 42d Bombardment Group (Medium) and it's 390th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) transfer from Guadalcanal to the Renard Field with B-25's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 20+ B-25's carry out a low-level attack on the Wewak area, sinking 2 small freighters, and strafing barges and airplanes; Lost are P-47D 42-22497 (pilot survived), P-47D 42-8117, P-47D "Sunshine" 42-8121, P-47D "Fiery Ginger" 42-8145

Madang is strafed by 4 P-39's and 2 Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Boomerangs. 50+ P-40's hit Gasmata.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: Forty six Australian P-40s hit Gasmata Airfield on New Britain Island.

EAST INDIES: Eleven USAAF B-24 Liberators bomb the Pomalaa nickel mines on Celebes Island.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, 20+ USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25 Mitchells carry out a low-level attack in the Wewak area, sinking two small freighters, and strafing barges and airplanes while Madang is strafed by four P-39 Airacobras and two Australian Boomerangs.

PACIFIC OCEAN: At 0400 hours in the East China Sea, USN submarine USS Grayback sinks an armed merchant cruiser about 140 nautical miles west of Naha, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands in position 26.30N, 125.05E.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The I Marine Amphibious Corps directs the 2d Parachute Battalion of the 1st Marine Parachute Regiment, Fleet Marine Force, to land at Voza on Choiseul Island during the night of 27 October, to conduct a diversionary raid and, if feasible, establish a permanent base there.

 

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CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): AAF fighters shoot down a Japanese flying boat 70 miles S of Baker in the Pacific Ocean.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): B-25's bomb the Meza, Burma railroad bridge, which is still being repaired following the damaging raid of 10 Oct; damage is done to the approaches.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 11 B-24's and 16 P-38's hit Kahili Airfield and 36 P-40's and P-39's join 60+ US Navy dive bombers and fighters in a strike on Kara Airfield; both Kahili and Kara are attacked again later in the day, the former by 6 B-24's and 16 USN fighters and the latter by 35 AAF fighters and 42 USN dive bombers. Lost is SBD-3 03359. 6 B-24's bomb Kakasa on Choiseul.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 40+ B-24's escorted by P-38's, bomb Rapopo Airstrip, destroying about 20 airplanes on the ground; 20 enemy interceptors are claimed shot down. Lost is P-38H 42-66849 (pilot later rescued). 9 B-25's hit the Bogadjim area.

CHINA: Lieutenant General Joseph Stilwell, Commander in Chief U.S. China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek Commander in Chief Northern Area Combat Command (NCAC) and Acting Deputy Commander in Chief South-East Asia Command, has by now decided that he can do little more toward improving the Chinese Army, his basic mission.

PACIFIC OCEAN: At 0000 hours, the USS Balao sinks a Japanese cargo ship about 157 nautical miles north of Manus Island, Admiralty Islands, in position 00.34N, 147.40E.
A USAAF Seventh Air Force P-40 pilot shoots down a Japanese "Emily" flying boat (Kawanishi H8K, Navy Type 2 Flying Boat) about 70 nautical miles south of Baker Island at 1220 hours.
In the Solomon Sea, 26 Australian Beauforts attack a Japanese convoy escorted by two light cruisers south of Cape St. George on the southeastern tip of New Ireland Island, Bismarck Archipelago. One of the warships is damaged and one Beaufort is lost.

 

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CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-24's bomb Htawgaw, Burma while on a ferry flight over the Hump.

FRENCH INDOCHINA; Fourteen USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-24 Liberators and 13 P-40s attack a barracks area at Co Bi, Vietnam.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 36 B-25's, along with 24 Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) P-40's and 4 USN F4U's, in 1 force, and 20 AAF fighter and 70+ USN fighters and dive bombers in another force, pound Kahili Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): At least 45 bombers are destroyed on the ground at Vunakanau, Rapopo and Tobera airstrips during attacks by 50+ B-25's; the B-25's and 50+ escorting P-38's claim 40+ Japanese airplanes shot down. Lost is B-25C 41-30376 is lost. A-20's hit enemy positions in the Lae area and B-24's carry out a light attack on Manokwari.

