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11/01/42
USAFMEAF
B-24s strike A/F and dispersal areas at Maleme. P-40s escort bmrs
and hit ground tgts in battle area. An air depot, 2 serv gps, and 1
MP co are assigned to USAMEAF.
11/01/42
Fifth AF
B-25s bomb A/F and dump area at Lae. B-17s strike shipping in
Buin-Faisi-Tonolai area. Kahili AF on Bougainville is also attacked.
11/02/42
Eighth AF
CG VIII A Spt Cmd states that the effort expended and personnel lost
in organizing Twelfth AF and preparing for its move from UK to N
Africa has severely retarded organization of his HQ and staff.
11/02/42
USAFMEAF
British Eighth Army opens assault (SUPERCHARGE) W of Tell el-Eisa,
with 2d NZ Div in lead. B-25s bomb track extending S from Rahman as
British 9th Armd Brig establishes bridgeheads across the track. Other
B-25s attack tanks and other tgs in spt of the assault. P-40s fly
escort and strafing missions in battle area. B-17s bomb shipping and
jetties in Tobruk harbor.
11/02/42
Fifth AF
B-26s bomb Dili. B-17s attack shipping NE of Buna while B-25s
strike at convoy S of New Britain. In Owen Stanley Range, Australian
ground forces seize Kokoda with its A/F after long days of fighting.
This will greatly facilitate supply and reinforcement of troops in
this area as they push over the mountains toward Buna-Gona area.
11/03/42
USAFMEAF
B-25s bomb tanks, motor transports, landing ground, ammo dumps,
mainly in Rahman Track area and on road between Fuka and El Daba, and
also hit town of Fuka and Ghazal station. P-40s fly several escort
and FR missions, attacking round tgts in spt of British Eighth Army.
Allied aircraft fly more than 400 sorties against troops retreating
along coastal road. During 3/4 Nov, British and Indian troops
outflank and break enemy tank screen in sector S of Tell el Aqqaqir.
11/03/42
Fifth AF
B-26s bomb Dili. B-17s bomb A/F and wharf at Lae, and attack ship S
of Gasmata.
11/04/42
USAFMEAF
9 B-24s bomb Bengasi harbor, hitting 3 ships and claiming 1 enemy
ftr shot down. B-25s and P-40s attack motor transports and troops
retreating W from El Alamein battleline with British in pursuit. 10
Corps armor clashes with rear-guard S of Ghazal. Gen Andrews replaces
Gen Maxwell as CG USAFIME.
11/04/42
Fifth AF
B-17s and B-25s bomb town and harbor of Salamaua; A-20s hit troop
concentrations at Oivi, where Australian attack meets firm
resistance; and B-26s bomb Aileu. Transports fly most of the
remainder of 128th Inf, 32d Div, to Wanigela.
11/04/42
Eleventh AF
Bad weather at Umnak and Dutch Harbor and flooded field at Adak
preclude missions. New Adak runway permits an air alert.
11/05/42
USAFMEAF
Gen Montgomery announces victory of British Eighth Army in Egypt. 10
Corps, pushing rapidly W, overcomes rearguard action near Fuka. As FM
Rommel retreats W from El Alamein, P-40s bomb tgts on Fuka road and
patrol Sidi Hanaish area. B-25s also bomb motor transports.
11/05/42
Tenth AF
IATF HRs carry out raid on Rangoon."
11/05/42
Fifth AF
B-25s unsuccessfully attack schooner near Arawe.
11/05/42
Eleventh AF
Weather rcn is flown over Kiska and Little Kiska.
11/06/42
USAFMEAF
B-24s hit harbors of Tobruk and Bengasi, scoring hits on 2 vessels.
Heavy rains delay British pursuit of retreating enemy in Matruh area.
11/06/42
Fifth AF
A single B-25 attacks destroyer off S tip of New Ireland. No hits are
scored. Gen MacArthur arrives in Port Moresby, where AD VON of GHQ
opens to direct operation.
11/06/42
Eleventh AF
Weather airplane is forced back near Kiska.
