This Day In The War, In The Pacific

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1932
SWITZERLAND: The League of Nations appoints a commission of inquiry to investigate the situation in Manchuria when the Chinese government appeals to the League under Articles X, XI, and XV of the Covenant. The Lytton Report found that the Japanese had violated Chinese sovereignty in Manchuria by their military action of September 1931 (which was not conducted in self-defense) and that the creation of Manchukuo did not represent a genuine independence movement. Rather than ordering the Japanese to withdraw from Manchuria, the commission recommends a settlement which would recognize Japan's special interests in the region - Manchuria would become an autonomous state under Chinese sovereignty with international advisors and police and recognition of Japan's economic interests.

1941
JAPAN: The Foreign Ministry sends the following message to the consulate in Manila: "I want you to make a reconnaissance of the new defense works along the east, west and southern coasts of the Island of Luzon, reporting on their progress, strength, etc. Also please investigate anything else which may seem of interest."

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: Three B-24s abort weather, bombing and photomissions over Kiska due to weather and instead attack a cargo vessel;the ship's rudder is probably damaged; 1 B-24 is damaged.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, Australian forces continue to advance along the Kokoda Trail capturing Efogi; natives report that the Japanese have retreated to Kokoda. Australian troops complete the drop zone at Nauro located 7.6 miles S of Efogi. In the air,USAAF Fifth Air Force P-40s strafe forces and occupied areas at Myola Lake, Kokoda, Wairopi, Yodda, and Buna. A U.S. reconnaissance party from the 126th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division reaches Jauri,
completing a reconnaissance of the Kapa Kapa-Jauri trail, which is found to be difficult but practicable for use as a route in a contemplated offensive against the Buna-Gona area.

PACIFIC OCEAN: The U.S. tanker SS Camden is sunk by Japanese submarine HIJMS I-25 about 34 nautical miles WNW of North Bend, Oregon, at position 43.42N, 124.52W.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): The 72d Bombardment Squadron, 5th BG (Heavy), based on Espiritu SantoIsland, New Hebridess with B-17s, begins operating from Guadalcanal.

1943
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 17 Japanese bombers and 25 Zekes attack Kweilin Airfield, China. The bombs, dropped from 20,000 feet, fail to hit the target. AAF fighters fail to make effective contact with the force.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 23 B-24's, covered by 16 P-38's and several USN F4U's, bomb Kahili Airfield; 20-30 fighters intercept, and a running battle occurs between Bougainville and Vella Lavella; US fighters and bombers claim 9 fighters downed; no American losses are suffered. 4 P-39's and 4 F4U's sink 18 barges in a strike along the W coast of Choiseul. The P-39's are especially effective because of their nose cannon.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's bomb and strafe barges, small craft, and villages on Vitu in the Bismarck Archipelago. The 22d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Port Moresby, New Guinea to Garbutt Field, Townsville, Queensland, Australia with C-47's.
In North East New Guinea, Dumpu is captured by Australian troops as they advance into the Ramu River Valley from the Markham Valley. Meanwhile, the Australian 20th Brigade continues fighting towards Sattelberg.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile , a B-24 weatheraborts a photo run off Matsuwa ; 4 B-25s bomb a freighter and a barge off Shimushu; 15-17 fighters intercept and the B-25s score 1 victory.

BURMA: In the British Fourteenth Army’s XXXIII Corps area, the East African 11th Division overruns Yazagyo in the Kabaw Valley while the Indian 5th Division is closing in on Tiddim.

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 P-47s damage approaches to a bridge between Myitkyina and Bhamo; 16 P-47s hit the town of Palwesho; 4 others hit small towns S of Bhamo, including Man The and Hantet. CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 5 B-25s hit Hsinantien and areas N of Chefang; 80+ P-40s and P-51s continue to attack targets of opportunity during armed reconnaissance over areas of China S of the Yangtze River; 20+ fighter-bombers hit buildings, troops, and river shipping in the Paoching area.

CHINA: Five USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells hit Hsinantien and areas north of Chefang; 80+ P-40s and P-51 Mustangs continue to attack targets of opportunity during armed reconnaissance over areas of China south of the Yangtze River; and 20+ fighter-bombers hit buildings, troops, and river shipping in the Paoching area.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: On Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands, the 7th Marine Regiment continues attacks on the Umurbrogol Pocket but by end of day, the regiment is so depleted in strength that it is no longer an effective fighting force.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan attack shipping W of Iwo Jima and bomb airfields, the radio station, buildings, and area targets on Marcus, Pagan, and Iwo Jima . P-47s hit gun positions, beach defenses, buildings, and the wharf area on Pagan . B-24s from the Marshall bomb Moen Airfield. B-24s from the Marshall Islands bomb the airfield on Moen Island, Truk Atoll.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s bomb Sidate and Bolaangoeki. P-40s and B-25s attack Galela and Kaoe Airfields. B-25s and A-20s on a shipping sweep bomb town and port area of Amboina on Ambon , hit a wharf at Halong on Celebes , and attack shipping and shore targets of opportunity at various points. In New Guinea, HQ 403d Troop Carrier Group moves from Los Negros, to Biak ; the 13th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, based on Espiritu Santo ceases operating from Los Negros and begins operating from Wakde with C-47s; the 63d Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, based on Biak , begins operating from Wakde with C-47s. The 35th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, moves from Owi to Morotai with P-38s.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, Lieutenant General Walter Krueger, Commanding General U.S. Sixth Army, declares the Morotai Island operation at an end, although mopping up continues. Japanese dead on Morotai total 102 and 13 prisoners. At least 200 are estimated killed on barges between Morotai and Halmahera Islands. Allied casualties number about 30 killed, 85 wounded, and one missing. Wama Airfield, built by the Australian Nos. 13 and 14 Airfield Construction Squadrons, is put into use by aircraft. A permanent fighter garrison arrives and the USN’s escort aircraft carriers (CVEs) are able to leave.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s bomb Sidate Airfield on Celebes Island,. On Halmahera Island, P-40s and B-25s attack Galela and Kaoe Airfields. B-25s and A-20s on a shipping sweep bomb town and port area of Ambon on Ambon Island, hit a wharf at Halong on Halong Island, and attack shipping and shore targets of opportunity at various points.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 140, OCTOBER 4, 1944
Further reducing the remnants of enemy troops still resisting on Peleliu and Angaur Islands, Marine and Army troops destroyed the occupants of a number of enemy held caves on October 3 (West Longitude Date). Mopping up operations on Angaur continued. The bodies of more dead Japanese soldiers have been counted, a total of 9,878 on Peleliu and 1,109 on Angaur.
Search Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Four bombed Paramushiru in the Kuriles on October 2. Meager antiaircraft fire was encountered. All our planes returned.
Seventh Air Force Liberators on October 1, scored a direct hit on an enemy cargo vessel near Chichi Jima in the Bonin Islands. Two enemy planes were in the air, but did not attempt interception. Shipping in Chichi Jima Harbor was attacked by Seventh Air Force Liberators on October 2. Antiaircraft fire varied from moderate to meager.
Buildings, gun emplacements, and docking facilities at Pagan Island were bombed and rocketed on October 2 by Thunderbolts of the Seventh Air Force. No antiaircraft fire was encountered.
Seventh Air Force Liberators bombed the runway and installations on Marcus Island on October 2. Antiaircraft fire was meager.
Corsairs and Venturas of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed communications facilities and gun positions at Jaluit Atoll on October 2. Antiaircraft fire, which was moderate, damaged one Ventura. All our planes returned safely. Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing flew through meager antiaircraft fire to bomb installations at Taroa Island in the Maloelap Atoll.

1945

 

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1937
SWITZERLAND: The League of Nations and the U.S. government condemn Japan's attack on China. As a result of this action, the Chinese could purchase military aircraft and import large quantities of munitions to support their war effort against the Japanese.

UNITED STATES: Contrary to the isolationist feelings in the United States, President Franklin Roosevelt calls for an international quarantine of aggressors as the only means to preserve global peace. There is a strong isolationist backlash against this policy as the president recognizes that he had outpaced public opinion. His speech, however, encourages a widespread American boycott against Japanese products.

1939
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: The USN forms the Hawaiian Detachment and sends it to its new operating base, Pearl Harbor. The detachment consists of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) (flagship), two heavy cruiser divisions, two destroyer squadrons and a light cruiser flagship, a destroyer tender and a proportionate number of small auxiliaries make up the force.

1940
JAPAN: Prime Minister, Prince KONOYE Fumimaro forecasts war with the United States. "If the United States refuses to understand the real intention of Japan, Germany, and Italy in concluding an alliance for positive cooperation in creating a new world order and persists in challenging those powers in the belief that the accord is a hostile action, . . ."

UNITED STATES: Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox places all Organized Reserve divisions and aviation squadrons of the Organized Reserve on short notice for call to active duty and grants authority to call fleet reservists as necessary. Before this date, Naval Reserve personnel had been ordered to active duty on a voluntary basis only.

1941
JAPAN: Japan breaks diplomatic relations with the Polish government in exile.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: Six USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-24s, three P-38s and three P-39s abort a bombing, weather, and photographic mission over Kiska Island due to weather.

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

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, on the Kokoda Track, the main body of the 3rd Battalion, "Maroubra Force" reaches Menari. In the air, the USAAF Fifth Air Force airlifts the Australian 2/10th Battalion to Wanigela and is formed as "Hart Force" B-25s attack a convoy off Buna; A-20s hit antiaircraft positions at Sananda Point and bomb the village of Sananda; and B-17s bomb airfields at Buna.

INDIA AIR TASK FORCE (IATF): The 9th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th BG (Heavy), returns to Karachi, India from Lydda, Palestine.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s attack a convoy off Buna; A-20s hit AA positions at Sanananda Point and bomb the village of Sanananda; B-17s bomb airfields at Buna and also hit airfields at Rabaul. Lost is B-17E 41-9196.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA: B-17F "Aztec's Curse" 41-24457 bombs Gizo.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: An American offensive raid against the Japanese bases and shipping at Shortland Island in the northern Solomons is launched by Vice Admiral Rober L. Ghormley, Commander, South Pacific Area and Commander, South Pacific Force. The aircraft carrier USS Hornet is moved west of the base and the aircraft are launched early. The clouds and weather of the approaching cold front impede the attack. The formation unravels in the low cloud and rain. Hornet crews claim eight planes and two more during their withdrawal. The simultaneous raids by USAAF B-17 Flying Fortresses against Buka and the Cactus Air Force against Rekata Bay are also derailed by the weather. In a second raid, SBDs of Scouting Squadrons VS-3 and VS-71 and Marine Scout Bombing Squadron VMSB-141 from Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, attack a Japanese convoy, damaging destroyers HIJMS Minegumo and HIJMS Murasame 150 miles from Guadalcanal.

USN - Two F4F Wildcats from TF-17 CV Hornet, piloted by Lt. Cdr. H. G. Sanchez and Lt. (jg) W. V. Roberts Jr were escorting SBD's & TBD's bombing Tonlei Harbor, flew 20 miles south to Faisi (Korovou) in the Shortlands. They straffed 2 lines of Type 97 (Mavis) flying boats moored in the channel. Sanchez estimated there were 10 aircraft and they probably destroyed 4. He noted they didn't burn so hadn't been refuelled. The main strike of Avengers arrived less than an hour later and destroyed or damaged a number of ships in the harbour. This later strike was attacked by up to 11 Type 2 floatplanes (Rufe) but either due to very bad weather (squalls) or good fortune very few of these seaplane fighters were able to engage the carrier bombers so no losses were reported by US forces. Japanese reports put JNAF losses at 3 Type 97 (Mavis) flying boats badly damaged and 1 Type 0 (Jake) floatplane destroyed.

1943
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, a few B-25's and P-40's attack a foundry at Shihhweiyao; damaging hits are scored on a barrack, on AA positions, blast furnaces, hoppers, and a steam plant. 10 USAAF fighters intercept a force of about 50 Zekes W of Kweilin, shoot down 1 enemy fighter; the enemy force turns back.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): Lost is B-25D "Flying Ginny / Bette" 41-30017.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander of the Pacific Ocean Area, issues a plan for an offensive in the Central Pacific. Admiral Raymond A. Spruance Commander of the Fifth Fleet, is to seize Makin, Tarawa, and Abamama in the Gilbert Islands, cover amphibious landings on each with air and naval surface forces, and deny the Japanese the use of land bases in the Marshall Islands and at Nauru during the operation. D-Day for landings is set for 19 November and later postponed to 20 November.

NEW GUINEA: In North East New Guinea, Japanese documents captured near Finschhafen reveal that the Japanese are not in full retreat but intend some offensive operation. Lieutenant General Sir Edmund Herring, Commander of I Australian Corps, issues an operations order to the Australian 9th Division stating that Finschhafen is to be defended and developed and the troops are to gain control of the east coast of the Huon Peninsula up to and including Sio.
In the air, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25s carry out a coastal sweep west to Madang, bombing and strafing villages and barges; B-17 Flying Fortresses hit the Bogadjim Road and jetties at Erima; and B-24 Liberators bomb the Babo area.

PACIFIC OCEAN: The USN submarine USS Wahoo sinks the Japanese army transport Konron Maru (formally of the Shimonoseki-to-Fusan Ferry Line) in Tsushima Straits, about 126 nautical miles south of Pusan, Korea, at 34.00N, 129.00E. (The Tsushima Strait is a channel between Tsushima Island and northwest Kyushu, Japan, connecting the Sea of Japan with the East China Sea.) The ship is ferrying troops across the Tsushima Strait. Only 72 of the 616 soldiers and crewmen aboard the vessel survive because of heavy seas. This loss prompts the cancellation of night ferry trips across Tsushima Straits.

WAKE ISLAND: The USN's Task Force 14 (Rear Admiral Alfred E Montgomery) bombs and shells the island. TF 14 consists of the aircraft carriers USS Essex with Carrier Air Group Nine, USS Yorktown with Carrier Air Group Five and USS Lexington with Carrier Air Group Sixteen; the light aircraft carriers USS Cowpens with Light Carrier Air Group Twenty Five, USS Independence with Light Carrier Air Group Twenty Two and USS Belleau Wood with Light Carrier Air Group Twenty Four; three heavy cruisers, four light cruisers, 24 destroyers and two oilers. A predawn strike consisting of 48 F6Fs and 24 TBF Avenger torpedo bombers attacks the airfield and other installations while F6F pilots shoot down 30 Zero fighters.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): At dawn on Paramushiru , 2 B-24s bomb Kashiwabara and Kurabu Cape.
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 P-47s hit Mawlu and attack locomotives and targets of opportunity in the Naha area; 8 B-25s attack bridges at Namhkai, damaging the main bridge. Troop carriers fly 250+ sorties to various locations in the CBI. The 493d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th BG (Heavy), moves from Tezgaon to Pandaveswar, India with B-24s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-25s and 22 fighter-bombers attack Samshui, Koyiu and Takhing; 8 hit targets of opportunity in the Canton-Wuchou area, and 3 bomb a storage area at Mangshih; 50+ P-40s and P-51s over wide areas of S China attack rivercraft, road traffic, bridges, town areas, and troops.

CHINA: The Japanese capture Fuzhou (Foochow), the last seaport under Chinese control.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: In the Palau Islands, on Peleliu Island, action against Umurbrogo Pocket is limited as the 5th Marine Regiment begins relieving the 7th Marine Regiment.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan -based P-47s hit Pagan with rockets and bombs; a B-24 bombs gun positions on the island. B-25s from the Gilbert bomb runways and gun positions on Nauru while B-24s from the Marshall bomb an airfield at Moen and during the night of 5/6 Oct strike Wake. The 28th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Seventh Air Force, based at Kipapa Airfield, Hawaii, sends a detachment to Peleliu Airfield with F-5s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb airfields in the Kendari area on Celebes . B-25s and P-38s hit Kairatoe Airfield on Celebes , the town of Amboina on Ambon and numerous coastal and shipping targets of opportunity in the Ambon-Ceram area. A-20s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers attack Urarom, the Simora Point area, Doom , Babo, Efman and Samate Airfields and disposal areas; A-20s blast Japanese bivouacs and supply areas near Sarmi; HQ 54th Troop Carrier Wing moves from Nadzab to Biak . In the Moluccas , the 418th Night Fighter Squadron, V Fighter Command [attached to HQ 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium)], moves from Owi, Schouten Islands to Morotai with P-61s.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24 Liberators bomb airfields in the Kendari area on Celebes Island. B-25 Mitchells and P-38s hit Kairatoe Airfield on Halmahara Island, the town of Ambon on Ambon Island and numerous coastal and shipping targets of opportunity in the Ambon-Ceram Islands area.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: The USN's Special Air Task Force (STAG 1), based on Stirling Island in the Treasury Islands, commences operations with Interstate TDR-1 target drones controlled from converted TBM-1C Avengers against Japanese targets in the southwest Pacific. Four Interstate TDR-1s, each carrying a 2,000-pound bomb, are launched against Japanese supply caves in the Keravia Bay, Rabaul, area of New Britain Island. One TDR hits in the vicinity of cave entrances; one misses the target area. Two are lost en route due to interference from communications frequency used by a motor gunboat (PGM) operating in the waters over which the drones fly.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 141, OCTOBER 5, 1944
United States forces on Peleliu Island continued to apply heavy pressure to the remaining pocket of enemy resistance at Bloody Nose Ridge on October 4 (West Longitude Date). Several defensive positions and caves were cleaned out during the day. Mopping up operations on Angaur Island are being continued.
During the operations in the Southern Palau Islands from September 25 to October 5 the following casualties were incurred
First Marine Division: 81st Infantry Division
Killed, 191 Killed, 145
Wounded, 1,011 Wounded, 696
Missing, 0 Missing, 8
The total in the missing category for the First Marine Division has been revised downward from 401 to 267 for the entire campaign.
During the same period an additional 2,618 enemy troops were eliminated on Peleliu and 137 were eliminated on Angaur.
Corsair fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing, operating from the airfield at Peleliu, bombed Babelthuap Island on October 4, hitting the airstrips and strafing a concentration of motor vehicles. Warehouses at Koror were also bombed during the day.
Eleventh Air Force Liberators strafed a small cargo vessel near Onekotan in the Kuriles on October 3. On returning to their base the bombers were Intercepted by two enemy fighters near Paramushiru but were not damaged.
Seventh Air Force Liberators on October 3 bombed a large cargo ship and a destroyer northwest of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands. Antiaircraft fire from the destroyer was meager. On the same day, Marcus Island was bombed by Seventh Air Force Liberators.
Thunderbolt fighters of the Seventh Air Force dropped bombs and rockets on gun positions and shore installations at Pagan Island on October 3. Other planes bombed barracks and communications facilities the same night.
Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing dive bombed airfields and installations at Ponape Island on October 4. Antiaircraft fire was inaccurate.
Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing and search Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed enemy positions on Jaluit Atoll on October 4. One Corsair suffered minor damage from antiaircraft fire.

1945

 

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1937
UNITED STATES: The government expresses official approval of the League of Nations conclusions about Japan stating, "In the light of the unfolding developments in the Far East, the Government of the United States has been forced to the conclusion that the action of Japan in China is inconsistent with the principles which should govern the relationship between nations and is contrary to the provisions of the Nine Power Treaty of February 6, 1922, regarding principles and policies to be followed in matters concerning China, and to those of the Kellogg-Briand Pact of August 27, 1928.
Thus the conclusions of this Government with respect to the foregoing are in general accord with those of the Assembly of the League of Nations."

1939
AUSTRALIA: The government approves sending five Australian destroyers to Singapore and placing a second light cruiser at the disposal of the British government. The government also states that the ships must be returned to Australian waters if the situation in the Far East deteriorates.

CHINA: Chinese forces repel the Japanese to win the First Battle of Changsha. Over 40,000 Japanese troops die during an 11-day battle in which the Japanese expeditionary force suffers its first setback against Chinese Nationalists since the outbreak of war two years ago. As well as heavy troop losses, the 120,000 strong Japanese force has lost huge quantities of arms as it is ambushed by troops defending Changsha, capital of Hunan Province. For the Chinese this is vindication of a switch to mobile guerilla warfare as well as the retraining of their troops. Led by Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, the Nationalists have been claiming that the Japanese supply lines are overstretched and that they are weakened by the Japanese-Soviet conflict in August.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: The USAAF Eleventh Air Force dispatches eight B-24s, a B-17s, ten P-39s, and eight P-38s to fly bombing and weather missions over Japanese-held Kiska Island; 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; and a float fighter is strafed and set afire and 6 Zekes are hit on the water

CANADA: The last group of Japanese internees detained at Hastings Park internment camp in Vancouver, British Columbia, leave for camps in the British Columbia interior.

NEW CALEDONIA: Major General Millard F. Harmon, Commander U.S. Army Forces in the South Pacific Area (USAFISPA), recommends to Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley, Commander South Pacific Area and Commander of the South Pacific Force, that the projected invasion of Ndeni Island in the Santa Cruz Islands, scheduled to follow the capture of Tulagi and Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands, be postponed and that Guadalcanal be reinforced; that naval operations in the Solomons be increased; and that adequate airdrome construction personnel and equipment be sent to Guadalcanal. Admiral Ghormley decides to proceed with the plan to occupy Ndeni as a landing field site and agrees to reinforce Guadalcanal with an Army regiment and to improve airdrome facilities. The 164th Infantry Regiment of the Americal Division is chosen to reinforce Guadalcanal and the 147th Infantry Regiment (less 2 battalions) to occupy Ndeni.

NEW GUINEA: On the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, the Australian 2/25th Battalion is advancing towards Efogi while the 2/1st Battalion advances northward from Ower's Corner. Meanwhile, units of the U.S. 32nd Infantry Division begin to advance over the Kapa Kapa Trail, 25 miles southwest of the Kokoda Track. This route over the Owen Stanley Mountains is through even worse terrain than that of the Kokoda Track.
In the air, USAAF Fifth Air Force aircraft complete the movement of the reinforced Australian 18th Brigade to Wanigela on the peninsula between Dyke Acland and Collingwood Bays on the east coast of Papua; this is part of the move aimed at capture of the Buna-Gona area. The channel from Mime Bay to Cape Nelson has now been charted in order to permit shipment of supplies by water.

UNITED STATES: The Second Protocol for U.S. aid to the U.S.S.R., covering the period to 1 July 1943, is signed in Washington, D.C. A total of 4.4 million tons are to be sent to the Soviet Union, 3.3 million tons by the northern Soviet ports and 1.1 million tons by the Persian Gulf route.
- A second U.S. merchant ship is sunk off the west coast by the Japanese submarine HIJMS I-25 in three days. The ship is the 7,038 ton armed tanker SS Larry Dohney which sinks about 69 nautical miles NW of Eureka, California, at position 41.30N, 125.22W.
- Chester Floyd Carlson obtains a patent on the xerography process for making electrostatic copies. Carlson worked in the patent department of an electronics firm and is frustrated at the difficulty of making copies of patent drawings. He investigated various processes and developed xerography after four years of experimenting. He made the first Xerox copy on 22 October 1938. Although he received a patent in 1942, he failed to interest companies in producing copy machines until 1947, when the Haloid Company of Rochester, New York, licensed the process. The company, which later changes its name to Xerox, introduces its first copy machine in 1958.

1943
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 7 P-40's from Suichwan intercept an attacking force of 27 bombers and 21 Zekes; 1 bomber and 1 fighter are shot down, and the attackers retire in the direction of Canton without dropping their bombs.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon, 8 P-39's and 8 USN F4U's strafe barges off the W coast of Choiseul. 24 B-25's of the 42nd BG and 14 P-38's carry out a low-level strike against Kahili Airfield at dusk dropping parafrag bombs, damaging or destroying several parked aircraft. Lost is B-25D 41-30567.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: ALAMO (U.S. Sixth Army) Scouts land at Cape Gloucester, New Britain Island, for reconnaissance.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): B-25's sweep along coastal areas of New Britain and through to the N and W, bombing and strafing targets of opportunity.

NEW GUINEA: In North East New Guinea, the Australian 2/17th Battalion is fighting at Kumawa, between Finschhafen and Sattleberg. Elements of the Australian 7th Division take Dumpu with unexpected ease and it will become a staging field for fighters.

PACIFIC OCEAN: The Japanese evacuate 600 men from Vella Lavella Island during the night of 6/7 October but they are met by USN destroyers resulting in the Battle of Vella Lavella. Three USN destroyers intercept and attack six Japanese destroyers, three destroyer transports and small armed craft some 12 nautical miles off Marquana Bay; this proves to be the last surface engagement in the central Solomon Islands.
The three USN destroyers are damaged: USS O'Bannon in a collision with destroyer USS Chevalier; USS Selfridge by torpedo fired from either of Japanese destroyers HIJMS Shigure or HIJMS Samidare; and USS Chevalier by torpedo from Japanese destroyer HIJMS Yugumo. USS Chevalier is scuttled by destroyer USS LaVallette tomorrow. Torpedoes from USS Chevalier and Selfridge sink Japanese destroyer HIJMS Yugumo.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Action in the central Solomons comes to a close. Elements of the 27th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, make an unopposed landing on Kolombangara Island during the morning. U.S. casualties during the central Solomons campaign total 1,094 killed and
3,873 wounded. The counted Japanese dead, except on Vella Lavella Island, total 2,483. The campaign yields Allied forces four airfields (Munda, Ondonga and Segi on New Georgia Island and Barakoma on Vella Lavella Island) within range of Bougainville Island, the next objective.
In the air, eight USAAF Thirteenth Air Force P-39 Airacobras and eight USN F4Us strafe barges off the west coast of Choiseul Island while 24 B-25s and 14 P-38s carry out a low-level strike against Kahili Airfield on Bougainville Island, damaging or destroying several parked aircraft.

1944
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20+ P-47s bomb troop concentrations in Mawlu and Bilumyo and damage an approach to bridge at Seywa; 8 B-25s attack bridges at Hsenwi, damaging the main bridge but causing little harm to bypass bridges. Transport operations continue on large scale in the CBI. In India, HQ 7th Bombardment Group moves from Kurmitola to Pandaveswar while it's 436th and 492d Bombardment Squadrons move from Tezzgaon to Madhaigani with B-24s.