PACIFIC OCEAN: At 0100 hours, USS Silversides sinks two cargo ships and an armed tanker about 339 nautical miles NNE of Wewak, Northeast New Guinea, in position 02.00 N, 144.46E.
In the Solomon Sea, USMC land-based aircraft sink Japanese destroyer HIJMS Mochizuki about 95 nautical miles SSW of Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, in position 05.42S, 151.40E.

 

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CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 2 B-25's and 4 P-40's attack shipping in the Gulf of Tonkin, claiming a 150-ft (45.7 m) tanker sunk and 200-ft (61 m) freighter damaged.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): The 372d Bombardment Squadron, 307th BG (Heavy), based on Espirtu Santo in the New Hebrides, begins operating from Guadalcanal with B-24's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 60+ B-24's bomb the Rabaul area destroying 20+ airplanes on the round. Of the 60-70 fighters which intercept, the B-24's claim 30+ shot down. Lost is B-24D 42-72800. A-20's hit positions near Lae and B-24's carry out a light strike against Manokwari.

FRENCH INDOCHINA: Six USAAF Fourteenth Air Force P-40s strafe shipping at Haiphong, Vietnam, claiming three small boats sunk and damaging six larger boats.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: Vice Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, commander of the Central Pacific Force, issues an operation plan, which is subsequently modified somewhat, outlining the organization and tasks of Operation GALVANIC, the invasion of the Gilbert Islands

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, the Japanese begin withdrawing toward Sattelberg in the coastal sector north of Finschhafen, suspending attacks on the Australian 9th Division.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the Gulf of Tonkin off the east coast Vietnam, French Indochina, two USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells and four P-40s attack shipping claiming a 150 foot tanker sunk and a 200 foot freighter damaged.

 

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FRENCH INDOCHINA: (Fourteenth Air Force): 13 B-24's and 15 P-40's pound railroad yards at Haiphong, French Indochina. In China,

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): Kahili Airfield is hit twice during the day by B-24's, B-25's, P-38's, P-40's, P-39's, and USN fighters and dive bombers. The airfield on Buka is strafed by P-38's and then bombed and strafed by B-25's and P-38's. P-39's and P-40's join USN fighters and dive bombers in a strike on Kara Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-24's fly a small raid against Pombelaa on Celebes ; fighters shoot down 2 B-24's; US gunners claim 11 aircraft downed. Lost is B-24D "Fyrtle Myrtle" 42-40485. B-25's hit targets in Tanimbar in the Moluccas.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: Forty six Australian (P-40) Kittyhawks hit Gasmata Airfield on New Britain Island.

BURMA: A USAAF Tenth Air Force B-25 strike against a railroad bridge on the Ye-u branch line over the Mu River between Ywataung and Monywa fails to damage the structure. This raid marks the final assault of the year on this bridge.
(Tenth Air Force): The 71st Liaison Squadron, US Army Forces, CBI, transfers from Ramgarh to Ledo, India with L-4's and L-5's.

EAST INDIES: Eleven USAAF B-24 Liberators bomb the Pomalaa nickel mines on Celebes Island.

CHINA: 2 B-25's attack several vessels at Kiungshan, claiming 4 sunk or badly damaged; later 6 more B-25's hit shipping nearby, claiming 1 freighter sunk; the airfield at Kiungshan is strafed by 1 of the B-25's. The 21st Photographic Squadron, Fourteenth Air Force, based at Kunming with F-4's and F-5's, sends a fight to operate from Suichwan, China.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s fly a small raid against Pombelaa Island off Celebes Island with the loss of two aircraft; USAAF gunners claim 11 Japanese fighters. B-25s hit targets in Tanimbar Island about 300 nautical miles north of Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.

FRENCH INDOCHINA: Thirteen USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-24 Liberators and 15 P-40s attack railroad yards at Haiphong, Vietnam.

