10/01/42
USAMEAF
B-24's bomb shipping in Pylos Bay, claiming 2 direct hits and several
near misses on a large vessel. Other B-24's dispatched to bomb convoy
at sea fail to find tgt.
10/01/42
Fifth AF
B-17's and P-400's pound forces and comm in Owen Stanley Range,
hitting Menari, Kagi; Myola Lake, Kokoda area, Wairopi bridge, and
Buna-Wairopi trail.
10/01/42
Eleventh AF
A Japanese rcn airplane over Adak establishes US occupation on the
island. 7 B-24's on a search-attack and photo rcn mission over Kiska
hit hangars and ramps, starting several fires. 4 ftrs appear and are
engaged. 1 probable victory is claimed. 2 other B-24's take off,
after Navy Catalinas contact transport, but cannot locate it.
10/02/42
Eighth AF
Avions Potez aircraft factory at Meaulte is bombed by 30 B-17's. A
small group attacks Saint--Omer/Longuenesse A/F. Some 400 ftr escorts
provide cover which is frequently penetrated by German ftrs. The
B-17's show remarkable defensive strength.
10/02/42
Fifth AF
In Owen Stanley Range, A-20's bomb and strafe Japanese campsites
around Myola and hit several trails in the area, while P-400's strafe
bridges at Sirorata and Wairopi and village NE of Wairopi. B-17's
bomb shipping and A/F at Rabaul.
10/02/42
Sixth AF
German sub, U-512, is sunk off French Guiana, 06-50N, 52-25W, by
aircraft of 99th Bomb Sq.
10/02/42
Eleventh AF
11 B-24's and 6 P-39's bomb 2 cargo ships at Kiska Harbor (no hits
observed) drop demolition charges throughout Main Camp area, and hit
hangar S of seaplane ramp. 4 float-planes and 1 bi-plane are shot
down. Enemy aircraft bomb Adak A/F without inflicting damage.
10/03/42
USAMEAF
B-24's attack shipping in Pylos Bay during 3/4 Oct. The HBs claim 2
ftrs shot down.
10/03/42
Tenth AF
IATF is activated at Dinjan to spt Chinese resistance along Salween R
by hitting supply lines in C and S Burma. The new task force, cmd by
Col Caleb V Haynes, includes all AAF combat units in India--the 7th
and 341st Bomb and 51st Ftr Gps."
10/03/42
Fifth AF
A-20's bomb and strafe Efogi and Myola Lake, P-40's strafe Efogi-Buna
trail, B-25's hit bridge at Wairopi, and a lone B-17 bombs camp on
Kumusi R.
10/03/42
Eleventh AF
6 B-24's, 4 P-38's, and 8 P-39's bomb and strafe 7 vessels in and
around Kiska Harbor hitting a beached cargo vessel and the camp. The
ftrs down 6 float ftrs attempting interception. Enemy bombs Adak A/F
but inflicts no damage.
10/04/42
Fifth AF
P-40's strafe forces and occupied areas at Myola Lake, Kokoda,
Wairopi, Yodda, and Buna. US rcn party from 126th Inf, 32d Div
reaches Jauri, completing rcn of Kapa Kapa-Jauri trail, which is
found to be difficult but practicable for use as a route in
contemplated offensive against Buna-Gona area."
10/04/42
Eleventh AF
3 B-24's abort weather, bombing and photo missions over Kiska due to
weather and instead attack a cargo vessel. Ship's rudder is probably
damaged. 1 B-24 is damaged."
10/05/42
Fifth AF
B-25's attack convoy off Buna; A-20's hit AA positions at Sanananda
Pt and bomb village of Sanananda; B-17's bomb A/Fs at Buna and also
hit Rabaul A/Fs.
10/05/42
Eleventh AF
6 B-24's, 3 P-38's and 3 P-39's abort a bombing, weather, and photo
mission over Kiska due to weather.
10/06/42
USAMEAF
B-24's hit Bengasi harbor, scoring large number of near misses but no
direct hits. 1 HB bombs Bardia during return flight. AA is heavy and
accurate and ftrs attack 6 HBs over tgt. 2 B-24's are lost.