FRENCH INDOCHINA: Fifty plus USAAF Fourteenth Air Force P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance over areas of China south of the Yangtze River attack river craft, bridges, town areas, troop concentrations and targets of opportunity along the north French Indochina coast.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-25s bomb Wucbou and attack boats and other targets of opportunity in the Canton area; the flight of the 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, at Nanning, returns to base at Chanyi with F-5s.

CHINA: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's personal representative to China, Major General Patrick J. Hurley, delivers to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek President Roosevelt's reply, in which the President agrees to recall General Joseph Stilwell but declines to put another U.S.
officer in command of Chinese troops. General Stilwell will command Chinese troops in Burma and in Yunnan Province of China but will be relieved of responsibility for lend-lease matters.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): The first P-61 night fighters arrive in Chengtu, China on the eve of the third air raid; in 10 attacks from 6 Sep to 19 Dec, only 43 aircraft participate.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan hit Iwo Jima in harassment attacks during the night of 6/7. A B-24 from Kwajalein Atoll bombs a heavy gun battery on Emidj Island, Jaluit Atoll. During the night of 6/7 Oct, 3 B-24s bomb Wake.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, P-47s bomb Kaimana; and the 547th Night Fighter Squadron moves from Oro Bay to Owi, with P-38s and P-61s.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: On Angaur Island in the Palau Islands, particularly heavy fire is placed on the Japanese pocket at the northwestern tip of the island, and the 322d Infantry Regiment feints an attack, luring the Japanese into exposed positions.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces P-38s hit Kaoe Airfield and shipping near Djailolo on Halmahera Island while B-25s and P-38s attack Namlea on Buroe Island, Waai on Ambon Island, Amahai on Amahai Island, and several small craft.

PACIFIC OCEAN: German submarine U-168 (Type IXC) is sunk at 0130 hours Berlin time, in the Java Sea about 93 nautical miles NW of Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies, at position 06.20S, 111.28E, by a torpedo from the Dutch submarine HNMS Zwaardvisch (A British T Class construction). Twenty seven of the 50 men aboard the U-boat survive. The boat is intercepted, after the Allies, through code breaking efforts, learned of its exact position and time of arrival at several navigation points. After that it is a very simple to ambush her.

1945

 

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1940
JAPAN: Japan is to become a one-party state with the inauguration next week of the ultra-nationalistic Imperial Rule Assistance Association, which will replace all existing political parties. The two leading parties, Rikken Seiyukai and Rikken Minseito, which dominate Japan's parliament, will be voluntarily dissolved. The new organisation, the brainchild of Prime Minister Prince KONOE Fumimaro, is intended to capitalise on the growing patriotic fervour among the Japanese and mobilise mass political support for land hungry Japan's plans to expand its territorial borders in China and southeast Asia.

UNITED STATES: The Japanese ambassador to the U.S., HORINOUCHI Kensuke, protests the refusal of export licenses for aviation gasoline (petrol) and machine tools, and impending prohibition of export of iron and steel scraps to Japan stating, "In view of the fact that Japan has been for some years the principal buyer of American iron and steel scrap, the announcement of the administrative policy, as well as the regulations establishing a license system in iron and steel scrap cannot fail to be regarded as directed against Japan, and, as suck, to be an unfriendly act."
He also states that "The discriminatory feature of the announcement, that licenses will be issued to permit shipments to the countries of the Western Hemisphere and Great Britain only, has created a widespread impression in Japan that it was motivated by a desire to bring pressure upon her."

1942
SOLOMON ISLANDS: The 3rd Battalion 5th Marines advance west from the Lunga Perimeter on Guadalcanal. They meet the Japanese defenders on the east bank of the Matanikau River. Marine reinforcements arrive during the day and push the Japanese back against the river bank. Japanese commanders remain unaware, all day, of the actual situation and issue orders which are unrealistic.

U.S.A.: The British and US governments announce a United Nations Commission to investigate Axis war crimes. It will be a condition of any armistice that accused war criminals will be handed over for prosecution.
Roosevelt says that a commission will be set up after the war to judge those guilty of atrocities and mass murder.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: 3 Eleventh Air Force B-24s taking off to bomb Kiska Island and patrol Near Island abort mission due to mechanical failure and instead fly reconnaissance over Agattu, Attu, and Semichi Islands with negative results.

1943
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25's attack a 2,500-ton freighter 100 miles S of Amoy, China scoring 3 direct hits; the vessel is left burning and listing. 9 B-24's and 22 fighters hit a cement plant at Haiphong, French Indochina causing heavy damage to the kiln building. The 26th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, transfers from Dinjan, India to Kunming, China with P-40's.

WAKE ISLAND: Imperial Japanese Navy Rear Admiral Sakaibara Shigematsu, commander of the Japanese garrison on the island, orders the execution of 96 American civilian construction workers who have been held on the island since the American surrender in December 1941. The men are marched to the beach and machine gunned. This followed two days of attacks by a USN task force (see 5 October). I have heard two claims of why the men are executed,
(1) the Japanese claimed the civilians were trying to make radio contact with the task force and
(2) the Japanese were afraid that the U.S. was going to invade the island and the civilian prisoners would tell the invaders where the Japanese defensive positions were and how weak they were.
After the war, Sakaibara and eleven of his officers are sentenced to death by a USN Court at Kwajalein

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the Formosa Strait, four USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25s attack a 2,500-ton freighter 100 miles south of Amoy, China scoring three direct hits; the vessel is left burning and listing.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): The 72nd Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th BG, based on Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides with B-24's, begins operating from Guadalcanal.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In the Bismarck Archipelago, a B-24 on patrol bombs Umboi scoring damaging hits on several buildings. HQ 374th Troop Carrier Group transfers from Port Moresby to Towns.

NEW GUINEA: In North East New Guinea, the Australian 2/17th Battalion continues battling the Japanese at Kumawa in the Finschhafen area.

1944
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 5 P-47s bomb supplies and troops at Man Hpa. Large-scale transport operations continue to deliver men and supplies to various points in the CBI.
BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC) area, the Chines 22d Division, which has been training for the fall offensive since the capture of Myitkyina, begins a movement to Kamaing.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 53 P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance attack troop concentrations, bridges, river and rail traffic, town areas, and supply dumps around Tunghsiangchiao, Pingnam, Hsinganhsien, Chuanhsien, Lingling, Wuchou, Houmachen, Chiuchiang, and Paoching.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: The Australian 36th Battalion, 6th Brigade, 5th Division, lands at Cape Hoskins on the north coast of New Britain Islands. The battalion is assigned to the U.S. 185th Infantry Regiment.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan , on armed reconnaissance, attack Marcus and nearby shipping.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: On Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands, ground attacks are temporarily suspended after a futile attempt by the 3d Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, assisted by tanks, to compress the Umurbrogol Pocket.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: On Celebes , B-25s bomb Langoan, Tompaso, and Tondegesang. P-38s attack Kaoe on Halmahera , and hit oil tanks at Boela. B-25s bomb a storage area at W Amboina, Ambon. In New Guinea, P-38s and B-25s strike Doom and Babo airfield.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces P-47s bomb Amahai on Amahai Island and Boela Aerodrome on Ceram Island. In the Moluccas Islands, P-38s hit Dodinga Bay barge hideouts, supplies and targets of opportunity along Wasile and Kaoe Bays on Halmahera Island.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief Pacific Ocean Area (CINCPOA), publishes a Joint Staff Study that is a basis for the preliminary planning for the invasion of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands.

NEW GUINEA: Australian General Sir Thomas Blamey, Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Military Forces and Commander of Allied land forces in the South West Pacific, Lieutenant General Leslie Morshead, General Officer Commanding I Australian Corps and Major General J.H. Cannan, the Quartermaster General, arrive at Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea to plan for the movement of the I Corps from Australia to the Philippine Islands. Blamey then meets with American Lieutenant General Richard Sutherland, Chief of Staff, South West Pacific Area, who tells Blamey that it is not politically expedient for the Australian Imperial Force to be amongst the first troops to land in the Phillipines.
In Dutch New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force P-38s and B-25s strike Doom Island and Babo airfield.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s over Mindanao Island bomb Zamboanga while a P-38 cover force hits seaplanes, shipping, and other targets of opportunity in the area.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 142, OCTOBER 7, 1944
Employing tanks and artillery, United States forces made some progress against stubbornly held enemy positions on Umurbrogol Mountain on Peleliu Island during October 6 (West Longitude Date). Total enemy killed at date total 11,083 on Peleliu Island and 1,128 on Angaur Island. Our forces have captured 214 prisoners on Peleliu and 10 on Angaur.
On the same day, Corsairs of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing attacked several small villages on Babelthuap Island, damaging nine fuel dumps, five supply dumps, two ammunition dumps, two buildings and 28 trucks. Three boats and seven barges in the vicinity of Komeball Lagoon were strafed also.
Liberators of the Eleventh Air Force, flying through weak antiaircraft fire, bombed Paramushiru on October 4. On the same date, Eleventh Air Force Mitchells struck at enemy shipping at Paramushiru and Shimushu, probably sinking a cargo ship and damaging a barge. Returning from the raid, the Mitchells were challenged by 15 to 20 fighters. Two enemy planes were probably destroyed and two damaged. Some of our planes suffered slight damage.
A Navy search plane bombed the airfield and gun positions on Yap on October 4. Antiaircraft fire was meager and ineffective. Seventh Air Force Liberators dropped 33 tons of bombs on the airstrip and hangars on Moen Island in the Truk Group on October 5. Antiaircraft fire was meager and the three or four enemy fighters that rose to intercept did no damage to our planes.

1945

 

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1940
FRENCH INDOCHINA: In Saigon, the Inspector General of Colonies, Cazaux, sends a message to Free French leader Brigadier General Charles DeGaulle conveying the sympathies of the population for Free France but noting the impossibility of Indochina acting on them.

UNITED STATES: The government advises U.S. citizens to leave the Far East ". . . in view of abnormal conditions in those areas."

1942
GUADALCANAL: Torrential rains slow the plans of the Marines on Guadalcanal. Company H of the 2nd Btn, 5th Marines finds itself between the 9th Comp. of the 4th IJA regiment and the balance of the regiment. Effective company level leadership allows Company H to recover. The main attack by the Marines is postponed one day as night approaches.

ALASKA: The Eleventh Air Force sends 9 B-24 Liberators, 3 B-17 Flying Fortresses, and 12 P-38 Lightnings to attack Kiska Island Harbor installations (starting fires in Main Camp), and strafe AA positions, hangars, a corvette (silencing her guns), and a freighter.

NEW GUINEA, B-25s bomb the Buna area while A-20 Havocs bomb the Buna- Kokoda trail; the Japanese withdrawal northeast across the Owen Stanley Range slows as they prepare to make a stand at Templeton Crossing north of Myola. The Australian 25th Brigade, 7th Division, makes contact with the Japanese rear-guard at Templeton Crossing.

CHINA: Brigadier General Claire Chennault, Commanding General China Air
Task Force of the USAAF Fourteenth Air Force, delivers a letter to Wendell L. Willkie for U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt asking for increased authority and air power in order to destroy the Japanese Air Force in China, then attack Japanese Empire. President Roosevelt had asked Wilkie to make an airplane flight around the world as his special envoy to show the world that although America is engaged in a vigorous political debate at home, she is united in her desire to combat fascism throughout the world.

1943
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 9 B-24's, supported by 20 P-40's, bomb Gia Lam Airfield in French Indochina. While on ferry mission over the Hump, 3 B-24's bomb Tengchung, China scoring hits on warehouses, barracks, and a HQ area.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's and P-40's sink a barge off the W coast of Choiseul in the Solomon

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): A single B-24 on armed reconnaissance bombs Cape Gloucester Airfield. Lost is P-38H 42-66904.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Photo missions to Paramushiru, Matsuwa, Onnekotan and Shasukotan turn back due to weather.

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20+ P-47s hit targets of opportunity in the Mawhun and Manyut areas, knock out a bridge at Seywa, and bomb railroad tracks in N Burma; 5 B-25s damage a bridge and score hits on the other bridge approaches at Namhkai and knock out 2 bridges at Wuntho and Kawlin. In India, HQ 443d Troop Carrier Group moves from Dinjan to Ledo.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 12 P-40s and P-51s hit locomotives, trucks, and river traffic at Yuncheng and NE of Pengtse.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 3 Saipan -based B-24s hit Pagan and Marcus . 24 P-47s hit buildings, beach defenses, and gun positions on Pagan. During the day and night of 8/9 Oct B-24s from the Marshalls bomb Wake. In Hawaii, the 531st Fighter Squadron, 21st Fighter Group, moves from Kuoloa to Mokuleia Field with P-38s and P-51s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-47s bomb Amahai and Boela. P-38s hit Dodinga Bay barge hideouts, supplies and targets of opportunity along Wasile Bay and Kaoe Bay. In New Guinea, B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers hit Sorong, Doom, runways and targets of opportunity at Efman and Samate, and gun positions, bivouacs, and supplies at Simora Point; a detachment of the 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), begins operating from Noemfoor with F-5s (squadron HQ begins a movement from Guadalcanal to Morotai; another detachment is operating from Bougainville.

UNITED STATES: Wendell Lewis Willkie, the Republican candidate in the 1940 Presidential election, dies in New York City of complications from an August heart attack. He is 50-years-old.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 143, OCTOBER 8, 1944
Supported by Corsair fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing, which dropped 1000 pound bombs, U. S. Forces on Peleliu Island made further ad¬vances against enemy held positions on Umurbrogol Mountain on October 7 (West Longitude Date). On Angaur Island, mopping up operations continued. Enemy dead number 11,083 and Peleliu and 1,150 on Angaur. On Peleliu 214 prisoners have been captured, and on Angaur 11 have been taken. A fuel dump and two small buildings were destroyed by our planes in an attack on the villages of Ngatpang and Gamilangel on Babelthuap Island.
Military government was set up on Peleliu Island on September 16 and on Kongauru and Ngesebus Islands on September 30. As previously announced, military government was established on Angaur Island on September 30.
Two Liberators of the Seventh Air Force bombed Wake Island on the night of October 6 without encountering antiaircraft fire.
Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands was bombed on October 6. There was no antiaircraft fire.
The airfield and gun positions on Nauru Island were bombed by Seventh Air Force Mitchells on October 5. Antiaircraft fire was ineffective.
Neutralization raids against enemy held positions in the Marshall Islands continued.

1945

 

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1931
CHINA: The government asks for an immediate League of Nations Council meeting in view of "serious information regarding further aggressive military operations upon the part of Japanese armed forces in Manchuria."

JAPAN: Japan rejects the Chinese request of 5 October 1931 and asks for direct negotiation on fundamental points. The Japanese also protest the anti-Japanese movement in China stating that the boycott is not spontaneous but an "instrument of national policy under direction of Nationalist Party, which, in view of peculiar political organization in China, is inseparable in function from government."

UNITED STATES: The United States urges the League of Nations "to assert all pressure and authority within its competence toward regulating the action of China and Japan," and says it "acting independently through its diplomatic representatives will endeavor to reinforce what the League does."

1937
JAPAN: The government issues a statement denying that action in China violates existing treaties in any way whatever stating, "The League of Nations regards Japan's action in China as violation of the Nine Power Treaty and the Anti-War Pact. The United States published a statement to the same effect. This was due to misunderstanding of Japan's true intentions."

1941
UNITED STATES: President Franklin D. Roosevelt sent a message to Congress asked for arming of American flag ships engaged in foreign commerce stating, " I recommend the repeal of section 6 of the act of 4 November 1939, which prohibits the arming of American-flag ships engaged in foreign commerce."
The Japanese ambassador to the U.S. sends the following message to the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo: " This morning, the 9th, I called on (U.S. Secretary of State Cordell) Hull and relayed the matter contained in your instructions and at the same time brought up the points discussed at the White House on 3 September.
The Secretary, in reply, merely repeated that non-discriminatory treatment should extend over the entire Pacific area. He added that geographical proximity, etc., could be interpreted in many ways. He said that he would have Ballantine and others make a detailed reply to me later after the papers I submitted were carefully perused and studied. (Hamilton and Ballantine are supposed to call on me this afternoon.) Referring to the matter of evacuating or stationing of troops in China, I carefully and in detail described the political situation in China from the Japanese viewpoint and pointed out that stationing of our troops in certain parts of China was absolutely essential. I requested that this point be given a reconsideration in this light."

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: The USAAF Eleventh Air Force dispatches seven B-17s and ten B-24s, escorted by six P-38s and four P-39s to bomb the harbor on Japanese held Kiska Island, installations, and shipping: targets include shipping in Gertrude Cove, small cargo vessels in Kiska Harbor, installations at North Head, a hangar, Main Camp area (hit several times), and various shore facilities.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 30 B-17s pound numerous targets at Rabaul. 14 B-25s hit the airfield at Lae.

CHINA: The British and U.S. governments formally relinquish extra-territorial rights and special privileges in China. This policy change reflects an effort to bolster the Nationalist Chinese government as a strategic partner in the war against the Japanese.

NEW CALEDONIA: U.S. reinforcements for Guadalcanal in the form of the U.S. Army's 164th Infantry Regiment are on the way as a troop convoy consisting of the transports USS McCawley (AP-10) and Zeilin (AP-9) and eight high speed transports. The ships sail from Noumea.

NEW GUINEA: On the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea, the Australian 2/25th Battalion is ordered to swing left to Kagi while the 2/31st Battalion keeps moving forward to Efogi North however, the patrol from 2/25th Battalion is still being held up by the Japanese rearguard on the Track.
In North East New Guinea, the USAAF Fifth Air Force completes the airlift of the Australian 2/7th Independent Company to Wau. Their orders are to harass the Japanese in the Mubo-Lae-Salamaua area. Meanwhile fourteen USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25 Mitchells bomb Lae Aerodrome.
HQ 49th Fighter Group moves from Darwin, Australia to Port Moresby.

NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS: The Japanese submarine HIJMS I-7 launches a "Glen" reconnaissance aircraft to reconnoiter Espiritu Santo Island.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal, the 7th Marine Regiment successfully completes its three-day offensive west of Henderson Field. The 1st and 2nd Battalions, 7th Marine Regiment, move out for Point Cruz and Matanikau Village where they met the Japanese 4th Infantry Regiment. About 690 Japanese are killed during the Battle of the Matanikau while the Marine Regiment have suffered fewer than 200 casualties.
Three USAAF P-39 pilots shoot down three Imperial Japanese Navy float biplanes over New Georgia Sound about 150 miles from Henderson Field at 0700 hours local.
In the afternoon, 20 F4F Wildcats of Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-121 are launched from the auxiliary aircraft carrier USS Copahee (ACV-12) and land at Fighter-1 Airfield. During the night, Japanese seaplane carrier HIJMS Nisshin delivers six antiaircraft guns, two 10 centimeters (3.9 inch) howitzers, equipment and 180 men on Guadalcanal while four destroyers unload mortars and 560 men of the 4th Maizuru Special Naval Landing Force.

UNITED STATES: The USN opens the first three schools for enlisted WAVES (Woman Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) at Stillwater, Oklahoma, (Yeoman), Bloomington, Indiana, (Storekeepers) , and Madison, Wisconsin (Radiomen).

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 12 Kuril-based Japanese bombers attack Attu.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 4 B-25's on a shipping sweep off the SE China coast in the Amoy-Quemoy area sink a 150-ft (45.7 m) tanker and damage a patrol vessel, and a freighter. 1 B-25 crashes into a hill and explodes. 10 P-40's bomb fuel storage and barracks at Mangshih, China; 1 P-40 is downed by ground fire.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): B-25's and P-40's hit barges and concentrations on W Choiseul. P-39's and USN F4U's strafe buildings, a radar station, and gun positions at Poporang.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): A-20's and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) airplanes bomb and strafe defensive positions in the Sattelberg and Finschhafen areas. B-24's bomb Makassar on Celebes.
The 2d Bombardment Squadron, 22d BG (Medium), transfers from Reid River, Australia to Dobodura with B-26's. They re-entered combat on 5 Oct after R&R in Australia since Jan 43.
The 65th Troop Carrier Squadron, 54th Troop Carrier Wing, transfers from Port Moresby to Nadzab. The squadron is operating from Tsili Tsili with C-47's.

ELLICE ISLANDS: Nukufetau Airstrip on Motulalo Island is ready for use.

RAAF - Written off after suffering bomb damage at Vivigani is Beaufort A9-226.

1944
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 50+ P-47s knock out a bridge at Manyut and thoroughly pound the town area, bomb enemy positions at Nyaunggon, Pinhe, and near Mawhun, damage a bridge near Mawlu, and hit a variety of targets in the Katha area; 9 B-25s attack road bridges SW of Lashio, knocking out Na-lang and Nampawng bridges; the B-25s hit several targets of opportunity in the area. Transport aircraft continue a steady supply of various points in the CBI. A detachment of the 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, begins operating from Chittagong with F-5s (squadron is based at Barrackpore, India).

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25s bomb the area N of Mangshih; 3 B-24s hit shipping along the lower Yangtze River; 29 P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance attack river traffic, troops, bridges, and other targets of opportunity in areas around Tanchuk, Tengyun, Anking, and Amoy; the airstrip at Tanchuk is temporarily put out of commission.

CHINA: Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs T. V. Soong presents to the U.S. Ambassador to China, Major General Patrick Hurley, an aide memoire (position paper) from Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek denouncing Allied strategy in southeast Asia. General Joseph Stilwell, Commander-in-Chief US China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, Chief of Staff to Chiang Kai-Shek, Commander-in-Chief Northern Area Combat Command (NCAC) and Deputy Commander-in-Chief South East Asia Command, is blamed for the loss of eastern China but the criticism falls indirectly upon U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: On Peleliu in the Palau Islands, the 5th Marine Regiment renews their attack on the Umurbrogol Pocket but makes little headway.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 18 B-24s from Saipan pound Iwo Jima. 25 B-25s from the Marshall bomb Truk Atoll. The 28th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Seventh AF (attached to VII Fighter Command), moves from Kipapa Airfield to Kualoa Airfield with F-5s (detachments are operating from Saipan and Peleliu).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers attack Boela, Namlea and Kairatoe on Celebes , and Liang on Ambon , concentrating on oil tanks and airfields. On Halmahera, B-25s and fighter-bombers hit Lolobata Airfield and Hate Tabako Airfield and nearby barges, supplies, and other targets of opportunity. In New Guinea, A-20s and fighter-bombers strike Faan Airfield and Langgoer Airfields, P-40s hit Manokwari, and B-25s bomb Samate. Lost on a training flight is B-24D "Mr. Five By Five" 42-40505.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20s and fighter-bombers strike Faan and Langgoer Airfields in the Kai Islands; B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers attack Boela Aerodrome on Ceram Island, Namlea on Buroe Island and Kairatoe on Halmahara Island, and Liang on Ambon Island, concentrating on oil tanks and airfields. On Halmahera Island, B-25s and fighter-bombers hit Lolobato and Hate Tabako Airfields and nearby barges, supplies, and other targets of opportunity.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: The USN's Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) continues operations from Stirling Island in the Treasury Islands, Solomon Islands. Four Interstate TDR-1 target drones controlled from converted TBM-1C Avengers are launched against Matupi Bridge, Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, on New Britain Island. Antiaircraft fire, however, downs three of the TDRs; one is lost en route to the target.

HAWAII: In a Warning Order for invasion of Iwo Jima, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief Pacific Ocean Area (CINCPOA), designates the Fifth Fleet Commander, Admiral Raymond Spruance, as commander of the operation (Commander, Task Force 50); Vice Admiral Richmond K. Turner, Commander Amphibious Forces, Pacific, to command the Joint Expeditionary Force (Task Force 51); Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith, USMC, Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, as commander of the Expeditionary Troops (Task Force 56). The invasion date is tentaviely set for 20 January 1945. Expeditionary troops are to be mounted in Hawaiian area and in the Mariana Islands.

MARCUS ISLAND: The USN's Task Group 30.2 consisting of three heavy cruisers and six destroyers conducts a diversionary bombardment of Japanese installations on Marcus Island. Japanese return fire is intense and accurate at the outset, with Japanese gunners repeatedly straddling U.S. ships.

RYUKYU ISLANDS: Saipan-based USN Navy PB4Ys, on interdiction patrols in the path of Task Force 58 as it approaches the Ryukyu Islands, damage Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser HIJMS Sankyo Maru off Okinawa.

UNITED KINGDOM: Prime Minister Winston Churchill asks Admiral Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Commander South East Asia Command, to meet him in Cairo, Egypt, to consider pre-monsoon operations.

UNITED STATES: The Dumbarton Oaks Conference consisting of representatives from the United States, the British Commonwealth, and the Soviet Union, which began meeting in Washington, D.C. on 21 August, concludes. The purpose of the conference is to plan for the establishment of the United Nations. The objective of the UN is to replace the League of Nations with a more effective organization to preserve world peace and security. The UN proposal is officially unveiled today.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 144, OCTOBER 9, 1944
Units of the Pacific Fleet attacked Marcus Island on October 8 (West Longitude Date) and throughout the day subjected enemy installations and shore defenses to deliberate and destructive gunfire in good visibility. Considerable damage was inflicted and the greater part of the coast defense batteries were silenced. Buildings were hit and fires were started.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 145, OCTOBER 9, 1944
Elements of the 81st Infantry Division landed on Garakayo Island in the Southern Palau Islands on October 8 (West Longitude Date). A beachhead has been secured and patrols are advancing inland against light opposition. On Peleliu Island Marines continued mopping up operations in the vicinity of Bloody Nose Ridge. Elements of the 81st Infantry Division are continuing to clean up on Angaur. Corsair fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing bombed Umurbrogol Mountain on October 8, strafed small craft in Ngatpang Bay and bombed fuel dumps and warehouses on Babelthuap Island. All of our aircraft returned.
Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands was attacked on October 8 by Seventh Air Force Liberators which bombed the airfield and adjacent installations. Six to eight enemy fighters intercepted our force and two of the fighters were shot down and two were damaged. Antiaircraft fire was moderate.
On October 8 a single Navy search plane of Fleet Air Wing One shot down an enemy bomber while on routine patrol. On the same day another Navy search plane bombed and damaged an enemy picket boat.
A lone Catalina search plane of Fleet Air Wing One sighted four small enemy ships near Iwo Jima on October 8. The largest of the four was bombed and strafed. A direct hit was scored seriously damaging the vessel.
During October 6 Seventh Air Force Liberators bombed two small enemy cargo vessels northeast of Marcus Island and attacked targets on the enemy-held island on both October 6 and 7. The Liberators encountered meager antiaircraft fire. Other Liberators raided Wake Island on the night of October 6 and on October 8.
On October 7 the air strip, radio station, buildings, beach defenses and other military installations on Pagan Island in the Marianas were bombed and rocketed. No antiaircraft fire was met. One of our planes was shot down by antiaircraft fire over Rota Island on the same date.
Enemy held positions in the Marshall Islands were bombed on October 7.