NEW GUINEA: In North East New Guinea, the Japanese begin withdrawing units around Finschhafen towards Sattelberg.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the South China Sea, two USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells sink a Japanese transport, two army cargo vessels, and a merchant cargo ship about 15 nautical miles west of Haikou, Hainan Island, China in position 20.05N, 110.05E. Meanwhile, six USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25s sink a Japanese transport about 60 nautical miles east of Haikou, Hainan Island, in position 20.05N, 11.25E.

 

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CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-24's bomb the city of Tungling, China and claim 8 intercepting Zekes shot down.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): B-24's pound Kahili and Kara Airfield; P-40's over Kahili claim 3 Zekes shot down. P-38's, P-40's, and P-39's, plus some RNZAF P-40's and P-39's, cover the landing by New Zealand troops on Stirling and Mono . The fighters claim destruction of 12 Japanese dive bombers attacking the landing force and afterwards claim 3 fighters shot down.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, P-40's and P-39's intercept an escorted Japanese bomber force dropping supplies over the Sattelberg area; the US fighters claim 12 airplanes downed. A-20's hit harbor and supply dump area at Gasmata.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the East China Sea, USS Shad and Grayback sink a Japanese merchant cargo ship about 130 nautical miles N of Naha, Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, in position 28.20N, 128.05E. USS Shad has put two torpedoes into the 9,000 ton ship and USS Grayback administered the coup de grace.
At 1000 hours in the Philippine Sea, USS Flying Fish sinks a Japanese transport about 301 nautical miles N of Peleliu Island, Palau Islands, Caroline Islands, in position 12.02N, 134.28E.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: In preparation for the invasion of Bougainville, the 8th Brigade Group of the New Zealand 3rd Division, under Brigadier R. A. Row, lands on two islands of Treasury Islands, Stirling and Mono. Pre-invasion bombardment and covering for the landings are provided by U.S. naval vessels and aircraft of Task Group 39.3 (two light cruisers and Destroyer Squadron 23) and New Georgia-based aircraft from South Pacific Air. The small Japanese force on Mono is quickly put to flight and must be rounded up. Stirling is undefended.
During Japanese retaliatory air strikes by 25 Val and Judy dive bombers and Zero fighters at 1530 hours, destroyer USS Cony is damaged by horizontal and dive bombers 15 nautical miles N of Mono Island and tank landing ships LST-399 and LST-485 are damaged by mortar fire. USAAF P-38s and P-40 pilots shoot down ten Vals and Judys and two Zekes.
The 2d Marine Parachute Battalion begins a diversionary raid on Choiseul Island landing on the night of 27/28 October, and subsequently patrols actively to feign strength that is not present.

 

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CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 B-24's bomb Mangshih; 6 P-40's strafe a warehouse and revetments at Yoyang Airfield; 3 B-25's and 7 P-38's hit a barracks at Ft Bayard; and 2 B-25's on a shipping sweep over the S China Sea damage 2 freighters near Saint John and sink a junk W of Kwangchow Wan.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): P-40's and P-39's join USN fighters and dive bombers in attacks on Kara Airfield and the airfield on Ballale. Almost 200 aircraft are involved in the 2 strikes. Kara airfield is also pounded by 19 B-24's. The 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, based on Woodlark with P-39's, begins operating form New Georgia.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): P-40's hit Gasmata. P-47's attack barges at Talasea on New Britain and strafe surrounding area. P-47's also strafe the area from Sio to Fortification Point.

Lost due to weather are P-39Q 42-19987, P-39Q 42-20031, P-39Q 41-19959. Also lost is B-24D 42-41217

NEW ZEALAND: Butter rationing is introduced in the country.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the South China Sea, two USAAF 14th AF B-25s on a shipping sweep damage two freighters near Saint John Island and sink a junk west of Kwangchow Wan.