11/07/42
Eighth AF
34 HBs attack U-boat pens at Brest."
11/07/42
Twelfth AF
Air movement of Twelfth AF from UK to N Africa begins. Other elements
of Twelfth moving from UK and US are aboard Allied ships approaching
Algerian and Moroccan coasts."
11/07/42
USAFMEAF
376th Bomb Gp begins move from Palestine to Egypt.
11/07/42
Fifth AF
A-20s bomb and strafe forces at Kakandeta in Owen Stanley Range.
B-25s attack shipping at Maklo I and seaplanes at Lasonga I.
11/07/42
Eleventh AF
6 B-24s and 2 B-26s attack submarine base in Kiska Harbor, lightly
damaging float ftrs and a seaplane beached by storm. A B-17 flies rcn
over A/F W of Holtz Bay, and bombs submarine base and a
previously-damaged freighter in Gertrude Cove.
11/08/42
Eighth AF
41 HBs bomb the Abbeville/Drucat A/F and the Atelier d'Hellemmes
locomotive works at Lille.
11/08/42
Twelfth AF
Invasion of N Africa (TORCH) begins. C-47s of 60th TC Gp attempting
to land troops at La Senia A/F find the French unexpectedly hostile
and have several aircraft shot down by ftrs and AA; several other
C-47s are damaged when trying to land on a dry lakebed of Sebkra
d'Oran. Spitfires of 31st Ftr Gp, flying from Gibraltar into
Tafaraoui A/F during afternoon of D-Day claim 3 hostile French ftrs
destroyed.
11/08/42
Fifth AF
A-20s hit forces in Oivi area in Owen Stanley Range as Australian
ground forces push over mts toward Gona-Buna area. Fifth AF
transports fly final elements of 128th Inf, 32d Div, from Port
Moresby to Wanigela. B-25s bomb radio station and A/F at Gasmata.
11/08/42
Eleventh AF
Intermittent air alert. Weather airplane returns due to icing.
11/09/42
Eighth AF
Gen Spaatz, in memo to Gen Eisenhower, agrees that any increase in
air commitments to N Africa must necessarily be made at expense of US
forces in UK as US forces in other theaters are considered
irreducible. VIII BC attacks U-boat base at Saint-Nazaire from
reduced altitude. 12 B-24s at 17,500 to 18,300 ft suffer little AA
damage, but 31 B-17s at 7,500 to 10,000 ft lose 3 of their number
and have 22 damaged by AA fire. This ends experiment with low-level
attacks of HBs against submarine bases."
11/09/42
Twelfth AF
Spitfires of 31st Ftr Gp attack and halt an armored column moving N
toward Tafaraoui, and also attack arty and AA batteries SE of
Tafaraoui and along coastal road. At 1605, Gen Doolittle arrive in
Algeria from Gibraltar by B-17, escorted by 12 Spitfires from 52d Ftr
Gp.
11/09/42
Tenth AF
IATF HBs raid Rangoon.
11/09/42
Fifth AF
A-20s hit troops at Oivi in spt of Australian offensive in Owen
Stanley Range. B-26s bomb Buna while B-25s score hit on merchant
vessel off S tip of New Ireland and attack schooner off Salamaua.
Airlift of elements of 126th Inf, US 32d Div, from Port Moresby to
forward areas begins. First elements are flown to Abel's Field and
moved overland to Pongani.
11/09/42
Eleventh AF
2 B-26s and 4 P-38s bomb a cargo ship in Gertrude Cove. No hits. 2
P-38s then strafe Kiska Harbor area. 1 B-17 and 4 P-38s attack
Holtz Bay and Attu A/F, destroying 8 float Zeros. 1 B-17 flies
weather rcn over Attu, Kiska, and Segula."
11/10/42
Twelfth AF
US Spitfires escort convoy, fly rcn, and attack tanks and other
vehicles in Oran area. 72 P-40s of 33d Ftr Gp, catapulted from US
carrier Chenango land in Port Lyautey area. French Adm Darlan
broadcasts orders for French forces in N Africa to cease resistance
against Allies.