1945

 

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1931
UNITED STATES: The government makes oral representations to Japan and China urging a Pacific policy and utmost restraint in keeping with League of Nations resolution of 30 September. The resolution notes the Japanese intention of withdrawal of its troops as rapidly as possible and disclaimer of territorial designs in Manchuria. Concern is expressed over the bombing of Chinchow by the Japanese.

1937
CHINA: Japanese forces capture Shihchiachuang.

1941
MALAYA: No. 488 Squadron, RNZAF, arrives at RAF Kallang, Singapore, and is equipped with Brewster Buffalo Mk. Is to provide defense for the British colony.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: 10 B-24s, 7 B-17s, and 4 P-38s fly 4 missionsto Kiska; the third mission (3 B-17s) does not make contact; the others bomb and strafe the 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. The 344th Fighter Squadron, 343d Fighter Group, is activated at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage with P-40s.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: Twenty one USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s bomb Rabaul and nearby Lakunai Airfield on New Britain Island.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, Australian troops are still not making progress against the Japanese on the Kokoda Track. In the air, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20s hit targets along the Buna-Kokoda trail and, with P-400 Airacobras, strike villages in the area of Asisi and Sanananda. The main body of the 2d Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 32d Infantry Division, with supporting units, leaves Kalikodobu on foot for Jaure.

INDIA AIR TASK FORCE (IATF): HQ 51st Fighter Group and the 26th Fighter Squadron move from Karachi to Dinjan, India with P-40s.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: In anticipation of a Japanese counteroffensive on Guadalcanal, the marines strengthen defense positions and patrol aggressively. Three battalions of the 1st and 7th Marine Regiments plus elements of the Special Weapons Company take responsibility for the east bank
of the Matanikau River, where permanent positions are established at the river mouth.
- USMC F4F pilots shoot down ten Japanese Navy aircraft over New Georgia Sound and Rekata Bay at 0640 hours local. By this time on Guadalcanal, 12 USAAF P-39s of the 67th Fighter Squadron are at Henderson Field and B-17s are occasionally staging through the field.

UNITED STATES: The U.S. Senate approves the largest tax bill in history. Americans will pay US$8.5 billion (US$95.96 billion in year 2005 dollars) in corporate and income taxes during 1943.

1943
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): 7 B-24's pound the Meza railroad bridge in Burma, destroying the 3 spans on the E end and dropping the end of a central span into the river.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 20 B-24's and 18 P-40's pound docks at Haiphong, French Indochina. In China, 8 P-40's bomb a match factory and ammunition dump at Tengchung; 8 others hit a supply dump and targets of opportunity in the Lungling area.
Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek takes the oath of office as president of China.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 24 B-24's, 50+ P-38's (seporated from the formation near Kolombangara) soon after rendevous. P-40's, and P-39's, and 50+ USN fighters and dive bombers participated, including eight F4Us from VMF-214 'The Black Sheep', but two aborted due to mechanical failures. The remaining aircraft hit Kahili Airfield and surrounding areas, hitting runways, a fuel dump, supply area, buildings, the Navy dive bombers hit Malabita Hill gun positions. The bombing was not accurate with about half the load falling into the water off Bougainville 'killing many small fish'. Jumped by 10-15 Zeros, and fired on by accurate anti-aircraft guns at Kahili and Ballale. Two B-24s are damaged. Lost is B-24D 42-40210. US airplanes claim 15 interceptors shot down, but Japanese records only show the loss of two Zeros from the 201th Kokutai.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, A-20's, along with RAAF airplanes, again pound the Sattelberg area. HQ 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group arrives at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from the US.
The ground echelon of the 20th Combat Mapping Squadron, 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), arrives at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia from the US. The squadron is attached to the 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group and will be reassigned to the 6th on 5 Dec 43. The air echelon, with B-24's and F-7's, will remain in the US until 26 Jan 44. The 70th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, transfers from Port Moresby to Nadzab, New Guinea with C-47's.

EAST INDIES: During the night of 10/11 October, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25s hit Saumlaki on Yamdena Island in the Netherlands East Indies.

PACIFIC OCEAN: The USN submarine USS Kingfish lays mines off Cape Pepe, Makassar Strait, Celebes Island, Netherlands East Indies.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Four USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-24s abort a strike at Kashiwabara, Paramushiru Island, Kurile Islands, due to strong headwinds. It took the aircraft 5 hours to fly to the location they turn at and 1 hour and 50 minutes to fly back to Shemya Island, Aleutian Islands.

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 P-47s support ground forces near Pinhe, bomb the towns of Tawbon and Man Naung, and hit targets of opportunity in and near Momauk. Transport operations to various points in the CBI continue at the rate of 250+ sorties.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-25s bomb and considerably damage the Kunlong ferry; 38 P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack a bridge and other targets of opportunity near Mangshih, hit troop areas around Tanchuk and Wuchou, river traffic near Dosing, and locomotives and barges along the N French Indochina coast.

USN: Admiral "Bull" Halsey's carrier aircraft begin sustained attacks on Japenese bases from the Ryukyus to the northern Phillippines in preparation for the amphibious assault on Leyte. As many as 1,000 planes are in action at once. The war also draws closer to Japan as planes from Vice Admiral Mitscher's fast carrier task force bomb coastal defenses and ships at Okinawa and other islands of the Ryukyu group.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Japanese air units have been reinforced and they have about 400 aircraft in the islands, half of them are considered operational.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 14 B-24s from Saipan bomb the airfield on Iwo Jima and shipping off the E shore. 24 P-47s pound buildings and storage caves on Pagan; later a B-24 bombs the radio station N of the airfield on Pagan. 12 B-25s from Makin bomb runways and adjacent AA positions on Nauru.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: On Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands, the 5th Marine Regiment makes limited progress against the Umurbrogol Pocket.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s strike oil refineries and an airfield in the Balikpapan, Borneo area; the B-24s and escorting P-47s and P-38s claim 30+ Japanese fighters downed. P-38s and B-25s bomb Djailolo, Kaoe, and Hate Tabako Airfield and the Wasile town area. P-47s hit Liang Airfield on Ambon . In New Guinea, A-20s hit the Sarmi area and A-20s and B-25s bomb Utarom Airfield.

EAST INDIES: One hundred seven USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s escorted by 11 P-38s and 16 P-47s strike the Pendasari oil refinery and an airfield in the Balikpapan area in Dutch Borneo; this is the largest attack of the war on the oil refineries at Balikpapan and the lubricating oil refinery is projected to be out of action for one month. The B-24s and escorting P-47s and P-38s shoot down 18 Japanese Army fighters; four B-24s and a P-38 are lost. On Halmahera Island, P-38s and B-25s bomb Djailolo, Kaoe, and Hate Tabako Airfields, the Wasile town area on Galela Island and P-47s hit Liang Airfield on Ambon Island.

PACIFIC OCEAN: The Dutch submarine HNMS Zwaardvisch sinks a Japanese coastal vessel by gunfire about 80 nautical miles N of Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies, in position 05.57S, 112.29E.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 146, OCTOBER 10, 1944
Carrier based aircraft of the Pacific Fleet swept over the Ryukyu Islands in great force on October 9 (West Longitude Date). All naval and merchant ships that could be found were attacked and severe damage was done to shore installations. Preliminary reports indicate that the following damage was Inflicted on the enemy:
Sunk:
1 destroyer
1 minesweeper
1 submarine tender
2 medium cargo ships
2 small cargo ships
5 coastal cargo ships
Probably sunk
2 medium cargo ships
4 small cargo ships
1 medium oil tanker
7 coastal cargo ships
Damaged:
3 medium cargo ships
6 small cargo ships
1 destroyer
2 small oil tankers
In addition to the foregoing, more than 20 luggers and other small craft were sunk or damaged.
Complete surprise was achieved in the attack. More than 75 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Fourteen enemy aircraft were shot down. Buildings and defense installations on the islands were severely bombed and strafed, and many were left burning. There was no damage to our surface ships, and our plane losses were light.
The carrier task forces which conducted the attack are part of Admiral Halsey's Third Fleet, and the carriers are under the immediate command of Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 147, OCTOBER 10, 1944
Garakayo Island in the Southern Palau Group which was occupied by elements of the 81st Division on October 8 (West Longitude Date) was completely secured by October 9. On Peleliu Island several hillside and ravine caves were cleared of enemy troops and a small hill was occupied as Marines made some progress in reducing the last stubborn pocket of enemy resistance. On Angaur sniper demolition teams of the 81st Division continued mopping up operations. Corsair fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing strafed four small boats and nine barges in a sweep over the east and northwest coasts of Babelthuap Island.
A single Navy search plane on the night of October 8 9 bombed Nauru Island. There was no antiaircraft fire.
Neutralization raids by our aircraft in the Marshall Islands continued on October 8 and 9.

1945

 

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1931
UNITED STATES: Secretary of State Henry Stimson protests to the Japanese government. He is disturbed that their commitments of the League resolution of 30 September, i.e., the Japanese intention of withdrawal of its troops as rapidly as possible and disclaimer of territorial designs in Manchuria, are not being carried out.

1939
UNITED STATES: President Franklin D. Roosevelt today orders American scientists to investigate the feasibility of building an "atomic bomb." A group of refugee European scientists is concerned that its German colleagues might use atomic energy to provide Hitler with a weapon with unimagined destructive power. It is Albert Einstein who persuades a banker friend of Roosevelt, Alexander Sachs, to warn the US president of the possibility of an atomic bomb. "What you're after," the president says, "is to see the Nazis don't blow us up." Then he called an aide and said: "This requires action."

1940
UNITED STATES: President Franklin D. Roosevelt today orders American scientists to investigate the feasibility of building an "atomic bomb." A group of refugee European scientists is concerned that its German colleagues might use atomic energy to provide Hitler with a weapon with unimagined destructive power. It is Albert Einstein who persuades a banker friend of Roosevelt, Alexander Sachs, to warn the US president of the possibility of an atomic bomb. "What you're after," the president says, "is to see the Nazis don't blow us up." Then he called an aide and said: "This requires action."

1941
UNITED STATES: President Franklin D. Roosevelt privately proposed to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill that the countries pool their resources and research facilities to develop an atomic bomb.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: Japanese-held Kiska Island is hit by three bombing and strafing missions flown by ten B-24s and three B-17s of the USAAF Eleventh Air Force. The B-17s make no contact but the B-24s blast harbor targets and the Main Camp.

NEW GUINEA: On the Kododa Track in Papua New Guinea, Australian troops of the 2/33rd Battalion are ordered to take Templeton's Crossing but they are unable to dislodge the Japanese.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): The 22d Troop CarrierSquadron, Air Carrier Service, Air Service Command, Fifth Air Force, movesfrom Essendon Airdrome to Garbutt Field, Australia with C-47's.

PACIFIC OCEAN: Japanese submarine HIJMS I-25, homeward bound from her deployment off the U.S. West Coast, torpedoes and sinks Soviet submarine L16 about 653 nautical miles W of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Soviet submarines L-15 and L-16 are en route from Dutch Harbor, Territory of Alaska, to San Francisco, California, and the commander of I-25 assumed they are American.
USN submarine USS Searaven torpedoes a German blockade runner in the Sunda Strait between Sumatra and Java in the Netherlands East Indies.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: During the day, the Japanese Navy initiates a two-part air attack against Guadalcanal which is interecepted by 39 USMC F4Fs and 12 USAAF P-39 and P-400 Airacobras. The first attack is by 17 "Zeke" fighters which are not intercepted. The second part of the attack, which is forced to a low altitude by clouds, consists of 18 "Betty" bombers and 30 "Zeke" fighters. The Japanese second force is intercepted and the Marine Wildcat pilots shoot down nine "Bettys" and two "Zekes" and the USAAF Airacobra pilots shoot down two "Bettys." U.S. loses are one Wildcat and one Airacobra.
During the night of 11/12 October, a Japanese transport force (Rear Admiral Koji Koji), formed around seaplane carriers HIJMS Chitose and Nisshin and six destroyers, reaches Tassafaronga, Guadalcanal, to disembark elements of the Japanese Army's 2d Infantry Division. Three heavy cruisers and two destroyers are to provide cover by shelling Henderson Field.
USAAF B-17s sight the cruisers and destroyers bearing down on Guadalcanal Island in the afternoon. USN Task Force 64 (Rear Admiral Norman Scott) consisting of the heavy cruisers USS Salt Lake City and San Francisco, light cruisers USS Helena and Boise and five destroyers has been formed to thwart the "Tokyo Express," a steady flow of Japanese vessels maintaining reinforcement and resupply to Guadalcanal. At about 1615 hour local, the USN ships commence a run northward from Rennel Island, to intercept the Japanese force.
By 2330 hours, when the ships are approximately 6 nautical miles NW of Savo Island, they turne to make a further search of the area. A few minutes after setting the new course, radar indicates unidentified ships to the west, several thousand yards distant. At about 2345, the Battle of Cape Esperance begins.
Search planes are ordered launched from the cruisers, but in the process of launching, USS Salt Lake City's plane catches fire as flares ignite in the cockpit. The plane crashes close to the ship and the pilot manages to get free. He is later found safely on a nearby island. The brilliant fire is seen in the darkness by the Japanese flag officers, who assume that it is a signal flare from the landing force which they are sent to protect.
The Japanese flagship answers with blinker light, and receiving no reply, continues to signal. The American force forms a battle line at right angles to the Japanese T-formation (crossing the T), and thus are able to enfilade the Japanese ships. The USN cruisers open fire and continue scoring hits for a full seven minutes before the confused Japanese realize what is taking place. They had believed that, by error, their own forces are taking them under fire. When the Japanese warships reply, their fire is too little and too late. The action is over in half an hour.
The Americans sink heavy cruiser HIJMS Furutaka and destroyer HIJMS Fubuki and cripple heavy cruisers HIJMS Aoba and Kinugasa; one destroyer of the five-ship force escapes damage.
After the battle, more than 100 of Fubuki's survivors refuse to be rescued from shark-infested waters and are forcibly pulled onto two American ships. Heavy cruiser USS Salt Lake City sustains three major hits during the action; light cruiser USS Boise is severely crippled, but manages to rejoin the group under her own power; and the destroyer USS Duncan is left gutted off Savo Island. The ships form up and steamed to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides Islands.

1943
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): HQ 311th Fighter-Bomber Group transfers from Nawadih to Dinjan, India.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-24's bomb the town areas of Tengchung, China, and Sadon and Myitkyina, Burma. The 75th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, transfers from Kunming to Kweilin, China with P-40's.

JAPAN: The submarine USS Wahoo is sunk in La Perouse Strait off the coast of Hokkaido with its ace skipper, Commander Dudley "Mush the Magnificent" Morton. During five patrols, Morton and Wahoo sank 19 ships. Japanese records report that, on 11 October, the date USS Wahoo is due to exit through La Perouse Strait, an antisubmarine aircraft found a surfaced submarine and attacks, dropping three depth charges sinking the sub.
Also on 11 October 1943, the commander of a Japanese shore battery overlooking Soya Strait reports sighting and firing on a surfaced submarine. A number of hits are claimed before the submarine dives and an aircraft from Ominato is sent to the spot. At 0920 hours, the plane detects an oil patch and the shadow of a conning tower and bombs are dropped on this shape. The aircraft radios for assistance and circles until other planes arrive.
A submarine is positively identified and more bombs are dropped until surface ships, including HIJMS Submarine Chasers 15 and 43 arrive. These, and other ships, drop depth charges. HIJMS Submarine Chaser 15 reports part of a ship's propeller thrown to the surface by an underwater explosion. More aircraft and HIJMS Auxiliary Minesweeper 18 arrive, but nothing more of the submarine is seen.] USS Wahoo is announced overdue on 2 December 1943 and stricken from the Navy list on 6 December 1943.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force) 22 B-24's join 30+ USN dive bombers in pounding Kahili Airfield and the nearby area. Hits are scored on the airstrip, fuel dumps, supply areas, gun positions, bridges between Rangu and Jakohina, barges at the mouth of the Uguima River, and several other targets. The B-24's and the USN and AAF fighters covering the attack claim 12 Japanese airplanes downed.
Japanese aircraft attack U.S. shipping off Koli Point, Guadalcanal, torpedoing two merchant freighters.

NEW GUINEA: Over Northeast New Guinea, Colonel Neal Kearby, Commanding Officer 348th Fighter Group, Fifth Air Force, shoots down six Japanese fighters, four Zeros and two "Tonys" near Wewak, Northeast New Guina. He is awarded the Medal of Honor for this action.
In Dutch New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s attack Manokwari, Bira, and Fakfak and score hits on a small vessel at Fakfak.

EAST INDIES: During the night of 11/12 October, 5th AF B-25s bomb Cape Chater and Lautem Airfields on Dutch Timor Island in the Netherlands East Indies.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile , 4 B-25s over Shimushiru and Paramushiru blow up 3 buildings and damage 2 others at Cape Namikawa.

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 15 P-47s hit guns and enemy positions near Pinhe while 9 attack the town of Manwein and hit targets of opportunity in the area; 8 others hit the towns of Nayakaung and Nansiaung; 8 B-25s attack bridges at Man Pwe, Tahpalai, and Namyao damaging only the Man Pwe bridge; 23 P-47s hit troops and stores near Tawbon and at Hkawan, knock out Kawnghka bridge and damage the Wanling bridge. Transport flights continue to points throughout the CBI. The detachment of the 4th Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, operating from Yunnani, China returns to base at Sylhet, India with C-47s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25s knock out a bridge S of Mangshih; 3 P-40s attack sampans from Tanchuk to Tengyun while 8 hit general targets of opportunity N of Mangshih.

CHINA: Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek asks that U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt recall Lieutenant General Joseph Stilwell immediately. Stillwell has four jobs: Deputy Commander in Chief South-East Asia Command (SEAC), Commander in Chief US China-Burma- India (CBI) Theater of Operations, Chief of Staff to Chiang Kai-Shek and Commander in Chief of the Northern Area Combat Command (NCAC) in Burma.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Saipan based P-47s hit buildings on Pagan with rockets and bombs. A Kwajalein Atoll-based B-24 bombs Wake during the night.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In New Guinea, Langgoer Airfield is bombed by P-47s and P-47s hit Babo Airfield while A-20s attack Sarmi troop concentrations. At night B-24s bomb Sasa, Matina and Buayoan Airfield. Lost on an administrative flight is B-25D "5 Minutes To Midnight" 41-30525.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, B-24s bomb the Koeandang and Langoan area on Celebes Island and P-38s attack Miti Airfield on Miti Island off the east coast of Halmahera Island. A-20s and fighter-bombers attack airfields at Liang (Laha, Ambon East) Airfield on Ambon Island, Kairatoe Airfield on Halmahara Island, Haroekoe on Haroekoe Island southeast of Ceram Island, and Namlea on Buroe Island. P-47s bomb hit Langgoer Airfield in the Kai Islands southeast of Ceram Island.
During the night of 11/12 October, Australian Catalinas lay mines off Soerabaja, Java, Netherlands East Indies.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In preparation for operations against Formosa, 61 aircraft of Task Group 38.1 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) and TG 38.4 (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison) attack Aparri Aerodrome and other facilities on the north coast of Luzon, Philippine Islands; aircraft damage escort destroyer HIJMS Yashiro off San Vicente and cargo vessel SS Banei Maru off Aparri. Seven USN aircraft are lost.
During the night of 11/12 October, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24 Liberators bomb Matina and Buayan Aerodromes on Mindanao Island.

AUSTRALIA: Shorts S-23 C Class Flying Boat, msn S-877, registered VH-ABB and named “Coolangatt” by the Australian airline QANTAS, crashes at Rose Bay, Sydney, New South Wales, while attempting to land. Only one of the 30 people aboard the aircraft perishes.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: Australian troops land at Jacquinot Bay, on New Britain Island. The Australians' arrival opens the successful New Britain campaign in which a small Militia force successfully contained the large Japanese garrison holding Rabaul.

UNITED STATES: The U.S. Army's Western Defense Command issues a proclamation allowing interior lighting in stores and taverns as long as the light is 6 feet from the windows. This includes lighted juke boxes and pinball machines. Trains, however, must continue to operate with drawn shades at night.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 148, OCTOBER 11, 1944
Troops of the 81st Infantry Division landed on Bairakaseru Island in the Palau Islands on October 10 (West Longitude Date). No opposition was encountered. Meantime troops of the First Marine Division continued to make slow but steady progress against the remaining pocket of enemy resistance on Bloody Nose Ridge. During the day a sizeable ammunition dump was exploded within one of the largest enemy held caves. On Angaur mopping up operations by the 81st Infantry Division proceeded. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas communiqué Number 143 stated in error that enemy dead on Peleliu number 11,08'3. This figure should have read 10,083. Enemy dead counted on Peleliu through October 10 were 10,305 and on Angaur 1,165. On Peleliu 284 enemy troops have been made prisoners of war and on Angaur 11 have been taken. In addition 184 civilians have been interned on Angaur. On October 10, the airstrip at Babelthuap was bombed by Corsair fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing and several small craft were damaged by strafing in Gamilangel Bay.
The airfield and shipping in the harbor at Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands were bombed on October 9. Eight enemy fighters rose to Intercept; two were shot down, one was probably shot down and one was damaged. One of our planes suffered minor damage.
Supply dumps, personnel areas and a radio station on Pagan Island in the Marianas were bombed and strafed on October 9. One of our planes was shot down by antiaircraft fire but the pilot was rescued.
On October 9, Liberators of the Seventh Air Force bombed Wake Island.

1945

 

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1940
COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: MacArthur drafts memorandum to Quezon detailing America’s refusal to commit to a defence plan for the Commonwealth and emphasizing that the Philippines could only remain independent if shielded by guarantees of US military support. The memorandum highlights the failure by both the War and Navy Departments to develop a specific plan, be this withdrawal or reinforcement, for the Islands, and warns Quezon that “strategic abandonment” by the US was a possibility.

U.S.A.: Dayton, Ohio: President Roosevelt rejects appeasement, and promises to defend America and its seas against aggression.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: Two USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-24s abort a bombing mission to Japanese-held Kiska Island due to overcast and instead fly a shipping search west of Japanese-held Attu Island.

CHINA: Lieutenant General Stilwell, Commanding General, U.S. Army China-Burma- India Theater of Operations and Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek requests that a second 30 Chinese divisions be equipped.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, two Australian battalions converge on Templeton's Crossing on the Kododa Track. In the afternoon, one of the battalions encounters the Japanese between Myola and Templeton's Crossing but makes little progress.
In the air, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20s attack the village of Isivita and targets on the trail near Wairopi and B-25s bomb Buna, Wairopi bridge, and targets along the Buna-Kokoda Track.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The reinforcement convoy of seaplane carriers HIJMS Nisshin and Chitose with six destroyers unloads supplies and 280 reinforcements on Guadalcanal. Included in the equipment unloaded are four 105mm howitzers. These will become known to the Marines as "Pistol Pete."
Sixteen SBDs escorted by 16 F4Fs and eight P-39s take off from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal at 0515 hours, in search of the Japanese ships that resupplied the island last night. SBD pilots follow oil slicks and locate four Japanese destroyers north of the Russell Islands and a Scouting Squadron VS-71 SBD pilot scores a near miss on destroyer HIJMS Natsugumo which later sinks. At 0800 hours, 14 USMC F4Fs plus six SBDs and six TBF Avengers of Torpedo Squadron VT-8 attack the ships. The F4Fs strafe two destroyers, the SBDs score three near misses on the ship and finally, a TBF torpedoes the destroyer HIJMS Murakumo which is later scuttled by destroyer HIJMS Shirayuki.
The USN destroyers USS Gwin, Nicholas, and Sterett shell Japanese artillery positions on Guadalcanal. The first four boats of the USN's Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Two (MTBRon 2) arrive at Government Wharf on Tulagi Island today. PTs 38, 46, 48 and 60 had arrived at Noumea, New Caledonia on 19 September and had been towed to Espirtu Santo Island. They are then towed from Espirtu Santo to a point 300 nautical miles from Tulagi by two fast minesweepers and then sailed on their own power. The second four-boat division of the squadron will arrive on 25 October.
Five USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s bomb Japanese installations on Buka Island north of Bougainville Island.

AUSTRALIA: The 64th Bombardment Squadron, 43d BG (Heavy), arrives at Fenton Field from Iron Range with B-17s.

UNITED STATES: In Washington during a radio "fireside chat," President Franklin D. Roosevelt announces that 18- and 19-year-olds will be drafted into the military services. In Washington, Attorney General Francis Biddle says 600,000 first-generation Italian-Americans, including some who have lived in the United States for decades, no longer will be classified as enemy aliens due to the result of the "splendid showing the Italians of America have made in meeting this test [loyalty to U.S.]."

1943
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 5 B-24's bomb the warehouse area and railroad yards at Myitkyina, Burma

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 2 B-25's skip-bomb 2 small vessels in Matchin Bay on Bougainville. Lost is B-25C 42-64571.

