AR banner
Search Tips Advanced Search
Back to Top
USAAF Worldwide Operations Chronology

This page contains hundreds of names, dates, locations. To help find the one(s) you're interested in, use our Highlighting facility.
Highlighting will ONLY find entries within this specific page.    

		COMBAT CHRONOLOGY OF THE US ARMY AIR FORCES

OCTOBER 1942


AIRCRAFT MENTIONED IN THIS REPORT:
  A-20, Douglas Havoc
  A-29, Lockheed Hudson
  B-17, Boeing Flying Fortress
  B-18, Douglas Bolo
  B-24, Consolidated Liberator
  B-25, North American Mitchell
  B-26, Martin Marauder
  B-34, Lockheed Lexington
  Bf 109, Messerschmitt
  C-47, Douglas Skytrain
  C-53, Douglas Skytrooper
  DB-7, Douglas
  F-4, Lockheed Lightning
  Fw 190, Focke-Wulf
  Hudson, Lockheed
  O-46, Douglas
  O-47, North American
  O-52, Curtiss Owl
  OA-12, Grumman Duck
  P-38, Lockheed Lightning
  P-39, Bell Airacobra
  P-40, Curtiss
  P-400, Bell Airacobra
  PBY, Consolidated Catalina
  RM-37, Lockheed Ventura (= RAF Ventura Mk II)
  Spitfire, Vickers Supermarine
  Zeke, Mitsubishi A6M, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighter

THURSDAY, 1 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian Islands, a Japanese
reconnaissance airplane over Adak Island establishes US occupation of the
island; 7 B-24s on a search-attack and photo reconnaissance mission over
Kiska Island hit hangars and ramps, starting several fires; 4 fighters appear
and are engaged; 1 probable victory is claimed; 2 other B-24s take off, after
a Navy PBY contact a transport, but cannot locate it.

  CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): During Oct, the 22d Fighter Squadron, 36th
Fighter Group, moves from Vega Baja, Puerto Rico to Waller Field, Trinidad
with P-39s and P-40s (detachments are operating from Aruba, Curacao and
Zandery Field, Surinam).

  WESTERN DEFENSE COMMAND (Fourth Air Force): During Oct, the 4th, 7th and
18th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 34th Bombardment Group (Heavy), cease
flying ASW patrols from Geiger Field, Washington

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Eighth Air Force: HQ 350th Fighter Group and the 345th, 346th and 347th
Fighter Squadrons are activated at Bushey Hall, England; the ground echelons
of the squadrons are at Harding Field, Louisiana and will sail to North
Africa for the invasion.

  Twelfth Air Force: The 441st, 442d and 443d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium),
320th Bombardment Group (Medium), move from Hethel to Tibenham, England with
B-26s.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: B-24s bomb shipping in Pylos Bay, Greece, claiming 2 direct hits
and several near misses on a large vessel; other B-24s dispatched to bomb a
convoy at sea fail to find the target.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-17s and
P-400s pound forces and communications in the Owen Stanley Range, hitting
Menari, Kagi, Myola Lake, the Kokoda area, Wairopi bridge, and the Buna-
Wairopi trail; and the 71st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment
Group (Medium), moves from Bredden Field, Australia to Port Moresby with
B-25s.

FRIDAY, 2 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): On Kiska Island, 11 B-24s and 6 P-39s bomb 2
cargo ships in the harbor (no hits observed), drop demolition charges
throughout the Main Camp area, and hit a hangar S of the seaplane ramp; 4
floatplanes and 1 biplane are shot down.  Enemy aircraft bomb the Adak Island
airfield without inflicting damage.

  CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): German sub, U-512, is sunk off French Guiana,
06-50N, 52-25W, by aircraft of the 99th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 9th
Bombardment Group (Heavy), based at Zandery Field, Surinam.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Eighth Air Force: Mission 13: 61 bombers and 54 fighters are dispatched
to attack 3 targets in France; 1 fighter is lost:
  1. 32 of 43 B-17s dispatched hit the Avions Potez aircraft factory at
Meaulte; they claim 4-9-5 aircraft; 6 B-17s are damaged; 3 airmen are WIA.
Escort is provided by 31 P-38s; 1 P-38 is lost.
  2. 6 of 6 B-17s fly a diversionary missions to St Omer/Longuenesse
Airfield; they claim 5-4-4 aircraft. Escort is provided by 23 Spitfires;
they claim 4-0-1 aircraft without loss.
  3. 11 of 12 unescorted DB-7s attack a ship in a dock at Le Havre without
loss.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In the Owen Stanley Range
of New Guinea, A-20s bomb and strafe Japanese campsites around Myola and hit
several trails in the area, while P-400s strafe bridges at Sirorata and
Wairopi and a village NE of Wairopi. B-17s bomb shipping and airfield at
Rabaul on New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago.

SATURDAY, 3 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 6 B-24s, 4 P-38s, and 8 P-39s bomb and strafe
7 vessels in and around Kiska Island Harbor hitting a beached cargo vessel
and the camp; the fighters down 6 float fighters attempting interception;
the enemy bombs Adak Island Airfield but inflicts no damage. The 77th
Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 28th Composite Group, moves from Elmendorf
Field, Anchorage to Adak Island (the squadron continues to operate from Umnak
Island with B-25s and B-26s until Dec 42).

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force):

  INDIA AIR TASK FORCE (IATF): The IATF is activated at Dinjan, India to
support Chinese resistance along the Salween River by hitting supply lines in
C and S Burma; the new task force, commanded by Colonel Caleb V Haynes,
includes all AAF combat units in India, all based at Karachi-the 7th
Bombardment Group (Heavy), the 51st Fighter Group, and the 341st Bombardment
Group (Medium).

