1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

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hold Tebourba area and moves forward to vicinity
of Tebourba. Concentration of 78th Div, the first
full div of 5 Corps, Br First Army, on Tunisian front,
is now complete.
U.K.—Lt Gen Ira C. Eaker replaces Gen Spaatz
as head of U.S. Eighth Air Force. Gen Spaatz flies
to Algeria.
2 December
NEW GUINEA—Japanese try to reinforce bridgehead.
4 DD’s, with about 800 men embarked, reach
Basabua early in morning, but are forced by Allied
aircraft to move on and land troops near Kumusi R
mouth, about 12 miles N of Gona. Japanese maintain
pressure on roadblock on Soputa–Sanananda
trail, which supply party reaches, and whittle down
its perimeter. Efforts to reach the block frontally and
from right flank are again unsuccessful. Urbana Force
attacks again toward Buna Village, in greater strength
and after increased preparatory fire, but is halted short
of objective. Since simultaneous attacks against Cape
Endaiadere and New Strip have proved unfeasible,
Warren Force concentrates on New Strip, leaving
holding force (Co B, 128th Inf) on coastal track, where
it fails to deceive enemy with feint toward Cape
Endaiadere. Warren Force attacks after air and ground
bombardment, which does little damage to enemy,
but results are negligible. Gen Eichelberger visits
Urbana front while his staff officers inspect Warren
front. Afterwards, Gen Eichelberger relieves Gen
Harding of command of U.S. 32d Div and designates
Brig Gen Albert W. Waldron as his successor.
TUNISIA—Br First Army withstands another attack
on Tebourba. Br tank losses are now about 40
U.S. forces (2d Bn of U.S. 509th Para Regt with 3d
Bn of RCT 26, U.S. 1st Div) in conjunction with Fr
troops attack Faïd Pass, 65 miles NE of Gafsa.
3 December
NEW GEORGIA—Japanese are discovered to be
constructing airfield at Munda Pt, which becomes
target for almost daily air attacks.
GUADALCANAL—Movement of Aola Force, less 2d
Raider Bn, to Koli Pt, where airfield is to be constructed,
is completed. Aola Force is joined by 18th
Naval Construction Bn and rest of 9th Defense Bn.
NEW GUINEA—Situation of 126th Inf roadblock
on Soputa–Sanananda trail remains precarious as
Japanese continue to attack it repeatedly from all
sides and to prevent forward movement of Allied
units attempting to reach it. On Urbana and Warren
fronts, troops are being rested and regrouped
in preparation for all-out attack on 5 December.
Lt Col Melvin McCreary replaces Col Mott as commander
of Urbana Force. Col. Clarence A. Martin
[ 2–5 DECEMBER 1942 ]
succeeds Col Hale as commander of Warren Force.
Gen Eichelberger requests that 126th Inf hq be
moved E of Girua R and is promised Aus troops
and tanks. Japanese are successfully supplied by air.
TUNISIA—Germans continue to attack Tebourba
and occupy it during night 3–4. 11th Brig, Br 78th
Div, whose positions are penetrated, withdraws with
heavy losses to region N of Medjez el Bab. CCB,
U.S. 1st Armd Div, engages enemy on El Guessa
heights, SW of Tebourba. To S, Fr and U.S. forces
capture Faïd Pass.
4 December
GUADALCANAL—Carlson’s raiders (2d Mar
Raider Bn) reach Lunga perimeter, having marched
W from Aola Bay. During the month-long journey,
more than 400 enemy dead have been counted for
loss of 17 raiders.
NEW GUINEA—Japanese maintain pressure
against block on Soputa–Sanananda trail, Col
McCreary is replaced by Col John E. Grose as commander
of Urbana Force. Hq of 126th Inf moves
from Sanananda to Urbana front; U.S. troops of
this regt that are W of the Girua R remain under
operation control of Aus 16th Brig and pass to command
of Maj Bernd G. Baetcke. Advance elements
of 127th Inf, U.S. 32d Div, reach Dobodura. Lines
on Urbana and Warren fronts are rearranged to
permit units operating under bns other than their
own to return to parent bns.
ITALY—20 B–24’s of IX BC, in first attack by
U.S. bombers on Italy, damage docks and shipping
at Naples.
5 December
U.S.—Selective Service System is placed under
War Manpower Commission by Presidential executive
order.
S PACIFIC—AAF units in S Pacific are to be
designated Thirteenth Air Force, although this air
force has not yet been formally activated.
NEW GUINEA—In Gona area, Aus 21st Brig
maintains pressure on enemy; Aus 25th Brig withdraws
for Port Moresby. Bn of 21st Brig, supported
by elements of Aus 39th Bn, 30th Brig, moves E
to keep enemy from Basabua anchorage while rest
of the 39th Bn advances W because of enemy landings
at Kumusi R mouth. Roadblock on Soputa–
Sanananda trail remains under severe pressure, and
food and ammunition of garrison are dwindling
rapidly. Japanese turn back supply party attempting
to reach the block and again repel frontal and
flanking attacks toward it. After air and arty preparation,
Urbana and Warren Forces launch all-out
attacks. Some Urbana Force elements drive to