 

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CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 14 B-24's and 16 P-40's pound the smelter area at Quang Yen, French Indochina. In China, 2 B-25's bomb the administration building and runway at Ft Bayard airfield; 9 P-40's on offensive reconnaissance in the Chiuchiang area strafe a 200-ft (320 m) steamer and attack a train, destroying the locomotive.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, 37 USAAF 5th AF B-24s, escorted by 53 P-38s, bomb the Rabaul area on New Britain Island, claiming 45 Japanese airplanes destroyed on the ground and in the air. Meanwhile, P-47 Thunderbolts attack shipping in Hansa Bay and strafe the Cape Gloucester area. Australian Beauforts fly the first of many torpedo attacks against Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor, Rabaul. During the night of 29/30 October, Australian (PBY) Catalinas begin a series of night harassment missions to Kavieng on New Ireland Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 37 B-24's, escorted by 53 P-38's, pound Rabaul area on New Britain , claiming 45 airplanes destroyed on the ground and in the air. Lost is P-38H 42-66523. 17 B-25's hit the Madang area. P-47's attack shipping in Hansa Bay area and strafe the Cape Gloucester area. B-25's sink a vessel off Tanimbar in the Moluccas while B-24's bomb Selaroe airstrip on Tanimbar and attack the Waroe Bay area of New Guinea. The 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, transfers from Tsili Tsili to Gusap with P-47's. The 63d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group transfers from Port Moresby to Dobodura with B-24's.

PACIFIC OCEAN: At 0200 hours in the South China Sea, the submarine USS Seawolf sinks a Japanese merchant cargo ship about 113 nautical miles E of the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong, in position 22.28N, 116.10E.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: USAAF Thirteenth Air Force and USN aircraft attack Buka Airdrome on Buka Island north of Bougainville. The four attacks are made by: (1) 40 B-25s and 22 F6Fs;
(2) nine B-25s dropping parafrag bombs;
(3) 21 B-24 Liberators;
(4) 11 B-24s and 24 fighters.
Bonis Airfield on northern Bougainville is hit by 12 USN PV-1 Venturas and a B-25.

 

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CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 B-25's and 12 P-40's pound the motor pool and barracks at Shayang; 9 P-38's hit the Chiuchiang dock area; 2 interceptors are shot down.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: USAAF Thirteenth Air Force aircraft attack targets on Bougainville. Sixteen B-24s bomb Kara Airfield and shortly afterwards it is hit by 68 SBDs and 27 TBFs escorted by USN and AAF fighters; the airstrip and other targets at Kieta on the west coast are attacked by six B-25s, 12 P-39s and 20 USN aircraft; and the Tonolai harbor area off Kahilli in the southern part of Bougainville is hit by eight P-40s and 17 USN fighters. U.S. aircraft sink a Japanese transport near Kieta.

PACIFIC OCEAN: At 1700 hours, the submarine USS Seahorse sinks a sampan about 232 nautical miles S of Osaka, Honshu, Japan, in position 30.48N, 135.36E.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25s strafe barges in Rein Bay on New Britain Island.

 

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BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, in an attempt to knock out the Japanese base from which fighters are attacking ferrying operations, P-40's carrying 1000-pound bombs fly 4 strikes against Myitkyina; following the bomb runs, the fighters strafe AA positions; the attacks cause considerable damage to the base; B-25's attack the Meza railroad bridge, scoring hits on the approaches but missing the structure; the bridge remains unusable due to damage caused by the 10 Oct strike.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: USAAF Fifth Air Force P-40s sink a barge off the New Britain Island coast.

PACIFIC OCEAN: Admiral Richmond K. Turner, commander of Amphibious Force Pacific Fleet and the Northern Attack Force (Task Force 52), begins rehearsals for Operation GALVANIC the invasion of the Gilbert Islands, off Hawaii.
Task Force 31 units rendezvous west of Guadalcanal, then sail for Bougainville in the Solomon Islands. Japanese airfields on southern Bougainville are now unserviceable.
USN submarine sink two Japanese vessels:
- At 0600 hours, USS Gabilan sinks small patrol craft about 124 nautical miles SSW of Osaka, Honshu, Japan, in position 32.50N, 134.21E.
- At 0900 hours: USS Guitarro sinks an armed cargo ship and two cargo ships about 78 nautical miles WNW of Olongapo, Luzon, Philippine Islands, in position 15.15N, 119.56E.