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Eighth Air Force: The 95th Fighter Squadron, 82d Fighter Group, arrives at
Eglington, Co Derry, Ireland from the US with P-38s.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: B-24s attack shipping in Pylos Bay, Greece during the night of
3/4 Oct; they claim 2 fighters shot down.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): HQ 347th Fighter Group and
the 339th Fighter Squadron are activated on New Caledonia Island with P-38s,
P-39s, and P-400s (a detachment of the 339th begins operating from Guadalcanal
Island, Solomon Islands); the 67th, 68th and 70th Fighter Squadrons are
transferred to the 347th Fighter Group; the 67th is based on New Caledonia
with P-39s and P-400s but is operating from Guadalcanal Island; the 68th is
based on Tongatabu Island, Tonga Islands with P-39s and P-40s; and the 70th
is based in the Fiji Islands with P-39s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, A-20s bomb and
strafe Efogi and Myola Lake, P-40s strafe the Efogi-Buna trail, B-25's hit
a bridge at Wairopi, and a lone B-17 bombs a camp on the Kumusi River.

SUNDAY, 4 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24s abort weather, bombing and photo
missions over Kiska Island due to weather and instead attack a cargo vessel;
the ship's rudder is probably damaged; 1 B-24 is damaged.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Eighth Air Force: The 347th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, moves
from Bushey Hall to Snailwell, England with P-39s and P-400s.

  Twelfth Air Force: In England, HQ 319th Bombardment Group (Medium) and the
437th, 439th and 440th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) move from Shipdham to
Horsham St Faith with B-26s; the 154th Observation Squadron, 68th Observation
Group, arrives at Wattisham from the US with A-20s; and the 444th Bombardment
Squadron (Medium), 320th Bombardment Group (Medium), arrives at Hethel from
the US with B-26s.

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

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, P-40s strafe
forces and occupied areas at Myola Lake, Kokoda, Wairopi, Yodda, and Buna; a
US 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.

MONDAY, 5 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 6 B-24s, 3 P-38s and 3 P-39s abort a bombing,
weather, and photo mission over Kiska Island due to weather.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force):

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Eighth Air Force: HQ 82d Fighter Group and the 96th and 97th Fighter
Squadrons arrive at Eglington, Co Derry, Ireland from the US with P-38s.

  Twelfth Air Force: The 16th and 122d Observation Squadrons, 68th
Observation Group, based at Langley Field, Virginia, send detachments to
Wattisham, England with A-20s; and the 438th Bombardment Squadron (Medium),
319th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Shipdham to Horsham St Faith,
England with B-26s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 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 on New Britain Island.

TUESDAY, 6 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 8 B-24s, 1 B-17, 10 P-39s, and 8 P-38s fly
bombing and weather missions over 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; a float fighter is strafed and set afire, and 6 Zekes are
hit on the water.

  EASTERN DEFENSE COMMAND (First Air Force): The air echelon of the 40th
Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 13th Bombardment Group (Medium), operating
from Vernam Field, Jamaica, British West Indies moves to Edinburgh Field,
Trinidad with B-18s (the squadron is based at Mitchel Field, New York).

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: In Libya, B-24s hit Bengasi harbor, scoring a large number or
near misses but no direct hits; 1 B-24 bombs Bardia during the return flight;
AA is heavy and accurate and fighters attack 6 B-24s over target; 2 B-24s are
lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, Fifth AF
aircraft complete the movement of the reinforced Australian 18 Brigade to
Wanigela on the peninsula between Dyke Acland and Collingwood Bays on the E
coast of Papua; this is part of the move aimed at capture of the Buna-Gona
area.

WEDNESDAY, 7 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian Islands, 3 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.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: B-24s score 7 direct hits on a tanker and 8 on fuel installations
at Suda Bay, Crete. 66 P-40s escort bombers over the battle area W of El
Alamein, Egypt.

THURSDAY, 8 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 9 B-24s, 3 B-17s, and 12 P-38s blast Kiska
Island Harbor installations (starting fires in Main Camp), and strafe AA
positions, hangars, a corvette (silencing her guns), and a freighter.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Eighth Air Force: In letter to Major General George E Stratemeyer, Chief of
the Air Staff, Major General Ira C Eaker, Commanding General Eighth Air
Force, indicates plans for developing a highly-skilled intruder force capable
of using bad weather as a cloak for small blind-bombing operations. These
missions are also to serve the purpose of keeping the enemy from resting
during periods of bad weather when big strategic missions cannot be flown.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: B-24s fail to reach the target at Bengasi, Libya because of bad
weather. The Hal Bombardment Squadron manages to attack shipping at Bengasi.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-25s bomb the
Buna area while A-20s pound the Buna-Kokoda trail; the Japanese withdrawal NE
across the Owen Stanley Range slows as they prepare to make a stand at
Templeton's Crossing N of Myola.

FRIDAY, 9 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 7 B-17s and 10 B-24s escorted by 6 P-38s and 4
P-39s bomb the harbor at Kiska Island, installations, and shipping 6 times;
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.

  EASTERN DEFENSE COMMAND (First Air Force): The air echelon of the 40th
Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 13th Bombardment Group (Medium), ceases
operating from Edinburgh Field, Trinidad and moves to Zandery Field, Surinam
with B-18s (the squadron is based at Mitchel Field, New York).

