Air Operations, CBI

A 51st Fighter Group P-40 shoots down a Japanese reconnaissance plane over the Assam region.

Air Operations, Egypt

USAMEAF B-25s join RAF units in an all-out three-day effort against Axis landing grounds behind the El Alamein front.

Air Operations, Libya

USAMEAF B-24s attacking shipping at Tobruk harbor claim a direct hit on 1 vessel.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-116 left on patrol on September 22, 1942. When she failed to answer all signals, she was declared missing. It is presumed that she was the victim of an accident, a mine or accidental detonation of one of her own mines.

U-116

Class	Type XB
CO	Oberleutnant zur See Wilhelm Grimme
Location	North Atlantic
Cause	Unknown
Casualties	55
Survivors	None

• The US freighter Steel Navigator (5718t), straggling from Convoy ON-137, is attacked by U-610. The U-boats is driven off temporarily by the ship's 5-inch gunfire, but returns, torpedoes and sinks the freighter. 16 survivors are eventually rescued on October 27 by the British destroyer Decoy.

China

30 addisional Chinese divisions are to be armed and equipped by the US.

Eastern Front

With 6th Army bogged down and Army Group A rendered immobile in the Caucasus, Hitler issues Operational Order No. 1, closing the German summer offensive. As he is confirming his order, rain begins to fall at Stalingrad, heralding the onset of the autumn mud.

Guadalcanal

Halsey orders his commanders to Mouméa for meeting aboard his flagship, the old destroyer tender Argonne.

Gen Masao Muruyama has sent a message to Yamamoto to postpone Y-Day. The problem lay in the two-pronged attack aimed at the envelopment of Henderson Field. Maj Gen Kawaguchi is to lead the eastern prong and Maj Gen Yumio Nasu the western. Both are still dealing with jungle, however, and will probably need 2 more days to be in position. Also, they had to leave behind much heavy equipment and heavy guns because the steep mountain trails would not accommodate such weight. Y-Day is reset to October 22. Meanwhile, the new airfield is complete at Buin and 30 new Zeros are moved there to cut the flight time to Guadalcanal in half. The Japanese navy is ready with the exception of the carrier Hiyo which has been sent back to Truk for engine repairs. Adm Kukuta transfers his flag to the carrier Junyo. This reduces the Japanese carrier force from 5 to 4 against 2 American.

Madagascar

The British continue with the occupation of the southern part of the island. They seize the town of Andriamanalina by a pincer movement. The King's African Rifles encircle and capture 800 Vichy troops, with artillery and motor transport, near Ivato.

Torpedoing of USS O'Brien, 15 September, 1942

At 0755, 19 October, 1942. Bow and stern sharply inclined. Bow and stern apparently held together by main deck, piping and wiring. By 0758 O'Brien had disappeared.[MORE]

USS O'Brien Going Down