USN - Lieutenant H. D. O'Neil of VF(N)-75, operating from Munda, New Georgia, flying a radar equipped F4U-2 destroyed a Betty during a night attack off Vella Lavella, the first kill by a radar-equipped night fighter of the Pacific Fleet. Major T. E. Hicks and Tech Sergeant Gleason from VMF(N)-531 provided ground-based fighter direction.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 20+ B-25's, with fighter support bomb Kara Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): P-40's sink a barge off the New Britain coast. The 65th Troop Carrier Squadron, 54th Troop Carrier Wing, ceases operating from Tsili Tsili and returns to it's base at Nadzab, New Guinea with C-47's.

 

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BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): During Nov, a detachment of the 71st Liaison Squadron, US Army Forces, CBI, based at Ledo, India is sent to Kunming, China with L-4's and L-5's. During Nov, the detachment of the 530th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 311th Fighter-Bomber Group, at Kurmitola, India with A-36's returns to it's base at Dinjan, India

ALASKA: The Alaska Theater of Operations is established. The Alaska Department, U.S. Army, is reassigned from the Western Defense Command and assigned directly to the War Department.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25's and 9 P-40's bomb the Yoyang, China railroad yards. During Nov, the 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group transfers from Kweilin to Hengyang, China with P-40's.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Thirteenth Air Force): US Marines land on Bougainville. This operation is aimed at eliminating the last Japanese strongholds SE of Rabaul. Allied fighters covering the operations shoot down 20+ Japanese aircraft. Naval gunfire accounts for several more. 21 B-24's bomb Kahili Airfield and Kara Airfield is attacked by 19 B-24's, 30+ P-40's and P-39's, and 70+ US Navy (USN) fighters and dive bombers. P-38's on sweep over waters NW of the Solomons claim 7 Zekes shot down. B-25's strafe barges and wharf area at Faisi. During the night of 1/2 Nov, 2 radar snooper B-24's attack a convoy W of Cape Saint George. The 64th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Espiritu Santo to Henderson Field with C-47's.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: After preparatory naval gunfire and aerial bombardment, Northern Force of Vice Admiral Theordore Wilkinson's Task Force 31 starts landing the 3d Marine Division, reinforced, of Major General Arthur Vandegrift's I Marine Amphibious Corps on Bougainville Island at about 0730 hours. The 3d and 9th Marine Regiment land abreast on the north shore of Empress Augusta Bay in the Cape Torokina area and establish a shallow beachhead despite opposition from small but determined Japanese defense force. (Most of the Japanese troops are garrisoned in the southern end of this large island where the airfields and landing beaches are.) Elements of the 2d Marine Raider Regiment (Provisional) land on Puruata Island., off Cape Torokina, and begin to clear it.
Major General Allen Turnage, Commanding General 3d Marine Division takes command ashore. Japanese air attacks delay unloading of cargo and surf damages many landing craft, but the operation is otherwise very successful. Cruiser and destroyer force of Task Force 39 (Rear Admiral Aaron S. Merrill) and carrier task force TF 38 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman) shell and bomb Japanese airfields and installations in the Buka-Bonis area. Rear Admiral Merrill's force later bombards enemy airfields on Shortland Island. U.S. and New Zealand fighters covering the operations shoot down 20+ Japanese aircraft. Naval gunfire accounts for several more.
On southern Bougainville, 21 USAAF 13th AF B-24s bomb Kahili Airfield while Kara Airfield is attacked by 19 B-24s, 30+ P-40s and P-39s, and 70+ US Navy fighters and dive bombers. P-38s on a sweep over waters northwest of the Solomons claim seven Zeros shot down. B-25s strafe barges and wharf area at Faisi Island.