11/10/42
USAFMEAF
B-24s hit Bengasi harbor. B-17s hit Candia harbor.
11/10/42
Fifth AF
B-26s bomb AA positions and supply dumps along Sanananda-Soputa
trail. A-20s hit positions at Soputa a Australian ground forces push
Japanese from Oivi toward mouth of the Kumusi.
11/10/42
Eleventh AF
Rcn is flown over Attu, Semichi, Segula, Alaid, and Kiska islands. 5
B-24s and 1 B-17 bomb Kiska, but they cannot bomb Kiska submarine
base and return with some bombs. 2 P-38s and 1 OA-10 fly local air
coverage.
11/11/42
Europe
German troops enter part of France previously unoccupied by Axis
forces.
11/11/42
Twelfth AF
Ftrs fly rcn over Oran-Tafaraoui area and escort C-47s carrying
paratroops from Gibraltar to Algiers. All French resistance against
Allies in NW Africa ceases in the early morning.
11/11/42
USAFMEAF
B-24s hit shipping N of Bengasi, claiming 4 direct hits and several
near misses on 1 vessel. P-40s fly sweep over Gambut area, claiming
3 Stukas destroyed. British Eighth Army drives last of enemy from
Egypt and crosses into Libya, taking Bardia without opposition.
11/11/42
Tenth AF
9 P-40s hit Shinghbwiyang, causing heavy damage.
11/11/42
Fifth AF
A-20s bomb and strafe tgts in Wairopi area. B-17s attack shipping
off S coast of Bougainville. HQ, 126th Inf, US 32d Div, is flown from
Port Moresby to Pongani. Col Paul B Wurtsmith becomes CO V FC.
11/11/42
SOPAC
Search aircraft from Guadalcanal report at least 61 Japanese ships in
Buin-Tonolai area. Other ships are massed at Rabaul.
11/11/42
Eleventh AF
3 B-26s, 3 B-17s, and 3 B-24s are over Kiska. The B-26s make
unsuccessful runs on ship in Gertrude Cove. The B-17s and B-24s
find submarine base closed by weather. Weather aircraft fly over Attu
and Amchitka.
11/12/42
Twelfth AF
Ftrs fly patrols over wide area around Oran and escort C-47s which
drop US paratroops at Duzerville A/F SE of Bone. Duzerville A/F is
bombed by Axis aircraft luring 12/13 Nov.
11/12/42
Ninth AF
USAMEAF is dissolved and replaced by Ninth AF, commanded by Gen
Brereton. Major components are: IX BC (Gen Timberlake), IX FC (Col
John C Kilborn), and IX ASC (Gen Adler). 79th Ftr gp begins arriving
in Egypt from US.
11/12/42
Fifth AF
B-17s bomb shipping at Tonolai harbor. 3d Bn of 126th Inf, US 32d
Div, is airlifted from Port Moresby to Pongani. The troops
immediately start overland toward Natunga. 2d Bn, flown in earlier,
reaches Bofu.
11/12/42
SOPAC
11 transports carrying 13,500 troops and supported by a force of
cruisers and 2 battleships (Kirishima and Hiei) leave Shortland Is
area and head for Guadalcanal. During the afternoon the rcn value and
defensive capability of the B-17 are ably demonstrated when a single
HB sights a carrier 350 mi off Guadalcanal and maintains contact for
2 hrs before returning to base with claims of 6 Zeros shot down.
Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (12-15 Nov) opens as Japanese aircraft
attack transports unloading troops in Lunga Roads. First 12 P-38s of
339th Ftr Sq, as well as Marine and Navy airplanes, are moved from
Tontouta and Espiritu Santo to Henderson Field to bolster defenses of
Guadalcanal.
11/12/42
Eleventh AF
Bmrs are on alert at Umnak and Adak to attack any reported naval
tgts. Intermittent ftr patrols fly over Adak.
11/12/42
ZI
AAF School of Applied Tactics is established at Orlando AAB.