10/06/42
Fifth AF
Fifth AF aircraft complete movement of reinforced Australian 18th
Brig to Wanigela on peninsula between Dyke Acland and Collingwood
Bays on E coast of Papua. This is part of move aimed at capture of
Buna-Gona area.
10/06/42
Eleventh AF
8 B-24's, 1 B-17, 10 P-39's, and 8 P-38's fly bombing and weather
missions over Kiska. A large transport is bombed in the harbor which
is left sinking. Hits are scored on a corvette and on a large
freighter at Gertrude Cove and on a hangar in Main Camp. The radio
station is damaged. A float ftr is strafed and set afire, and 6 Zeros
are hit on the water.
10/07/42
USAMEAF
B-24's score 7 direct hits on a tanker and 8 on fuel installations at
Suda Bay. 66 P-40's escort bmrs over battle area W of El Alamein.
10/07/42
Eleventh AF
3 B-24's taking off to bomb Kiska and patrol Near Is abort mission
due to mechanical failure and instead fly rcn over Agattu, Attu, and
Semichi Is with negative results.
10/08/42
USSR
German High Cmd abandons attempt to storm Stalingrad; announces plans
to take city by arty siege.
10/08/42
Eighth AF
In letter to Gen Stratemeyer, Gen Eaker indicates plans for
developing highly-skilled intruder force capable of using bad weather
as a cloak for small blind-bombing operations. These missions are
also to serve purpose of keeping the enemy from resting during
periods of bad weather when big strategic missions cannot be flown.
10/08/42
USAMEAF
B-24's of 343d and 344th Sqs, 98th Bomb Gp, fail to reach tgt at
Bengasi because of bad weather. Hal Bomb Sq manages to attack
shipping at Bengasi.
10/08/42
Fifth AF
B-25's bomb Buna area while A-20's pound Buna-Kokoda trail. Japanese
withdrawal NE across Owen Stanley Range slows as they prepare to make
a stand at Templeton's Crossing N of Myola.
10/08/42
Eleventh AF
9 B-24's, 3 B-17's, and 12 P-38's blast Kiska Harbor installations
(starting fires in Main Camp), and strafe AA positions, hangars, a
corvette (silencing her guns), and a freighter.
10/09/42
Eighth AF
B-24's join air assault in first US mission in which more than 100
bmrs are dispatched from UK. The principal tgts are the steel and
engineering works of the Compagnie de Fives at Lille and the
locomotive and freight car works of Ateliers d'Hellemmes at Lille,
which are attacked by 69 B-17's and B-24's. Other tgts attacked (by
10 HBs) are Courtrai/Wevelghem and Saint-Omer A/Fs and the city of
Roubaix.
10/09/42
USAMEAF
B-24's strike shipping and harbor facilities at Bengasi. P-40's fly
escort and strafe a landing ground W of El Daba and emplacements in
battle area W of El Alamein.
10/09/42
Fifth AF
14 B-25's hit A/F at Lae. 30 B-17's pound numerous tgts at Rabaul.
10/09/42
Eleventh AF
7 B-17's and 10 B-24's escorted by 6 P-38's and 4 P-39's bomb Kiska
Harbor, installations and shipping 6 times. Tgts include shipping in
Gertrude Cove, small cargo vessels in Kiska Harbor, installations at
North Head, hangar, Main Camp area (hit several times), and various
shore facilities.
10/10/42
USAMEAF
B-24's bomb shipping and dock area at Bengasi, while B-25's hit
landing grounds.
10/10/42
Fifth AF
B-17's pound Rabaul and nearby Lakunai A/F. A-20's hit tgt along
Buna-Kokoda trail and, with P-400's, strike villages in area of Asisi
and Sanananda.
10/10/42
Eleventh AF
10 B-24's, 7 B-17's, and 4 P-38's fly 4 missions to Kiska. Third
mission (3 B-17's) does not make contact. The others bomb and strafe
Main Camp area, hit shipping in Trout Lagoon and off South Head,
where gun positions and installations are also blasted. Fires are
started in the Main Camp and hangar areas.
10/11/42
USAMEAF
B-24's attack convoy in the Mediterranean, hitting 1 vessel and
claiming 1 ftr shot down.