PACIFIC: BATTLE OF EMPRESS AUGUSTA BAY: Vice Admiral Omori Sentaro departs Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, to escort 1,000 Japanese Army troops to oppose the U.S. invasion at Cape Torokina on Bougainville Island. Omori's force includes heavy cruisers HIJMS Myoko and Haguro, light cruisers HIJMS Agano and Sendai, six destroyers and four
destroyer-transports.
The Japanese force is intercepted by the four radar-equipped USN light cruisers of Task Force 39, USS Cleveland, Columbia, Denver and Montpelier and eight destroyers. At 0150 hour, all four U.S. cruisers take the light cruiser HIJMS Sendai under 6-inch fire and set her afire; the cruiser is abandoned at 0200 hours and she soon sinks with most of her crew. Two Japanese destroyers collide while avoiding U.S. shell fire and at 0300 hours, the heavy cruiser HIJMS Myoko collides with another destroyer; the American destroyers sink this latter destroyer and the Japanese withdraw with the remaining Japanese forces. Japanese planes attack TF 39 during its retirement from the scene of battle, damaging light cruiser USS Montpelier.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In the Celebes, 11 B-24's bomb Maniang and nearby Pombelaa. A lone B-24 scores hit on ship off Kavieng.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: Japanese aircraft reinforcements, 82 Zeros, 45 Vals, 40 Kates and six reconnaissance aircraft, arrive at Rabaul, New Britain Island. There are now about 200 aircraft based at Rabaul.
A lone USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24 scores hit on ship off Kavieng, New Ireland Island. During the night of 1st November, two USAAF Thirteenth Air Force radar snooper B-24s attack a convoy west of Cape Saint George on New Ireland Island.

 

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CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 5 B-25's and 12 P-40's pound docks and warehouses at Shasi, China.

BURMA: The Japanese along the Tarung River are withstanding the efforts of the 112th Regiment, Chinese 38th Division, to advance; the Japanese wipe out a company of the 1st Battalion.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 20 B-24's bomb Kahili Airfield. The 13th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Tontouta, New Caledonia to Espirtu Santo, New Hebrides with C-47's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In support of Allied landings on Bougainville 75 B-25's, with an escort of 70 P-38's of the 8th FG and 49th FG, attack Rabaul airfields and harbor installations; 3 destroyers and 8 merchant sunk: Italy Maru; the B-25's and P-38's claim 12 aircraft destroyed on the ground and 68 shot down; AA and air opposition is the strongest thus far encountered by the Fifth Air Force; 21 US airplanes are lost. For the bombers, 28 men listed as MIA with 7 killed in action. The fighter pilots lost 8 pilots MIA/KIA. Lost are: B-25D 41-30311 (Medal of Honor), B-25C "Tugboat Annie" 41-12998, B-25D "Notre Dame De Victoire" 41-30316, B-25D "Miss Ellen" 41-30039, P-38G 42-12848, P-38H 42-66821, P-38H 42-66843, P-38G 43-2387, P-38G 43-2203.

P-39's pound a road in the Bogadjim area and A-20's bomb and strafe communication routes near Fortification Point. The 418th Night Fighter Squadron, AAF School of Applied Tactics, arrives pat Milne Bay from the U.S. with P-38's and P-70's.

USN - Rear Admiral Merrill's Task Force 39 moves to deny the Japanese access to Empress Augusta Bay. Japanese heavy cruisers and American Cruisers engage in artillery duels. Japanese aircraft also join in the battle.

As part of "Operation Shoestring 2", Task Force 38 including USS Saratoga and USS Princeton attack Buka Airfield and Bonis Airfield, to cover the landings at Torokina. Lost areTBF Avenger 24071, TBF Avenger 06117 (rescued), TBF Avenger 24176 (rescued, one MIA). Damaged is F6F Hellcat 08984 (repaired)