NEW BRITAIN: Rabaul is the target of the US 5th Air Force and receives 350 tons of bombs.
The Fifth Air Force and RAAF open an aerial campaign to neutralize or cripple the four Japanese airfields and naval base at Rabaul on New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, in support of the upcoming invasion of Bougainville Island in the Solomon Islands.
The first mission today is flown by 349 aircraft, 87 B-24s, 114 B-25s, 125 P-38s, 12 RAAF Beaufighters and 11 weather and reconnaissance aircraft. The aircraft attack the airfields, the town, the harbour and ships in the harbour and sink 2 transports, 2 cargo lighters and a guard boat and damage 3 destroyers, 3 submarines, a special service ship, an oiler and 2 auxiliary sailing vessels. 50+ Japanese aircraft are destroyed on the ground; 4 B-24s and a B-25 are lost.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: B-25s fly small strikes against targets on Timor Island and other areas of the Netherlands East Indies.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: 2 Thirteenth Air Force B-25s skip-bomb 2 small vessels in Matchin Bay on Bougainville Island.

WESTERN PACIFIC: Submarine USS Halibut torpedoes and sinks the Japanese cargo ship Ehime Maru (4,500 tons), a medium freighter.

NEI: B-25's fly small strikes against targets on Timor and other areas of the Netherlands East Indies.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): B-24s hit the airfield and shipping targets in the Matsuwa -Onnekotan area.

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 18 P-47s bomb railroad targets in the Naba-Mawlu rail corridor damaging a bridge approach, and strike troops and stores near Nayakaung; 12 other P-47s hit various targets at Pintha and Nyaunggon; 4 B-25s knock out a bridge just N of Lashio and 3 others knock out a bridge at Kawlin and damage tracks near the Man Pwe bridge.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 3 B-25s and 12 P-40s hit the Chefang storage area and a bridge and general targets of opportunity in the Mangshih area; 40+ P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance covering wide areas of S China and extending into W Burma attack troop concentrations, river traffic, storage areas, and buildings in areas around Taochuan, Kweiping, Hsinganhsien, Yuncheng, Tanchuk, and Hsenwi.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): The following B-29 units are inactivated in India: HQ 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) and the 795th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy), 468th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), at Kharagpur; the 679th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy), 444th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) at Dudhkundi; the 771st Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy), 462d Bombardment Group (Very Heavy), at Piardoba.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan bomb the harbor and shipping at Chichi Jima and shipping S of Haha Jima, AA positions on Marcus, and the airfield area on Pagan. P-47s hit the Pagan Airfield area with bombs and rockets. B-24s from Kwajalein bomb Wake during the night of 12/13. HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): The first B-29, JOLTIN' JOSIE, THE PACIFIC PIONEER, arrives on Saipan , piloted by Brigadier General Haywood S Hansell, Jr, Commanding General XXI Bomber Command, for whom temporary HQ are set up on Saipan; also the regular air echelon of HQ 73d Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) arrives on Saipan on this date, followed during Oct 44 and the first week in Nov 44 by 4 bombardment groups and 4 air service groups; HQ 313th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) will be established in the theater in Dec 44, HQ 314th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) in Jan 45, HQ 58th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) in Mar 45, and HQ 315th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) in Apr 45.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Ambesia, Langoan, Mapanget, and Sidate Airfields. B-25s, A-20s, and P-47s again pound airfields at Liang and Laha on Ambon , Namlea on Buru , Kairatoe on Celebes and Haroekoe on Haroekoe , and the town of Boela. P-38s hit numerous targets of opportunity on Halmahera . Fighter-bombers hit Manokwari and Urarom and A-20s bomb pillboxes in the Sarmi area.

PALAU: Fighting continues on Peleliu Island. It will be declared completely occupied on September 30 by Admiral Fort.

EAST CHINA SEA: US naval TF 38 begins a series of attacks on FORMOSA. Between today and the 14th 2,350 sorties will be flown. US losses are 71 aircraft, damage to the carrier Franklin cruiser Houston and cruiser HMAS Canberra which was torpedoed. (This happened on the 13th, local time.)
Task Force 38 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) launches 1,000+ aircraft from 17 aircraft carriers against Japanese shipping, airfields, and industrial plants on Formosa, regarded as the strongest and best-developed base south of the homeland proper, and on northern Luzon, Philippine Islands. The aircraft fly 1,378 sorties today and they sink 4 transports, a cargo ship, 4 IJA cargo ships, 5 merchant cargo ships and 8 merchant tankers and damage several other ships. Opposition is unexpectedly strong and 48 USN aircraft are lost. USN fighters destroy 211 Japanese aircraft, mostly fighters, between 0700 and 1442 hours. Late in the day, based on reports from inexperienced pilots, the Japanese order hundreds of carrier aircraft to reinforce Formosa to fight an all-out battle.
Two USN and a RN submarine sink a Japanese transport, destroyer and cargo ship.

RAAF - Lost over Manokwari is P-40N A29-824.

U.S.A.: The "Columbus Day Riot" occurs in New York City as 25,000 swooning teenagers, mostly young girls, stop traffic in Times Square in front of the Paramount Theatre where Frank Sinatra is making his first appearance since December 1942. The bobbysoxers block the streets, screaming and swooning for Frankie driving the police crazy.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 149, OCTOBER 12, 1944
A large force of carrier aircraft from a task force of the Pacific Fleet struck enemy air bases and installations on Luzon during the afternoon of October 10 (West Longitude Date). Detailed reports of the damage inflicted are not yet available.
During October 11 elements of the First Marine Division continued to root out enemy troops from caves on Bloody Nose Ridge at Peleliu Island.
A commanding height was seized during the day which overlooks the small area held by the beleaguered defenders. On Angaur enemy troops have been confined to an area 150 yards square by the mopping up of troops of the 81st Infantry Division. A single enemy plane bombed Angaur during the night of October 10 11 but did no damage and was later shot down by one of our night fighters. Elements Of the 81st Infantry Division reconnoitered Arimasuku Island during the day and found it unoccupied.
Three of our planes while on patrol near Iwo Jima on October 10 were attacked by eight enemy fighter planes. Six of the eight enemy planes were shot down. No damage was inflicted on our planes. Seventh Air Force Liberators sank a small enemy cargo ship south of Haha Jima in the Bonins on October 11 while other Liberators bombed shipping and installations at Chichi Jima. Antiaircraft fire on these attacks were moderate.
Thunderbolts of the Seventh Air Force bombed and rocketed Pagan in the Marianas once on October 10 while Liberators and Thunderbolts struck twice on October 11. Liberators of the Seventh Air Force attacked Marcus Island on October 11 experiencing meager antiaircraft fire. Liberators attacked Wake Island on October 10.
On the same day Seventh Air Force Mitchells bombed gun emplacements and the runways at Nauru Island. Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered. On the night of October 10 Nauru was attacked by a single Navy search plane of Fleet Air Wing One.
Liberators of the Seventh Air Force dropped 55 tons of bombs on the airfield and other installations at Moen Island in the Truk Atoll on October 9. Antiaircraft fire was meager. Three enemy fighter planes attempted intercep¬tion without success.
The Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing conducted further neutralization raids against enemy held islands in the Marshalls on October 10.

1945

 

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1941
JAPAN: The Foreign Ministry sends a message to the embassy in Washington. Part of the message states that "The situation at home is fast approaching a crisis and it is becoming absolutely essential that the two leaders meet if any adjustment of Japanese-U. S. relations is to be accomplished. I cannot go into details now, but please bear this fact in mind."

1942
BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: Fifteen USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17s again bomb Rabaul, New Britain Island, concentrating on Vunakanau and Lakunai Airfields.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, Australian troops on the Kokoda Track make no progress in advancing northward. One section of 2/25th Battalion finds evidence of Japanese cannibalism of dead Australian soldiers.
- A USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17 Buna, Papua New Guinea. A pair of B-25s search for Japanese warships off Goodenough, but fail to locate them. Instead they hit the Japanese landing party at Waytutu Point. On the return flight, lost is B-25C 41-12501. The 6th Troop Carrier Squadron, 63d Troop Carrier Group, arrives at Port Moresby from the US with C-47s. The 65th Bombardment Squadron, 43d BG (Heavy), moves from Torrens Creek to Iron Range with B-17s.

NEW HEBRIDES: The Japanese submarine HIJMS I-7 launches a "Glen" reconnaissance aircraft to reconnoiter American installations on Espiritu Santo Island.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Rear Admiral Richmond Turner, Commander of Amphibious Force, South Pacific Force, brings reinforcements to Guadalcanal. Two hundred ten men of the First Marine Aircraft Wing and 85 Marine replacements join 2,850 men of the Army's 164th Infantry Regiment in the transports USS McCawley (AP-10, ex SS Santa Barbara) and USS Zeilin (AP-9, ex SS President Jackson). Unloading despite air attacks, the vessels embark the 1st Raider Battalion and sail for New Caledonia. Troop strength is thus brought up to 23,088 men, excluding forces on Tulagi. Major General Alexander Vandegrift, Commanding General 1st Marine Division, divides the Lunga perimeter into regimental sectors, massing the greatest strength on the west. At 1202 hours local, as the Army reinforcements are being put ashore, 27 "Betty" bombers escorted by 18 "Zeke" fighters, all based on Rabaul on New Britain Island, attack Henderson Field. The runway is cratered and 5,000 U.S. gallons of aviation fuel are destroyed.
Forty two Navy and Marine F4Fs and 13 USAAF P-39 and P-400 Airacobras take off but only one bomber and a fighter are destroyed; one F4F is lost but the pilot is recovered. At 1350 hours local, a second attack by 18 "Betty" bombers and 18 "Zeke" fighters occurs while the Cactus Air Fighters are being refueled. The Henderson Field runway is further damaged. A Japanese convoy of six transports and eight destroyers is spotted, 200 miles north of Guadalcanal, by the afternoon search of the Cactus Air Force. Under the direct command of Rear Admiral Takama Tamotsu, Commander of Destroyer Squadron 4, 4,500 new soldiers, a battery of both 3.9 inch and 5.9 inch artillery, the 1st Independent Tank Company, and various supplies are headed for Japanese positions on Guadalcanal.
At about 1830 hours local, the first shell from a Japanese 15 centimeter howitzer lands on Henderson Field. "Pistol Pete" is finally in battle.
Also heading down the Slot towards Guadalcanal tonight is Vice Admiral Kurita Takeo with the battleships HIJMS Kongo and HIJMS Haruna on a bombardment mission. They carry special Type 3 shells designed for antiaircraft use, but equally deadly for bombardment use. For tonight spotting is assisted by a naval gunnery officer atop Mount Austen and another leading a group of spotter and illumination aircraft.
- Six USAAF B-17s bomb Buka Island and Tonolai on Bougainville Island.

1943
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 11 P-40's unsuccessfully intercept 8 Japanese medium bombers attacking Massacre Bay and the nearby airfield on Attu.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Japanese fighters appear in strength over Sumprabum, Burma to attack over-the-Hump flights. The enemy evades US patrols and shoots down 3 transports. A fighter-bomber offensive against airfields in Burma from which fighters might operate against Hump transports opens with an attack by P-40's on Myitkyina.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 3 B-25's on a sea sweep off SE China hit shipping in Amoy harbor, claiming 1 freighter sunk and another damaged.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon, a detachment of the 17th Photographic Squadron, 4th Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group, based on Guadalcanal with F-5's, begins operating from Munda, New Georgia . The air echelons of "C" and "D" Flights are still in the US.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 100+ B-24's and B-25's are sent against Rabaul; bad weather forces the bombers to turn back, but 40+ B-24's hit targets including Hoskins, Lindenhafen, Cape Gloucester and Gasmata. Lost is B-24D 42-40934 ditching.

PACIFIC: A U.S. submarine sinks a Japanese cargo ship.
USS Barbel sinks a destroyer at 29-38 N, 127-27 E at about 0600.
USS Begall sinks an attack transport at 11-53 N, 109-17 E (Japanese give location as 11-53 N, 109-17 E) at about 0900.
USS Permit sinks a patrol vessel at 07-15 N, 151-45 E at about 1500.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): On Paramushiru , 4 B-25s bomb Kurabu Airfield and bomb and strafe buildings on Tomari Cape, scoring hits on canneries, warehouses, and barracks; later, 4 B-24s photograph and bomb targets at Kashiwabara.

RUSSIA: Moscow: Stalin promises Churchill that the USSR will declare war on Japan once Germany has been defeated.

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 38 P-47s strike Okkyin, Yebyangale, and Theinlon, and hit troops in the Myothit area; 8 P-47s support ground forces in the Mohnyin area, 12 attack and considerably damage Wanling bridge and 4 hit targets of opportunity in the area. Transports fly 280+ sorties hauling troops and supplies to CBI terminals.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 138 P-40s and P-51s on numerous armed reconnaissance missions throughout S China and into W Burma attack troop areas, rivercraft, town areas, bridges, trucks, and other targets of opportunity; 71 of the fighter-bombers hit targets in the Kweiping area while the others attack targets around Chuanhsien, Litou, Shepchung, Tengyun, Lungfukwan, Kingshan, Mangshih, and Chefang.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): B-24s from Saipan bomb Yap. From the Marshall B-24s pound Truk Atoll. Gilbert -based B-25s bomb Nauru. In Hawaii, HQ 21st Fighter Group moves from Wheeler Field to Mokuleia Field.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-25s bomb Menado on Celebes and the surrounding area. P-38s hit AA positions, enemy concentrations, and other targets in NE Celebes and Halmahera. A-20s and fighter-bombers attack Boela, oil installations and airfields at Amahai, Kairatoe on Celebes , and Namlea on Buru . In New Guinea, the 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), enroute from Guadalcanal to Morotai, sends a detachment to operate from Sansapor with F-5s (other detachments are at Bougainville and Noemfoor).

WESTERN PACIFIC: Aircraft from the USN's Task Force 38 attack targets on Formosa for the second day in a row. Opposition is very light and 947 sorties are flown. At twilight, Task Group 38.4 is attacked by 4 low-flying "Betty" bombers carrying torpedoes; one is shot down by an F6F Hellcat pilot, 2 are shot down by ship AA fire but the fourth crashes the aircraft carrier USS Franklin's deck abaft the island structure, slides across the deck and into the water on her
starboard beam.
USS Franklin is damaged but remains on station. In another attack, the heavy cruiser USS Canberra is struck below her armor belt at the engineering spaces by an aerial torpedo which blows a huge, jagged hole in her side and killed 23 of her crew instantly. Before damage control
could isolate the compartments, some 4,500 tons of water rushed in to flood her after fireroom and both engine rooms, which brought the cruiser to a stop. The ship is taken in tow and retires to Ulithi.

PALAU: Peleliu Island, in the Palau Islands, is secured.

ADMIRALTY ISLANDS: The U. S. 7th Fleet and troop transports carrying the 7th, 24th and 96th Infantry and 1st Cavalry Divisions sail from Hollandia, New Guinea, and the nearby Admiralty Islands. Their destination is Leyte in the central Philippines.

SUBMARINES:
1) A USN submarine sinks a Japanese merchant tanker off Nha Trang, French Indo
China.

2) USS Barbel sinks a destroyer at 29-38 N, 127-27 E at about 0600.

3) USS Begall sinks an attack transport at 11-53 N, 109-17 E (Japanese give location as 11-53 N, 109-17 E) at about 0900.

4) USS Permit sinks a patrol vessel at 07-15 N, 151-45 E at about 1500.

5) A RN submarine sinks 2 Japanese merchant coasters Kosei Maru and Hansei
Maru in Gulf of Boni, south of Celebes.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 150, OCTOBER 13, 1944
Carrier aircraft of the pacific Fleet fast carrier task force striking Formosa on October 11 (West Longitude Date) shot 124 enemy aircraft out of the air and did heavy damage to enemy shipping and shore defense works. Preliminary pilot reports and photographs show that 97 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Initial reports indicate the following damage to enemy shipping
Ships sunk:
Large cargo ships 2
Medium cargo ships 2
Small cargo ships 12
Ships damaged
Large cargo ships 2
Medium cargo ships 7
Small cargo ships 10
In addition to the foregoing, extensive damage was done to hangars, buildings, oil dumps, warehouses, docks and industrial establishments at Einansho, Okayama, Tamsui, Heito, Reigaryo and Taichu. Our losses were 22 aircraft. There was no damage to our surface ships.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 151, OCTOBER 13, 1944
During the late evening of October 11 and night of October 11 12 following the first day of its attack on Formosa, small groups of enemy aircraft attacked one of our fast carrier task forces operating in the approaches to the Japanese positions in Formosa and the Ryukyus, and repeatedly attempted to torpedo or bomb the carriers or supporting ships in the force. Night fighters sent up by our carriers shot down three fighters in the early evening, and later eight enemy aircraft were sent down in flames by ships' antiaircraft fire.
During the day of October 12 Formosa and the Pescadores were again brought under attack by fast carrier task forces, and heavy damage was done to the enemy air force and its bases, to shipping, port facilities, and shore installations.
A preliminary resume of damage inflicted upon the Japanese in the two-day strike which began before dawn on October 11, shows the following totals:
Enemy aircraft shot down, 221.
Enemy aircraft destroyed on the ground, 175.
Ships sunk
2 large cargo ships
4 medium cargo ships
9 small cargo ships
12 coastal cargo ships
Probably sunk:
1 large cargo ship
3 medium cargo ships
3 small cargo ships
1 oil tanker
5 coastal cargo ships
1 minesweeper
Damaged
6 medium cargo ships
15 small cargo ships
1 large troop transport
In addition to the foregoing 37 small craft were sunk or damaged. We lost 45 planes in the two day attack. Reports are not yet available as to flight personnel rescued.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 152, OCTOBER 13, 1944
More complete reports of the strike made by carrier based aircraft of the United States Pacific Fleet on October 9 (West Longitude Date) against the Okinawa Islands in the Ryukyu Archipelago indicate that the following dam¬age was inflicted upon the enemy (the following figures are a revision of those previously announced in United States Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas communiqué No. 146, and do not represent figures on the recent Luzon and Formosa strikes).
Sunk:
1 destroyer escort
4 small submarines
14 cargo ships
1 submarine tender
1 oiler
25 small ships
41 barges and small craft
Probably sunk:
10 small ships
1 minesweeper
9 small craft
Damaged
8 cargo ships
1 medium landing ship
1 light minelayer
10 small ships
Numerous sampans, luggers and barges
Aircraft destroyed:
23 shot down in the air
59 destroyed on the ground
Aircraft damaged
37 damaged on the ground
Installations destroyed or damaged
1 ammunition dump
3 fuel dumps
3 hangars
2 lighthouses
1 factory
Many barracks, buildings, warehouses, etc.
In addition on Yama Island in the Harbor of Naha on the Island of Okinawa and also the North shore of the Harbor of Naha were devastated by explosions and fire.
United States losses:
Our own losses were relatively light: 8 planes in combat, 5 pilots and 3 aircrewmen.
In the attack on Luzon Island on October 10, more complete reports indicate that numerous buildings were set afire in the region of Aparri, on the Northern Coast, and that 10 to 15 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground. There was no enemy airborne opposition.
Organized resistance in the Southern Palau Islands ceased on October 12, with mopping up operations continuing on Peleliu and Angaur Islands. Small pockets of enemy resistance on both of these islands have been further reduced by United States troops.
Corsair fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing continued attacks against shipping and enemy installations on Babelthuap Island, sinking or damaging 11 barges in the Ngatpang River; and sinking or damaging 17 barges, 2 small boats and 8 motor launches off the west and east coasts of the Island. In addition boathouses at Arumonogui Point and Gamilangel Bay were damaged and a locomotive near the villages of Ngardmau was strafed and bombed. One of the Corsair pilots was forced to bail out of his plane but wits rescued later.
Liberators of the Seventh Air Force bombed enemy installations on Yap Island on October 12, encountering no antiaircraft fire.
Truk was also bombed on the night of October 11, by another group of Seventh Air Force Liberators.
Enemy held positions in the Marshall Islands were bombed on October 11.

1945

 

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1940
FAR EAST: American fuel stocks are moved from Shanghai and Hong Kong to Singapore.

U.S.A.: The Department of State announces that the U.S. passenger liners SS Monterey, SS Mariposa, and SS Washington are being sent to the Far East to repatriate American citizens from that region in view of prevailing "abnormal conditions" there. This move is made because of the shortage of accommodations on the ships already engaged in the Far East trade. SS Monterey is to go to Yokohama, Japan, and Shanghai, China while SS Mariposa will proceed to Shanghai and Chinwangtao, China, and Kobe, Japan.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: The USAAF Eleventh Air Force dispatches nine B-24s, six B-26s, a B-17 and 12 P-38s to bomb and strafe Japanese held Kiska Island installations and shipping; fire bombs are dropped on hangars and the Main Camp area where a large fire is started; two torpedo attacks on shipping in Gertrude Cove by B-26s score no hits; the P-38s destroy three floatplanes on the water; a P-38 is shot down.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25's attack Lae. In Papua New Guinea, B-25s hit a bridge 40 miles north of Port Moresby, and the area of the Wairopi bridge.
On the Kokoda track, the Japanese offer fierce resistance to the Australian 7th Division's drive in the vicinity of Templeton Crossing and more cannibalized and mutilated bodies of Australian troops on found on the track.
The USAAF Fifth Air Force begins flying begins flying a coastal force, the U.S. 128th Infantry Regiment of the 32d Infantry Division and the Australian 2/6th Independent Company, to Wanigela.

NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS: The Japanese submarine HIJMS I-7 shells Espiritu Santo following the reconnaissance flight by the submarine-based aircraft yesterday.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN submarines sink four Japanese ships:
- In the East China Sea, USS Finback, attacking a Japanese convoy, sinks a Japanese army transport about 10 nautical miles north of Tansui, on the NW tip of Formosa, in position 25.20N, 121.25E.
- USS Greenling sinks a Japanese army cargo ship about 101 nautical miles NE of Sendai, Honshu, Japan, in position 39.33N, 142.15E.
- In the Bismarck Sea, USS Sculpin sinks a Japanese army cargo ship about 53 nautical miles WNW of Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, in position 03.51S, 151.21E.
- USS Skipjack sinks a Japanese army cargo ship about 456 nautical miles WSW of Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands, in position 05.35N, 144.25E.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: At 0130 hours "Louie the Louse," a Japanese observation plane, wakes the U.S. forces on Guadalcanal. The battleships HIJMS Kongo and HIJMS Haruna pass Savo Island and slow to 18 knots. The Japanese have sent their battleships to bombard Henderson Field and destroy the aircraft of the Cactus Air Force allowing the successful resupply of their forces on Guadalcanal. They have a supply convoy coming down the slot due to arrive this evening. “Louie” brackets Henderson Field with flares and at 29,500 yards, HIJMS Kongo fires her first salvo; Haruna soon follows. The other ships of the force, the light cruiser HIJMS Isuzu, and seven destroyers, also bombard the island. The Japanese sailors topside are reminded of a fireworks display. This continues until 0256 hours during which they fire 973 shells and are opposed by the 5-inch coast defense guns on Guadalcanal and motor torpedo boats PT-60, PT-38, PT-46 and PT-48 from Tulagi.
Destroyer HIJMS Naganami turns back the motor torpedo boats. The attacks of the PTs are assumed by Vice Admiral Kurita Takeo, commander of the battleship division, to be his screen detecting a submarine. The damage is widespread around Henderson Field and Fighter One and includes 48 of 90 planes and fuel stocks at the field, putting the facility temporarily out of action. The men of the Army's 164th Infantry Regiment have spent their first night on Guadalcanal wondering if this is like all nights there.
During the morning Rear Admiral Aubrey Fitch, Commander, Aircraft, South Pacific Force, sends 17 SBDs dive bombers at Espiritu Santo and 20 F4F fighters to Henderson Field. Later in the day, 12 SBDs of Bombing Squadron VB-6 in USS Enterprise are dispatched to Guadalcanal for service with the Cactus Air Force from Fighter One airfield.
Meanwhile, due to the low fuel supply, the B-17s that had been based at Guadalcanal are withdrawn to Espirtu Santo in the New Hebrides Islands. Admiral Fitch also organizes an airlift of fuel using USAAF C-47 and USMC R4D transports carrying ten 55 U.S. gallon (46 Imperial gallons or 208 liter) drums each.
At about 1200 hours, 26 "Betty" bombers bomb Henderson Field causing heavy damage. At 1300 hours, 18 "Betty" bombers escorted by ten "Zeke" fighters attack and are met by 24 F4Fs and P-39s; nine bombers and three fighters are shot down with the loss of two Wildcats and a P-39.
The Japanese resupply convoy consisting of six transports and eight destroyer transports is sighted in the afternoon and four SBDs of USN Scouting Squadron VS-3 and three USAAF P-400 Airacobras attack at 1445 hours but score no hits. At 1745 hours, seven SBDs, six P-39s and P-400 Airacobras, refueled from gasoline found in a damaged B-17, attack but again score no hits; a P-400 is shot down by antiaircraft fire and another crashes on landing.
These attacks do not stop the convoy which reaches Guadalcanal at midnight along with another run of the Tokyo Express.
On Vella Lavella Islands, Australian coastwatchers are landed on the coast of the island by the USN submarine USS Grampus.

1943
CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 4 B-25's attack shipping in the Amoy area, damaging 2 freighters, and also bomb Amoy Airfield.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): A single B-24 on armed reconnaissance bombs 4 barges W of Taiof, leaving 1 sinking. The 371st Bombardment Squadron, 307th BG, ceases operating from Guadalcanal and returns to it's base on Espiritu Santo , New Hebrides with B-24's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 60+ medium bombers pound Cape Gloucester on New Britain and Alexishafen. 3 others fly harassing strikes against Dili and Lautem on Timor.

PACIFIC OCEAN: 1700 hours: USS Grayback sinks an attack transport at 27-35 N, 127-30 E. 1800 hours: USS Bonefish sinks a schooner at 00-10 N, 119-15 E.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-25s bomb and strafe buildings at Otomae Bay, Kurile.

