1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 6–10 DECEMBER 1942 ]
within 50 yards of Buna Village; others break
through to the sea; still others invest W bank of
Entrance Creek except for Coconut Grove. Buna
Village is completely isolated. Warren Force attack,
although preceded by Bren carriers, is a total failure
except on left, where slight progress is made toward
bridge between strips. Warren Force suffers heavily
from enemy as well as intense heat. Brig Gen Clovis
E. Byers, I Corps chief of staff, replaces Gen
Waldron, who is wounded, as commander of 32d
Div.
TUNISIA—Combined Chiefs of Staff approve
Gen Eisenhower’s plan to attack on 9 December.
Br First Army is handicapped by lack of advanced
airfields, overextended supply lines, and lack of reserves.
While preparations are being made for the
attack, Allied aircraft are conducting strikes against
ports to limit enemy’s build-up.
6 December
NEW GUINEA—Japanese frustrate effort to supply
beleaguered roadblock on Soputa–Sanananda
trail with rations and ammunition. The garrison is
near the end of its resources. Urbana Force prepares
for another attack on Buna Village and places first
“time on target” fire of the campaign on Buna Mission.
Since frontal attacks by Warren Force have been
futile and costly, it is decided to soften enemy
positions by attrition and infiltration while awaiting
arrival of tanks.
TUNISIA—German attack penetrates positions of
CCB, U.S. 1st Armd Div, on El Guessa heights.
7 December
NEW GUINEA—Aus 30th Brig relieves Aus 16th
Brig on Sanananda front where troops are greatly
weakened by malaria as well as protracted fighting.
Cos C, D, and L of U.S. 126th Inf are relieved in
front line by Aus 49th and 55/53d Bns. Americans,
except for those garrisoning the roadblock and holding
positions W of it, are ordered to rear of Aus
forces. Fresh Aus troops attack at once toward the
block but cannot reach it; further effort to supply
the block is also futile. Col Clarence M. Tomlinson
takes command of Urbana Force, relieving Col
Grose. After heavy air and arty preparation, Urbana
Force again attacks Buna Village and clears trench
at S edge. Elements on coast repel enemy attacks
from the village and mission. Warren Force patrols
intensively. Gen Eichelberger, who is in the process
of moving his hq from Henahambuti to Simemi
Village and of combining hqs of I Corps and 32d
Div into Hq Buna Force, selects Brig George F.
Wootten, CG Aus 18th Brig, who is at Milne Bay,
to command future operations of Warren Force.
[ 73 ]
8 December
U.S.—JCS present to President Roosevelt proposal
for recapture of all Burma, Operation ANAKIM.
President agrees that Gen Stilwell must be provided
means for his part of the operation-N Burma, Operation
RAVENOUS.
GUADALCANAL—RCT 132 ( — ) of Americal Div
arrives.
NEW GUINEA—Allied planes intercept convoy of
6 DD’s, with fighter cover, attempting to reinforce
beachhead and force it back to Rabaul. Japanese
sustain heavy casualties while trying unsuccessfully
to withdraw from Gona to Giruwa. Allied supply
party reaches roadblock on Soputa–Sanananda trail
against bitter opposition. Urbana Force, continuing
battle for Buna Village, concentrates on bunker position
on S edge. Newly arrived flame thrower proves
so ineffective that the weapon is not used again during
the campaign. Japanese fail in attempt to reinforce
garrison of village with troops from mission.
On Warren front, preparations are made to move
guns closer to enemy bunkers as 2 more 25-pounders
arrive by sea. Brig Wootten is ordered to Port
Moresby. Navy agrees to provide corvettes for movement
of fresh troops to Warren front.
TUNISIA—Gen Eisenhower gives Gen K. A. N.
Anderson permission to withdraw Br First Army to
more favorable positions from which to prepare for
attack.
9 December
GUADALCANAL—Gen Patch, CG Americal Div,
relieves Gen Vandegrift, CG 1st Mar Div, of responsibility
for Guadalcanal. 1st Mar Div is gradually
withdrawn during the month for rehabilitation.
NEW GUINEA—After preparatory bombardment
from air and ground, Aus 21st Brig launches
final assault on Gona area and by 1630 overcomes
resistance in hand-to-hand combat. Hundreds of
Japanese dead are found. Leading bn (3d) of 127th
Inf, U.S. 32d Div, completes air movement to
Urbana front and prepares for final assault on
Buna Village.
10 December
NEW GUINEA—Japanese remaining on coast
NW of Gona, now greatly depleted in strength by air
attacks as well as pressure of Aus 39th Bn, are
ordered to establish defensive perimeter around
Napapo and await reinforcements. On Sanananda
front, Allied supply party reaches roadblock and finds
garrison in desperate need of relief. On Urbana front,
3d Bn of 127th Inf, U.S. 32d Div, begins relief of
2d Bn of 126th Inf, which by now is also greatly