10/11/42
SOPAC
B-17's sight TF of cruisers and destroyers bearing down on
Guadalcanal in the afternoon. During 11/12 Oct, in the Battle of Cape
Esperance, Adm Scott's cruisers drive away the vessels. Search has
been and continues to be the most useful service of the B-17's in
SOPAC.
10/11/42
Eleventh AF
Kiska is hit by 3 bombing and strafing missions flown by 10 B-24's
and 3 B-17's. The B-17's make no contact. The B-24's blast harbor
tgts and Main Camp.
10/12/42
Eighth AF
VIII FC is made responsible for preparation and movement of air
echelons of Twelfth AF from UK to N Africa.
10/12/42
USAMEAF
BC USAMEAF is organized at Cairo with Col Patrick W Timberlake as CO.
This step comes about as part of a move to preserve
Arnold-Portal-Towers agreement that US combat units in theaters of
British strategic responsibility are to be organized in homogeneous
'American formations' and under 'strategic control only' of a British
CinC. B-17's hit shipping at Tobruk harbor.
10/12/42
Fifth AF
A-20's hit village of Isivita and tgts on trail near Wairopi. B-25's
bomb Buna, Wairopi bridge, and tgts along Buna-Kokoda trail.
10/12/42
SOPAC
5 B-17's bomb installations at Buka."
10/12/42
Eleventh AF
2 B-24's abort bombing of Kiska due to overcast and instead fly
shipping search W of Attu.
10/13/42
USAMEAF
P-40's fly ftr sweep, patrol, and interception missions W of El
Alamein. Ftrs claim 2 Me-109's destroyed and 1 damaged.
10/13/42
Fifth AF
B-17's again pound Rabaul, concentrating on Vunakanau and Lakunai
A/Fs. A B-17 bombs Buna.
10/13/42
SOPAC
6 B-17's bomb Buka and Tonolai. Japanese aircraft from Rabaul pound
Henderson Field during the day and hit troops of the American Div
disembarking at Lunga Pt. Arty also begins shelling the airstrip.
During 13/14 Oct the battleships Kongo and Haruna hit Henderson with
a terrific bombardment. The field is damaged severely and many
airplanes are destroyed or damaged.
10/13/42
Eleventh AF
A search mission is not completed due to weather.
10/14/42
USAMEAF
B-17's hit shipping at Tobruk, scoring 2 direct hits on a large
vessel and demolishing a smaller ship moored alongside. P-40's fly
patrols, rcn and interception missions between El Alamein and Burg el
Arab.
10/14/42
Fifth AF
B-25's attack Lae, a bridge 40 mi N of Port Moresby, and area of
Wairopi bridge. On Kokoda trail Japanese offer fierce resistance to
Australians pushing NE in vicinity of Templeton's Crossing. Fifth AF
airplanes begin flying a force of Australians and Americans to
Wanigela.
10/14/42
SOPAC
B-17's which have been temporarily operating out of Henderson Field
are evacuated. Field is again pounded by arty and naval bombardment,
and by afternoon is out of operation. Aviation fuel supply is low.
10/14/42
Eleventh AF
9 B-24's, 6 B-26's, 1 B-17 and 12 P-38's bomb and strafe Kiska
installations and shipping. Fire bombs are dropped on hangars and
Main Camp area where a large fire is started. 2 torpedo attacks on
shipping in Gertrude Cove score no hits. The P-38's destroy 3
float-planes on water. 1 P-38 is shot down.
10/15/42
Fifth AF
A-20's and P-40's pound forces S of Templeton's Crossing and at
Popondetta. B-25's bomb Salamaua and hit tgts in Owen Stanley Range
and in area around bridge at Wairopi. A single B-17 attacks shipping
near Treasury Is.
10/15/42
SOPAC
Aviation fuel arrives at Henderson Field from Espiritu Santo by
aircraft and ship.
10/15/42
Eleventh AF
3 B-26's bomb and 1 B-24 flies photo rcn over Kiska and Attu. The
B-26's hit a large cargo ship in Gertrude Cove, starting fire, and
hit buildings on Attu. AA claims 1 B-26.