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Transport aircraft fly 200+ sorties, delivering men and supplies to various points in the CBI. The 165th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Asanol, India to Tamu, Burma with C-64s and L-5s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 32 P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance attack troops, town areas, and river traffic around Samshui, Mangshih, Kweiping, Hsinganhsien, Konghow and Tajungchiang.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): 103 Chengtu, China-based B-29s bomb the Okayama aircraft plant on Formosa; 12 more hit last-resort targets and targets of opportunity; this is the first Twentieth AF mission during which 100+ B-29s attack targets and the first of a series of missions against Formosa in conjunction with the US invasion of Leyte, Philippine.

USN - Admiral Halsey's Task Force 38 carries out more attacks on Formosa until the island is completely neutralized as a Japanese base.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 3 B-24s on armed reconnaissance from Saipan bomb Marcus . P-47s on a sweep over Pagan bomb and strafe storage caves. 1 B-24 from the Marshall bombs Wake during the night of 14/15. HQ 41st Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 48th, 396th and 820th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) move from Makin to Wheeler Field with B-25s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s again bomb oil refineries and associated industries in the Balikpapan, Borneo area; others bomb Pombelaa mine on Celebes. A-20s, B-25s, and fighter- bombers again hit Laha Airfield on Ambon and Haroekoe Airfield on Haroekoe. In New Guinea, HQ 374th Troop Carrier Group and the 21st Troop Carrier Squadron move from Nadzab to Biak with C-47s.

FORMOSA: The US attack has destroyed 321 Japanese aircraft and 40 destroyers, for the loss of 71 US planes, two destroyers and a carrier.
The aircraft of Task Force 38 again attack Japanese installations on Formosa. The Japanese have reinforced the island with hundreds of aircraft drawn from the carrier fleet and these aircraft fly 419 sorties during the day.
They attack the ships and damage three, one severely. The aircraft carrier USS Hancock is attacked by 2 aircraft; the first one drop’s a bomb off Hancock's port bow a few seconds before the carrier's guns splashed her into the sea but a bomb from the second aircraft penetrates a gun platform but exploded harmlessly in the water.
The light cruiser USS Reno is struck by a torpedo bomber which explodes on the cruiser's main deck aft. Though Turret Six was partially incapacitated by the explosion, the turret captain succeeded in maintaining his fire against the attacking planes and ships.
The most severely damaged is light cruiser USS Houston which is attacked by 4 aircraft; AA gunners shoot down 3 but the fourth aircraft manages to put a torpedo in her engine room, causing loss of power. The ship retires in tow to Ulithi.
At this juncture, heavy air attacks on TF 38, together with enemy radio propaganda broadcasts that reflect a vast overestimation of the destruction wreaked by attacking Japanese aircraft, prompts Commander Third Fleet to withdraw TG 38.2 (Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan) and TG 38.3 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman) to the eastward to set upon any important Japanese fleet units that would attempt to finish off the "crippled remnants" of TF 38. The enemy, however, does not take the bait.
During the day, USN aircraft damage a coast minelayer and 2 auxiliary submarine chasers and shoot down 80+ IJN aircraft.

PACIFIC OCEAN: 3 USN and an RN submarine sink an IJA transport, a merchant cargo ship, 2 merchant tankers and a communications vessel.

COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: Airstrikes from US TF 38 on Aparri Airfield on Luzon, PI.

PELELIU: The US Army 81st Division replaces the 1st Marine Division. The fighting continues on this island where Admiral Fort announced a complete occupation on September 30. To the north on Angaur the fighting also continues.

1945

 

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1940
U.S.A.: Over 16 million men have registered for the draft.
Additional units of the National Guard (NG) are inducted today. Called up are three divisions, ten brigades, 26 regiments, four observation squadrons and a battalion of coast artillery from five states and Puerto Rico. The divisions are New York's 27th, Ohio's 37th and the 32d consisting of NG units from Michigan and Wisconsin.
The 298th and 299th Infantry Regiments of the Hawaii National Guard are inducted at Honolulu.

1941
JAPAN: Hozomi Ozaki, a Japanese author, journalist and spy for the Soviet Union under Richard Sorge, was arrested for treason. He was a member of a high-level, policy-planning brain trust that advised the Japanese Prime Minister and was in a position to pass on high-level secrets to Soviet spy Sorge. Ozaki was executed along with Sorge in 1944, his letters to his wife and daughter were published after the war and became a best seller, with a Japanese people struggling to come to terms with the defeat and looking for new heroes from their past, untainted by the crimes of the militarists.

U.S.A.: The War Department releases a large number of jeeps, ambulances, trucks and sedans for shipment to the Philippine Army, "subject to the availability of shipping."

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: The USAAF Eleventh Air Force dispatches three B-26s to bomb and a B-24 to fly photo reconnaissance over Japanese-held Kiska and Attu Islands; the B-26s hit a large cargo ship in Gertrude Cove on Kiska starting a fire, and hit buildings on Attu Island; antiaircraft fire claims a B-26.

AUSTRALIA: The Advisory War Council agrees that the government should send a request to the British requesting the return of the Australian 9th Division, Australian Imperial Force, from North Africa.
The USN's Submarine Base, Fremantle-Perth, Western Australia, is established.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA HQ 318th Fighter Group isactivated at Hickam Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii; squadrons assigned,all equipped with P-40s, are the 44th and 72d Fighter Squadrons at Bellows Field and the 73d Fighter Squadron on Midway.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Australian 25th Brigade, 7th Division, drives the Japanese back from Templeton's crossing. USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20 Havocs and P-40s attack the Japanese south of Templeton's Crossing and at Popondetta while B-25 Mitchells hit targets in the Owen Stanley Range and in the area around the bridge at Wairopi. In Northeast New Guinea, B-25 Mitchells bomb Salamaua.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The Japanese 17th Army issues tactical orders for the assault on Lunga Point, setting the date tentatively for 18 October. Beginning at 0600 hours with a strafing by four USN Fighting Squadron Five (VF-5) F4Fs, the Cactus Air Force mounts piecemeal but effective attacks against ships and newly landed Japanese troops and supplies. At 1030 hours, Brigadier General Roy Geiger, Commanding General 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, finally organizes a planned attack
of 12 SBDs dive bombers of USN Bombing VB-6 and Marine Scout Bombing Squadron VMSB-141 plus other unidentified units; eight F4F fighters of VF-5; three P-39s and a P-400 Airacobra fighters and 11 B-17s bombers of the USAAF; and a USMC PBY Catalina, the personal "flag" aircraft of General.
The PBY carries two torpedoes under its wings and after receiving radioed instructions on how to airdrop torpedoes, Marine Major Jack Cram attacks the Japanese ships. These aircraft conduct a succession of attacks on the Japanese supply convoy off Tassafaronga undamaged by VS-3s strike yesterday. The B-17s damage a transport which, along with a merchant cargo ship, is run aground, where uncontrollable fires destroy both ships. Air attacks also sink a freighter and damage destroyer HIJMS Samidare.
Two of the transports pull out at 1200 hours and the others pull out during the afternoon under continued attacks of the Cactus Air Force, but the attacks continue with another ship damaged. As the two remaining transports approach to finish unloading, they are waved off by General Ito.
A small USN resupply convoy consisting of the cargo ships USS Alchiba and Bellatirx, the gunboat USS Jamestown, the destroyers USS Meredith and Nicholas and the tug USS Vireo, each towing a barge carrying barrels of gasoline and 250-pound bombs, is en route to Guadalcanal when spotted by Japanese aircraft. All ships but the tug USS Vireo and the destroyer USS Meredith beat a hasty retreat. Cautiously proceeding, the pair beat off a two-plane Japanese attack before they received word that Japanese surface ships are in the area. Only then did they reverse course.
At 1200 hours, USS Meredith ordered old, slow, and vulnerable USS Vireo abandoned and took off her crew. Meredith then stood off to torpedo the tug at 1215 hours so that she would not fall into Japanese hands intact. Suddenly, 27 "Val" dive bombers and "Zeke" fighters, from the Japanese aircraft carrier HIJMS Zuikaku attack.
Before Meredith can scuttle the tug with a torpedo, however, after shooting down three aircraft, the destroyer is overwhelmed and sunk in the ensuing air attack, by bombs and aerial torpedoes. Vireo and the two gasoline barges, however, drifted to leeward, untouched. One life raft, crammed with some of Meredith's survivors, succeeded in overhauling the derelict tug and the men gratefully scrambled aboard.
The barges and the tug are later found, intact. When a salvage party boarded Vireo on 21 October, the ship is dead in the water with no lights, no steam, and no power. After abortive attempts to light fires under the boilers, using wood, the tug has to be taken under tow by the destroyer USS Grayson. In company with Grayson and USS Gwin, Vireo arrived safely at Espiritu Santo Island, on 23 October. Only seven officers and 56 men from the Meredith survived the attack and the three ensuing days of exposure to the open sea and sharks until they are rescued.
At 1245 hours, 27 "Betty" bombers escorted by 9 "Zeke" fighters attack Henderson Field against virtually no opposition. A USN VF-5 pilot flying the last operational squadron F4F Wildcat, shoots down a "Zeke." During the day, the Japanese lose six "Zekes" and a reconnaissance biplane vs. three SBDs, two P-39s and an F4F. Four American pilots and 3 aircrew are lost. In the afternoon, the Hornet Air Group in the aircraft carrier USS Hornet which is on station south of Guadalcanal but out of range of Japanese aircraft, assumes responsibility for the air defense of Henderson Field while the Cactus Air Force reorganizes and repairs aircraft. By the end of the day, the Cactus Air Force is able to maintain air defense over Henderson Field and USS Hornet retires.
During the day, Japanese land-based artillery bombards the Marines' Lunga Point Perimeter.
Air resupply and reinforcements for the Cactus Air Force arrive in the form of three Marine Utility Squadron Two Hundred Fifty Four R4D-1 Skytrains each carrying twelve 55 U.S. gallon drums of aviation fuel while Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-21 pilots ferry six SBDs from Espiritu Santo Island in the New Hebrides.
A single USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17 attacks shipping near Treasury Islands during the day. At the end of the day, Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander of the Pacific Fleet and Commander of the Pacific Ocean Area, calls the situation on Guadalcanal "critical."
During the night of 15/16 October, Japanese heavy cruisers HIJMS Chokai and Kinugasa (Vice Admiral Mikawa Gunichi) bombard Henderson Field between 0147 and 0217 hours, covering the movement of six destroyers and eleven transports with 5,000 troops to Tassafaronga. More U.S. aircraft are destroyed or damaged, more fuel is set afire and more facilities are destroyed on the airfield.

1943
BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): The 89th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, transfers from Karachi to Gushkara, India with P-40's. A detachment will operate from Sadiya, India during Oct.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): 21 B-24's, 12 P-38's, and 17 USN F4U's pound Kahili Airfield supply and personnel areas. 6 Zeros are claimed shot down. During the late evening B-25's bomb the airfield on Buka .

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): 50+ P-38's and P-40's intercept around 100 Japanese aircraft attacking Allied shipping at Oro Bay; the US fighters claim 40+ shot down; 4 other P-40's, encountering 20+ Japanese airplanes E of Finschhafen, claim 5 destroyed; and 70+ medium bombers hit positions and villages from Sio to Saidor.
HQ 22d Bombardment Group and it's 33d and 408th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) transfer from Australia to Dobodura with B-25's; the 22d and 33d transfer from Woodstock and the 408th from Reid River.

NEI: 6 B-24's bomb Boela on Ceram in the Moluccas.

PACIFIC OCEAN: 0100 hours: USS Tullibee sinks a transport at 24-30 N, 120-26 E.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Admiral Halsey issues orders for the invasion of Northern Solomons by Task Force 31.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-25s on armed reconnaissance over Paramushiru turn back when the flight drifts off course; 1 B-24 strafes a freighter off Shimushiru.

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, about 40 P-47s attack positions in the Mohnyin area and at Man Naung, supply concentrations at Kyungyi, railroad targets in the Mawhun area, ammunition stores at Manwing, and buildings near Muse; 12 B-25s hit the town of Onbauk, storage facilities at Indaw, and vicinity of Thabeikkyin. Transport operations in the CBI continue on a large scale; the 71st Liaison Squadron, Tenth Air Force [attached to 1st Liaison Group (Provisional)], moves from Ledo, India to Sahmaw with L-4s and L-5s. In India, the 5th and 6th Fighter Squadrons (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, based in Asansol, send detachments to operate from Cox's Bazar with P-47s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 28 B-24s, 33 P-51s, and 18 P-40s pound White Cloud Airfield in Canton and shipping in the Hong Kong area; 2 B-24s bomb Amoy; 6 fighter-bombers hit targets of opportunity near Mangshih and Tajungchiang.

COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: Various Japanese positions north of Manila are attacked with airstrikes from US TF 38.

WESTERN PACIFIC: Task Group 30.3 (Rear Admiral Laurance T. DuBose) is formed to cover the retirement of the crippled heavy cruiser USS Canberra and light cruiser USS Houston; an augmented Task Group 38.1 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) provides cover.

Task Groups 38.2 (Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan) and TG 38.3 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman) take up position to waylay Japanese fleet units that might try to attack the damaged ships.

TG 38.4 (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison), meanwhile, attacks Japanese installations near Manila. Between 1015 and 1100 hours, F6F Hellcat pilots shoot down 47 Japanese fighters. The aircraft carrier USS Franklin is attacked by 3 enemy aircraft, one of which scores with a bomb that hits the after outboard corner of the deck edge elevator, killing 3 and wounding 22.

JAPAN: Tokyo Rose announces the destruction of Admiral Halsey's Task Force 38 and Emperor Hirohito declares a victory holiday. A tongue-in-cheek Halsey message says all his sunken ships have been salvaged and are retiring toward the enemy.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 27 B-24s from Saipan strike fuel storage, AA positions, and installations at the airfield on Iwo Jima; one B-24 bombs the airfield at Pagan. 2 B-24s from the Marshalls bomb Wake during the night of 15/16.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: A-20s again pound airfields and oil storage on Ceram; P-38s carry out a shipping sweep over the Flores area n the Lesser Sunda and on Halmahera bomb the Pitoe and Kaoe areas; P-38s bomb Amahai Airfield while bombers on armed reconnaissance hit nearby targets of opportunity. In New Guinea, P-47s attack Sagan Airfield; the 33d Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Port Moresby to Hollandia with C-47s; the 70th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Hollandia to Biak with C-47s. HQ 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 405th and 823d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) move from Biak to Morotai with B-25s.

SUBMARINES:
1) 0400 hours: Submarine USS Tambor sinks a cargo ship at 29-43 N,143-09 E.
2) A Dutch submarine sinks a Japanese oceanographic research vessel off Surabaya, Java. The ship was the 200-ton oceanographic research vessel Kaiyo No. 2; there were actually six of these vessels all with the name Kaiyo and the suffix No. 1 through No. 6. The ships were sometimes called Kaiyo Maru No. n.


PALAU ISLANDS, PELELIU: The battered 1st Marine Division is withdrawn from the battle for Peleliu's "Bloody Nose Ridge." The job will be finished by GIs of the 81st Infantry Division.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The USN's Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) operations continue as four Interstate TDRs glide bombs are launched against Matupi Island, Birmarck Archipelago, as part of coordinated attack by other Green Island-based USMC PBJs, F4Us and SBDs against Simpson Harbor Rabaul, New Britain Island. Poor picture reception and pilot error results in none of the TDRs hitting their targets.

U.S.A.: During WW II, the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) produced numerous documents, most commonly known are the Intelligence Bulletins. The Military Intelligence Special Series continues with "Japanese Field Artillery."

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 153, OCTOBER 15, 1944

During the night of October 12 13 (West Longitude Date) strong counterattacks were delivered against task forces of the Pacific Fleet operating in the area of Formosa by aircraft of the Japanese Imperial Air Force. During these attacks on one of our task groups 13 enemy aircraft were shot out of the air by our own fighters and 7 by antiaircraft fire.
Beginning at dawn on October 13 carrier aircraft of the Third Fleet continued their destructive attacks against enemy forces and defense installations on Formosa Island and Luzon. Little air opposition was encountered over the targets. Preliminary reports indicate 11 enemy aircraft were shot down and 30 were destroyed on the ground.
In the mid afternoon of October 13 our forces were attacked by numerous single and twin engine enemy aircraft. A combat air patrol of one of our task groups shot down 28 of these aircraft and two were destroyed by antiaircraft fire. Complete reports are not yet at hand regarding known attacks on other units of our force, but it is known that many additional enemy aircraft have been shot down. Our plane losses so far have been light.
This fight is continuing. Further details will be released as they become available.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 154, OCTOBER 15, 1944
Troops of the First Marine Division on Peleliu Island sealed off several ire caves occupied by the enemy during October 13 (West Longitude Date). Angaur, the few remaining Japanese were kept under continual pressure.
Navy search planes of Fleet Air Wing One bombed and strafed two small coastal vessels and five barges off the coast of Iwo Jima on October 13. Other search planes damaged a small cargo ship and shot down an enemy torpedo bomber in the same area.
On October 12 Eleventh Air Force Liberators attacked nine small cargo vessels near Matsuwa Island in the Kuriles. The Liberators suffered slight damage from antiaircraft fire, but all returned safely. Mitchell bombers of
Eleventh Air Force on October 12 bombed buildings and installations on Shimushu and Paramushiru Islands. A single Navy search plane of Fleet Air Wing Four bombed Paramushiru Island on October 12. Two enemy aircraft made unsuccessful attempts to intercept, and antiaircraft fire was light. The Eleventh Air Force attacked Paramushiru again on October 13. Installations on the Eastern Coast were hit by Mitchell bombers. Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered. Other Mitchells strafed a two thousand ton cargo ship and seven small cargo ships at Suribachi Bay. Liberators started several fires in the North, while other Liberators scored direct hits on docking facilities on the Southern tip of the Island. All planes returned safely.
Pagan Island was strafed and bombed by Seventh Air Force Thunderbolts on October 13. A Navy search plane of Fleet Air Wing One bombed the airfield and supply dumps at Rota Island on October 13.
Nauru Island was bombed by a single Catalina search plane of Fleet Air Wing One on the night of October 12. The airfield and other aviation installations at Nauru were also hit by Mitchells of the Seventh Air Force on October 13. Antiaircraft fire was meager. Seventh Air Force Liberators met moderate aircraft fire in bombing the airfield at Marcus Island on October 13. Other Liberators in a night raid dropped explosives on Wake Island.
Neutralization of enemy held positions in the Marshall Islands by air attacks was continued on October 13 and 14, by the Fourth Marine Air Wing.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 584, OCTOBER 15, 1944
The United States naval forces which have been operating in the sea approaches to Formosa are units of the Third Fleet, commanded by Admiral F. Halsey, Jr., USN, with Vice Admiral W. A. Lee, Jr., USN, as second in command.
In command of the entire Fast Carrier Task Force Is Vice Admiral M. A. Mitscher, USN. Carrier units included are under the command of Vice Admiral J. S. McCain, USN; Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman, USN; Rear Admiral R. E. Davison, USN; Rear Admiral G. F. Bogan, USN, and Rear Admiral H. B. Sallada, USN.

1945

 

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1934
CHINA: The embattled Chinese Communists break through Nationalist lines and begin an epic flight from their encircled headquarters in southwest China. Known as Ch'ang Cheng--the "Long March"--the retreat lasted 368 days and covered 6,000 miles. Civil war in China between the Nationalists and the Communists broke out in 1927. In 1931, Communist leader Mao Zedong was elected chairman of the newly established Soviet Republic of China, based in Kiangsi province in the southwest. Between 1930 and 1934, the Nationalists under Chiang Kai-shek launched a series of five encirclement campaigns against the Soviet Republic. Under the leadership of Mao, the Communists employed guerrilla tactics to resist successfully the first four campaigns, but in the fifth, Chiang raised 700,000 troops and built fortifications around the Communist positions. Hundreds of thousands of peasants were killed or died of starvation in the siege, and Mao is removed as chairman by the Communist Central Committee. The new Communist leadership employs more conventional warfare tactics, and its Red Army is decimated. With defeat imminent, the Communists decide to break out of the encirclement at its weakest points. The Long March begins at 1700 hours today. Secrecy and rear-guard actions confuse the Nationalists, and it is several weeks before they realize that the main body of the Red Army has fled. The retreating force initially consists of 86,000 troops, 15,000 personnel, and 35 women. Weapons and supplies are borne on men's backs or in horse-drawn carts, and the line of marchers stretches for 50 miles. The Communists generally march at night, and when the Nationalists are not near, a long column of torches can be seen snaking over valleys and hills into the distance.

1940
NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: The Japanese and Dutch authorities begin four days of discussions regarding oil supplies. The Dutch agree to supply 40% of production to the Japanese for the next six months. Attempts are made by the British to block this agreement.

UNITED STATES: As a result of the Selective Training and Service Act passed by the Congress, American men begin registering for the draft (conscription) . Eventually, 16.4 million men will register.
In an effort to undermine the Japanese war economy, the Roosevelt administration had placed a ban on the exportation of scrap iron and steel from the U.S. to countries outside the Western Hemisphere (with the exception of exports to Britain), on 26 September. The ban becomes effective today.

1941
JAPAN: Japanese Prime Minister Prince KONOYE Fumimaro resigns. General TOJO Heidiki, who had been War Minister in Konoye's Cabinet, is appointed to the position of Prime Minister, War Minister and Home Affairs Minister. Although the decision to go to war has not been finally taken, these changes show the rise of those wishing to go to war.

UNITED STATES: The Chief of Naval Operations sends the following message to the fleet commanders: "The resignation of the Japanese Cabinet has created a grave situation. If a new Cabinet is formed it will probably be strongly nationalistic and anti American. If the Konoye Cabinet remains the effect will be that it will operate under a new mandate which will not include rapprochement with the US. In either case hostilities between Japan and Russia are a strong possibility. Since the US and Britain are held responsible by Japan for her present desperate situation there is also a possibility that Japan may attack these two powers. In view of these possibilities you will take due precautions including such preparatory deployments as will not disclose strategic intention nor constitute provocative actions against Japan. Second and third addressees (in the Pacific) inform appropriate Army and Naval district authorities. Acknowledge.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: The USAAF Eleventh Air Force dispatches a B-17s, six B-26s, and four P-38s to bomb Japanese-held Kiska Island. After attacks by USN PBY Catalinas fail, USAAF B-26s sink Japanese destroyer HIJMS Oboro about 31 nautical miles NE of Kiska Island, in position 52.17N, 178.08E, and damage destroyer HIJMS Hatsuharu. One B-26 is shot down.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s and B-25s hit the village of Pawaia, trails in the Kokoda area, the Buna-Kokoda trail, and villages at the mouth and along the Mambare River; and B-25s also bomb the Mubo-Salamaua trail. B-17s bomb airfield at Rabaul, New Britain and attack targets in the Solomons, including the airfield at Buin, and shipping off Moila Point and the Shortland Islands. Lost on a cargo drop is C-47 "Maxine" 41-18585.

INDIA: A cyclone in the Bay of Bengal kills some 40,000 south of Calcutta.

NEW GUINEA: On the Kododa Track in Papua New Guinea, the Japanese abandon Templeton's Crossing but the Australians locate them a little

SOLOMON ISLANDS: During the night, a Japanese surface force (Rear Admiral Sentaro Omori), with heavy cruisers HIJMS Maya and Myoko, light cruiser HIJMS Isuzu and seven destroyers (Rear Admiral Tanaka Raizo), shells Henderson Field on Guadalcanal.
On Guadalcanal, the Japanese begin a march along the narrow trail from the Kokumbona assembly area toward attack positions east of the Lunga River. Japanese artillery shelling of the Lunga perimeter increases in volume and accuracy. U.S. patrol craft attack Japanese coastal positions from Kokumbona to Cape Esperance. Operational aircraft number 66 after arrival of 20 F4F's and 12 SBD's.
During the day, Seabees patch up Henderson Field runways enough for use by fighters. USMC SBD Dauntlesses and USAAF P-39 and P-400 Airacobras fly seven ground-attack missions against the Japanese invasion force landing at the Kokumbona Doma Reef area just 8 miles away however, the Japanese continue to bombard Henderson Field by air strike and artillery and to land troops.
Assisting in these attacks are aircraft from Task Force 17, formed around the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (Rear Admiral George D. Murray), which strike Japanese troops on Guadalcanal, and the seaplane base at Rekata Bay, Santa Isabel Island. USS Hornet is spotted by an Japanese Navy search plane late in the morning and nine "Val" dive bombers are dispatched from Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, to attack but they cannot find the carrier.
The seaplane tender (destroyer) USS McFarland and two other ships make an emergency run to Guadalcanal to deliver aviation fuel. While unloading cargo and embarking wounded personnel in Lunga Roads, McFarland is attacked by the the nine "Val" dive bombers that could not find the Hornet. While the first seven scored no hits, the eighth hits a gasoline barge in tow alongside the tender's starboard quarter setting 40,000 U.S. gallons afire. The blazing barge is cut loose as the ninth plane made its run.
At least one bomb hits McFarland's stern, knocking out her rudder and steering engine. Her crew manages to shoot down one plane, but five men are killed, six are missing and 12 are critically wounded.
As the Japanese aircraft pull out, Marine Lieutenant Colonel Harold W. Bauer, who is leading 26 Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-212 F4Fs to Guadalcanal from Espiritu Santo Island, New Hebrides Islands, arrives and single-handedly attacks them and shoots down four of the "Vals." Bauer had downed four "Zeke" fighters on 3 October and he is awarded the Medal of Honor for these two missions. USS McFarland is towed to Florida Island, where she is moored to the beach in the upper channel (later called McFarland Channel) of Tulagi harbor.
After the Japanese naval bombardment during the night, there are only 34 operational aircraft, nine of them F4F fighters, on Guadalcanal. During the day, 19 F4Fs and seven SBDs are flown from Efate Island, New Hebrides Islands, to Guadalcanal and by the end of the day, there are 66 operational aircraft on Guadalcanal.

THAILAND: USN submarine USS Thresher mines the approaches to Bangkok in the first U.S. Navy submarine mine plant of World War II.

