1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 29 NOVEMBER–1 DECEMBER 1942 ]
TUNISIA—Br First Army’s 11th Brig of 78th
Div and elements of CCB (2d Bn of 13th Armd
Regt), U.S. 1st Armd Div, reach outskirts of
Djedeïda, 15 miles W of Tunis. This is the point
nearest Tunis to be reached until final phase of
campaign. To S, Germans evacuate Pont-du-Fahs,
35 miles SE of Tunis. At Gafsa, elements of U.S.
1st Div (3d Bn of RCT 26) are attached to 2d Bn,
U.S. 509th Para Regt.
29 November
GUADALCANAL—3d Bn of 147th Inf, elements of
246th FA Bn, part of 9th (Mar) Defense Bn, and
additional Seabees are landed in Koli Pt area, where
an airfield, Carney, is to be constructed; Aola Bay
area has been rejected as unsuitable for an airfield
site.
NEW GUINEA—Allied bombers intercept enemy
force of 4 DD’s, proceeding without air cover, in
Vitiaz Strait and turn it back, thus preventing reinforcement
of Gona with fresh troops from Rabaul.
Col Kiyomi Yazawa and part of enemy force that had
withdrawn along W bank of the Kumusi to positions
N of Gona reach Giruwa from there by barge. Lt
Gen Robert L. Eichelberger, engaged in training U.S.
41st Div at Rockhampton, Australia, is ordered to
New Guinea.
TUNISIA—Br First Army is stalled at Djedeïda by
firm opposition, although 11th Brig of 78th Div continues
fighting there. Elements of Br 1st Para Brig
are dropped by U.S. transports at Depienne, 10 miles
NE of Pont-du-Fahs, to take Oudna airdrome and
threaten Tunis from S, but vigorous opposition prevents
paratroopers from attaining their objective.
USSR—Red Army offensive, which continues to
gain ground in Stalingrad sector, is expanded to the
Caucasus, where attacks are begun against Terek
bridgehead.
30 November
BATTLE OF TASSAFARONGA (LUNGA PT)—U.S. naval
TF takes up position at entrance to Savo Sound
to prevent enemy landings in Tassafaronga area;
makes contact and, opens fire on enemy naval force
during night 30 November–1 December, sinking DD
and damaging another vessel. Enemy retires without
effecting landings. USS Northampton (CA) is
badly damaged and abandoned, and 3 other cruisers
are damaged during the action.
NEW GUINEA—Gen Eichelberger, CG I Corps,
flies from Australia to Port Moresby. Aus 21st Brig,
having rested and reorganized after action in Owen
Stanley Range, takes over attack on Gona front, relieving
Aus 25th Brig. In Sanananda sector, left flank
elements of 126th Inf, U.S. 32d Div, establish block
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behind enemy on Soputa–Sanananda trail, but
frontal attacks along the trail in center and flanking
attacks on right make little headway. Urbana
and Warren Forces each make concerted attacks but
gain little ground. Urbana Force fails in 3 attempts
to take Buna Village; elements protecting flank and
rear seize crossing over Siwori Creek and outpost
region between there and Buna Creek, but are unable
to clear Coconut Grove or advance beyond the
Triangle. Warren Force, attacking toward Cape
Endaiadere on right and NE edge of New Strip on
left, encounters enemy’s MLR in Duropa Plantation
and is unable to breach it. Bren carriers that
were to have spearheaded assault in this sector fail
to arrive.
TUNISIA—As 11th Brig, Br 78th Div, continues
losing battle at Djedeïda, Br First Army prepares for
attack on Tunis by Blade Force and CCB of U.S. 1st
Armd Div on 2 December. CCB is concentrated in
Medjez el Bab area and Blade Force in vicinity of
Chouïgui. By this time, Axis forces have about
15,500 fighting troops in Tunisia.
1 December
GUADALCANAL—8th Marines, 2d Mar Div, is
withdrawn from forward positions W of Matanikau
R, leaving Americal Div units to hold W sector.
NEW GUINEA—Gen Eichelberger flies to Dobodura
and takes command of all troops in Buna area.
Aus 21st Brig, after turning back from Giruwa
3 barge loads of Japanese attempting to reinforce
Gona, attacks and captures Gona, forcing Japanese
back to Gona Mission for final stand. Elsewhere,
Japanese show no signs of weakening. Enemy exerts
heavy pressure against roadblock (called
“Huggins” after Capt Meredith M. Huggins) on
Soputa–Sanananda trail and withstands frontal and
flanking attacks toward it. Urbana Force makes another
futile attempt to reach Buna Village after arty
and mortar preparation with all available weapons.
Warren Force continues attacks toward Cape
Endaiadere on right and New Strip on left with
little success; 1st Bn of 126th gets elements to NE
edge of New Strip.
CBI—Airlift to China is removed from authority
of Gen Stilwell and made part of Air Transport
Command (India-China Wing, ATC).
BURMA—Japanese, having rested and refitted,
start back into battle line Tengchung–Myitkyina–
Kamaing–Kalewa–Akyab.
TUNISIA—Enemy forestalls offensive, intended
for 2d, counterattacking strongly toward Tebourba
with tanks and infantry supported by aircraft. Blade
Force falls back with heavy tank losses. CCB, U.S.
1st Armd Div, is attached to Br 78th Div to help