1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

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24 November
NEW GUINEA—Japanese continue to repel efforts
of Aus 25th Brig to take Gona. 3d Bn of 126th Inf,
U.S. 32d Div, pushes on toward Sanananda: 2 Aus
cos join Co L in battle for food dump on right; on
left, Cos I and K reach clearing W of Killerton trail,
some 1,200 yards N of original starting point, but
are driven back into swamp by enemy infiltrators.
Urbana Force launches co-ordinated assault on the
Triangle at 1428 after ineffective air and brief mortar
preparation. While Co F of 126th Inf makes frontal
assault in which Co H of 128th joins, Co E of
126th takes over left flank positions along Entrance
Creek and Cos E and G of 128th attack on right
flank. The attack, although carefully planned, is a
failure. Warren Force front along coast is quiet.
CBI—Gen Stilwell is informed by U.S. War
Department that little more aid, aside from existing
commitments, can be provided for N Burma
offensive.
LIBYA—Front is quiet generally as Gen Montgomery
plans an assault on El Agheila bottleneck.
Br Eighth Army forces must be regrouped and
supplies and reinforcements amassed.
TUNISIA—Br First Army is ordered to advance
on Tunis, with Tebourba and Mateur as first objectives.
Main body of CCB, U.S. 1st Armd Div,
begins move from Tafaraoui, Algeria, to Tunisia;
forward elements (1st Bn of 1st Armd Regt) arrive
at Bédja and are attached to Blade Force.
USSR—Soviet forces of Stalingrad Front are exploiting
their breakthroughs; on central front, are
attacking in vicinity of Veliki Luki and Rzhev.
25 November
NEW GUINEA—Firm Japanese opposition on entire
front has resulted in virtual stalemate. Arty fire
is exchanged and patrols are active in some sectors.
TUNISIA—Br First Army attacks toward Tunis. On
N, 36th Brig of 78th Div advances from Djebel
Abiod toward Mateur. In center, Blade Force penetrates
enemy positions between Mateur and
Tebourba; attached elements of CCB, U.S. 1st Armd
Div, raid Djedeïda airfield, 5 miles E of Tebourba,
destroying 30 planes. 11th Brig of 78th Div recaptures
Medjez el Bab.
26 November
NEW GUINEA—Stalemate continues on Gona
front. Further frontal and flanking attacks of 126th
Inf, U.S. 32d Div, toward Sanananda make limited
progress: 1st Bn ( — ) is pinned down on Soputa–
Sanananda track after 100-yard advance; on left, 3d
Bn ( — ) drives E to within 700 yards of Killerton
[ 24–28 NOVEMBER 1942 ]
trail; on right, Co L and Australians finally overrun
the bitterly contested food dump. Urbana Force halts
frontal and right flank attacks on the Triangle and
prepares to make strong effort on left, since enemy
is disposed in less strength W of Entrance Creek
and terrain is more favorable. Warren Force, under
personal observation of Gen Harding, makes determined
effort to advance after strong air and arty
preparation. Japanese retire into bunkers during
bombardment and emerge afterward to meet attack.
3d Bn of 128th Inf ( — ) and 1st Bn of 126th ( — )
advance abreast, latter on left followed by 1st Bn of
128th. Little is accomplished by the attack. Co I of
128th Inf and Aus 2/6th Independent Co, charged
respectively with securing W and E ends of New
Strip, are unable to advance. Japanese retain air superiority
over Buna front and sink lugger bound for
Hariko with ammunition. 127th Inf, U.S. 32d Div,
reaches Port Moresby from Australia.
TUNISIA—Br First Army continues to advance.
Blade Force engages in its first armored battle on
plain S of Mateur
27 November
NEW GUINEA—Three-day lull begins as preparations
are made for renewing attack. Col John W.
Mott, Gen Harding’s chief of staff, arrives on
Urbana front and takes command.
TUNISIA—Tebourba, 20 miles W of Tunis, falls
to 11th Brig of 78th Div, Br First Army. German
counterattack on the town, supported by tanks and
dive bombers, is thrown back. CCB, U.S. 1st Armd
Div, is detached from U.S. II Corps, which operated
as Center Task Force at Oran, and attached to
Br First Army.
FRANCE—Fr fleet is scuttled in harbor of Toulon
by order of Adm Jean de Laborde to prevent it from
falling into German hands.
28 November
SOLOMON IS.—Enemy submarine torpedoes
Alchiba, off Guadalcanal, leaving only 4 undamaged
cargo ships in S Pacific Force.
NEW GUINEA—Capt Medendorp’s detachment
(Cannon and AT Cos of 126th Inf, U.S. 32d Div)
arrives on Sanananda front from Wairopi and takes
up positions just behind Cos I and K, W of Killerton
trail.
CHINA—Gen Wheeler reports to Gen Stilwell on
Chinese SOS.
FRENCH SOMALILAND—Nearly one third of
Vichy-controlled garrison of Djibouti crosses into
British Somaliland and declares its adherence to
the Allies.