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Eighth Air Force: Mission 14: 108 bombers are dispatched to bomb the steel
and engineering works of the Compagnie de Fives at Lille, France and the
locomotive and freight car works of Ateliers d'Hellemmes at Lille; 59 B-17s
and 10 B-24s hit the primary targets; 2 B-17s hit the secondary target,
Courtrai Airfield; other targets hit are Longuenesse Airfield (6) and Roubaix
(2); the bombers claim 25-38-44 Luftwaffe aircraft; 4 bombers are lost, 2
damaged beyond repair and 46 damaged; 10 airmen are WIA and 29 MIA.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: B-24s strike shipping and harbor facilities at Bengasi, Libya;
P-40s fly escort and strafe a landing ground W of El Daba, Egypt and
emplacements in the battle area W of El Alamein, Egypt.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 30 B-17s pound numerous
targets at Rabaul, New Britain Island. In New Guinea, 14 B-25s hit the
airfield at Lae; and HQ 49th Fighter Group moves from Darwin, Australia to
Port Moresby.

SATURDAY, 10 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 10 B-24s, 7 B-17s, and 4 P-38s fly 4 missions
to Kiska Island; 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.

  CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): The 12th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 25th
Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from Benedict Field, St Croix, Virgin
Islands to Dakota Field, Aruba, Netherlands West Indies with B-18s.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force):

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

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Eighth Air Force: HQ 44th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 66th, 67th and
68th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) arrive at Shipham, England from the US
with B-24s (first mission is 7 Nov).

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: B-24s bomb shipping and the dock area at Bengasi, Libya, while
B-25s hit landing grounds.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): The 13th Troop Carrier
Squadron, Army Forces in South Pacific Area, arrives at Plaines des Gaiacs,
New Caledonia Island from the US with C-47s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-17s pound Rabaul and nearby
Lakunai airfield on New Britain Island. In New Guinea, A-20s hit targets
along the Buna-Kokoda trail and, with P-400s, strike villages in the area of
Asisi and Sanananda; and the 9th Fighter Squadron moves from Darwin,
Australia to Port Moresby with P-40s.

SUNDAY, 11 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Kiska Island is hit by 3 bombing and strafing
missions flown by 10 B-24s and 3 B-17s; the B-17s make no contact; the B-24s
blast harbor targets and Main Camp.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: B-24s attack a convoy in the Mediterranean Sea, hitting 1 vessel
and claiming 1 fighter shot down.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): B-17s sight a Japanese Task
Force of cruisers and destroyers bearing down on Guadalcanal Island in the
afternoon; during the night of 11/12 Oct, in the Battle of Cape Esperance,
Rear Admiral Norman Scott's cruisers drive away the vessels; search has been
and continues to be the most useful service of the B-17s in the SOPAC.

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

MONDAY, 12 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 2 B-24s abort bombing of Kiska Island due to
overcast and instead fly shipping search W of Attu Island.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Eighth Air Force: The VIII Fighter Command is made responsible for the
preparation and movement of air echelons of the Twelfth AF from the UK to N
Africa.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: Bomber Command USAMEAF is organized at Cairo, Egypt with Colonel
Patrick W Timberlake as Commanding Officer; this step comes about as part of
a move to preserve the Lieutenant General Henry H "Hap" Arnold-Air Chief
Marshall Sir Charles F Portal-Admiral John H Towers, USN, agreement that US
combat units in theaters of British strategic responsibility are to be
organized in homogeneous "American formations" and under strategic control
only" of a British Commander-in-Chief.  
  B-17s hit shipping at Tobruk, Libya harbor.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): 5 B-17s bomb installations
at Buka Island, Solomon Islands.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, A-20s hit the
village of Isivita and targets on the trail near Wairopi; B-25s bomb Buna,
Wairopi bridge, and targets along the Buna-Kokoda trail. The 64th Bombardment
Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives at Fenton Field from
Iron Range, Australia with B-17s.

TUESDAY, 13 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A search mission is not completed due to
weather.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: P-40s fly a fighter sweep, patrol, and interception missions W of
El Alamein, Egypt; fighters claim 2 Bf 109s destroyed and 1 damaged.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): 6 B-17s bomb Buka Island
and Tonolai on Bougainville Island, Solomon Islands; Japanese aircraft from
Rabaul, New Britain Island pound Henderson Field, Guadalcanal Island during
the day and hit troops of the Americal Division disembarking at Lunga Point;
artillery also begins shelling the airstrip; during the night of 13/14 Oct
the Japanese battleships Kongo and Haruna hit Henderson Field with a terrific
bombardment; the field is damaged severely and many aircraft are destroyed or
damaged.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-17s again pound Rabaul, New
Britain Island, concentrating on Vunakanau and Lakunai Airfields. In New
Guinea, a B-17 bombs Buna; and the 6th Troop Carrier Squadron, 63d Troop
Carrier Group, arrives at Port Moresby from the US with C-47s. The 65th
Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from
Torrens Creek to Iron Range, Australia with B-17s.

WEDNESDAY, 14 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 9 B-24s, 6 B-26s, 1 B-17 and 12 P-38s bomb and
strafe Kiska Island installations and shipping; fire bombs are dropped on
hangars and the Main Camp area where a large fire is started; 2 torpedo
attacks on shipping in Gertrude Cove score no hits; the P-38s destroy 3
floatplanes on water; 1 P-38 is shot down.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Eighth Air Force: HQ 91st Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 322d, 323d,
324th and 401st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) move from Kimbolton to
Bassingbourn, England with B-17s (first mission is 7 Nov).