USN submarines sink seven Japanese ships (six of the ships are from one convoy):
- After 0100 hours, USS Seahorse sinks an army cargo ship about 318 nautical miles SE of Kagoshima,
Kyushu Island, Japan, in position 28.20N, 135.22E.
- After 0200 hours, USS Trigger sinks an army transport about 317 nautical miles SE of Kagoshima,
Kyushu Island, Japan, in position 28.20N, 135.20E.
- After 0300 hours, USS Trigger sinks an army cargo ship about 229 nautical miles SE of Kagoshima, Kyushu Island, Japan, in position 28.49N, 134.50E.
- After 0400 hours, USS Seahorse sinks an army cargo ship about 310 nautical miles ESE of Kagoshima, Kyushu Island, Japan, in position 28.40N, 135.25E and an armed transport about 289 nautical miles SE of Kagoshima in position 28.31N, 134.50E.
- After 0900 hours, USS Halibut sinks an army cargo ship about 295 nautical miles SE of Kagoshima in
position 28.20N, 134.48E. at 28-20 N, 134-48 E.
- After 2100 hours USS Haddock sinks a merchant cargo ship about 405 nautical miles SE of Guam,
Mariana Islands, in position 09.18N, 150.09E.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Bougainville, the 3d Marine Division is slowly expanding the beachhead and organizing defenses. The 3d Marine Regiment, which has had hard fighting on the right flank, is exchanging places with 9th Marine Regiment. Puruata Island. is cleared by noon.

 

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CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 21 B-24's, supported by 30 fighters, pound Kowloon Docks in Hong Kong; 4 Japanese fighters are claimed shot down; 9 B-25's and 12 P-40's pound various targets in the Shihshow-Hwajung-Owchihkow area. 8 P-40's bomb runways and installations at Lashio, Burma.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 19 B-24's attack a convoy about 150 miles SE of Mussau in the Bismarck Archipelago; the B-24's claim hits on 3 vessels.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's hit barges between Alexishafen and Bogadjim. Several are hit by intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire, B-25G 42-64850. In New Britain, B-24's fly light strikes against shipping (sinking 1 vessel) between Talasea and Cape Gloucester.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s bomb Boela on the northeast coast of Ceram Island, Netherlands East Indies.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The 3d Marine Division continues to improve beachhead positions on Bougainville. At 1800 hour local, the 3d Marine Regiment takes responsibility for the left flank and the 9th Marine Regiment for the right flank. A 3d Raider Battalion patrol moves to Torokina Island and makes a search for the Japanese, but finds none.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: The USN battleship USS Oklahoma (BB-37), sunk at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, is refloated. The ship enters dry dock on 28 December and is decommissioned on 1 September 1944. Oklahoma is stripped of guns and superstructure, and sold 5 December 1946 for scrap.
While being towed from Pearl Harbor to San Francisco, California, USA, on 17 May 1947, Oklahoma parts her tow line and sinks 540 nautical miles out bound from Pearl Harbor.

USN: The Northern Attack Force (Task Force 52) completes rehearsal for Operation GALVANIC (plans for operations to capture, occupy, defend and develop bases in the Gilbert Islands and Nauru).

RAAF - Lost on a strike against Palmalmal Plantation is A-20C Boston A28-29.

 

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BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, USAAF Fifth Air Force P-40s bomb Jacquinot Bay Aerodrome and B-24s on armed reconnaissance claim one vessel sunk north of New Britain Island.
Vice Admiral Kurita Takeo, Commander-in-Chief Second Fleet, leads ten cruisers and ten destroyers into Rabaul, New Britain Island. These vessels seriously threaten the beachheads on Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands. Since they are sighted en route by a USN PB4Y-1 Liberator, USN Task Force 38, with land-based air cover, is ordered to mount an air strike.

BURMA: The 112th Regiment, Chinese 38th Division, digs in at their current positions in northern Burma, since all efforts to advance have been futile and costly. The 2d Battalion is still short of Sharaw Ga. By this time, the 1st Battalion, directed against Yupbang Ga, is isolated by a Japanese roadblock and must be supplied by air; the 3d Battalion is pinned down at Ngajatzup, 30 miles SW of Ningbyen.

