Air Operations, Aleutians
Air Operations, GreeceDuring the night, USAMEAF B-24s attack Axis ships in Pylos Bay and down 2 Luftwaffe fighters. [ | ]Air Operations, New Guinea5th Air Force B-25s, A-20s, P-40s and 1 B-17 attack ground targets at numerous locations in the Owen Stanley Mountains. [ | ]Air Operations, Solomons27 Japanese A5M Zeros attack US positions on Guadalcanal, but 7 Navy F4F Wildcat fighters manage to shoot down 9 of the attackers while anti-aircraft batteries destroy 2 more about 1250 hours. 1 F4F is downed and another destroyed in an operational accident, but neither pilot is lost. During the night, US Navy and Marine Corps aircraft bomb a Japanese convoy landing troops on Guadalcanal, but no hits are scored. [ | ]AleutiansUS troops occupy the Andreanof Islands in the Aleutians. [ | ]CBIThe India Air Task Force is established and includes all AAF combat units in India. Its mission is to defend Assam province, attack Japanese lines of supply in southern Burma and shippint in the Andaman Sea, and raid Bangkok and Rangoon. The task force is composed of the 7th Bomb Squadron (Heavy) with B-24 Liberators, the 51st Fighter Group with P-40s, and the 341st Bomb Group (Medium) with B-25 Mitchells. [ | ]Eastern FrontIn the Caucasus German Army Group A makes some progress towards Grozny as they capture Elkhotovo only 7 miles form Drag Kokh. The battle for Stalingrad continues, but the Russian position is gradually improving, but at immense cost. SOUTHERN SECTORThe bitter battle for Orlovka reaches its climax as the 115th Rifle Brigade struggles to hold off the attacks of the XIV Panzer Corps. The isolated battalion in the village suffers heavy casualties under the constant German artillery fire and plan a break out through the Orlovka Gully to the factories. Around the factories, the 308th Rifle Division launches a furious counterattack and pushes the Germans back into the Silikat factory. [ | ]Germany, Home FrontThe first successful launching of an A4 rocket takes place at Peenemünde. The A4 is the forerunner of the V-2.
GuadalcanalThe usual noon bombing raid comes in escorted by 27 Zeros. The Americans are warned and climb high before the Japanese force gets there, then attack from above. 9 Zeros are shot down, 2 more are hit by AA fire as they pass too low over Henderson. 2 American planes are lost but no pilots. During the afternoon SBD searchers spot 3 destroyers heading toward Guadalcanal. Another group sights an enemy seaplane tender north of the island escorted by 6 destroyers. The Nisshin, the seaplane tender, is attacked about dusk but, because of intense AA fire the bombers miss their mark. At midnight the Japanese force is at Cape Esperance unloading supplies of tanks, 150-mm howitzers, guns, men and food. [ | ]Pacific
Soviet Union, Home FrontIn a written response to the Associated Press, Stalin says Allied aid to the Soviet Union has been of little military value compared to the impact the Russians are having in drawing to themselves the main German forces. 'In order to amplify and improve this aid,' says Stalin, 'one thing is required: that the Allies fulfill their obligations fully and on time.' [ | ] |
|||
[October 2nd - October 4th] |