11/13/42
Eighth AF
HQ VIII AF Comp Cmd moves from temporary station at Long Kesh to
Kirkassock House, N Ireland.
11/13/42
Ninth AF
98th Bomb Gp arrives in Egypt from Palestine. Tobruk falls to 10
Corps, British Eighth Army.
11/13/42
Twelfth AF
C-47s, with P-38 escort, fly AA guns and aviation gasoline to
Duzerville A/F. US Spitfires patrol Oran-Tafaraoui area.
11/13/42
Fifth AF
B-17s bomb shipping off Tonolai-Komaleai Pt and A/F at Kahili. A
B-17 strafes a schooner in Lorengau harbor on Manus I.
11/13/42
SOPAC
Air strength at Guadalcanal is raised by arrival of 3 B-26s of 69th
and 70th Bomb Sqs from New Hebrides as naval battle of Guadalcanal
continues. Japanese cruisers and destroyers bombard Henderson Field
during 13/14 Nov, and destroy one of the new P-38s.
11/13/42
Eleventh AF
Rcn over Attu and Agattu reveals 5 landing barges in Chichagof
harbor.
11/14/42
Eighth AF
24 HBs strike U-boat works at Saint-Nazaire.
11/14/42
Twelfth AF
US Spitfires fly routine patrols in Oran-Tafaraoui area and escort
C-53s carrying paratroops from Gibraltar to Algiers.
11/14/42
Ninth AF
79th Ftr Gp and HQ 19th Bomb Wg, now arriving from US, are assigned
to Ninth AF. 6 B-17s are dispatched to attack harbor at Bengasi, but
only 1 locates tgt and drops its bombs.
11/14/42
Fifth AF
1 B-25 bombs and strafes track N of Soputa. Fifth AF airplanes drop
bridging equipment at Wairopi on Kokoda trail where the Australian
25th Brig is crossing on improvised bridge. US and Australian forces
are consolidating at Natunga and in Oro Bay-Embogu-Embi areas. 2
B-17s attack transport in the Solomons.
11/14/42
SOPAC
Airplanes from the US carrier Enterprise are joined by landbased
Marine and AAF aircraft in driving off the force that bombarded
Henderson Field the previous night. In view of the pressing need for
aircraft in SOPAC, Adm Nimitz (CINCPOA) is given more freedom to
deploy his air weapons. He receives authority to distribute as he
sees fit all available air units assigned to S and C Pacific provided
he move units rather than individual airplanes and crews.
11/14/42
Eleventh AF
1 B-24 flies armed rcn over Kiska and Attu and bombs Holtz Bay and
Chichagof with negative results. Bmrs at Adak and Umnak are alerted
for shipping tgts.
11/15/42
Twelfth AF
C-47s fly airborne operation from Algiers to Youks-les-Bains. Escort
is provided at intervals by RAF Spitfires and Hurricanes. British
First Army ground forces reach Tunisia at Taberka. 15th Bomb Sq
flying DB-7s from UK, arrives at Oran.
11/15/42
Ninth AF
B-24s from 2 gps are sent to bomb Tripoli, but unfavorable weather
prevents them from reaching tgt. l gp bombs a motor convoy, as well
as A/F and crowded roads in Bengasi area. P-40s fly sweeps and FB
missions against retreating enemy W of Martuba. Martuba A/Fs are
captured by British 10 Corps and soon occupied by 57th Ftr Gp.
11/15/42
Fifth AF
A-20s strafe tgts near Gona while B-25s and B-26s pound AA
positions at Buna and Soputa as US-Australian ground forces prepare
to move against Buna-Gona beachhead. B-17s hit shipping at Rabaul.
11/15/42
SOPAC
Adm Lee's force of 2 battleships and 3 destroyers meets and turns
back a larger Japanese force sinking the battleship Kirishima and a
destroyer while losing a destroyer. This ends the Naval Battle of
Guadalcanal (12-15 Nov) which involved sqs of the 11th Bomb Gp, as
well as the 69th, 70th, and 72d Bomb Sqs, and the 39th and 339th Ftr
Sqs.