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: B-17s hit shipping at Tobruk, Libya, scoring 2 direct hits on a
large vessel and demolishing a smaller ship moored alongside; P-40s fly
patrols, reconnaissance and interception missions between El Alamein and Burg
el Arab, Egypt.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): B-17s which have been
temporarily operating out of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal Island, are
evacuated; the field is again pounded by artillery and naval bombardment, and
by afternoon is out of operation; and the aviation fuel supply is low.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-25s attack
Lae, a bridge 40 miles (64 km) N of Port Moresby, and the area of the Wairopi
bridge; on the Kokoda trail Japanese offer fierce resistance to Australians
pushing NE in the vicinity of Templeton's Crossing; and Fifth AF aircraft
begin flying a force of Australians and Americans to Wanigela.

THURSDAY, 15 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-26s bomb and 1 B-24 flies photo
reconnaissance over Kiska and Attu Islands; the B-26s hit a large cargo ship
in Gertrude Cove, Kiska Island, starting a fire, and hit buildings on Attu
Island; AA claims 1 B-26.

  ASW OPERATIONS (AAF Antisubmarine Command): HQ AAF Antisubmarine Command is
activated at New York, New York, assigned directly to HQ AAF. It takes over
antisubmarine operations of the I Bomber Command, which is inactivated;
most observation squadrons that have been flying ASW patrols cease and are
inactivated; units assigned to the new command are:
  1. 13th Bombardment Group (Medium) at Westover Field, Massachusetts with
four Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), i.e.:
    - The 39th at Dover AAFld, Delaware with B-25s
    - The 40th at Mitchel Field, New York with B-18s
    - The 41st at Westover Field with A-29s and B-25s
    - The 393d at Westover Field with B-18s and B-25s
  2. 45th Bombardment Group (Medium) at Miami, Florida with four
Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), i.e.:
    - The 78th at Jacksonville Municipal Airport, Florida with B-18s
    - The 79th at Miami with B-18s
    - The 80th at Miami with B-18s
    - The 433d at Galveston AAFld, Texas with RM-37s
The following units are attached:
  - 46th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 41st Bombardment Group (Medium), at
MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina with B-17s and A-29s
  - 76th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) (air echelon only), 42d Bombardment
Group (Medium), at Drew Field, Florida with A-29s
  - 124th Observation Squadron, 75th Observation Group, at New Orleans AAB,
Louisiana with O-47s
  - 128th Observation Squadron, 77th Observation Group, at New Orleans AAB
with O-47s

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Eighth Air Force: HQ 350th Fighter Group and the 345th, 346th and 347th
Fighter Squadrons move from Bushey Hall to Duxford, England where they equip
with P-39s and P-400s

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: The 82d Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 12th Bombardment Group
(Medium), moves from Deversoir to Landing Ground 88, Egypt with B-25s.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): HQ 318th Fighter Group is
activated 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 Island.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): Aviation fuel arrives at
Henderson Field, Guadalcanal Island from Espiritu Santo Island by aircraft
and ship.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, A-20s and
P-40s pound forces S of Templeton's Crossing and at Popondetta; B-25s bomb
Salamaua and hit targets in the Owen Stanley Range and in the area around the
bridge at Wairopi. A single B-17 attacks shipping near Treasury Islands,
Solomon Islands.

FRIDAY, 16 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 1 B-17, 6 B-26s, and 4 P-38s bomb Kiska Island
and lowlevel bomb and sink 2 destroyers just N of there; duds hit a large
freighter beached off Trout Lagoon; 1 B-26 is shot down.

  ASW OPERATIONS (AAF Antisubmarine Command): The air echelon of the 40th
Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 13th Bombardment Group (Medium), moves from
Zandery Field, Surinam to Vernam Field, Jamaica with B-18s (squadron is
based at Mitchel Field, New York).

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: In Libya, B-24s bomb shipping in Bengasi harbor; B-17s and B-24s
dispatched to attack Tobruk and Bengasi are forced to abort by bad weather.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): Seabees on Guadalcanal
Island patch up Henderson Field runways enough for use by fighters; US Marine
Corps (USMC) fighters and AAF P-400s and P-39s begin pounding the invasion
force landing at the Kokumbona-Doma Reef area just 8 miles (12.8 km) away;
however, the enemy continues to bombard Henderson Field by air strike and
artillery and to land troops.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 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
Island  and attack targets in the Solomon Islands, including the airfield at
Buin on Bougainville Island, and shipping off Moila Point and the Shortland
Islands.

SATURDAY, 17 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 5 B-24s bomb the Main Camp area on Kiska
Island and a beached vessel in Trout Lagoon; the results are unobserved due
to clouds; 1 B-24 flying weather reconnaissance finds no trace of 2
destroyers, confirming their sinking on 16 Oct.

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

SUNDAY, 18 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian Islands, on Kiska Island 4
B-24s bomb Main Camp, score near misses on a beached vessel in Trout Lagoon,
and hit a gasoline storage area; weather aircraft flies reconnaissance over
Attu, Segula, Little Sitkin, and Gareloi Islands.