10/15/42
ZI
AAF Antisub Cmd is activated to take over antisub operations of I BC,
which is inactivated.
10/16/42
USAMEAF
B-24's bomb shipping in Bengasi harbor. B-17's and B-24's dispatched
to attack Tobruk and Bengasi are forced by bad weather to abort.
10/16/42
Fifth AF
A-20's and B-25's hit village of Pawaia, trails in Kokoda area,
Buna-Kokoda trail, and villages at mouth and along Mambare R; B-25's
also bomb Mubo-Salamaua trail. B-17's bomb A/F at Rabaul and attack
tgts in the Solomons, including A/F at Buin, and shipping off Moila
Pt and Shortland Is.
10/16/42
SOPAC
Seabees on Guadalcanal patch up Henderson Field runways enough for
use by ftrs. Marine ftrs and AAF P-400's and P-39's begin pounding
invasion force landing at Kokumbona-Doma Reef area just 8 mi away.
However, the enemy continues to bombard Henderson by air strike and
arty and to land troops.
10/16/42
Eleventh AF
1 B-17, 6 B-26's, and 4 P-38's bomb Kiska and low-level bomb and sink
2 destroyers just N of there. Duds hit large freighter beached off
Trout Lagoon. 1 B-26 is hot down.
10/17/42
Eleventh AF
5 B-24's bomb Kiska Main Camp area and beached vessel in Trout
Lagoon. Results unobserved due to clouds. 1 B-24 flying weather rcn
finds no trace of 2 destroyers, confirming their sinking on 16 Oct.
10/18/42
Fifth AF
B-25's hit Wairopi bridge in Owen Stanley Range, village of Mubo, and
dock and occupied area on Pilelo I. B-17's attack shipping and
aircraft in Faisi area, schooners and buildings at Lorengau on Manus,
Kahili A/F, and shipping off Kahili, Pupukuna Pt, and Buin. Fifth AF
completes air movement of most of 128th Inf, 32d Div, to Wanigela.
10/18/42
SOPAC
Adm Halsey succeeds Adm Ghormley as COMSOPAC.
10/18/42
Eleventh AF
4 B-24's bomb Main Camp, score near misses on beached vessel in Trout
Lagoon, and hit gasoline storage area. Weather aircraft flies rcn
over Attu, Segula, Little Sitkin, and Gareloi.
10/19/42
Eighth AF
HQ VIII A Spt Cmd moves from Membury to Sunninghill Park, Berkshire.
10/19/42
USAMEAF
Air offensive preliminary to the British Eighth Army ground attack W
of El Alamein begins as B-25's hit landing ground and B-24's score
direct hit on vessel at Tobruk."
10/19/42
Eleventh AF
A B-17 flies weather rcn and bomb runs over Attu, Semichis, Kiska,
and Amchitka. 6 B-24's dispatched to bomb Kiska abort mission due to
weather.
10/20/42
Eighth AF
Gen Eisenhower issues directive reflecting immediate urgency of TORCH
as the currently important item of Allied strategy and requiring
Eighth AF, as a matter of first priority, to protect movement of men
and supplies from UK to N Africa by attacking German submarine bases
on W coast of France, with shipping docks on the French W coast as
secondary tgts for these missions and with German aircraft factories
and depots in France as second priority.
10/20/42
USAMEAF
Air action is intensified with aim of attaining strong air
superiority preceding Gen Montgomery's El Alamein offensive. B-17's
and B-24's sent to attack shipping at Tobruk fail to locate tgt due
to bad weather and poor visibility. 3 of the B-17's bomb coastal road
near Bardia during return trip. B-25's, in conjunction with RAF,
attack landing grounds.
10/20/42
SOPAC
Adm Halsey sends 147th Inf to Guadalcanal and also institutes
construction of another bmr strip to be located at Koli Pt, 12 mi SE
of Henderson Field.
10/20/42
Eleventh AF
6 B-24's take off for Kiska but return due to weather. Rcn is flown
to 70 mi E of Attu. A negative search is made for a missing C-53.
