1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 16–18 JANUARY 1942 ]
the enveloping force, drive enemy back to Wadi
Zem Zem. Coastal advance by 51st Div begins at
2230 and meets little opposition. 22d Armd Brig
moves forward in center prepared to assist wherever
needed.
16 January
GUADALCANAL—CG XIV Corps orders a second
co-ordinated westward offensive in order to extend
positions through Kokumbona to Poha R; forms
Composite Army-Marine Div (CAM) (consisting of
6th Marines, 182d and 147th Inf Regts, and 2d
Marine and Americal Div arty units) to drive W on
3,000-yard front in coastal sector while 25th Div
attacks SW on corps S flank to envelop enemy’s S
flank. In 35th Inf sector, Co B, reinf, advances W
to corps objective, some 1,500 yards W of the Sea
Horse, without opposition, gaining positions on
precipice overlooking SW fork of the Matanikau.
2d Bn commander decides to make double envelopment
attack against the Gifu on 17th and sends elements
from Hill 27 to Hill 42 to attack from NW as
other forces drive N from Hill 27.
NEW GUINEA—After preparatory bombardment,
assault against enemy in Sanananda area opens. On
left, Aus 18th Brig drives quickly along Killerton trail
to coast and clears broad coastal strip from Cape
Killerton to outskirts of Sanananda Village. On
Soputa–Sanananda road, 1st Bn of 163d Inf, having
been relieved of task of clearing enemy pocket
by 3d Bn, attacks N, bypassing strongpoint immediately
ahead to gain position some 400 yards W of
road. 3d Bn finishes clearing pocket between Musket
and Fisk. From trail junction E of the coconut
plantation, 2d Bn of 163d Inf hacks its way SE to
Soputa–Sanananda road about 1,000 yards behind
enemy’s main line and makes contact with 1st Bn
and Aus 18th Brig. Attacking toward Sanananda
from E, 1st Bn of 127th Inf makes negligible progress
along coastal road.
IRAQ—Declares war on Germany, Italy, and Japan.
LIBYA—Br Eighth Army, having passed through
enemy’s main positions at Buerat, pushes energetically
toward Tripoli, coastal force reaching Churgia
and enveloping force crossing Wadi Zem Zem.
USSR—Soviet forces of Voronezh front, having
opened offensive S of Voronezh several days earlier,
are W of the Don at Rossosh, on Voronezh–Rostov
RR, where Italian forces are routed. On Stalingrad
front, progress is being made in reduction of trapped
German 6th Army.
GERMANY—RAF bombers attack Berlin, night
16–17, using target-indicator bombs for first time.
This is the first raid on Berlin since 7 November
1941.
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17 January
GUADALCANAL—8th Marines, 2d Mar Div, upon
clearing ravine W of Hills 80 and St and moving
forward to positions abreast 6th Marines, withdraws
from line to perimeter defense. Coastal attack, which
has gained almost a mile beyond Pt Cruz since 13th,
is to be continued by 182d Inf on left and 6th Marines
on right. 182d Inf (less 3d Bn) moves into CAM
Div line. After ineffective broadcast calling for Gifu
garrison to surrender, 2d Bn of 35th Inf, 25th Div,
pulls back while 2 1 /2-hour arty concentration is
placed on the strongpoint, then returns to previous
positions. Since darkness is approaching rapidly,
ground attack is withheld. 27th Inf, 25th Div, which
is to conduct holding action during corps’ coming
offensive while 161st Inf makes main effort, begins
forward movement. Co C, with light MG section
attached, takes up positions on ridge SW of Hill 66,
called Snake.
NEW GUINEA—Advance elements of Aus 17th
Brig are flown to Wan. Brig M. J. Moten, CG Aus
17th Brig, takes command of Kanga Force. Aus 18th
Brig continues to clear coastal region between Wye
Pt and Giruwa. Sanananda Village and Pt are overrun,
but enemy retains positions W and S of
Sanananda and in outskirts of Giruwa. On Soputa–
Sanananda road, 163d Inf probes enemy defenses N
of Fisk. 127th Inf, replacing 1st Bn with 2d, continues
W along coastal road toward Giruwa, handicapped
by extremely difficult and skillfully defended
terrain. 3d Bn pushes S along Konombi Creek and
encounters enemy outpost.
LIBYA—Br Eighth Army pursues enemy W toward
Tripoli, hampered by desert terrain as well as mines
and demolitions. Coastal forces reach positions 10
miles from Misurata. S column reaches Beni Ulid.
ALGERIA—U.S. II Corps’ TF SATIN moves forward
in preparation for drive on Sfax, but the operation
is canceled.
USSR—Red Army extends its hold on
Voronezh–Rostov RR with capture of Millerovo.
18 January
GUADALCANAL—Americans gain continuous line
from Hill 53 northward to coast at point some 1,500
yards W of Pt Cruz. CAM Div continues W on N
flank of XIV Corps with 6th Marines on right and
182d Inf on left. In 25th Div sector, 2d Bn of 35th
Inf throws tight cordon about the Gifu and begins
attack on it from NW.
NEW GUINEA—Japanese, although facing certain
defeat, continue to offer last-ditch resistance on
Sanananda front. Australians are stubbornly opposed
near Sanananda and Giruwa. 163d Inf works
on formidable bunker positions astride Soputa–