11/16/42
Twelfth AF
As British First Army continues into Tunisia, Twelfth AF C-47s drop
British paratroops at Souk el Arba. 6 B-17s, of the 97th Bomb Gp
based at Algiers, raid Sidi Ahmed A/F at Bizerte. Thus the 97th which
flew first US HB mission from the UK (on 17 Aug), becomes the first
Twelfth AF bomb gp to fly a combat mission in Africa.
11/16/42
Ninth AF
P-40s patrol over Germiston area."
11/16/42
Fifth AF
B-26s, B-25s, and A-20s pound areas around Buna, Gona, Soputa,
Sanananda, and Giruwa, hitting AA positions, buildings, barges, and
troop concentrations as US 32d and Australian 7th Divs move forward
against Buna-Gona beachhead.
11/16/42
Eleventh AF
Weather rcn flight is flown over Kiska and Attu. Demolition charges
are dropped on Holtz Bay, AA guns, and on Attu village. Results not
observed.
11/17/42
Eighth AF
35 HBs pound U-boat pens at Saint-Nazaire with 102 tons of bombs.
11/17/42
Twelfth AF
Air action is limited to routine patrols in Tafaraoui area.
11/17/42
Ninth AF
P-40s patrol over Tobruk and Derna road.
11/17/42
Fifth AF
B-26s hit Gona Mission as US 32d and Australian 7th Divs continue to
move toward Buna-Gona beachhead. B-25s bomb A/Fs at Lae and Gasmata.
A lone B-24 bombs wharf area at Rabaul.
11/17/42
Eleventh AF
Weather rcn aircraft is forced back by weather W of Kiska. Bmrs are
on alert to attack surface vessels.
11/18/42
Eighth AF
VIII BC conducts missions against 3 U-boat bases. 19 HBs attack at La
Pallice, 13 at Lorient-Keroman, and 19 at Saint-Nazaire.
11/18/42
Twelfth AF
P-38s of 14th Ftr Gp arrive from UK for HB escort duty. Several are
damaged in enemy air raid on Maison Blanche A/F.
11/18/42
Ninth AF
B-17s bomb M/Y and docks at Bengasi.
11/18/42
Fifth AF
B-25s bomb A/Fs at Lae and Salamaua. B-17s attack warships 50 mi SW
of Gasmata, 17 mi N of Buna, and between Gona and Cape Ward Hunt.
B-26s bomb and strafe area between Cape Endaiadere and Buna.
11/18/42
Eleventh AF
Armed rcn is flown over Kiska and Attu. No bombs are dropped.
11/19/42
Eighth AF
Submarine yards at Vegesack, Bremen, and Kiel are added to day
bombardment program as top priority objectives.
11/19/42
Twelfth AF
B-17s, escorted by P-38s, bomb El Aouina A/F.
11/19/42
Eleventh AF
Rcn aircraft over Attu and Agattu sights 2 unidentified float
monoplanes E of Buldir I.
11/20/42
Twelfth AF
During 20/21 Nov, enemy airplanes bomb harbor and Maison Blanche A/F
at Algiers, destroying several aircraft at the field.
11/20/42
Ninth AF
P-40s patrol over battle area near Bengasi, as that city falls to
British 10 Corps.
11/20/42
Tenth AF
8 HBs bomb M/Y at Mandalay as IATF B-24s, commanded by Col Conrad F
Necrason, intensify their campaign against Burma and Thailand.
11/20/42
Eleventh AF
Rcn aircraft over Kiska draws heavy AA from Gertrude Cove.
11/21/42
Twelfth AF
P-38s of 1st Gp arrive at Nouvion to replace 14th Gp in escorting
B-17s. B-17s hit El Aouina A/F. During 21/22 Nov enemy airplanes
again hit Algiers, damaging several aircraft and destroying a B-17.