10/21/42
Eighth AF
VIII BC flies its first mission against submarine bases. 15 B-17's
hit U-boat pens at Lorient--Keroman. 8 HBs strike at
Cherbourg/Maupertus A/F. The strike against the sub pens is flown at
17,500-ft level, 5,000 to 10,000 ft lower than usual. 36 FW-190's
intercept; 3 US bmrs are shot down."
10/21/42
USAMEAF
B-24's dispatched against shipping at Bengasi fail to locate tgt
because of bad weather. During return flight, several HBs bomb tent
areas along coast and also hit landing grounds. B-25's, cooperating
with RAF, bomb landing ground and tent area.
10/21/42
Tenth AF
B-24's of IATF stage through Chengtu to bomb Lin-hsi coal mines. The
plan is to blast nearby power stations and pumping facilities and
flood the mines. The attack fails to flood the mines but inflicts
considerable damage to the tgt area. This marks the first use of HBs
in China and the first AAF strike N of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers.
10/21/42
Fifth AF
B-25's hit Luscan Harbor on S coast of New Britain.
10/21/42
Eleventh AF
Weather rcn aircraft returns twice due to fog.
10/22/42
Twelfth AF
First echelon of HQ begins move from UK to N Africa.
10/22/42
USAFMEAF
Adv US Air HQ, previously attached to RAF Advanced Air HQ, Western
Desert, to gain field experience, becomes HQ of DATF, located at Burg
el Arab, with Gen Brereton as CG and Gen Adler attached with adv HQ
of ASC. CoS of DATF is Gen Strickland. B-25's bomb dispersed
aircraft. P-40's escort bmrs, attack tent areas and motor transport
along coastal road near El Hammam, fly rcn and ftr sweeps W of El
Daba, and bomb arty positions. P-40's claim 2 ftrs destroyed. B-17's
sent to hit Candia abort because of weather.
10/22/42
SOPAC
Henderson Field is out of operation again as result of enemy action.
10/22/42
Eleventh AF
Weather rcn aircraft reports submarine at 52-08N 177-21W. Navy
airplane later makes contact and drops depth bomb. Result unknown.
10/23/42
USAFMEAF
B-17's and B-24's sent to attack Candia and Bengasi turn back short
of tgt due to bad weather. El Alamein offensive by British Eighth
Army begins at 2140 with arty barrage by more than 1,000 guns aimed
at enemy batteries. At 2200 barrage switches to enemy forward
positions as British troops move forward. Heavy fighting continues
during 23/24 Oct.
10/23/42
Fifth AF
A-20's bomb and strafe Deniki and Deniki-Kokoda trail. B-17's
thoroughly pound shipping at Rabaul."
10/23/42
SOPAC
Henderson Field is again made operational by Seabees, and Marine and
AAF ftrs begin to inflict heavy losses on naval aircraft. Japanese
ground forces assault def lines around the A/Fs but are thrown back.
10/23/42
Eleventh AF
Armed rcn by 7 bmrs, escorted by 6 P-38's, is flown over Kiska
installations, chiefly the submarine base and Main Camp. Visibility
is excellent and direct hits are scored, including 1 on submarine
base.
10/24/42
USAFMEAF
B-25's spt British Eighth Army Offensive W of El Alamein between
Mediterranean Sea and Qattara Depression as 30 Corps, with 4 divs in
assault, secures 2 corridors through enemy mine-fields on British N
flank, while 13 Corps on S flank breaks through mine-fields N of
Himeimat and establishes small bridgehead. The MBs hit troop
concentrations, tent areas, gun emplacements, and vehicles. P-40's,
working with RAF and SAAF, escort MBs and LBs and hit motor
transports and tanks.
10/24/42
Fifth AF
B-25's hit Lae A/F. Organized Japanese resistance on Goodenough I
ceases.
10/24/42
SOPAC
Marine and AAF ftrs at Henderson Field continue to inflict damaging
losses upon Japanese naval air force. Japanese ground forces,
attacking aggressively, are again repulsed by defenses around
Henderson area.
10/24/42
Eleventh AF
3 B-17's hit Kiska submarine base. Results not observed. Weather rcn
flight is made over Attu.