CHINA: The Chinese-American Composite Wing enters combat on this date. It's B-25s hit Amoy and Swatow successfully bombing and strafing ground troops, supply facilities, and shipping; the B-25 crews sink a Japanese cargo ship in Swatow harbor; the ship was carrying 100,000,000 Yuan in Central Reserve Bank notes. The Chinese-American Composite Wing consisted of a medium bomber group and two fighter groups consisting of four squadron each that were attached to the USAAF Fourteenth Air Force.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN submarine Silversides lays a minefield off New Ireland Island, Bismarck Archipelago; subsequently, a Japanese surveying ship and a transport are sunk and light cruiser HIJMS Isuzu and destroyer HIJMS Isokaze, are damaged.
USN submarines sink two Japanese ships:
- USS Tautog torpedoes and sinks a Japanese submarine chaser after 1100 hours in the Philippine Sea about 23 nautical miles NW of Koror, Koror Island, Palau Islands, Caroline Islands, in position 7.34N, 134.09E.
- USS Seawolf sinks a 3,177 ton freighter after 2200 hours in the South China Sea about 71 nautical miles SW of the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong in position 21.22N, 113.20E.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The 2d Marine Parachute Battalion withdraws from Choiseul Island in Landing Craft Infantry vessels (LCIs).

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 8 x F4Us escort 23 B-24's strike the airfield on Buka, dropping 184 thousand pound bombs from 19,000'. They meet no fighter opposition.

UNITED STATES: The War Department Operations Division recommends that current commitments to China be fulfilled; that a limited bomber offensive from China be mounted; and that only 30 Chinese divisions be trained and equipped, plus equipment for three additional divisions in order to start training of the ZEBRA Force (U.S. sponsored Chinese divisions in east China).

 

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BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: USN F6F Hellcats from Barakoma Field on Vella Lavella Island, Solomon Islands, cover Task Force 38 which launches 22 SBDs, 23 TBFs and 52 F6Fs from the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga and small aircraft carrier USS Princeton to attack the ten Japanese cruisers and ten destroyers in the harbor at Rabaul, New Britain Island. The carrier-based aircraft severely damage
four heavy cruisers, HIJMS Atago, Takao, Maya, Chikuma, and Mogami, two light cruisers, HIJMS Noshiro and Agano, and two destroyers, HIJMS Fujinami and Amagiri, at a loss of one SBD, four TBFs and five F6Fs.
The Japanese lose one "Sally" bomber and 27 Zero and Tony fighters. As Japanese aircraft fly off to search for the aircraft carriers, over 90 USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s and fighters attack the wharf areas at Rabaul. Because of this attack, the Japanese Navy orders all surface warships at Rabaul to sail to Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands.
Captain Richard I. Bong shoots down two Zeros over Rabaul, New Britain Island. These two bring his total victories to 21.

CHINA: Lieutenant General Joseph Stilwell, commander of the U.S. China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, Commander of the Northern Area Combat Command (NCAC) in Burma and Deputy Commander in Chief of the South-East Asia Command (SEAC), submits a report to Chiang Kai-shek on SEAC planning and progress of preparations for an attack from Yunnan by the Chinese Yannan Force (Y-Force).

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 459th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, transfers from Karachi to Kurmitola, India with P-38's. They will fly their first mission on 14 Nov.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-26s and P-39s hit Bogadjim Road while B-25s attack positions northwest of Dumpu, and P-39s bomb and strafe the Madang area. P-47s over Wewak encounter a force of fighters and claim about 20 shot down.
The 67th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with C-47's. Lost on an armed reconnaissance mission is B-24D 42-40972.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: In the zone of the 9th Marine Regiment on Bougainville Island, the Army's 3d Ranger Battalion repels an attack by the Japanese 23rd Regiment against a block on a local trail, called
Mission Trail. Later the Rangers and the 3d Battalion of the 9th Marine Regiment drive up Mission Trail toward its junction with the Numa Numa Trail.
The Numa Numa and East-West Trails are the two main trails on Cape Torokina. There is not much of a Japanese movement on land to counter these landings because of the difficult terrain and because the Japanese feel these landings are a feint.
Six USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells hit a bivouac area at Kieta on the west coast of Bougainville Island and sink at least six barges between Kieta and Banin Harbor.