1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 16–18 FEBRUARY 1942 ]
In Br Eighth Army area, improving weather conditions
permit resumption of operations toward
Mareth Line.
16 February
ALEUTIAN IS.—Japanese make their last nuisance
raid on Amchitka as first Allied plane lands on new
fighter strip there.
GUADALCANAL—In preparation for invasion of
Russell Is.—Operation CLEANSLATE—first echelon of
43d Div assault force (RCT’s 103 and 169) under
43d Div CG, Maj Gen John H. Hester, arrives at
Guadalcanal.
SWPA—U.S. Sixth Army is established in
SWPA under command of Lt Gen Walter Krueger.
Army consists of I Corps (Gen Eichelberger), 2d
Engr Special Brig, and 503d Para Inf Regt; 1st Mar
Div is attached.
TUNISIA—Br First Army releases CCB, U.S. 1st
Armd Div, to U.S. II Corps. RCT 18, U.S. 1st Div,
is released by Br 5 Corps for movement to Shiba,
where positions are being strengthened. In U.S. II
Corps area, enemy, anticipating evacuation of
Sbeïtla, which 1st Armd Div is too weak to hold as
result of heavy losses at Sidi Bou Zid, begins drive
on the town late in day; despite opposition of screening
force, of 1st Armd Div between Sidi Bou Zid
and Sbeïtla, arrives at outskirts of latter and is briskly
engaged by CCA and CCB, CCB having arrived
from Maktar, as withdrawal of Americans toward
Western Dorsal begins. Because of unexpectedly
sharp resistance, enemy breaks off attack for night.
Isolated Americans on Djebel Ksaira and Garet
Hadid, under attack throughout day, make unsuccessful
attempt to withdraw, night 16–17, and are
virtually wiped out. From Gafsa, Germans advance
25 miles NW toward Fériana and SW through
Metlaoui to Tozeur.
In Br Eighth Army area, 7th Armd Div drives into
Ben Gardane, Mareth Line outpost.
USSR—Soviet troops occupy Kharkov as Axis
forces withdraw toward Poltava.
17 February
SOLOMON Is.—Small party of U.S. officers sails
from Guadalcanal to Russell Is. to reconnoiter in
preparation for invasion; goes ashore on Banika I.
after dark.
CHINA—It is announced that Gen Chen will be
CG Chinese Expeditionary Force.
BURMA—Ind 55th Brig again attempts to reduce
enemy position at Donbaik, on Arakan front, but is
unsuccessful.
MEDITERRANEAN—Mediterranean Air Command
is constituted and activated by AFHQ under
[ 93 ]
Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur W. Tedder, with unified
control over all Allied air forces based in
Middle East, NW Africa, and Malta. Air Vice Marshal
Sir Arthur Coningham assumes command of
Allied Air Support Command (AASC). Pursuant
to decision reached by CCS on 20 January, AFHQ
issues directives to Gen Alexander, naming him
Deputy CinC of Allied Forces in French North
Africa and Commander of the Group of Armies
(18 Army Group, combining numbers of Br First
and Eighth Armies) operating in Tunisia, effective
20 February.
TUNISIA—In Br First Army area, Fr 19th Corps
withdraws W to conform with withdrawal of U.S.
II Corps. RCT 18, U.S. 1st Div, is attached to Br
6th Armd Div at Sbiba. U.S. II Corps falls back to
Western Dorsal and stations troops to defend passes
at Sbiba (Fr 19th Corps sector), Kasserine, Dernaïa,
and El Ma el Abiod. Defensive positions are being
organized. CCB covers withdrawal of 1st Armd
Div from Sbeïtla. Germans enter Fériana and overcome
rear-guard opposition; take Thélepte air base.
3d Bn of RCT 39, 9th Div, which has moved forward
from Souk Ahras (Algeria) comes under
corps command.
Br Eighth Army, with 51st Div and 7th Armd Div
in assault, captures Médenine and its airfields.
USSR—Red Army takes Slavyansk, rail junction
N of Kramatorsk.
18 February
ALEUTIAN IS.—Adm McMorris’ strike force bombards
Attu, but weather conditions prevent observation
of results. This is the first time naval gunfire
is employed against Attu.
SOLOMON Is.—Rear echelon of Russell Is. assault
force from 43d Div lands on Guadalcanal. Russell
Is. rcn party returns to Guadalcanal, night 18–19,
after learning that Japanese have withdrawn from
the islands.
INDIA—Gen Wheeler, charged with Ledo Road
construction in late December, is given responsibility
for defending the road.
BURMA—Ind 77th Brig (Chindits) crosses the
Chindwin unopposed; subsequently reaches and
cuts Mandalay–Myitkyina railway line without
interference.
MEDITERRANEAN—Mediterranean Air Command
(U.S. Ninth and Twelfth Air Forces; RAF
EAC, ME, Malta, Gibraltar) begins functioning.
Under Mediterranean Air Command, Northwest
African Air Forces (NAAF), consisting of EAC and
Twelfth Air Force, is activated under command of
Gen Spaatz.
TUNISIA—In Br First Army area, U.S. II Corps
continues organization of defenses at passes through