UNITED STATES: In the arena of US public opinion, an article in The New York Times newspaper on 16 October states, "The shadows of a great conflict lie heavily over the Solomons - all that can be perceived is the magnitude of the stakes at issue. ... Guadalcanal. The name will not die out of the memories of the generation. It will endure in honor." US Navy Secretary Knox responds to a question of holding Guadalcanal: "I certainly hope so and expect so ... I will not make any predictions, but every man will give good account of himself. What I am trying to say is that there is a good stiff fight going on. Everybody hopes we can hold on."

1943
CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force): HQ 41st BG (Medium) arrives at Hickam Field, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii from the US.

BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): Fighter patrols are increased from 4 to 8 aircraft with little effect on enemy marauders over the Hump. 3 A-36's fail to return from a mission over Sumprabum, Burma.

CHINA: British Admiral Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia Command (SEAC), arrives in Chungking.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Thirteenth Air Force): B-24's bomb Kara Airfield. 6 B-25's hit the airfield on Ballale.
N. SOLOMONS (USMC) Five Black Sheep divisions (20 planes) took off in the morning, three to escort some SBD's on a strike against Kara Airfield, the other two on a fighter sweep. Bolt flew with the fighter sweep, which Boyington was leading. As they flew over Kahili at Tonolei Harbor, they saw that it was filled with Japanese barges. "Nobody shoot" ordered the normally aggressive Boyington, who led the eight Corsairs on a long, erratic route. While Boyington proceeded back to Munda, Bolt and the rest could only make Vella Lavella. At Vella, Bolt decided to fly back to Tonolei Harbor himself, to shoot up those barges. "The skipper will be pissed," a pilot warned. Bolt went anyway, and at Tonolei, he blasted one barge full of troops, an empty barge, a tug, and another small cargo vessel. Most of the vessels, he left burning and sinking. Back at Munda, Boyington was indeed "pissed", and the incident became know as 'Bolts War'. But Admiral Halsey was more supportive writing a cable: "That one man war... conducted by Lieut. Bolt against Jap stuff in Tonolei Harbor, Warm Heart (Stop) Halsey"

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 60+ B-25's attack the Alexishafen area, hit coastal targets between Reiss Point and Sio, and bomb the airfield at Wewak. A-20's bomb and strafe Gasmata. A lone B-24 destroys a patrol craft between Hoskins and Rabaul. Lost on a search and rescue mission is OA-10 Catalina 43-3262.
All four squadrons of the 345th BG B-25 participated in a morning strike on Boram Airfield, anti-aircraft defenses and Wewak Airfield, protected by three squadrons of P-38 escort fighters. About 20 Japanese Ki-43 and Ki-61 fighters took off to intercept with only a few minutes warning. They dropped 100 lbs 'daisy cutter' bombs and straffed the area. Many parked aircraft were destroyed or damaged. Lost was B-25D 41-30561.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, the Australian 9th Division uses captured documents to repel the first of a series of sharp counterattacks from Sattelberg.

NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS: The U.S. 3d Marine Division, having trained at Guadalcanal for operations against Bougainville, conducts rehearsals in the New Hebrides, concluding them on 20 October.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 7 B-24s fly cover sorties for a naval task force,

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 11 P-47s attack 2 railroad bridges in the Naba-Mawlu area, damaging approaches to both targets; 5 other P-47s hit Japanese forces in the NW part of Madangyang; 12 B-25s, supported by an escort of 8 P-47s, pound the airfield at Shwebo. Transports fly 300+ sorties in the CBI.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 28 B-24s, 8 B-25s, 26 P-51s, and 21 P-40s blast shipping and the Kowloon Dock area of Hong Kong; 15 cargo vessels are damaged or sunk; 3 other P-51s hit the Wuchou area; 36 P-40s, P-51s, and P-38s hit village and town areas, bridges, and troop concentrations in the Kweiping, Tanebuk, Hsinganbsien, Tingka, and Chefang areas.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): Over 40 B-29s, out of Chengtu, China, bomb the Okayama aircraft plant aircraft plant and Heito Airfield on Formosa; 20+ other B-29s bomb alternate or chance targets at Takao, Taichu Airfield and Toshien harbor on Formosa, and Swatow and Sintien harbors, Hengyang, and several airfields in China.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 15 P-47s and 1 B-24 from Saipan hit Pagan. From the Marshall 14 B-24s hit Truk Atoll. The 548th Night Fighter Squadron, 7th Fighter Wing, moves from Hickam Field to Kipapa Field, Hawaii with P-61s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: P-38s hit the harbor, shipping, airfield and trucks on Cagayan, Philippines. Fighter-bombers hit Timoeka and Mongosah and Sagan Airfields; Langgoer Airfield in the Kai Islands is attacked by A-20s. HQ 5th BG and the 23d and 31st Bombardment Squadrons move from Noemfoor to Morotai with B-24s.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s hit the Makassar area on Celebes Island. B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers again bomb the airfields and the towns of Boela and Amboina on Ceram Island and hit shipping in Binnen Bay in the Moluccas Islands.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: On Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands, Regimental Combat Team 321 of the 81st Infantry Division, takes responsibility for completing the reduction of the Umurbrogol Pocket and is relieving marines there.
Fresh forces, a battalion of the 323d Infantry Regiment, from Ulithi are assisting the 321st Infantry Regiment. At Ngulu Atoll, elements of the 81st Infantry Divsion begins clearing the atoll, which lies between Yap and the Palaus.

PACIFIC OCEAN: Japanese torpedo planes attack Task Group 30.3 (Rear Admiral
Laurance T. DuBose) and again damage light cruiser USS Houston Japanese reconnaissance pilots tell the Imperial General Staff that the great victory over Task Force 38 two days ago was an illusion. They report that Halsey's fleet still has 13 carriers, seven battleships and 10 cruisers. It actually has 17 carriers.
In support of the upcoming invasion of Leyte and to cover the damaged USN ships in tow to Ulithi, Task Group 38.4 launches air strikes against Luzon in the Philippines. The aircraft carrier USS Franklin is attacked by three enemy planes, one of which scores with a bomb that hit the after outboard corner of the deck edge elevator, killing three and wounding 22.

SUBMARINES: At 0600 hours, the USN submarine USS Tilefish sinks a cargo ship about 66 nautical miles NNE of Shimushiru Island, Kurile Islands, Japan, in position 48.07N, 153.04E.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Preliminary air atttacks begin today against Leyte. These preparations for the invasion will continue over the next three days. USAAF Far East Air Forces P-38s attack the harbor, shipping, airfield and trucks at Cagayan on Mindanao Island.

UNITED KINGDOM: Private Salter of the Pioneer Corps is the first British soldier to be demobilized, and given a regulation "demob suit".

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 155, OCTOBER 16, 1944
Aparrion the north coast of Luzon Island in the Philippines was swept by fighter aircraft of the Pacific Fleet on October 13 (West Longitude Date). Only two twin‑engine and three single engine aircraft were observed on the
ground, and all were destroyed by strafing. No airborne enemy opposition was encountered. Ground installations in the area were severely strafed
On October 15 a large force of carrier aircraft was launched against airfields in the vicinity of Manila Bay. This force was intercepted by an estimated 50 Japanese fighter aircraft. From 30 to 40 of the intercepting enemy planes were shot down. An additional 15 to 20 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground at Nichols, Nielson, and Mariveles Airfields. Meantime the ships in one carrier task group underwent persistent aerial attack during the day, and 30 Japanese aircraft were shot down in the vicinity of the group. Only superficial damage was done to our surface ships in this attack.
Nine enemy aircraft were shot down in the vicinity of another fleet unit. Complete reports from all units are not yet available.
Mitchell bombers of the Eleventh Air Force on October 14 bombed installations on the south coast of Paramushiru. Later, two Liberators of the Eleventh Air Force attacked wharves and shipping installations on the northeast coast of Paramushiru. Antiaircraft fire was meager and all our aircraft returned.
Seventh Air Force Liberators on October 14 dropped approximately 48 tons of bombs on the air strip, supply dumps and gun positions at Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands. Antiaircraft fire was moderate but eight aggressive enemy fighters, using phosphorous bombs, attacked our planes. One of the enemy fighters was probably shot down while three others were damaged. We suffered no losses.
The airfield runway on Moen Island in Truk Atoll was bombed by Liberators of the Seventh Air Force on October 13. Three enemy fighters were air, borne but did not press home their attack. Antiaircraft fire was meager.

1945

 

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1941
JAPAN: Lieutenant General TOJO Hideki, War Minister in the late Prince KONOYE Fumumaro Cabinet, is designated Premier and ordered to form a new Cabinet. A memo for the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff states, "Any cabinet selected by General Tojo may be expected to have Axis leanings but will be otherwise anti-foreign and highly nationalistic."
The Foreign Ministry in Tokyo sends a telegram to their embassy in Washington, DC, which includes the following: "The Cabinet has reached a decision to resign as a body. At this time I wish to thank Your Excellency and your entire staff for all the efforts you have made. The resignation is brought about by a split within the Cabinet. It is true that one of the main items on which opinion differed is on the matter of stationing troops or evacuating them from China. However, regardless of the make-up of the new Cabinet, negotiations with the United States shall be continued along the lines already formulated. There shall be no changes in this respect."

UNITED STATES: The USN orders all U.S. merchant ships in Asiatic waters to put into friendly ports.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: Four USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb the Main Camp area on Japanese-held Kiska Island and a beached vessel in Trout Lagoon; the results are unobserved due to clouds; a B-24 flying weather reconnaissance finds no trace of two destroyers, confirming their sinking on 16 October.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, bitter fighting is in progress on the Kokoda Track at Eora Creek, where the Japanese commit reinforcements.
The point unit for the Australians is the 16th Brigade which has taken over from the 25th Brigade.
Abel's Field at Fasari, on the upper Musa River near Mt Sapia, becomes operational; the field is named for Cecil Abel, a missionary who constructed it with assistance of native labor and equipment dropped by USAAF Fifth Air Force.
First luggers reach Wanigela and continue toward Pongani with men and supplies.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: A force of 18 "Val" dive bombers and 18 "Zeke" fighters from the aircraft carriers HIJMS Hiyo and Junyo have been temporarily based at Buka Airdrome on Buka Island just north of Bougainville Island. This force is airborne this morning to attack shipping off Guadalcanal. At 0720 hours local, eight Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-121 F4Fs intercept this force as the "Vals" attack two USN destroyers, USS Aaron Ward and Lardner, shelling new Japanese Army supply dumps west of the Lunga Perimeter near Tassafaronga. The Marine Wildcats disrupt the attack and shoot down six "Vals" and four "Zekes;" one Wildcat is lost along with its pilot. The destroyers continue their bombardment and fire 1,925 5-inch rounds at the supply dumps.
Throughout the day, numerous P-39 and P-400 Airacobra fighter-bombers and six B-17s bomb the Japanese supply dumps. In the afternoon, the Japanese Navy sends 15 "Betty" bombers and nine "Zekes" to bomb Guadalcanal; the Japanese aircraft are unopposed.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): The 403d Bombardment Squadron, 43d BG (Heavy), moves from Torrens Creek to Iron Range, Australia with B-17s.

1943
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.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 7 B-24s fly cover sorties for a naval task force.

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 15 P-47s bomb a supply area near Naba, hit Japanese HQ and a supply area near Mawhun, and blast a supply base and permanent camp at Myazedi; 8 B-25s bomb Nawnghkio airfield and 3 attack bridges near Kawlin and Thityabin; an approach to the latter bridge is damaged. Transports fly almost 300 sorties to various points in the CBI.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 15 B-25s, 12 P-40s, and 10 P-51s pound a supply depot at Tien Ho Airfield at Canton; 2 B-24s bomb a supply depot at Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong; 44 P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance attack rivercraft, troop concentrations, villages, and other targets of opportunity around Kweiping, Tengyun, Mangshih, Tajungchiang, Wuchou, and Dosing; a runway at Tanchuk Airfield suffers considerable damage.

STRATEGIC OPERATIONS (Twentieth Air Force): 10 B-29s, flying out of Chengtu, China, bomb Einansho air depot on Formosa; 14 others bomb alternate targets.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 11 B-24s from Saipan hit shipping off Haha Jima, and the town of Okimura; later, during the night of 17/18 Oct, 1 B-24 bombs an airfield on Iwo Jima. B-25s from the Gilbert hit Nauru.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: Fighter-bombers and B-25s hit airfields, shipping and scattered targets of opportunity in the Halmahera area. In the Ceram -Ambon-Boeroe area A-20s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers continue to pound airfields and oil facilities. HQ XIII Bomber Command moves from Wakde to Morotai . In New Guinea, HQ 433d Troop Carrier Group moves from Port Moresby to Biak ; the air echelon of the 82d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, begins operating from Biak with F-6s and P-40s (squadron is based on Morotai).

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces fighter-bombers and B-25s hit airfields, shipping and scattered targets of opportunity in the Halmahera Island area. In the Ceram Island Ambon Island, Boeroe Island area A-20s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers continue to attack airfields and oil facilities.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: The USN's Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) (Commander Robert F. Jones), based on Stirling Island in the Treasury Islands, Solomon Islands, continues operations as Interstate TDR-1 target drones are launched against Japanese installations near East Rabaul on New Britain Island. One of the four hits the objective; a second hits a target of opportunity; a third is lost due to the failure of a vacuum tube in the drone receiver; a fourth may
have been shot down (light and inaccurate antiaircraft fire is noted).

INDIA: British Task Force 63, including two carriers and a battlecruiser, strike the Nicobar Islands as a diversion for the upcoming US attack on Leyte Island, Philippine Islands. The Nicobar Islands, part of India, are an island group in the Bay of Bengal northwest of Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies. These islands with be shelled today and tomorrow with additional air strikes on 19 October. Despite the damage this action as a diversion fails.

NEI: In the Java Sea, Dutch submarine HNMS Zwaardvisch torpedoes and sinks two Japanese ships, a minelayer and an auxiliary minelayer, about 126 nautical miles NE of Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The USN's Task Group 38.4 (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison) attacks Japanese installations at Legaspi and Clark Field on Luzon.
Scheduled air strikes by escort aircraft carriers are postponed because of typhoon weather in the vicinity of the ships.
A USN force (Rear Admiral Arthur D. Struble) lands 500 army troops of the 6th Ranger Battalion on Suluan and Dinagat Islands at the entrance to Leyte Gulf to destroy Japanese installations that could provide early warning of U.S.forces entering the gulf. Unfortunately, the Japanese on Suluan Island unit transmits a warning.
Almost 60 USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s hit oil installations, barracks, and shore targets on Ilang and northern Davao Bay areas of Mindanano Island.

BORNEO: The USN submarine USS Narwhal lands supplies on northwest coast of Tawi Tawi Island.
CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 156, OCTOBER 17, 1944
Carrier aircraft of the Pacific Fleet are continuing to attack targets on Luzon Island in the Philippines.
Further details now available concerning the results of some of the carrier aircraft attacks on Formosa on October 11, 12 and 13 show that at Tainan the airfield was hard hit and seven hangars were completely destroyed and five heavily damaged. Several buildings in the barracks area were also destroyed.
At Takao the harbor area received severe damage. Thirty large ware houses along the dock area were completely destroyed; ships were dunk it the harbor; heavy damage was inflicted in the industrial area. The airfield at Takao was heavily hit and several adjacent buildings were damaged.
The Okayama Airfield and assembly plants, many shops, administrative buildings and hangars were destroyed or damaged.
At Heito, approximately 15 miles inland from Takao, 14 buildings near the airfield were completely destroyed and eight were heavily damaged. At another airfield near Heito, five barracks were destroyed.
Most of the airstrips at the fields which were attacked have been heavily pitted by bomb blasts.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 157, OCTOBER 17, 1944
During the fighting between our carrier task forces and the enemy air forces based on shore in the Ryukyus, Formosa and Luzon Island in the Philippines from October 10 (West Longitude Date) until the time of this
communiqué, there has been no damage of consequence to our battleships or carriers. However, two medium size ships were hit by aircraft torpedoes and are retiring from the area. Fortunately, the personnel casualties in these two ships were small.
Japanese Fleet units were sighted approaching the area in which U. S. Pacific Fleet Forces have been operating in the Western part of the Philippine Sea, but on discovering our fighting strength unimpaired have avoided action and have withdrawn toward their bases.
During October 13, 14 and 15, 191 enemy planes attacked one of our Task Groups off Formosa by day and night. Ninety five enemy planes were shot down by our fighters and antiaircraft fire, while we lost five planes. On Octo¬ber 15, fighters from two of our carriers shot down 50 more enemy aircraft out of approximately sixty planes which attempted to attack our damaged ships. On the same day an additional fifteen enemy planes were destroyed by search and patrol flights from our carriers.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 158, OCTOBER 17, 1944
Elements of the 81st Infantry Division covered by ships of the Pacific Fleet occupied Ulithi Atoll in the Western Carolines on September 20 and 21 (West Longitude Date). On September 20, advance patrols landed on Fassaran and Mangejang Islands on either side of the main entrance into Ulithi Lagoon, and on September 21, our troops occupied Mogmog, Asor, Patangeras, and Sorlan Islands. The landings were not opposed. The possibility that the enemy may not have been immediately aware of these landings led to the withholding of this information until this time.
Pagan Island in the Marianas was bombed by our aircraft on October 14 and 15. Runways and storage areas were hit.
During the night of October 14 15, and during daylight on October 15, Wake Island was bombed by Seventh Air Force Liberators.
On October 16, Eten Island in Truk Atoll was attacked by Seventh Air Force Liberators, and on the same day Haha Jima in the Bonin Islands was raided. In the latter attack Okdoura Town was hit, and several small ships in the harbor were bombed.
Carrier aircraft of the Pacific Fleet are continuing to attack objectives in the Philippines.

1945

 

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1939
CHINA: A USN landing force from gunboats USS Asheville and Tulsa and destroyer USS Whipple is withdrawn from Kulangsu where it has been protecting the American Consulate and the Hope Memorial Hospital since 17 May.

1940
CHINA: The first lorries (trucks) to bring war supplies along the
re-opened Burma Road, closed three months ago by agreement between
Japan and Britain, arrived at Kunming this evening from Lashio, Burma. Drivers report an uneventful journey free from the air attacks threatened by Japan against the Chinese section of the road. Sixty lorries (trucks)
arrive in the first convoy and another 2,000, given a banquet send off
in Burma, are expected tomorrow. Waiting at Rangoon, Burma, are another 500,000 tons of war supplies, including airplanes and munitions. On the return leg the lorries (trucks) will carry tungsten, wood, tin, oil and pig bristles for export to the U.S.

1941
JAPAN: Soviet spy Richard Sorge is arrested in Tokyo. Sorge had arrived
in Japan in 1933 and ran a 5-man spy ring that spied on the Japanese and Germans. After his arrest, he will be held in prison for three years. The Soviet Union refused to exchange Sorge for Japanese prisoners they held and he is hanged on 7 November 1944.

1942
ADMIRALTY ISLANDS: Fifth Air Force B-17s attack schooners and buildings at Lorengau on Manus Island.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: On Japanese-held Kiska Island four USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb the Main Camp, score near misses on a beached vessel in Trout Lagoon, and hit a gasoline (petrol) storage area; a weather aircraft flies reconnaissance over Attu, Segula, Little Sitkin, and Gareloi Islands.

NEW CALEDONIA: Admiral William F. Halsey arrives at Noumea, New Caledonia prior to the arrival of his flagship, the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise, to scout the situation. He receives a sealed envelope
containing orders, from Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander of the Pacific Ocean Area and Commander of the Pacific Fleet, to immediately take command of the South Pacific Ocean Area and the South Pacific Force.
In relieving Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley just days after the public release of the Battle of Savo Island, the blame for the loss is attached publically to Ghormley.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, U.S. forces advancing over the Kapa Kapa Trail, which parallels the Kokoda Track over the Owen Stanley Mountains, arrive at Pogani. The complete regiment will finish the
journey over the next three days. They will, however, not be in condition to fight due to the rigors of the trek through the mountains and jungle.
This overland journey will prove wasted, since it has become possible to airlift troops to the north shore of New Guinea. Hard fighting by the Australians continues on Kokoda Track in the vicinity of Eora Creek.
USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25 Mitchells hit Wairopi bridge in the Owen Stanley Range, the village of Mubo, and the dock and occupied area on Pilelo Island; air movement of most of 128th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 32d Infantry Division, to Wanigela by the USAAF Fifth Air Force is completed. Elements are left at Port Moresby temporarily when Wanigela Field becomes unserviceable because of rains.
- the 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, moves from Townsville, Australia to Port Moresby's 14 Mile Drome with P-38s.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: At 1300 hours local, 16 USMC and USN F4F Wildcats intercept 15 "Betty" bombers
escorted by 9 "Zeke" fighters over Guadalcanal. The Americans claim six "Betty" bombers and four
"Zekes," Japanese Navy records state three bombers and four fighters lost. One Wildcat is lost in an operational accident and two F4Fs are shot down but there are no pilot loses.
During the early evening, a "Val" dive bomber and a "Zeke" fighter are shot down near Guadalcanal by a USMC F4F pilot and two USN Fighting Squadron VF-71 F4F Wildcat pilots.
- On Guadalcanal, construction begins on an all-weather fighter airfield to the west of Henderson Field. This field will be known as Fighter 2 or Kukum Strip.
- USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses attack shipping and aircraft in the Faisi area in the Shortland Islands, and Kahili airfield, and shipping off Kahili, Pupukuna Point, and Buin on Bougainville Island.

1943
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

1944
ALASKA: 4 B-25s bomb Kurabu Cape Airfield on Paramushiru and Suribachi; 8-12 interceptors attack the B-25s, which claim 2 victories.

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA In Burma, 13 P-47s attack Mingaladon Airfield, 21 support ground forces in the Mohnyin area, 8 knock out 2 bridges at Wanting, and 6 hit troops near Hwemun; 6 B-25s damage approaches to 2 road bridges at Wuntho; 6 other B-25s damage approaches to 2 bridges at Namhkai and Meza. Transports again fly nearly 300 sorties to several locations in the CBI. In India, the 3d Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, moves from Sylhet to Tulihal with C-47s.

CHINA In China, 100+ P-40s and P-51s fly armed reconnaissance over vast areas of China S of the Yangtze River, attack town areas, troops, rivercraft, gun positions, supply facilities, airfields, and other targets of opportunity around Kweiping, Shangkaishow, Tajungchiang, Konghow, Wuchou, Shepchung, Hsinganhsien, Tengyun, Liutu, Tanchuk, and Takhing. Railroad targets at Lang Son. The flight of the 21st Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, operating from Liangshan moves to Hanchung, China with F-5s (squadron is based at Kunming).

FRENCH INDOCHINA: USAAF Fourteenth Air Force fighter-bombers attack railroad targets at Lang Son.
CHINA: General Joseph Stilwell, Commanding General US China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek, Commander-in-Chief Northern Area Combat Command (NCAC) and Deputy Supreme Command, South-East Asia Command (SEAC), is recalled from China by U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt. Roosevelt informs Chiang Kai-shek of Stilwell’s recall, adding that while no other U.S. officer will be named to command Chinese forces, Major General Albert Wedemeyer, Deputy Chief of Staff South-East Asia Command (SEAC), is available to act as the Generalissimo’s chief of staff, a proposal that is acceptable to Chiang Kai-shek.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA B-24s out of Saipan bomb Haha Jima while P-47s bomb and strafe Pagan.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: P-38s hit barges, small shipping, and vehicles on W coast of Mindanao. B-25s and fighter-bombers again hit Namlea on Buru, Amboina and Liang on Ambon, and nearby targets, attack targets of opportunity at Djailolo and in the Wasile Bay area. HQ 307th BG (Heavy), moves from Wakde, New Guinea to Morotai . The 65th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Group, moves from Nadzab to Biak , New Guinea with C-47s.

NEW GUINEA: In Dutch New Guinea, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s attack Sagan and Babo Airfields. Meanwhile, B-25s attack Urarom, Manokwari, Babo, Sagan, Otawiri, and other Vogelkop area targets.

EAST INDIES: Bad weather curtails a major USAAF Far East Air Forces strike on Balikpapan, Borneo; of 120+ B-24s and fighters, only eight B-24s and eight P-38s reach the target. B-25s and fighter-bombers again hit Namlea on Buroe Island, Amboina and Liang (Laha, Ambon East) on Ceram Island, and nearby targets, attack targets of opportunity at Djailolo Aerodrome on Halmahera Island and in the Wasile Bay area.
RAAF - Ditched near Manokwari is P-40N A29-641.
BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: The USN’s Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) operations continue as three Interstate TDR-1 drones are launched against a lighthouse on Cape St. George, New Ireland Island. None hit the target.

BURMA: In the British Fourteenth Army's XXXIII Corps area, after hard fighting on the approaches to Tiddim earlier in the month, the Indian 5th Division enters the town without opposition.
Thirteen USAAF Tenth Air Force P-47s attack Mingaladon Airfield, 21 support ground forces in the Mohnyin area, eight knock out two bridges at Wanting, and six hit troops near Hwemun; six B-25s damage approaches to two road bridges at Wuntho while six other B-25s damage approaches to two bridges at Namhkai and Meza. Transports again fly nearly 300 sorties to several locations in the China-Burma-India Theater.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: On Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands, the 321st Infantry Regiment completes the relief of 1st Marine Division elements at the Umurbrogol Pocket and continues attacks to reduce it. The pocket is now about 400 yards from east to west and about 80 yards
from north to south, The 1st Marine Division has suffered 6,526 casualties on the island, a large portion of them at the pocket. On Angaur Island, a Japanese pocket on the northwest tip of the island is compressed into a small zone about 100 yards long and 50 yards wide.