  ASW OPERATIONS (AAF Antisubmarine Command): The following units are
activated and assigned:
  1. HQ 377th Bombardment Group (Heavy) at Ft Dix AAB, New Jersey with the
     following Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy):
     - 516th at Ft Dix AAB with O-47s and O-52s
     - 517th at Atlantic City Municipal Airport, New Jersey with O-49s
     - 519th at Hyannis, Massachusetts with O-47s and O-52s
  2. HQ 378th Bombardment Group (Heavy) at Langley Field, Virginia with the
     following Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy):
     - 520th at Jacksonville Municipal Airport, Florida with O-47s
     - 521st at Charleston AAFld, South Carolina with O-46s
     - 522d at Palm Beach County Park, Florida with B-34s
     - 523d at Langley Field with B-17s
  3. 518th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), AAF Antisubmarine Command, at
Grenier Field, New Hampshire, with O-47s.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: The 81st and 83d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 12th Bombardment
Group (Medium), move from Deversoir and Ismailia respectively to Landing
Ground 88, Egypt with B-25s.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): Admiral William F Halsey
succeeds Vice Admiral Robert L Ghormley as Commander-in-Chief, South Pacific
(COMSOPAC).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-17s attack shipping and
aircraft in the Faisi area in the Shortland Islands, Solomon Islands,
schooners and buildings at Lorengau on Manus Island, Admiralty Islands,
Kahili Airfield, and shipping off Kahili, Pupukuna Point, and Buin on
Bougainville Island. In New Guinea, B-25s hit Wairopi bridge in the Owen
Stanley Range, the village of Mubo, and the dock and occupied area on Pilelo
Island; the Fifth AF completes the air movement of most of the 128th Infantry
Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, to Wanigela; and the 39th Fighter Squadron,
35th Fighter Group, moves from Townsville, Australia to Port Moresby with
P-38s.

MONDAY, 19 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutian Islands, a B-17 flies weather
reconnaissance and bomb runs over Attu, Semichi, Kiska, and Amchitka Islands;
6 B-24s dispatched to bomb Kiska Island abort the mission due to weather.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Eighth Air Force: HQ VIII Air Support Command moves from Membury to
Sunninghill Park, Berkshire, England.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: The air offensive preliminary to the British Eighth Army ground
attack W of El Alamein, Egypt begins as B-25s hit a landing ground and B-24s
score a direct hit on vessel at Tobruk, Libya.

TUESDAY, 20 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 6 B-24s take off for Kiska Island but return
due to weather; reconnaissance is flown to 70 miles (113 km) E of Attu
Island; a negative search is made for a missing C-53. The detachment of the
56th Fighter Squadron, 54th Fighter Group, moves from Nome to Elmendorf
Field, Alaska with P-39s (the squadron is based at Harding Field,
Louisiana). 

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO) 

  Eighth Air Force: Lieutenant General Dwight D Eisenhower issues a directive
reflecting the immediate urgency of Operation TORCH (plan for the Allied
landings in N and NW Africa in Nov 42) as the currently important item of
Allied strategy and requiring the Eighth AF, as a matter of first priority,
to protect the movement of men and supplies from the UK to N Africa by
attacking German submarine bases on the W coast of France, with shipping
docks on the French W coast as a secondary targets for these missions and
with German aircraft factories and depots in France as second priority.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: Air action is intensified with the aim of attaining strong air
superiority preceding General Bernard L Montgomery's El Alamein, Egypt
offensive; in Libya, B-17s and B-24s sent to attack shipping at Tobruk fail
to locate the target due to bad weather and poor visibility; 3 of the B-17s
bomb a coastal road near Bardia during the return trip; B-25s, in conjunction
with the Royal Air Force (RAF), attack landing grounds.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA (POA, Seventh Air Force): The 19th Fighter Squadron, 18th
Fighter Group, moves from Kualoa Field to Bellows Field, Hawaii with P-40s.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): Admiral William F  Halsey
sends the Army's 147th Infantry Regiment to Guadalcanal Island and also
institutes construction of another bomber strip to be located at Koli Point,
12 miles (19 km) SE of Henderson Field.

WEDNESDAY, 21 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Weather reconnaissance aircraft returns twice
due to fog.

  HQ AAF: The 2d Sea-Search Attack Squadron (Medium), 1st Sea-Search Attack
Group (Medium), ceases operating from Edinburgh Field, Trinidad with B-18s
and returns to base at Langley Field, Virginia.
to base

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force):

  INDIA AIR TASK FORCE (IATF): B-24s of the IATF stage through Chengtu, China
to bomb Lin-hsi, China coal mines; the plan is to blast nearby power stations
and pumping facilities and flood the mines; the attack fails to flood the
mines but inflicts considerable damage to the target area; this marks the
first use of heavy bombers in China and the first AAF strike N of the Yangtze
and Yellow Rivers.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Eighth Air Force: Mission 15: 107 bombers are dispatched to hit submarine
bases and an airfield in France; 3 bombers are lost:
  1. 66 B-7s and 24 B-24s are dispatched to hit the U-boat pens at Lorient/
Keroman; clouds prevent all but 15 B-17s from bombing from 17,500 feet (5,334
m), 5,000 to 10,000 feet (1,524 to 3,048 m) lower than usual; 36 Fw 190s
intercept and shoot down 3 B-17s.
  2. 8 of 17 B-17s hit Cherbourg Airfield; they claim 10-4-3 aircraft without
loss.

  Twelfth Air Force: HQ 52d Fighter Group, the 154th Observation Squadron and
the 438th and 440th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 319th Bombardment Group
(Medium), depart England for the N African invasion. The detachment of the
16th and 122d Observation Squadrons, 68th Observation Group, cease operating
from Wattisham, England.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: B-24s dispatched against shipping at Bengasi, Libya fail to
locate target because of bad weather; during the return flight, several B-24s
bomb tent areas along the coast and also hit landing grounds; B-25s,
cooperating with the RAF, bomb landing ground and tent area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s hit Luscan Harbor on
the S coast of New Britain Island.