11/21/42
Ninth AF
B-24s flying out of Gambut bomb Tripoli harbor, scoring direct hit
on warehouse. RAF HBs follow US raids with staggered attacks during
21/22 Nov. P-40s patrol battle area S of Bengasi.
11/21/42
Fifth AF
A-20s and B-25s pound A/F, AA positions, and bridge at Buna and hit
village of Sanananda in spt of Allied ground forces. Australian-US
force is advancing from Soputa toward Sanananda. US forces driving on
Buna are halted by strong bunker positions at The Triangle here
trails to Buna mission and Buna village meet.
11/21/42
Eleventh AF
Rcn is flown over Kiska, Attu, and Agattu islands.
11/22/42
USSR
Soviet Army opens offensive at Stalingrad.
11/22/42
Eighth AF
11 HBs attack Lorient-Keroma 17 U-boat base.
11/22/42
Twelfth AF
US HBs based at Algiers move back to Tafaraoui because of enemy
bombing raids on Maison Blanche A/F. P-38s of 14th Gp move into
Youks-les-Bains A/F.
11/22/42
Ninth AF
P-40s patrol over Derna area.
11/22/42
Tenth AF
6 HBs inflict heavy damage on railroad center at Mandalay.
11/22/42
Fifth AF
A-20s pound trails around Sanananda while B-26s hit Buna area.
B-17s and B-25s hit A/F at Lae and barges between Lae and Salamaua,
and attack warships 68 mi SW of Arawe and elsewhere in the Solomon
Sea.
11/22/42
SOPAC
The critical lack of aircraft repair and maintenance facilities is
alleviated somewhat by the arrival of the 13th Air Depot and the 6th
and 29th Serv Gps. The units are based on New Caledonia and Espiritu
Santo.
11/22/42
Eleventh AF
1 B-24 flies rcn over Kiska, Attu, and Agattu. Bmrs and ftrs are
alerted for 23 Nov mission to find and destroy a reported 5-vessel
convoy.
11/23/42
Eighth AF
36 HBs hit Saint-Nazaire submarine base for the fifth time in 2
weeks. Cumulative effect of operation on the base is large though the
sub shelter shows little permanent damage. HB crews report change in
ftr tactics from rear to head-on attack as they learn that the B-17
and B-24 are weak in forward firepower. Sir Pound, First Lord of the
Admiralty, writes to Gen Eaker praising the effects of US bmr attacks
on disorganizing the servicing schedule of the German U-boat bases on
the French W coast."
11/23/42
Twelfth AF
Main HQ Twelfth AF is moved from Gibraltar to Algiers. B-17s, with
P-38 escort, sent to bomb A/F at Elmas abort due to bad weather.
11/23/42
Tenth AF
9 B-25s and 7 P-40s of CATF feint at Hong Kong, then fly to Gulf of
Tonkin and sink a freighter and damage 2 others near Haiphong. 6
B-25s and 17 P-40s pound Tien Ho A/F claiming more than 40 aircraft
destroyed on the field. These strikes follow 3 weeks of missions in
spt of Chinese forces along the Siang-Chiang R.
11/23/42
Fifth AF
A-20s and B-26s pound Sanananda Pt E as Australian forces begin
assault on Gona and US forces approach Sanananda.
11/23/42
Eleventh AF
Rcn is flown over Kiska, Attu, Agattu, and Amchitka.
11/24/42
Twelfth AF
B-17s, with P-38 escort, are dispatched against Bizerte harbor but
must abort because of bad weather. Ftrs patrol Oran-Nouvion Tafaraoui
area, fly sea patrol off Oran, and destroy several aircraft and
attack ground tgts in vicinity of Gabes.
11/24/42
Ninth AF
P-40s patrol over Bengasi and Derna areas.
11/24/42
Fifth AF
A-20s, B-25s, B-26s, B-17s, P-40s, P-39s, and P-400s hit
Sanananda Pt, Buna area, Sanananda-Soputa trail S of Sanananda, and
area between Cape Killerton and Sanananda Pt as Allied forces launch
ground assault on The Triangle. The attack is repelled by fierce
resistance. B-17s also bomb 2 destroyers and a light cruiser off New
Guinea between Lae and Finschhafen.