JAPAN: Receipt of the warning that American troops have landed in the Philippines, Admiral Toyoda Soemu, Commander in Chief Combined Fleet, orders Operation SHO-1 which calls for defending the Philippines against American invasion and bringing about a decisive battle. This order sends 76 warships, including four aircraft carriers and nine battleships, to sail from Japan and Malaya for an all-out attack on the invasion force.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the Bismarck Sea, the Australian minesweeper HMAS Geelong (J 201) sinks after colliding with an American tanker about 31 nautical miles N of Finschhafen, Northeast New Guinea, in position 06.04S, 147.45E. There are no casualties; the 70 survivors are picked up by the tanker.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The USN's Task Groups 38.1 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) and TG 38.4 (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison) attack principal Japanese airfields near Manila, Luzon, and shipping in the harbor, sinking a passenger-cargo ship, an army cargo ship and a merchant cargo ship.
Meanwhile, TG 38.2 (Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan) pounds Japanese shipping off northern Luzon, sinking an auxiliary submarine chaser, two transports, and three merchant cargo ships off Camiguin, northern Luzon; a cargo ship near Babuyan Channel; and two landing ships and a minelayer/netlayer off northeastern Luzon. Japanese sources state that USN carrier air strikes have destroyed 650 Japanese aircraft on Formosa and the Philippines; the USN has lost 76 aircraft and has two cruisers damaged.
U.S. warships, led by the battleships USS California, Maryland, Mississippi, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, begin shelling the landing beaches on Leyte.
The escort aircraft carriers of Task Group 77.4 begin a preinvasion bombardment against airfields in the Visayan Islands, Leyte and northern Mindanao. They sink six Japanese ships in the Cebu area.

Company B, 6th Ranger Battalion, lands on Homonhon Island without opposition and sets up a channel light. Underwater demolition teams begin an uneventful reconnaissance of the landing areas under cover of naval gunfire bombardment.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 159, OCTOBER 18, 1944
Carrier aircraft of the Pacific Fleet again swept over Northern Luzon Island in the Philippines on October 17 (West Longitude Date). Preliminary reports indicate that the following damage was inflicted upon enemy shipping
At Camiguin Island, North of Luzon, two medium transports were sunk, one large transport and a small oil tanker were set afire, and two medium trans¬ports were left beached and burning; at Aparri one coastal cargo ship and fuel storage areas along the waterfront were set ablaze. One airborne enemy plane over San Vicente was shot down while 18 were destroyed on the ground, 15 of them at Laoag. Action is continuing and further details will be released as they become available.
A re assessment of plane losses inflicted upon the enemy, but based upon still incomplete reports, shows that during the seven day period, October 9 to 15, carrier aircraft of the Pacific Fleet destroyed approximately 915 Japanese airplanes of which 350 enemy planes were destroyed on the ground and 565 planes were destroyed in the air in the Ryukyu Formosa Luzon area. Of those shot down 269 were over the targets, 256 were in the vicinity of our fleet and 40 were knocked down by antiaircraft fire.
Based upon more complete information, the following damage was In¬flicted upon enemy shipping at Formosa by our carrier aircraft on October 11: (These losses are in addition to those reported in United States Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas communiqués Number 150 and 151)
Sunk:
3 medium cargo ships
2 coastal cargo ships
34 small craft
Probably sunk:
1 large cargo ship
1 oil tanker
3 medium cargo ships
5 coastal cargo ships
1 minelayer
2 escort vessels
Damaged:
7 small cargo ships
11 coastal cargo ships
1 oil tanker
34 small craft
United States Losses
21 planes
31 pilots
21 aircrewmen
Ngulu Atoll in the western Caroline Islands was occupied by United States forces on October 15. Only slight resistance was encountered. Seven of the enemy were killed and one taken prisoner.

1945

 

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1939
JAPAN: U.S. Ambassador Joseph Grew tells the Japanese people that American public opinion strongly resent Japan's actions in China stating "only through consideration of those facts, and through constructive steps to alter those facts, can Japanese-American relations be improved.
Those relations must be improved. . . . But the American people have been profoundly shocked over the wide-spread use of bombing in China, not only on grounds of humanity but also on grounds of the direct menace to American lives and property accompanied by the loss of American life and the crippling of American citizens; they regard with growing seriousness the violation of and interference with American rights by the Japanese armed forces in China in disregard of treaties and agreements entered into by the United States and Japan and treaties and agreements entered into by several nations, including Japan.
The American people know that those treaties and agreements were entered into voluntarily by Japan and that the provisions of those treaties and agreements constituted a practical arrangement for safeguarding "for the benefit of all" the correlated principles of national sovereignty and of equality of economic opportunity. The principle of equality of economic opportunity is one to which over a long period and on many occasions Japan has given definite approval and upon which Japan has frequently insisted. Not only are the American people perturbed over their being arbitrarily deprived of long-established rights, including those of equal opportunity and fair treatment, but they feel that the present trend in the Far East if continued will be destructive of the hopes which they sincerely cherish of the development of an orderly world. American rights and interests in China are being impaired or destroyed by the policies and actions of the Japanese authorities in China. American property is being damaged or destroyed; American nationals are being endangered and subjected to indignities. . . . The traditional friendship between our two Nations is far too precious a thing to be either inadvertently or deliberately impaired."

1940
AUSTRALIA: Convoy US-6 consisting of the transports Queen Mary, Aquitania and Mauretania, escorted by the light cruiser HMAS Perth (D 29), sails from Sydney, New South Wales, for the Middle East with the 20th and 21st Brigades of the Australian 7th Division plus supporting units.

JAPAN: The Netherlands East Indies agrees to supply Japan with 40-percent of its oil production for the next six months.

1941
UNITED STATES: President Roosevelt decides to go forward with the development of the atomic bomb.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: A USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-17 flies weather reconnaissance and bomb runs over Attu, Semichi, Kiska, and Amchitka Islands; six B-24s dispatched to bomb Japanese-held Kiska Island abort the mission due to weather.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: The U.S. 25th Infantry Division is alerted for movement to Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.

NEW CALEDONIA: The Japanese submarine HIJMS I-19 launches a "Glen" reconnaissance aircraft to reconnoiter Noumea.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, U.S. Colonel Leif Sverdrup's reconnaissance party completes march along Kapa Kapa trail, which is so poor that it is rejected as a possible route of advance, to upper Musa River, where Abel's Field is already in use. Sverdrup is the deputy to the Southwest Pacific Area's Engineer officer and he is charged with locating and developing landing fields. He began his march on 17 September.

NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS: The USN submarine USS Amberjack arrives at Espiritu Santo, assigned temporarily to Commander, Aircraft, South Pacific, for duty. Over the next three days, two of the submarine's fuel tanks will be cleaned and converted to carry aviation gasoline. She will also take on board 100-pound bombs and embark USAAF enlisted ground crew for transportation to Guadalcanal.

PACIFIC OCEAN: The USN destroyer USS O'Brien, damaged by submarine torpedo on 15 September 1942 breaks in two and sinks en route to United States for repairs, 53 miles NNE of Tutuila, Samoa.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The last elements of the Japanese 2nd "Sendai" Division step off along a primitive road (the "Maruyama Road") through Guadalcanal' s jungles and struggle toward attack positions south of the American-held airfields. The "road" is a 24-inch wide trail hacked through the jungle for 20-miles; the initial march started on 16 October. Each member of the elite 2nd "Emperor's Own" Infantry Division lugs his rifle, pack and a 30-pound artillery shell over ridges and gorges. Lieutenant General Maruyama Masao, commander of the 2nd Division, is confident his division will massacre Henderson Field's defenders with a surprise attack and his staff is already planning the surrender ceremony. Another 3,000 Japanese infantry supported by artillery and tanks are readying a diversionary attack west of the airfields. As yet, the Americans have not detected the moves.
During the day, a USN minesweeper arrives off Lunga Point with one hundred seventy five 55 U.S. gallon drums of aviation fuel and a fuel barge is towed from the New Hebrides to Tulagi Island by a fleet tug. Cactus Air Force F4Fs fly a constant combat air patrol (CAP) over the fuel.
SBDs dive bombers of the USN's Bombing Squadron VB-6 and Scouting Squadron VS 71 and Marine Scout Bombing Squadron VMSB-141 from Henderson Field attack three Japanese destroyers north of Guadalcanal, damaging HIJMS Uranami.
Japanese artillery fire closes Henderson Field for part of the day.
The USN submarine USS Grampus lands Australian coastwatchers on Choiseul Island.

UNITED STATES: The War Department agrees to equip 30 more Chinese divisions.
The initial installation and deployment of the AN/ASB-3 airborne search radar is reported. This radar, developed by the Naval Research Laboratory for carrier based aircraft, has been installed in five TBF-1
Avengers by NAS New York, New York, and five SBD-3s by NAS San Pedro, California. One aircraft of each type is assigned to Carrier Air Group CVG-11 in USS Saratoga and the others shipped to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The remaining sets on the initial contract for 25 are to be used for spare parts and training.

1943
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

1944
Oct 19th 1944

ALASKA A B-24 bombs Kurabu Cape on Paramushiru.

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 10 P-47s blast approaches to 2 bridges in the Mawlu area and 15 support ground forces in the Mohnyin area, hitting the village of Nyaunggaing and damaging a nearby bridge and pounding the railroad station at Kadu. In India, a detachment of the 1st Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, begins operating from Hathazari, India with C-47s (squadron is based at Sylhet, India).

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 100+ P-51s and P-40s on armed reconnaissance over S China hit numerous targets of opportunity from the Tungting Lake area to Luichow Peninsula; the fighter-bombers concentrate on rivercraft, troop compounds, and building areas; the 35th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fourteenth AF, based at Chanyi, sends a detachment to operate from Chihkiang with F-5s.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA: B-24s on armed reconnaissance from Saipan bomb a bridge, a pier, and the town area on Yap.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: Bombers hit shipping from Zamboanga S in the Sulu-Mindanao area, pound the airfield at Cebu, hit nearby shipping, and strafe Miti, Djailolo, and Hate Tabako. The 13th and 63d Troop Carrier Squadrons, 403d Troop Carrier Group, cease operating from Wakde with C-47s and returns to base on Biak .

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s attack Parepare, Celebes Island. Fighter-bombers hit Amboina and Boela Airfield on Ceram Island, hit nearby shipping, and strafe Miti Island Aerodrome on Miti Island, and Djailolo, and Hate Tabako on Halmahera Island.
Flying out of Truscott airfield in the remote Kimberly region of Western Australia, 18 B-24's of the 380th bomb Group successfully attack Japanese shipping centers at Pare-Pare, Malili and Palopo depriving the Japanese of much inter-island shipping.
In the Makassar Strait between east Borneo and west Celebes Island in the Netherlands East Indies, a USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24 sinks a Japanese weather ship.

NEW GUINEA: In Dutch New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20s and fighter-bombers attack Utarom, Sagan, and Babo Airfields.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN destroyer escort USS Gilligan bombards Mille Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The USN's Task Group 38.1 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) and TG 38.4 (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison) continue attacks on principal Japanese airfields near Manila and shipping in the harbor. Navy carrier based planes sink an army cargo ship and four merchant cargo ships, damage an oiler and a cargo ship so severely that the ship is run aground.
TG 38.1 and TG 38.4 then proceed south to provide direct support for the landings at Leyte. Meanwhile, TG 38.2 refuels at sea. Aircraft from the escort aircraft carriers of Task Group 77.4 attack targets in the southern Philippines.
Twenty four TBMs and 48 FM Wildcats attack targets on Negros; 15 TBMs and 28 FMs attack targets on Panay. Throughout the day, a rotating force of 14 TBMs and 28 FMs patrol over the Dulag-Tacloban area on Leyte to attack ground targets as required.
On Luzon, Admiral ONISHI Takijiro, commander of the Japanese 1st Air Fleet in the Philippines, activates a "Kamikaze Corps" to fly suicide missions against U.S. ships off Leyte. Onishi resorts to suicide tactics out of desperation. Japanese air attacks on American naval forces have been cut to ribbons, and he now believes the only way Japanese pilots can sink ships is to crash-dive them. When Onishi proposes the "divine wind" mission to two squadrons, every pilot volunteers.
The Leyte assault convoy moves safely to Leyte under protection of the USN Seventh Fleet. Underwater demolition teams (UDTs) complete a reconnaissance of the assault areas and preinvasion bombardment continues.
The USN submarine USS Narwhal lands men and supplies on the southwest coast of Negros Island. USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24 Liberators attack shipping from Zamboanga south in the Sulu-Mindanao Island area.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The USN's Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) based on Stirling Island in the Treasury Islands, continues operations with Interstate TDR-1 target drones. Two flights (one TDR each) are launched against Japanese gun positions west of Ballale. Ballale Island is a small island south of Bougainville. In the first, one drone misses its target during its run; in the second, the drone drops part of its ordnance [the two four-100-pound bomb clusters] on the target before it crashes.

UNITED STATES: The U.S. Navy announces that black women will be allowed into the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES).

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 160, OCTOBER 19, 1944
Carrier aircraft of the Pacific Fleet on October 16, 17 and 18 (West Longitude Date) continued to attack whatever enemy aircraft and shipping could still be found in the Manila area, Luzon Island, in the Philippines.
On October 16 aircraft from one group of carriers encountered up to 40 aggressive enemy planes over Clark Field, destroying 20 of them in the air. Another 30 or 40 planes on the ground were probably destroyed or damaged.
Incomplete reports show that on October 17 over Manila our fighters shot down 17 enemy planes which, although airborne, did not prove aggressive. An additional 13 enemy planes were shot down in the air and 15 were destroyed on the ground at Clark and Nichols Fields. Barracks, fuel dumps, hangars and ground installations at the two airfields were also heavily bombed.
On the same day in the south harbor of Manila Bay, an oil tanker, four medium cargo ships and a floating drydock were destroyed. In addition six large or medium cargo ships were damaged in Manila Bay while a large oiler was damaged in Mariveles Harbor.
Preliminary reports show that our own losses for the action on October 17 were four planes, two pilots and two aircrewmen.
On October 18 carrier based planes in a strike against enemy shipping in the south harbor of Manila Bay sank an oil tanker and damaged two large cargo ships, two large transports, six medium cargo ships, four small cargo ships and two medium oil tankers. Four enemy aircraft were destroyed over the target while one was probably shot down and one was damaged on the ground.
Seventh Air Force Mitchells bombed runways and installations on Nauru Island on October 17. One Mitchell sustained minor damage. Heavy to moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered.
Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on the same day bombed and strafed runways and storage areas at Ponape Island. Fires were started. Antiaircraft fire was moderate.
Corsairs and Dauntless dive bombers continued bombing and strafing attacks on enemy held positions in the Marshall Islands on October 17 and 18. Two planes were slightly damaged by antiaircraft fire at Jaluit on October 17, while one plane was shot down and another damaged at Jaluit on October 18. There were no personnel losses.

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 591, OCTOBER 19, 1944
Admiral C. W. Nimitz, U. S. Navy, Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, has received from Admiral W. F. Halsey, Jr., U. S. Navy, Commander, Third Fleet, the comforting assurance that he is now retiring toward the enemy following the salvage of all the Third Fleet ships recently reported sunk by Radio Tokyo.

1945

 

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1931
UNITED STATES: The Government invokes the Kellogg-Briand Pact because of the Japanese invasion of Manchuria after Britain, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain had done so. This Pact between the U.S. and other countries provided for the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy and was signed at Paris on 27 August 1928.

1935
CHINA: Just over a year after the start of the Long March, the Chinese Communists, lead by Mao Zedong, arrive in Shensi Province in northwest China with 4,000 survivors and sets up Chinese Communist headquarters. The epic flight from Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalist forces lasted 368 days and covered 6,000 miles. The Long March began on October 16, 1934.

1939
AUSTRALIA: While announcing compulsory military training, Mr. Robert Menzies, the Australian Prime Minister, states categorically that "It must be made clear that there is no obligation for service abroad, except in the case of a volunteer for such service."

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: Six USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-24's take off for Japanese held Kiska Island but return due to weather; reconnaissance is flown to 70 miles east of Attu Island; a negative search is made for a missing C-53 Skytrooper.

INDIA: Chinese troops begin moving by air into India to meet the Ramgarh requirements. The Chinese 22d and 38th Divisions are being brought up to strength.

NEW CALEDONIA: Major General Arthur Vandegrift, Commanding General 1st Marine Division on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, reports to Admiral William F Halsey, Commander of the South Pacific Area and Commander of the South Pacific Force, aboard his flagship in Noumea harbor, and requests and is promised more support. Admiral Halsey orders the Army's 147th Infantry Regiment, which had been earmarked for the invasion of Ndeni, Santa Cruz Islands, to Guadalcanal. The Ndeni operation is never undertaken. Halsey also institutes construction of another bomber airstrip to be located at Koli Point, 12 miles SE of Henderson Field.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, the Australian 16th Brigade, 6th Division, enters the fight for the Kokoda Trail, relieving the 25th Brigade, 7th Division; the Australians continue the action to clear the Eora Creek area. The U.S. 32d Infantry Division party under Captain Medendorp, having left elements at Laruni where a dropping ground is staked out, arrives at Jaure, where Captain Boice's party is searching for airfield sites.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the Coral Sea, USN heavy cruiser USS Chester is hit by a torpedo on the starboard side, amidships which killed 11 and wounded 12. The torpedo was fired by Japanese submarine HIJMS I-176 about 311 nautical miles SE of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands, in position 13.31S, 163.17E.
In the South China Sea, USN submarine USS Gar mines the approaches to Bangkok, Thailand.

HAWAII: The 19th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Group, moves from Kualoa Field to Bellows Field, Hawaii with P-40s.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The Japanese 2nd Division headquarters reaches "Clear Water Valley," 1 mile from the planned deployment area on Guadalcanal. Lieutenant General Maruyama Masao, commander of the 2nd Division, estimates this is 4 miles south of Henderson Field; it is actually 8 miles south. He sets the attack for 1800 hours on 22 October. A patrol of the supporting coastal force is taken under fire at the mouth of the Matanikau River and retires after one of its two tanks is hit.
Thirty Japanese “Zeke” fighters make a sweep over Guadalcanal before the main attack force of 16 “Betty” bombers and six “Zekes” arrives. Marine F4F pilots shoot down three “Bettys” and nine “Zekes” at 1145 hours. Henderson Field is closed for the rest of the day because of Japanese artillery fire.

UNITED STATES: The largest tax bill in history, US$6.8 billion (US$79 billion in 2004 dollars), is approved by Congress.
The Government orders the seizure of Nazi German banking operations in New York being conducted by Prescott Bush. The U.S. Alien Property Custodian takes over the Union Banking Corporation and its stock shares, all of which are owned by E. Roland "Bunny" Harriman, Prescott Bush, two other Bush associates, and three Nazi executives.
The trial of Gordon K. Hirabayashi, who violated Seattle, Washington's curfew and exclusion restrictions on 16 May 1942, starts in Seattle with Judge Lloyd L. Black presiding.

1943
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.

1944
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 9 P-47s hit encampments and stores near Naha; 5 others knock out a road bridge near Wanling and hit a supply dump in the area, while 4 more attack troops and supplies in the Nansiaung area. Transports fly 200+ sorties in the CBI. In India, the 490th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st BG (Medium), moves from Dergaon to Moran with B-25s.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): 18 B-25s bomb docks and storage area at Samshui and the town of Kweiping; 28 P-51s and P-40s join the attack on the Samshui area; 77 P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance pound road, river, and rail traffic, town and village areas and other targets of opportunity around Kweiping, Menghsu, Shawan, Kaotienhsu, Pingnam, Hsenwi, Wuchou, Dosing, Tanchuk, and coastal areas of French Indochina including Hongay.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 6 Saipan based P-47s bomb and strafe Pagan ; later in the day 4 B-24s hit the . During the night of 20/21 Oct a B-24 on a snooper mission bombs Iwo Jima. In Hawaii, HQ VII Fighter Command moves from Ft Shafter to Hickam Field; the 549th Night Fighter Squadron, 7th Fighter Wing, arrives at Kipapa Field from the US with P-61s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Davao. B-25s hit Amboina town on Ambon, lost is B-25G 42-64946. In New Guinea, the 2d Photographic Charting Squadron, 311th Photographic Wing, arrives at Hollandia from the US with F-7s; the 6th Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, moves from Nadzab to Biak with C-47s; the ground echelon of the 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, begins a movement from Biak to Leyte , Philippine (air echelon continues operating from Biak with F-5s); the 67th Troop Carrier Squadron, 433d Troop Carrier Squadron, moves from Hollandia to Biak with C-47s.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: In the Palau Islands, Major General Paul Mueller, Commanding General 81st Infantry Division, takes responsibility for ground operations in the Palaus from the III Amphibious Corps. Elements of 81st seize Pulo Anna Island in the Sosoral Group, between the Palau Islands and Morotai.

JAPAN: The Japanese Navy institutes Operation SHO-GO. To counter the U.S. landings on Leyte in the southern Philippines, a Japanese naval force consisting of four aircraft carriers, two battleships, three light cruisers, eight destroyers and only 116 combat aircraft, sorties from the Inland Sea for the Philippine Islands. This force, under Vice Admiral Ozawa, Tokusaburo, Commander-in-Chief Third Fleet and commander of the Northern Force, will act as a decoy to draw off the USN battleships and fast carriers so that other surface units can sink the American Seventh Fleet ships off Leyte.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN submarine USS Hammerhead finds a six-ship Japanese convoy and sinks a transport and an army cargo ship of the west coast of Borneo about 176 nautical miles WSW of Jesselton, British North Borneo, in position 04.46N, 113.23E.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The U.S. Sixth Army invades Leyte Island, landing on the east coast in the vicinity of Tacloban, the capital, and Dulag at approximately 1000 hours. Two firm beachheads are established, but at the end of day they are nearly 10 miles apart. In a preliminary operation, the 21st Infantry Regiment of the 24th Infantry Division lands well to the south in the vicinity of Panaon Strait at 0930 hours and secures the strait without opposition. Before landings naval guns of the USN Seventh Fleet pound the assault zone, beginning at 0600 hours, and lifting for a time at 0850 hours for an air strike on the Dulag area. Aircraft provide close support throughout the day.
The X Corps lands 2 divisions abreast in the north in the vicinity of Tacloban. On the northern flank, the 1st Cavalry Division, with the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the 2d Cavalry Brigade and the 12th and 5th Cavalry Regiments of the 1st Cavalry Brigade, lands and clears San Jose, Tacloban airstrip, and the Cataisan Peninsula.
The 24th Infantry Division, with the 34th Infantry Regiment on the north and 19th on south, meets heavy fire after initial waves have landed; against strong opposition they seize Hill 522, the key terrain feature north of Palo commanding the northern entrance to Leyte Valley, and secure a bridgehead averaging 1 mile in depth. The XXIV Corps lands near Dulag with the 96th Infantry Division on the north and the 7th Infantry Division on the south.
The 96th is slowed by harassing fire and difficult terrain but takes San Jose, positions astride Labiranan River, and Hill 120; they push inland about 2,500 yards on the N and 1,300 yards on the south.
The 7th Infantry Division gets forward elements on the north across Highway 1 and on the south takes Dulag and reaches the edge of the airstrip, where counterattacks are repelled during the night of 20/21 October.
Several hours after the initial landings on Leyte, General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander, Southwest Pacific Area, lands. He broadcasts to the Philippine people announcing: "I have returned," thus redeeming his promise of 1942 upon arriving in Australia from Corregidor.
Forty six USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s bomb a Japanese Army headquarters at Davao on Mindanao Island while 12 B-25s attack Dumaguete Airfield on Negros Island. Twelve P-38s and 16 P-47s attack numerous targets on Mindanao and Negros.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Special Task Air Group (STAG 1) operations continue from Stirling Island in the Treasury Islands. Three Interstate TDR-1 target drones controlled from converted TBM-1C Avengers are launched against Japanese gun positions west of Ballale Island located south of Bougainville: one is lost, one makes a hit with its bomb but crashes before it can be directed into its ultimate target (the beached Japanese freighter serving as an antiaircraft gun site off the Kahili Airfield on southern Bougainville and christened the "Kahili Maru"), the last achieves a bomb hit and crashes into "Kahili Maru" as planned.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 161, OCTOBER 20, 1944
Hellcat and Corsair fighters, Avenger torpedo planes and Helldiver bombers of the fast carrier task force, in support of the invasion of the Philippine Islands, attacked targets at Leyte, Cebu, and Negros Islands on October 19 (West Longitude Date). Ground installations were bombed and rocketed. The San Pablo and Dulag Airfields on Leyte were attacked, and direct hits were obtained on revetments and other installations. The town of Dagami was heavily pounded, and a bridge was knocked out. At Cebu Airfield five enemy aircraft on the ground were strafed. An afternoon fighter sweep over airfields at Negros Island found little enemy activity. There was no airborne enemy opposition during these raids. One of our fighters was shot down by antiaircraft fire. A single engine enemy torpedo plane was shot down in the vicinity of our surface ships.
Additional reports have been received regarding strikes by carrier aircraft which occurred on October 17 and 18 in the vicinity of Manila and in the northern part of Luzon. On October 17 a large cargo ship and a patrol vessel were sunk at Laoag Bay on Luzon's northwest coast. A landing ship, a coastal cargo ship, and two luggers were probably sunk at Aparri. An escort vessel, two medium cargo ships, three small cargo ships, 16 coastal cargo ships, and 28 small craft found along the Luzon coasts were damaged by bombing, strafing, and rocket fire. Three enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground, and extensive damage was done to ground installations. At Laoag several barracks and fuel dumps were destroyed.
On the same day, in the vicinity of Manila, Clark, Tarlac and Mabalacat Airfields were attacked. Several intercepting fighters were shot down, 19 twin engine enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground at Mabalacat, 10 twin engine aircraft were destroyed on the ground at Tarlac, and one at Legaspi. Aviation installations at Clark and Mabalacat Fields were bombed and rocketed. We lost two fighters in this attack.
On October 18 our attacks in the Manila area continued, and Clark, Nielson, Pasig, and Nichols Airfields were further reduced. Seven enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground at Nielson Field, 10 at Clark Field, four at Pasig Field, and one at Angeles. An additional 26 enemy aircraft were damaged on the ground at the several fields. Only slight airborne enemy opposition was encountered in these attacks. During the day a medium cargo ship found at San Fernando, a seaport on Lingayen Gulf, was attacked and damaged. Two barracks were destroyed at Clark Field, three hangars were blown up at Nielson Field, and two fuel dumps at Nielson Field were hit and destroyed. Extensive damage was done to dispersal areas and airport facilities in these strikes. Four of our aircraft were lost in these attacks, but the crew of one plane was rescued.
Corsairs of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing attacked Yap Island on October 17, and left two enemy planes on the ground afire. Gun positions south of Yap Town were bombed by a single Navy Ventura search plane the same day. Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force on the following day dropped bombs on bridges and in the town area of Yap.
On October 18, in a night attack, the Second Marine Aircraft Wing's Hellcats shot up runways on Rota Island.
On October 19 Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing continued neutralization raids in the Marshall Islands.