10/25/42
USAFMEAF
Battle of El Alamein continues as Gen Montgomery decides to make main
effort on N flank of 30 Corps. Australian 9th Div drives N toward
coastal road to Rahman. B-25's disperse motor transport and other
tgts in spt of ground forces. P-40's on escort attack vehicles and
other tgts. Ftrs claim several airplanes destroyed in combat. HBs
sent to bomb Bengasi harbor and a convoy at sea fail to reach tgts as
bad weather prevails.
10/25/42
Tenth AF
Japanese aircraft attack A/Fs connected with the India-China air
transport route, heavily bombing Dinjan and Chabua fields and scoring
hits also at Mohanbari and Sookerating. 10 US airplanes are destroyed
and 17 badly damaged; 9 Japanese aircraft are downed. 12 B-25's and 7
P-40's of CATF, led by Col Merian C Cooper, hit Kowloon Docks at Hong
Kong. 21 airplanes intercept. 1 B-25 and 1 P-40 are shot down. This
marks the first loss of a CATF B-25 in combat. The Japanese
interceptors are virtually annihilated. During 25/26 Oct 6 B-25's, on
first CATF night strike, continue pounding Hong Kong, bombing North
Pt power plant which provides electricity for the shipyards. 3 other
B-25's bomb the secondary tgt, Canton warehouse area, causing several
large explosions and fires.
10/25/42
Fifth AF
B-17's bomb shipping at Rabaul. A-20's bomb and strafe Isurava-Kokoda
trail, W bank of Kumusi R, and area N of Asisi as Australian ground
forces push toward Kokoda in the Owen Stanley Range.
10/25/42
SOPAC
Japanese ground assaults on def lines around Henderson Field are
again thrown back. Marine and AAF ftrs continue to inflict telling
losses on Japanese Navy aircraft. During the afternoon, a B-17 on
sea-search mission sights powerful TF NW of Santa Cruz Is, heading
for Guadalcanal.
10/25/42
Eleventh AF
Alert only a weather permits."
10/26/42
USAFMEAF
Momentum of British drive decreases in El Alamein battle. 30 Corps
takes Kidney Ridge, and Gen Montgomery decides to regroup for a
break-out assault. Allied aircraft continue strong spt to ground
forces and disperse enemy concentrations preparing for attack. B-25's
hit transport, troop concentrations, and tanks. P-40's fly sweeps
over El Daba area and attack motor transport and other tgts. Enemy
air action increases and considerable aerial combat ensues. US ftrs
claim 4 airplanes shot down. More than 30 B-17's and B-24's attack
shipping off coast of Libya.
10/26/42
Tenth AF
Japanese again hit A/Fs in Assam connected with India-China transport
route, concentrating on Sookerating. A freight depot, containing food
and medical supplies for China, is destroyed but no US airplanes are
lost. Due to lack of warning, no ftrs intercept the attacking force.
CATF MBs move to W China to carry out neutralization of Lashio,
whether the Japanese have aircraft they are using against the Dinjan
area. P-40's continue to hit Hong Kong-Canton area, using
dive-bombing tactics for first time in the area.
10/26/42
Fifth AF
B-25's hit Salamaua and A/F at Lae. A-20's, escorted by P-40's, bomb
and strafe trails in Missima-Kaile-Deniki area.
10/26/42
SOPAC
Carrier aircraft from the Hornet a Enterprise fight fierce air action
with TF in Rattle of Santa Cruz Is. B-17's also attack the TF but
report no hits. With 3 of his carriers hit and almost 100 airplanes
lost, VAD Nagumo retires toward Truk. Hornet is severely damaged a is
sunk the following day by Japanese aircraft and destroyer with bombs
and torpedoes.
10/27/42
Eighth AF
Last 2 sqs of 14th Ftr Gp leave UK for Twelfth AF in N Africa. This
completes transfer of VIII FC's fighting units to XII FC and leaves
VIII FC with only 1 ftr gp (4th) operational.
10/27/42
USAFMEAF
B-25's, with ftr escorts, bomb Matruh and attack motor transports,
tanks, and other ground tgts. Enemy reinforcements brought up from
the S, counterattack Kidney Ridge and are repulsed. British Eighth
Army continues regrouping for assault."
10/27/42
Tenth AF
B-25's of CATF bomb A F at Lashio."
