Air Operations, Aleutians5 28th Composite Bomb Group B-25s attack Kiska. [ | ]Air Operations, EuropeBOMBER COMMANDDaylight Ops:
Air Operations, Solomons
Battle of the AtlanticThe US freighter Angelina (4772t), in New York-bound Convoy ON-137, but struggling, is torpedoed by U-618. [ | ]Britain, Home FrontThe convoy of vessels for Operation TORCH, the landing in North Africa, begins to assemble in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland. [ | ]BurmaOrders are given to the 14th Indian Div, advancing slowly into the Arakan, to reach a line between Rathedaung and Buthidaung by the start of December in preparation for further operations toward Akyab. [ | ]Eastern FrontSOUTHERN SECTORChuikov ferries the rest of Lyudnikov's 138th Division into Stalingrad during the previous night as German attacks continue. German attacks south from the Tractor factory along the bank of the Volga drives the 138th Rifle Division back. The 84th Tank Brigade also attempts to hold back the Germans. New attacks also break into the southern part of Spartakovka. An attack on Red October is repulsed, but an assault along the railway lines and upon the Barrikady penetrate the junction of the 138th and 308th Rifle Divisions. The Germans then enter the northwest corner of the Barrikady complex, where fierce battles erupt. Heavy fighting also sees the fall of the Tractor factory, the remnants of the 37th Guards being destroyed. With losses among his command staff mounting, Chuikov moves his headquarters back to the south, near the Mamayev Kurgan. [ | ]GuadalcanalAlerted by the intercepted radio messages, F4Fs are in the air early and attack the Japanese which come over at 0730 with 18 dive bombers and 18 Zeros. The Americans shoot down 6 bombers and 4 Zeros for a loss of 1 fighter.
During the night Yamamoto sends the Tokyo Express down The Slot again. 3 cruisers and 8 destroyers anchor off Tassafaronga and another 5 destroyers off Cape Esperance. Several shell the American positions including the fighter field, newly discovered by the Japanese as a separate entity. Japanese destroyers land more troops. Gen Hyukatake makes decsion for attack on Henderson, Y-Day, will be October 20. The US destroyers Aaron Ward (DD-483) and McCalla (DD-488) move west of Kokumbona to shell Japanese positions on the island. 2,000 rounds of 5-in ammunition are fired into supply dumps and destroy large quantities of ammunition and food. There is big loss in transport: trucks, armored vehicles and fuel supplies. [ | ]New GuineaThe Australian advance along the Kokoda Trail is temporarily held up at Eora Creek by strong Japanese resistance. The Australian 16th Bde has now taken over from 25th Bde at the head of the advance. One regiment of the US 32nd Div is airlifted from Port Moresby to Wanigela on the north coast. [ | ]PacificThe US submarine Trigger (SS-237) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Holland Maru (5869t) near the mouth of Bungo Suido, off Kyushu. [ | ] |
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[October 16th - October 18th] |