THURSDAY, 22 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Weather reconnaissance aircraft reports a
submarine at 52-08N 177-21 W; a US Navy (US) aircraft later makes contact and
drops depth bomb; the result is unknown.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Eighth Air Force: The 330th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 93d Bombardment
Group (Heavy), based at Alconbury, England with B-24s, begins operating from
Holmsley, England.

  Twelfth Air Force: HQ Twelfth AF, the 307th Fighter Squadron, 31st Fighter
Group, and the 437th and 439th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 319th
Bombardment Group (Medium), begin the move from the UK to N Africa.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: Advance US Air HQ, previously attached to the RAF Advanced Air
HQ, Western Desert, to gain field experience, becomes HQ of Desert Air Task
Force (DATF), located at Burg el Arab, Egypt, with Lieutenant General Lewis H
Brereton as Commanding General and Major General Elmer E Adler attached with
advance HQ of Air Service Command; the Chief of Staff of the DATF is
Brigadier General Auby C Strickland.
  B-25s bomb dispersed aircraft. In Egypt, P-40s escort bombers, attack tent
areas and motor transport along the coastal road near El Hammam, fly
reconnaissance and fighter sweeps W of El Daba, and bomb artillery positions;
P-40s claim 2 fighters destroyed.  B-17s sent to hit Candia, Crete abort
because of weather.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): Henderson Field on
Guadalcanal Island is out of operation again as result of enemy action.
 
FRIDAY, 23 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Armed reconnaissance by 7 bombers, escorted by
6 P-38s, is flown over Kiska Island installations, chiefly the submarine base
and Main Camp; visibility is excellent and direct hits are scored, including
1 on the submarine base. A detachment of the 56th Fighter Squadron, 54th
Fighter Group, based at Harding Field, Louisiana, begins operating from
Elmendorf Field, Anchorage with P-39s.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Twelfth Air Force: The 27th and 71st Fighter Squadrons, 1st Fighter Group,
and 308th and 309th Fighter Squadrons, 31st Fighter Group, begin the move
from the UK to N Africa.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: B-17s and B-24s sent to attack Candia, Crete and Bengasi, Libya
turn back short of the target due to bad weather. The El Alamein, Egypt
offensive by the British Eighth Army begins at 2140 hours local with an
artillery barrage by 1,000+ guns aimed at enemy batteries; at 2200 hours, the
barrage switches to the enemy forward positions as British troops move
forward; heavy fighting continues during the night of 23/24 Oct.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): Henderson Field,
Guadalcanal Island, is again made operational by the Seabees, and USMC and
AAF fighters begin to inflict heavy losses on Japanese naval aircraft;
Japanese ground forces assault defensive lines around the airfields but are
thrown back.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s bomb and strafe Deniki
and Deniki-Kokoda trail in New Guinea. B-17s thoroughly pound shipping at
Rabaul on New Britain Island. HQ 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), which has
been fighting since 8 Dec 41, begins a movement from Mareeba, Australia to
the US.

SATURDAY, 24 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-17s hit the Kiska Island submarine base;
results are not observed; and a weather reconnaissance flight is made over
Attu Island.

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force):

  CHINA AIR TASK FORCE (CATF): The 11th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st
Bombardment Group (Medium), based at Kunming with B-25s, sends a detachment
to operate from Nanning.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Twelfth Air Force: The 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, begins the
move from the UK to N Africa.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: In Egypt, B-25s support the British Eighth Army Offensive W of El
Alamein between the Mediterranean Sea and the Qattara Depression as 30 Corps,
with 4 divisions in assault, secures 2 corridors through enemy minefields on
the British N flank, while 13 Corps on the S flank breaks through minefields
N of Himeimat and establishes a small bridgehead; the B-25s hit troop
concentrations, tent areas, gun emplacements, and vehicles; P-40s, working
with the RAF and South African Air Force (SAAF), escort medium and light
bombers and hit motor transports and tanks.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): USMC and AAF fighters at
Henderson Field, Guadalcanal Island, continue to inflict damaging losses upon
the Japanese naval air force; Japanese ground forces, attacking aggressively,
are again repulsed by defenses around Henderson area.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-25s hit Lae
Airfield; and organized Japanese resistance on Goodenough Island ceases.

SUNDAY, 25 OCTOBER 1942

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force):

  CHINA AIR TASK FORCE (CATF): 12 B-25s and 7 P-40s, led by Colonel Merian C
Cooper, hit Kowloon Docks at Hong Kong; 21 aircraft intercept; 1 B-25 and 1
P-40 are shot down; this marks the first loss of a CATF B-25 in combat; the
Japanese interceptors are virtually annihilated; during the night of 25/26
Oct 6 B-25s, on the first CATF night strike, continue pounding Hong Kong,
bombing the North Point power plant which provides electricity for the
shipyards; 3 other B-25s bomb the secondary target, the Canton warehouse
area, causing several large explosions and fires.

  INDIA AIR TASK FORCE (IATF): In India, Japanese aircraft attack airfields
connected with the the India-China air transport route, heavily bombing
Dinjan and Chabua fields and scoring hits also at Mohanbari and Sookerating;
10 US aircraft are destroyed and 17 badly damaged; 9 Japanese aircraft are
downed. The 492d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
arrives at Karchi, India from the US with B-24s; and the 493d Bombardment
Squadron (Heavy) is activated at Karachi and assigned to the 7th Bombardment
Group (Heavy) (the 492d and 493d will fly their first mission on 24 and 26
Jan 43 respectively).

