1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

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from Ahioma to head of Milne Bay at Gili Gili by
sea and lose to the enemy 1 of 2 ketches loaded with
troops.
MIDDLE EAST—Col Shingler is directed by Gen
Maxwell to take responsibility for construction,
maintenance, supply, and administration of installations
in new PGSC area, which comprises Iraq,
Iran, and parts of Saudi Arabia bordering on Persian
Gulf.
26 August
GUADALCANAL—5th Marines, 1st Mar Div, prepares
for limited attack to eliminate resistance on
W flank of Lunga perimeter.
New Guinea—Planes from Milne Bay and Port
Moresby attack Japanese in Milne Bay, destroying
most of their supplies on shore and damaging large
transport. After nightfall, enemy convoy bringing
rest of 1,170-man force from New Ireland arrives
safely in Milne Bay. Japanese make another night
attack, 26–27, to W, forcing Aus militia back to
Gama R line; at dawn of 27th Japanese retire once
more to landing point. Meanwhile, Japanese forces
in Isurava area renew overland drive on Port
Moresby at dawn and force Australians (depleted
39th Bn, 30th Brig Hq, 2 cos of 53d Bn) back
steadily by overwhelming pressure. Japanese supply
lines, which are becoming overextended, are
frequently attacked by air.
INDIA—Training center for Ch troops is activated
at Ramgarh, Bihar Prov, with Col Frederick McCabe
as commandant.
27 August
GUADALCANAL—1st Bn of 5th Marines lands
about 1,000 yards W of Kokumbona and starts E
along shore while Co I of 3d Bn pushes W from
Kukum by overland trail to intercept enemy withdrawal
inland. 1st Bn is halted by enemy fire about
1,500 yards E of Kokumbona. 9 more P–400’s of
67th Fighter Sq arrive at Henderson Field.
NEW GUINEA—Fresh AIF troops (2/10th Bn of
18th Brig) advance unopposed to K. B. Mission during
day. After nightfall, Japanese, with tanks, renew
attack and split defending force, which withdraws.
Japanese overland drive on Port Moresby continues,
with Australians falling back gradually. Reinforcements
(21st Brig) are moving to forward area to assist
Australians.
USSR—German Army Group B continues battle
for Stalingrad; Army Group A presses closer to oil
prize of Grozny, seizing Prokhladny and reaching
Terek R.
[ 26–31 AUGUST 1942 ]
28 August
GUADALCANAL—1st Bn of 5th Marines, in flanking
movement without enemy contact, returns with
Co I of 3d Bn to Kukum area.
NEW GUINEA—Milne Force withstands determined
frontal assaults against No. 3 airstrip. Aus
7th Brig, reinf by Americans of 709th Airborne AA
Battery and of 43d Engrs, staunchly defends the
strip. Other Australians continue fighting withdrawal
across Owen Stanley Range.
USSR—German Army Group A begins assault on
Novorossisk, on Black Sea.
29 August
NEW GUINEA—Orders for Aus 18th Brig to clear
N shore of Milne Bay are revoked when another
enemy convoy is detected approaching that area. 775
Japanese reinforcements are unloaded from the convoy.
Fighting continues along overland trail to Port
Moresby, but because of situation at Milne Bay and
in the Solomons, South Seas Detachment is ordered
to halt upon reaching S foothills of Owen Stanley
Range. Aus 21st Brig relieves 39th Bn and elements
of 53d Bn.
30 August
ALEUTIAN Is.—U.S. occupation force lands on
Adak without opposition.
Guadalcanal—Japanese bombers attack shipping
off coast and sink Colhoun (APD). Rear echelon of
MAG 23 (12 dive bombers and 18 fighters) arrives
at Henderson Field.
NEW GUINEA—After quiet day, Japanese attack
at night in effort to secure No. 3 airstrip but are
repulsed and retreat at dawn of 31st, leaving many
dead. Enemy continues to gain ground in overland
drive on Port Moresby.
EGYPT—During night 30–31, Axis forces open
offensive against El ‘Alamein Line, making main
effort against 13 Corps, Br Eighth Army, on S while
conducting a unsuccessful diversionary thrusts
against 30 Corps.
31 August
SOLOMONS Is.—USS Helm (DD) tows 3 harbor
patrol boats to Tulagi. USS Saratoga (CV) is damaged
by enemy torpedo while patrolling W of Santa
Cruz Is. and is forced to retire to Tongatabu for
emergency repairs; on 12 September leaves there for
Pearl Harbor where she remains until November.
NEW GUINEA—Australians take the offensive in
Milne Bay area against demoralized enemy. 18th Brig
drives E to K. B. Mission. While tide has turned
against enemy in Milne Bay area, other forces