1945

 

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1942
BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25's hit Luscan Harbor on the south coast of New Britain Island.

CHINA: B-24 Liberators of the USAAF Tenth Air Force's India Air Task Force (IATF) stage through Chengtu to bomb coal mines at Lin-hsi; 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 target area; this marks the first use of heavy bombers in China and the first USAAF strike north of the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, a 50-man patrol of Cannon Company, U.S. 32d Infantry Division, sets out from Jaure for the Kumusi River Valley, where it subsequently establishes a defense line and is joined by Captain Alfred Medendorp's main group (Company E, 126th Infantry Regiment, Antitank and Cannon Companies and native carriers), the entire force being called the Wairopi Patrol.
The Australians maintain pressure on the Japanese along the Kokoda Track, slowly gaining ground in flanking attacks. The 16th Brigade advances and finds that the Japanese have abandoned the positions they held yesterday.
Australian General Thomas Blamey, Commander in Chief Allied Land Forces Southwest Pacific Area and Commander in Chief Australian Military Force, sends a message to Major General Arthur Allen, General Officer Commanding 7th Australian Division, stating, "You should consider acting with greater boldness ...General MacArthur (considers) that progress on the trail is not repeat not satisfactory. The tactical handling of our troops in my opinion is faulty." General Allen responds, "I feel that the difficulty of operations in this country are still not fully realised.... the track between Alola and Myola is the roughest and most
precipitous throughout the complete route."

PACIFIC OCEAN: The Japanese aircraft carrier HIJMS Hiyo is damaged by an engine room fire after departing Truk in the Caroline Islands and thus cannot participate in the Battle of Santa Cruz on 26 October.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The Japanese 11th Air Fleet at Rabaul begins its attacks on Guadalcanal in support of the upcoming offensive. Nine "Betty" bombers , escorted by 25 "Zeke" fighters strike Henderson Field. USMC and USN F4F pilots shoot down six "Zekes;" two F4Fs are lost.
On Guadalcanal, the Japanese 2nd Division is advancing towards the point south of Henderson Field for their attack. They have been marching for six days and are heavily engaged by the jungle. Due to their lack of progress, the attack scheduled for tomorrow night is postponed one day. Meanwhile, the Japanese coastal force, with support of artillery and tanks, attempts to cross to eastern bank of the Matanikau River but pulls back after losing a tank to U.S. fire.

UNITED STATES: Admiral Ernest J. King, Chief of Naval Operations and Commander in Chief United States Fleet, informs Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander of the Pacific Ocean Area and Commander of the Pacific Fleet, that the Joint Chiefs of Staff have agreed to strengthen air forces in South Pacific by 1 January 1943.

1943
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.

1944
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 15 P-47s damage at least 3 bridges throughout the railroad corridor in N Burma; 15 other P-47s support ground forces in the Mohnyin area, hitting gun positions and defensive works at Ywathit; 12 others attack positions and occupied areas around Bhamo and Muse, 6 knock out the Paungni River bridge, and 4 attack the town of Mawhun; about 270 sorties are flown by Tenth AF transports in the CBI. The detachments of the 5th and 6th Fighter Squadrons (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, operating from Cox's Bazar, India with P-47s, return to base at Asansol, India.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 3 B-25s and 130+ P-40s and P-51s attack shipping, gun positions, troop areas, bridges, town areas, road traffic, and other targets of opportunity around Yuma, Takhing, Dosing, Konghow, Shawan, Kuanyang, Kweiping, Tungpingchi, Tingka, Muse, Wan Lai-Kam, Shekpo, Menghsu, and Amoy; the 530th Fighter Squadron, 311th Fighter Group, moves from Dinjan, India to Kwanghan with P-51s.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 28 B-24s from Saipan bomb Iwo Jima. 2 B-24s, in the first US air strike from Guam hit Yap. The 26th, 98th and 431st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive on Guam from Kwajalein Atoll with B-24s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: B-24s bomb Cagayan in the Philippines and Parepare on Celebes . B-25s and fighter- bombers hit Misami, New Guinea and blast a truck convoy near Kibawe on Mindanao . Other fighter-bombers hit Kaoe Bay supply areas; fighter-bombers hit Boela Airfield and the Amboina town area on Ambon. Mongosah and Sagan Airfields are also bombed. Ditched are: P-47D "Santa Maria" 43-25642, P-47D 42-25417, P-47D "Tot's Terror" 42-23235, P-47 43-25636, P-47D 42-75935, P-47D 42-75893, P-47D piloted by Taylor.
The ground echelon of the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, begins a movement from Biak to Leyte (air echelon operations from Biak with B-25s until Dec 44); the 64th Troop Carrier Squadron, 403d Troop Carrier Group, based on Biak ceases operating from Wakde with C-47s.

COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: US forces capture Dulag Airfield and Tacloban village on Leyte Island. They are still unable to link their bridgeheads. Naval support is from the US 7th Fleet and one group of TF 38. Airstrikes on Cebu, Panay, Negros and Masbate islands, also in the Philippines, are made by 2 other groups of TF 38.
US forces repel a night attack killing over 600 Japanese.

PALAU ISLANDS: The Japanese resistance on Angaur Island ends. Losses are: Japanese 1,300 KIA and 45 POW; US 264 KIA and 1355 WIA. US heavy bomber units are already operating from Angaur. The Palaus were declared secure on September 30 by US Admiral Fort.

U.S.A.: Major General Clayton L. Bissell becomes Assistant Chief/Air Staff, Intelligence (A-2) in Washington, DC. He was formerly CG of the US 10th Air Force.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 162, OCTOBER 21, 1944
Carrier aircraft of the, Pacific Fleet on October 20 (West Longitude Date) continued to attack enemy aircraft and shipping targets 3n the Philippines. At Coron Bay, southwest of Mindoro Strait, a cargo ship, previously dam¬aged, a small coastal cargo ship and a small escort vessel were sunk. Four enemy PT boats, three at Batangas Bay and one at Cebu Harbor, were also sunk. Several ammunition barges were destroyed in Masbate Harbor, while two medium cargo ships and two luggers were damaged. At Bulan, ground installations and a hangar near the airfield were bombed.
During the day, 13 enemy planes were shot down and 37 destroyed on the ground, some of which previously had been reported damaged. Our losses were three planes, one pilot and one aircrewman.
In the month long operations against the Philippines, Ryukyus and Formosa which commenced on September 21, and have continued until the present, the carrier aircraft employed have consisted of Hellcat fighters, Avenger torpedo planes and Helldiver dive bombers.

1945

 

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1940
JAPAN: The Japanese Foreign Office sends messages to Japanese embassies in Singapore, Federated Malay States, and Batavia, Netherlands East Indies, inquiring about the air forces in both locations.

1942
CHINA: The opening session of the Chinese People's Council today in Chungking is marked by the absence of any Communist delegates and a warning from Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. Speaking obliquely about the continued factional fighting between Kuomintang and Communist troops, he points out that it is wasting manpower and materials and endangering the Chinese war effort. Success on the war front would not save China from Japan if the divisive internal economic and political battles continue, he warned.

D'ENTRECASTEAUX ISLANDS: To secure the northeast coast of Papua, New Guinea, the Australian 2/12th Battalion of the 18th Brigade embarks in two Australians destroyers, HMAS Arunta and Stuart at Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea, and during the night of 22/23 October, land at a points on Goodenough Island., from which submarines have withdrawn 60 of the 353 Japanese stranded there on 25 August.

INDIA: A combined planning staff conference opens to consider an offensive in Burma.

ALASKA: In the Bering Sea, a USAAF Eleventh Air Force weather reconnaissance aircraft reports a submarine about 376 nautical miles north of Adak Island, Aleutian Islands, in position 52.08N, 177.21 W; a USN aircraft later makes contact and drops a depth charge but the result is unknown.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN destroyers USS Mahan and Lamson, detached from Task Force 16 to "shoot up the Japanese picket boat line" west of the Gilbert Islands, sink a Japanese gunboat about 320 nautical miles SSE of Tarawa Atoll, Gilber Islands, in position 03.30S, 175.15E.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Lieutenant General Thomas Holcomb, Commandant U.S. Marine Corps, tours front line positions of his Marines, on Guadalcanal, amid occasional Japanese artillery fire. He also observes an air raid by 12 "Val" dive bombers escorted by 12 "Zeke" fighters at 1300 hours. Twenty nine USMC F4F Wildcats intercept and five "Vals" are lost. Their target, the destroyer USS Nicholas.
Heavy Japanese artillery firce closes Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, for most of the day.
On Guadalcanal during the evening, the troops of Lieutenant General Maruyama Masao's 2nd Division reach their deployment line, 4 miles south of Henderson Field. They are actually 6 to 7 miles south. The 2nd division is strung out over approximately 18 miles (29 kilometers) of rain-soaked trails. Despite some serious doubts, the attack is scheduled by Headquarters 17th Army, at Kokumbona on Guadalcanal' s north coast, for tomorrow (23 October). The Japanese plan calls for a two pronged attack from the mouth of the Matanikau River early on the 23rd. Colonels Oka and Nakaguma will command the two prongs. That night the attack south of Henderson Field will have a right wing attack under Lieutenant General Kawaguchi Kiyotake, commander of the 35th Brigade,, a left wing under Major General Nasu Yumio, commander of the Infantry Group 2nd Division, and the main attack under General Maruyama.

PACIFIC OCEAN: The USN submarine USS Grayback sinks a Japanese transport about 54 nautical miles southeast of Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, in position 04.45S, 152.53 E.

UNITED STATES: The Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company, by amendment to a USN design study contract, is authorized to construct two 19A axial flow turbojet powerplants. Thereby, fabrication is initiated of the first jet engine of wholly American design.

1943
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.

1944
(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 40+ P-47s hit a variety of targets including bridges at Panghkam, and at 2 other points along the N Burma rail corridor, the towns of Manna and Kyaungle, a bivouac in the Indaw area, and various targets of opportunity.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 2 B-25s knock out 2 railroad bridges at Pingnam while 8 P-51s pound the town area; 54 P-40s and P-51s on armed reconnaissance attack town areas and general targets of opportunity at Nampang, Kuanyang, Shekpo, Pingnam, Kweiping, near Menghsu and Wanling, Burma.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): Guam-based B-24s hit Yap with harassment raids during the day, operating singly or in groups of 2 or 3. Makin based B-25s bomb Nauru.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]: In the Philippine , B-25s and P-38s attack shipping in the Sulu Archipelago and Jolo Harbor and Zamboanga harbor on Mindanano while B-24s hit Opon and Lahug Airfields on Cebu; B-25s hit Ternate on Samar and B-24s pound Matina Airfield in the Cagayan , and Likanan on Mindanao; and HQ 308th Bombardment Wing moves from Hollandia, New Guinea to Leyte .

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Force B-25s hit Piroe Bay supply dumps on Ceram Island and gun positions and fighter-bombers hit Kairatoe Airfield on Halmahara Island, Amahai Airfield on Amahai Islands south Ceram Island and targets of opportunity in Binnen Bay.

NEW GUINEA: USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20 Havocs blast pillboxes and occupied areas in the Metimedan-Sawar Rivers sector of Dutch New Guinea.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the South China Sea, USN submarine USS Darter detects a group of Japanese warships about 76 nautical miles NNW of Jesselton, British Borneo, in position 07.31N, 115.22E. This is Vice Admiral NISHIMURA Shoji's Southern Force, that sailed from Brunei, British Borneo, for Leyte Gulf earlier today. (See below.) The sub trails the Japanese reporting their position.
At 0700 hours, the USN submarine USS Sea Dog sinks a Japanese cargo ship about 161 nautical miles SSW of Kagoshima, Kyushu, Japan, in position 29.19N, 129.44E. Later in the day, the sub sinks a gunboat about 144 nautical miles SSW of Kagoshima in position 29.18N, 129.44E.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Leyte, In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area, the 7th Cavalry Regiment (General George Custer’s outfit) of the 2d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, mops up Tacloban and takes the rest of the hill to the southwest. The 5th Cavalry Regiment of the1st Brigade, after laborious effort to advance over difficult terrain west of Caibaan, is ordered to halt and maintain current positions. The 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, assisted by artillery fire and naval aircraft, secures the Pawing area with the capture of a hill to west. The 19th Infantry Regiment repels counterattacks against Palo, killing 91 Japanese, and mops up. In the XXIV Corps area, after night- long shelling of Labiranan Head, the 1st Battalion of the 383d Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division, recaptures it while other elements of the regiment seize San Roque on Highway 1. The 382d Infantry Regiment takes Tigbao and Canmangui and sets up three night perimeters: one at Mati, on
e 800 yards E of Bolongtohan, and one 500 yards SE of Tigbao. The 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, gets about halfway to Burauen against sporadic resistance. The 84th, assisted by aircraft of the Seventh Fleet, advances more rapidly, gaining 2,800 yards before being ordered to halt until the 32d Infantry Regiment can come abreast.
The Japanese naval forces under Vice Admirals KURITA Takeo, commander of the Second Fleet, and NISHIMURA Shoji, commander of the Southern Force, sail from Brunei, British Borneo, for Leyte Gulf. The decoy carrier unit under Vice Admiral OZAWA Tokusaburo, commander of the Northern Force, is already at sea from Japan. Between them, Kurita and Nishimura, command 7 battleships, 13 cruisers and 19 destroyers. The plan is for Ozawa to draw off Admiral William F. Halsey's Third Fleet aircraft carriers and fast battleships, so these heavy units can attack the vulnerable invasion transports. The invasion force is escorted by Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid’s Seventh Fleet; six battleships, 14 escort carriers, eight cruisers and 40 destroyers.

1945

 

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1934
UNITED KINGDOM: The London Naval Disarmament Conference begins. The major naval powers make a last attempt at negotiating a naval disarmament treaty in London. With mounting political tensions, the conference collapses on 19 December without agreement.

1940
UNITED STATES: Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox makes a public statement that it is now US policy to fully defend the Philippine Islands against any and all attack.

1942
ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: Armed reconnaissance by seven USAAF Eleventh Air Force bombers, escorted by six P-38 Lightnings, is flown over Japanese-held Kiska Island installations, chiefly the submarine base and Main Camp; visibility is excellent and direct hits are scored, including one on the submarine base. A detachment of the 56th Fighter Squadron, 54thFighter Group, based at Harding Field, Louisiana, begins operating fromElmendorf Field, Anchorage with P-39s.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: During the night of 23/24 October, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17's attack shipping at Rabaul on New Britain Island.

BURMA: Advance units of British forces reach Buthidaung. A brief skirmish with the Japanese, who have advanced from Akyab, leaves the Japanese units in control of the town.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, Australian troops attack the Japanese at Eora Creek on the Kokoda Track but are unable to break through the Japanese lines. In the air, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20's bomb and strafe Deniki and the Deniki-Kokoda Track. HQ 19th BG (Heavy), which has been fighting since 8 Dec 41, begins a movement from Mareeba to the US.

NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS: Japanese submarine HIJMS I-7 shells Espiritu Santo Island.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN submarine USS Kingfish sinks a gunboat off the coast of Japan about 89 nautical miles (165 kilometers) south of Osaka, Honshu, in position 33.12N, 135.14E.
A PBY Catalina spots a Japanese fleet carrier heading for Guadalcanal Island, Solomon Islands. Three PBYs mount a night attack against the carrier and escorting ships but the attack is unsuccessful. This
carrier will meet USN forces in the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands on 26 October.

SOLOMON ISLANDS:Henderson Field,Guadalcanal, is again made operational by the Seabees, and USMC and AAF fighters begin to inflict heavy losses on Japanese naval aircraft;
A raid of 16 "Betty" bombers with 17 "Zeke" fighters " escorting is intercepted by 24 USMC and USN F4F Wildcats and four USAAF P-39 Airacobras at about 1130 hours. The American pilots claim 23 "Bettys" (of the 16 that attacked!) And two "Zekes."
The Japanese soldiers south of Henderson Field drop their packs and move out for the starting points. Many scouts fail to return, others report jungle in every direction. By midafternoon, most advance units
are still in thick jungle. Lieutenant General Kawaguchi Kiyotake, commander of the 35th Brigade, changes his part of the attack plan, moving east. Lieutenant General Maruyama Masao, commander of the 2nd Division, orders no changes are allowed. Kawaguchi argues and Maruyama dismisses him from his command. At 1800 hours, the Japanese artillery barrage begins with the heaviest fire to date. The attack, under Colonel Nakaguma Tadamasu, commander of the 4th Infantry Regiment, makes a determined but futile efforts to cross the Matanikau River mouth and overrun the 3d Battalion of the 1st Marine Regiment. The attack begins with nine tanks moving out. Marine anti-tank guns take on the tanks. Four batteries of Marine artillery respond. The Japanese sustain heavy losses: 600 are estimated killed and at least eight tanks are knocked out. The Marine casualties are 25 killed and 14 wounded. The attacks by Colonel Oka and General Maruyama which are supposed to start at the same time do
not. They are still fighting the jungle.

UNITED STATES: A commercial airliner and a USAAF bomber collide in the air over Mount Jacinto, Palm Springs, California, at 1715 hours local killing all 12 aboard the airliner. The commercial airliner is Douglas DC-3-178, msn 1555, registered NC16017 by the U.S. airline American Airlines; the bomber is a Lockheed (Model 137-27-02) B-34-VE Lexington. The midair collision at 9,000 feet (2 743 meters) destroys the rudder of the DC-3 causing it to crash, the B-34 lands safely with minor damage. The
accident report blames the reckless and irresponsible conduct of the bomber pilot in deliberately maneuvering a bomber in dangerous proximity to an airliner in an unjustifiable attempt to attract the attention of the first officer, his friend aboard the airliner. Composer and song writer Ralph Rainger, 41, is among the dead . Rainger's compositions include "Thanks for the Memory," "June in January," "Blue Hawaii" and "Ebbtide."

1943
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.

1944
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Kurile , 3 B-24s hit Kashiwabara targets on Paramushiru ; 3 more B-24s bomb Otomari and fly a photo mission over Onnekotan ; and 5 B-25s bomb the Asahi Bay area.

(CBI) BURMA-INDIA (Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 20 P-47s hit Japanese concentrations at Nanhlaing and Kyungyi; 16 support ground forces at Mawlu and Henu and in nearby areas; a bivouac area S of Indaw is pounded by 4 fighter-bombers while 7 knock out a bypass bridge at Panghkam; 3 B-25s blast train cars and sidings at Kyaukme, 3 hit a nearby motor pool, 2 hit a motor pool at Namhsim, and 1 blasts a rail line at Nawngpeng. Transports fly 270+ sorties in the CBI.

CHINA (Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 3 B-25s knock out a bridge at Lobochai while 7 P-40s hit trucks and locomotives nearby; 6 B-25s and 11 P-51s pound the town area of Menghsu; 50+ P-40s and P-51s hit small towns and other targets of opportunity in the Menghsu area; 40+ others attack shipping, bridges, and general targets of opportunity around Anfu, Kweiping, Shepchung, Kuanyang, Ssuwangshu, Mangshih, Chefang, Panghkam, Takhing, Tanchuk, Dosing, Wuchou, and Tengyun and Wanling, Burma.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA) AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 8 B-24s from Guam bomb Yap, 2 from Saipan hit Pagan and, during the night of 23/24 Oct, 1 bombs Iwo Jima.

LEYTE - McArthur reinstalls the legitimate government of the Philippines.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA [SWPA, Far East Air Force (FEAF)]:In the Philippines, vehicles and small vessels in the Mindanao area are attacked by fighter-bombers while B-25s attack small shipping in the Sulu Archipelago. Fighter-bombers over Halmahera hit scattered bivouacs. In New Guinea, the detachment of the 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), ceases operating from Noemfoor with F-5s (the ground echelon is enroute from Guadalcanal, Solomons to Morotai and other detachments are operating from Bougainville, Solomon and Sansapor. The 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, moves from Owi to Morotai with P-47s.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s and P-38s maintain shipping sweeps in the Makassar area on the southwestern tip of Celebes Island. B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers hit oil storage at Boela and Amboina town on Ceram Island and two airfields and other targets in the Ceram Island area. Fighter-bombers over Halmahera Island hit scattered bivouacs.

NEW GUINEA: In Dutch New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force fighter-bombers hit Sagan while A-20 Havocs support ground forces further east in the Sawar Rive-Orai River area.

PACIFIC OCEAN: The BATTLE OF LEYTE GULF opens. While the submarine USS Darter continues to trail Japanese ships detected the previous day, submarine USS Bream torpedoes heavy cruiser HIJMS Aoba in the South China Sea about 85 nautical miles WSW of Manila, Luzon, Philippines Islands, in position 14.06N, 119.37E. Subsequently, USS Darter and Dace attack what proves to be the "Center Force" (Vice Admiral KURITA Takeo), one of the three main bodies of the Japanese fleet moving toward Leyte in a major effort to drive U.S. forces from the Philippines. In the South China Sea, USS Dace sinks heavy cruiser HIJMS Maya about 84 nautical miles W of Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippine Islands, in position 09.28E, 117.20E, while Darter sinks heavy cruiser HIJMS Atago and damages her sistership HIJMS Takao about 94 nautical miles WSW of Puerto Princesa in position 09.24N, 117.11E.
USN submarines sink seven Japanese vessels:
- At 0100 hours in the Yellow Sea off the west coast of Korea, USS Croaker sinks a cargo ship about 122 nautical miles SSW of Incheon, Korea, in position 35.29N, 126.05E.
- At 0400 hours in the South China Sea off the east coast of Formosa, USS Tang sinks two cargo ships and a transport about 40 nautical miles NNW of T’ai-chung, Formosa in position 24.49N, 120.26E. She also sinks a merchant cargo ship about 38 nautical miles NNWof T’ai-chung, Formosa in position 24.42N, 120.21E.
- At 1700 hours in the South China Sea, USS Sawfish sinks a seaplane tender northwest of Luzon about 127 nautical miles WNW of Laoag, Luzon, Philippine Islands, in position 19.58N, 118.31E.
- At 2400 hours in the South China Sea, USS Snook sinks a merchant tanker northwest of Luzon about 154 nautical miles NW of Laoag, Luzon, Philippine Islands, in position 19.44N, 118.25E.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Leyte, at a ceremony in Tacloban, General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander, Southwest Pacific Area, restores Philippine Civil Government under President Sergio Osmena. In the X Corps area, the 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, charged with the task of securing control of San Juanico Strait between Leyte and Samar and cutting off Japanese movement, begins operations toward this end. Elements of the regiment move to the Diit River and secure a bridge in preparation for drive on Santa Cruz, on Carigara Bay. A Japanese party raids Palo at night, using Filipinos to deceive the Americans, but is dispersed and leave behind 60 dead. The 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, begins an attack on Hill C, blocking the passage into the Leyte Valley on north side of Highway 2 at western edge of Palo, a strongly defended feature. In the XXIV Corps area, the 96th Infantry Division is facing an acute supply shortage, which limits forward movement. The 383d Infantry Regiment, less the 1st Battalion, attacks at noon, crosses the Guinarona River and reaches positions west of Pikas. Tanks of 767th Tank Battaion act as a spearhead for the 7th Infantry Division as it continues a drive on Burauen in an effort to take San Pablo Airfield. The tanks arrive at Burauen and scatter the Japanese forces. Infantrymen drive through Julita and San Pablo and seize San Pablo airfield.
USAAF Far East Air Force aircraft attack vehicles and small vessels in the Mindanao area while B-25 Mitchells attack small shipping in the Sulu Archipelago.
USN submarine USS Nautilus lands men and supplies on the east coast of Luzon; she will repeat the operation on 24 and 25 October.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The USN's Special Air Task Group One (STAG-1) operations continue in two missions; three TDR-1 target drones each guided by TBF-1C Avengers are flown against beached Japanese ships in Moisuru Bay and off the south end of the Kahili airstrip on Bougainville Island. In the first mission, one TDR scores a direct hit on "Kahili Maru" the beached Japanese freighter serving as an antiaircraft gun site off the Kahili airstrip; in the second, one TDR scores a direct hit on "Kahili Maru" while another hits a beached merchantman in Moisuru Bay.

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 549, OCTOBER 23, 1944
1. The submarines USS Herring and USS Golet are overdue from patrol and presumed lost.
2. Next of kin of casualties have been notified.

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 163, OCTOBER 23, 1944
Mopping up operations on Angaur and Peleliu Islands in the Palau group continued on October d and 21 (West Longitude Date). Corsair fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing, in support of ground operations, dropped incendiary bombs on the holed up enemy. Corsairs also bombed a lighthouse and gun emplacements on Babelthuap Island on October 20.
Seventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed Yap Island on October 20 and 21. A single Navy Ventura search plane attacked the island also on October 21. Antiaircraft fire was meager.
Liberators of the Seventh Air Force loosed 49 tons of bombs on the airfield and installations at Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands on October 20. Eight intercepting enemy planes were encountered; three were shot down, one was probably destroyed and one damaged. One of our Liberators was lost.
A Navy search Liberator on October 21 bombed and strafed a small cargo ship west of Iwo Jima.
Corsairs and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing continued neutralization raids in the Marshall Islands on October 20 and 21. One of the Corsairs was shot down but the pilot was rescued.

1945