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: The Battle of El Alamein continues as General Bernard L
Montgomery decides to make the main effort on the N flank of 30 Corps; the
Australian 9 Division drives N toward the coastal road to Rahman; B-25s
disperse motor transport and other targets in support of ground forces; P-40s
on escort attack vehicles and other targets; fighters claim several airplanes
destroyed in combat; and B-24s sent to bomb the harbor at Bengasi, Libya and
a convoy at sea fail to reach targets as bad weather prevails.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): On Guadalcanal Island,
Japanese ground assaults on the defensive lines around Henderson Field are
again thrown back; USMC and AAF fighters continue to inflict telling losses
on Japanese Navy aircraft.  During the afternoon, a B-17 on sea-search
mission sights a powerful Japanese Task Force NW of Santa Cruz Island,
Solomon Islands, heading for Guadalcanal Island. A detachment of the 33d
Troop Carrier Squadron, 315th Troop Carrier Group, which is enroute from the
US to Australia, begins operating from New Caledonia Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 13 B-17s bomb shipping at
Rabaul, New Britain Island. In New Guinea, A-20s bomb and strafe the Isurava-
Kokoda trail, the W bank of the Kumusi River, and the area N of Asisi as
Australian ground forces push toward Kokoda in the Owen Stanley Range; and HQ
38th Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 405th Bombardment Squadron (Medium)
move from Townsville, Australia to Port Moresby with B-25s.
  The 93d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
begins a movement from Mareeba, Australia to the US.

MONDAY, 26 OCTOBER 1942

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force):

  CHINA AIR TASK FORCE (CATF): CATF B-25s move to W China to carry out
the neutralization of Lashio, Burma, where the Japanese have aircraft they
are using against the Dinjan, India area; P-40's continue to hit the Hong
Kong-Canton  area, using  dive-bombing tactics for first time in the area.

  INDIA AIR TASK FORCE (IATF): In India, the Japanese again bit airfields in
Assam connected with the India-China transport route, concentrating on
Sookerating; a freight depot, containing food and medical supplies for China,
is destroyed but no US aircraft are lost; due to a lack of warning, no
fighters intercept the attacking force. 

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Twelfth Air Force: HQ XII Fighter Command begins the move from the UK to N
Africa; and HQ 3d Photographic Group moves from Membury to Steeple Morden,
England.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: The momentum of the British drive decreases in the El Alamein,
Egypt battle; 30 Corps takes Kidney Ridge, and General Bernard L Montgomery
decides to regroup for a break-out assault; Allied aircraft continue strong
support to ground forces and disperse enemy concentrations preparing for an
attack; B-25s hit transport, troop concentrations, and tanks; P-40s fly
sweeps over the El Daba area, Egypt and attack motor transport and other
targets; enemy air action increases and considerable aerial combat ensues; US
fighters claim 4 airplanes shot down. 30+ B-17s and B-24s attack shipping
off the coast of Libya.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): Carrier aircraft from the
aircraft carriers USS Hornet (CV-8) and USS Enterprise (CV-6) fight a fierce
air action with a Japanese Task Force in the Battle of Santa Cruz Island;
B-17s also attack the task force but report no hits; with 3 of his carriers
hit and almost 100 airplanes lost, Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo retires toward
Truk Island in the Caroline Islands; the USS Hornet is severely damaged and
is sunk the following day by Japanese aircraft and US destroyers with bombs
and torpedos.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-25s hit
Salamaua and the airfield at Lae; A-20's, escorted by P-40s, bomb and strafe
trails in the Missima-Kaile-Deniki area.

TUESDAY, 27 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 6 B-24s flying an attack on the Kiska Island
submarine base turn back due to weather; a weather aircraft flies
reconnaissance over Gareloi, Segula, Kiska, and Attu Islands, Aleutian
Islands.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Twelfth Air Force:  The 5th and 16th Fighter Squadrons, 52d Fighter Group,
begin the move from the UK to N Africa. The 15th Photographic Mapping
Squadron, 3d Photographic Group, moves from Membury to Steeple Morden,
England with B-17s and F-4s.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: B-25s, with fighter escorts, bomb Matruh, Egypt and attack motor
transports, tanks, and other ground targets; enemy reinforcements brought up
from the S, counterattack Kidney Ridge and are repulsed; the British Eighth
Army continues regrouping for an assault.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, A-20s hit
trails in SE Papua around Alola, Isurava, and Abuari; P-39s escort Royal
Australian Air Force (RAAF) Hudsons in strike against small craft at Ferguson
Island in the D'Entrecasteaux Islands.

WEDNESDAY, 28 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 6 B-24s turn back from an attempted attack on
the Kiska Island submarine base because of adverse weather; a B-17 bombs Attu
Island with unobserved results and flies weather reconnaissance over Kiska,
Amchitka, and Tanaga Islands, Aleutian Islands.

  ASW OPERATIONS (AAF Antisubmarine Command): The 20th, 49th and 96th
Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 2d Bombardment Group (Heavy), cease flying ASW
patrols from Langley Field, Virginia.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Eighth Air Force: The last 2 squadrons of the 14th Fighter Group, the 48th
and 49th Fighter Squadrons, leave the UK for N Africa; this completes the
transfer of VIII Fighter Command's fighting units to the XII Fighter Command
and leaves the VIII Fighter Command with only the 4th Fighter Group
operational. 

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: B-17s, dispatched to attack a convoy at sea, fail to locate the
target but attack cruisers in Pylos Bay, Greece; B-25s attack tanks, motor
transports, and landing grounds; P-40s fly medium and light bomber escort,
bomb and strafe landing grounds and other targets, and engage aircraft in
combat, mostly in the area between El Alamein and El Daba, Egypt; fighters
claim 3 Bf 109s destroyed; attacks by US and RAF aircraft cause the enemy to
abandon a plan for a counterattack on Kidney Ridge.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): The 68th Fighter Squadron,
347th Fighter Group, begins moving from Tongatabu Island to New Caledonia
Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-17s pound shipping in the
harbor at Rabaul, New Britain Island, while B-25s bomb the airfield on
Gasmata Island off the S coast of New Britain Island.