10/27/42
Fifth AF
A-20's hit trails in SE Papua around Alola, Isurava, and Abuari.
P-39's escort RAAF Hudsons in strike against small craft at Ferguson
I in D'Entrecasteaux group.
10/27/42
Eleventh AF
6 B-24's flying attack on Kiska submarine base turn back due to
weather. Weather airplane flies rcn over Gareloi, Segula, Kiska, and
Attu.
10/28/42
USAFMEAF
B-17's, dispatched to attack convoy at sea, fail to locate tgt but
attack cruisers in Pylos Bay. B-25's attack tanks, motor transports,
and landing grounds. P-40's fly MB and LB escort, bomb and strafe
landing grounds and other tgts, and engage aircraft in combat, mostly
in area between El Alamein and El Daba. Ftrs claim 3 Me-109's
destroyed. Attacks by US and RAF aircraft cause enemy to abandon plan
for counterattack on Kidney Ridge.
10/28/42
Fifth AF
B-17's pound shipping in harbor at Rabaul, while B-25's bomb Gasmata
A/F.
10/28/42
Eleventh AF
6 B-24's turn back from an attempted attack on Kiska sub base because
of adverse weather. A B-17 bombs Attu with unobserved results and
flies weather rcn over Kiska, Amchitka, and Tanaga.
10/29/42
US
A 1943 production objective of 107,000 airplanes is given top
priority by Roosevelt in his instructions to Donald M Nelson,
Chairman of War Production Board.
10/29/42
USAFMEAF
B-24's and B-17's strike Maleme A/F. B-25's bomb landing grounds,
motor transports, and tanks. P-40's fly escort, then bomb and strafe
road E of El Daba, and attack troop concentration and vehicles. In
view of strong German reinforcements on his N flank near coast, Gen
Montgomery alters breakout plan. Instead of pushing W along coast, he
decides to shift point of adv S in order to attack against Italian
troops.
10/29/42
Fifth AF
A-20's hit Isurava-Deniki and Abuari-Kaile trails. B-17's attack
shipping in Bougainville Strait between Buin and Faisi.
10/29/42
Eleventh AF
Japanese reoccupy Attu. Special rcn flown with Gen Buckner, covers
Tanaga, Amchitka and Kiska.
10/30/42
USAFMEAF
B-24's bomb Maleme A/F. 1 HB bombs main jetty in Suda Bay. B-25's
attack landing grounds at Fuka-Bagush and El Daba. P-40's fly escort.
British Eighth Army sends 9th Australian Div N to the sea and then E,
trapping large force in pocket, as Allied aircraft provide excellent
spt. Enemy tanks breaking through from W, however, enable most of the
surrounded force to escape.
10/30/42
Fifth AF
B-17's bomb harbor and shipping at Buin.
10/30/42
Eleventh AF
1 B-24 twice flies rcn over Kiska and Agattu. No bombing mission as
all bmrs are on alert for possible navy tgts.
10/31/42
Eighth AF
Gen Spaatz informs Gen Arnold that operations against sub pens may
prove too costly for results obtained. Believing the pens impervious
to normal high-altitude bombing, Spaatz plans to operate as low as
4,000 ft and accept higher casualty rates.
10/31/42
USAFMEAF
B-25's hit landing ground. The MBs claim 1 ftr shot down while P-40's
flying escort claim 3. B-24's sent to bomb Maleme dispersal area fail
to locate tgt because of overcast. 376th Bomb Gp is activated at
Lydda, replacing the 1st Prov Gp. CO is Col George F McGuire, who had
commanded 1st Prov Gp. The 376th is intended to become part of an
Anglo-American air force to be sent to the Caucasus to aid the USSR,
but the plan falls through and the 376th remains in the ME.
10/31/42
Fifth AF
A-20's bomb and strafe Nauro and area to N. B-25's strafe supply
trucks SE of Gona. B-17's bomb shipping at Rabaul and in
Buin-Faisi-Tonolai area.
10/31/42
Eleventh AF
Weather and rcn flight over Attu and Kiska. Over Kiska, weather
airplane draws AA fire from Little Kiska. No other missions as all
combat aircraft are alerted for possible navy tgt.
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