1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 12–19 OCTOBER 1942 ]
MADAGASCAR—Gen Platt, CG E African Command,
relinquishes command on island to Maj Gen
Smallwood, General Officer Commanding Islands
Area.
12 October
BATTLE OF CAPE ESPERANCE—Henderson-based
planes conclude action against retiring enemy naval
force, sinking DD’s Murakumo and Natsugumo.
SOLOMON IS.—4 boats of MTB Sq 3, the first
naval craft to be permanently based at Tulagi except
for harbor patrol boats, are towed in.
CBI—Gen Stilwell requests that a second 30
Chinese divs be equipped.
13 October
GUADALCANAL—Japanese aircraft, long-range arty
from Kokumbona area, and naval TF that includes
2 BB’s alternate in bombarding Henderson Field
during day and throughout night 13–14, severely
damaging field and sharply reducing U.S. air
strength. First ground force units of U.S. Army,
164th Inf of Americal Div, arrive on McCawley and
on Zeilin, which also bring 210 men of 1st Mar Air
Wing and 85 Marine casuals plus weapons and supplies.
Unloading despite air attacks, the vessels embark
1st Raider Bn and sail for New Caledonia.
Troop strength of 1st Mar Div is thus brought up to
23,088, excluding forces on Tulagi. 1st Mar Div CG
divides Lunga perimeter into 5 regimental sectors,
massing greatest strength on W.
CHINA—Gen Stilwell presents to Chiang Kaishek
President Roosevelt’s reply of 12 October to
the Generalissimo’s 3 demands.
14 October
GUADALCANAL—Further enemy bombardment of
Henderson Field puts it out of action temporarily,
forcing aircraft to use Fighter Strip No. 1, a rough
runway SE of Henderson. Strength of operational
aircraft is reduced during 13th and 14th from 90 to
42. Supply of aviation gasoline is critically low, but
SBD’s and P–39’s take to the air in effort to halt
enemy convoy of transports escorted by DD’s proceeding
toward Guadalcanal. The planes fail to stop
the convoy but sink a transport and set another
vessel on fire.
NEW GUINEA—Fifth Air Force begins flying
coastal force (128th Inf of U.S. 32d Div and 2/6th
Aus Independent Co, under command of Brig Gen
Hanford MacNider) to Wanigela. Australians advancing
along Kokoda Trail are meeting stubborn
opposition in vicinity of Templeton’s Crossing.
[ 59 ]
15 October
GUADALCANAL—Japanese 17th Army issues tactical
orders for assault on Lunga Pt, setting date tentatively
for 18th. 5 escorted enemy transports unload
final elements of assault force (3,000–4,000
men) and most of cargo at Tassafaronga. Aircraft
from Guadalcanal and New Hebrides join in attacks
on enemy, sinking 2 vessels and damaging others.
Vitally needed gasoline arrives from Espiritu Santo
on Army and Marine transport planes and on seaplane
tender MacFarland.
16 October
GUADALCANAL—Japanese begin march along
narrow trail from Kokumbona assembly area toward
attack positions E of Lunga R. Japanese arty
shelling of Lunga perimeter increases in volume and
accuracy. U.S. patrol craft attack enemy coastal
positions from Kokumbona to Cape Esperance.
Operational aircraft number 66 after arrival of 20
F4F’s and 12 SBD’s. Seaplane tender MacFarland is
seriously damaged by enemy aircraft in Sealark
Channel but is salvaged by crew.
17 October
NEW GUINEA—Bitter fighting is in progress on
Kokoda Trail at Eora Creek, where Japanese commit
reinforcements. Abel’s Field at Fasari, on upper
Musa R near Mt Sapia, becomes operational. Field
is named for Cecil Abel, a missionary who constructed
it with assistance of native labor and equipment
dropped by Fifth Air Force. First luggers
reach Wanigela and continue toward Pongani with
men and supplies.
U.K.—Convoys for TORCH begin assembling at
Firth of Clyde.
18 October
POA—Adm Halsey succeeds Adm Ghormley as
Commander, South Pacific Area.
NEW GUINEA—Air movement of most of 128th
Inf, U.S. 32d Div, to Wanigela is completed. Elements
are left at Port Moresby temporarily when
Wanigela field becomes unserviceable because of
rains. Hard fighting continues on Kokoda Trail in
vicinity of Eora Creek.
19 October
U.S.—War Department agrees to equip 30 more
Chinese divs.
POA—U.S. 25th Div is alerted for movement
to Guadalcanal.