THURSDAY, 29 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): The Japanese reoccupy Attu Island; a special
reconnaissance flown with Lieutenant General Simon B Buckner, covers Tanaga,
Amchitka, and Kiska Islands.

  ASW OPERATIONS (AAF Antisubmarine Command): HQ 304th Bombardment Group
(Heavy) and the 361st, 362d, 363d and 421st Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy)
move from Ephratra AAB, Washington to Langley Field, Virginia with B-17s,
B-18s, DB-7s, A-20s, and OA-12s and are assigned to the AAF Antisubmarine
Command.

  US: A 1943 production objective of 107,000 aircraft is given top priority
by President Franklin D Roosevelt in his instructions to Donald M Nelson,
Chairman of the War Production Board.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Twelfth Air Force: The 2d and 4th Fighter Squadrons, 52d Fighter Group, and
the 5th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Twelfth AF (attached to 3d
Photographic Group) begin the move from the UK to N Africa.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: B-24s and B-17s strike Maleme Airfield, Crete. In Egypt, B-25s
bomb landing grounds, motor transports, and tanks; P-40s fly escort, then
bomb and strafe road E of El Daba, and attack troop concentration and
vehicles; in view of the strong German reinforcements on his N flank near the
coast, General Bernard L Montgomery alters the breakout plan; instead of
pushing W along coast, he decides to shift the point of advance S in order to
attack against Italian troops.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s hit the Isurava-Deniki
and Abuari-Kaile trails, New Guinea; B-17s attack shipping in Bougainville
Strait between Buin, Bougainville Island and Faisi Island, Shortland Islands.
The 71st Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium),
moves from Townsville, Australia to Port Moresby with B-25s.

FRIDAY, 30 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 1 B-24 twice flies reconnaissance over Kiska
and Agattu Islands; there are no bombing mission as all bombers are on alert
for possible naval targets.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: In Crete, B-24s bomb Maleme Airfield and 1 B-24 bombs the main
jetty in Suda Bay. In Egypt, B-25s attack landing grounds at Fuka-Bagush and
El Daba; P-40s fly escort; the British Eighth Army sends 9 Australian
Division N to the sea and then E, trapping a large force in a pocket, as
Allied aircraft provide excellent support; enemy tanks breaking through from
the W, however, enable most of the surrounded force to escape.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-17s bomb harbor and
shipping at Buin, Bougainville Island.

SATURDAY, 31 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS 

  ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Weather and reconnaissance flight over Attu
and Kiska Islands; over Kiska Island, the weather aircraft draws AA fire
from Little Kiska Island; no other missions as all combat aircraft are
alerted for a possible naval target.

  CARIBBEAN (Sixth Air Force): HQ 9th Bombardment Group (Heavy) and the 1st
and 5th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy) move from Trinidad and St Lucia Island,
Windward Islands and British Guiana to the US.

EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS (ETO)

  Eighth Air Force: Major General Spaatz, Commanding General Eighth AF,
informs Lieutenant General Henry H "Hap" Arnold, Commanding General AAF,
that operations against submarine pens may prove too costly for results
obtained; believing the pens impervious to normal high-altitude bombing,
Spaatz plans to operate as low as 4,000 feet (1,219 m) and accept higher
casualty rates.

MEDITERRANEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS [MTO, US Army, Middle East Air Force
(USAMEAF)]: B-25s hit a landing ground; they claim 1 fighter shot down while
P-40s flying escort claim 3; B-24s sent to bomb the Maleme dispersal area on
Crete fail to locate the target because of overcast. HQ 376th Bombardment
Group (Heavy) and the 512th, 513th, 514th and 515th Bombardment Squadrons are
activated at Lydda, Palestine with B-24s replacing the 1st Provisional Group;
the 376th is intended to become part of an Anglo-American air force to be
sent to the Caucasus area to aid the USSR, but the plan falls through and the
376th remains in the Middle East.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, A-20s bomb and
strafe Nauro and the area to N; B-25s strafe supply trucks SE of Gona. B-17s
bomb shipping at Rabaul, New Britain Island, and in Buin, Bougainville-Faisi
Island-Tonolai, Bougainville Island area.

SOURCES: 
AIR FORCE COMBAT UNITS OF WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force History,
  Headquarters USAF, 1961, ISBN 0-912799-02-1
COMBAT SQUADRONS OF THE AIR FORCE, WORLD WAR II, Office of Air Force
  History, Headquarters USAF 1982
THE ARMY AIR FORCES IN WORLD WAR II: COMBAT CHRONOLOGY, 1941-1945 by the
  Office of Air Force History, Headquarters USAF, 1973
THE MIGHTY EIGHTH WAR DIARY by Roger A. Freeman, ISBN 1-85409-071-2

Jack McKillop
USAF (Airways and Air Communications Service)
1955-59

-------------------------------------------------------------------
|  Jack McKillop              |  Those who have long enjoyed such |
|  Bellcore                   |  privileges as we enjoy forget in |
|  Piscataway, NJ USA         |  time that men have died to win   |
|  [email protected]  |  them.                     FDR    |
-------------------------------------------------------------------
• With grateful thanks for the scholarship of Kit Carter, Robert Mueller and Jack McKillop •
• Thanks also to Charles McGrew •
Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them. Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Top