11/24/42
SOPAC
Search airplanes over Buin area report large number of destroyers and
cargo vessels in the harbor. By this date elements of American Div
have pushed along N coast of Guadalcanal to a position S of Pt Cruz
where they wait until a general offensive can be prepared following
the arrival of reinforcements. Throughout these operations P-39s
have continually hit ground positions and troops all along the coast,
flying as many as 11 strikes on some days.
11/24/42
Eleventh AF
1 B-24 flies rcn over Kiska. Weather precludes westward continuation
of rcn. A scheduled mission of 8 B-24s and 4 B-26s to Kiska is
called off due to icing conditions.
11/25/42
Twelfth AF
Spitfires and P-38s fly widespread rcn missions over coastal
Algeria.
11/25/42
Ninth AF
Air echelon of 316th TC Gp (except for 1 sq which arrives 10 days
later) arrives in Egypt, and begins operations almost immediately.
This does much to relieve the transport situation in the Eastern
Desert. P-40s escort minesweepers in vicinity of Bengasi harbor. RAF
raids Tripoli harbor during 25/26 Nov.
11/25/42
Tenth AF
B-25s and P-40s cripple 3 freighters on Pearl R near Canton.
11/25/42
Fifth AF
P-38s hit A/F at Lae. A lone B-25 scores hit on cruiser off Tami I.
11/25/42
Eleventh AF
Rcn is flown over Kiska, Attu and the Semichis.
11/26/42
Ninth AF
B-24s fly 3 missions against Tripoli, scoring direct hits on 2
vessels. 1 HB bombs ship at Homs harbor. P-40s patrol over Bengasi
and Derna area.
11/26/42
Fifth AF
US and Australian ground forces carry out limited attacks on Buna
front, making little progress. In an effort to break Japanese air
superiority over Buna, Fifth AF P-40s, A-20s, and B-25s pound A/F
and AA positions in the area B-26s strike Salamaua area.
11/26/42
Eleventh AF
A B-24 reconnoitering Holtz Bay harbor spots shipping tgts which are
subsequently hit by 4 B-26s escorted by 4 P-38s. 1 large vessel is
claimed afire and sinking. Rcn is flown over Rat I, Kiska shipping,
Agattu, Semichi and N coast of Attu. 2 P-38s and 1 B-26 sustain
minor damage.
11/27/42
France
Adm de Laborde orders French fleet at Toulon scuttled to prevent it
from falling into German hands.
11/27/42
Ninth AF
B-17s bomb Portolago Bay, hitting 2 vessels.
11/27/42
Tenth AF
10 B-25s and more than 20 P-40s, the largest CATF effort in China
to date, hit shipping and harbor installations at Hong Kong, firing
warehouses and claiming 2 freighters and numerous barges sunk. A
large force of ftrs intercept during the return trip but are driven
of by the escort. The P-40s and B-25s claim several airplanes shot
down.
11/27/42
Fifth AF
B-26s pound Buna area, hitting buildings, A/F, and other tgts, as
Allied ground forces prepare to renew attacks in the Buna-Gona area.
11/27/42
Eleventh AF
Photo rcn covers Kiska, Amchitka and Attu. Ship attacked in Holtz Bay
on previous day is observed lower in water and still burning.
11/28/42
Twelfth AF
35 B-17s of the 97th Gp and newly-arrived 301st Gp bomb Bizerte A/F
and dock area. Because of mud, no P-38 escort is provided. 2 HBs are
lost to ftr attacks. B-26s of newly-arrived 319th Gp bomb oil tanks,
warehouses, and rail yards at Sfax, marking debut of Twelfth AF Mns
in NW Africa.
11/28/42
Fifth AF
B-26s bomb A/Fs at Lae and Buna. Elements of 126th Inf, US 32d l)iv
arrive on Sanananda front from Wairopi.
11/28/42
Eleventh AF
A B-24 photographs beached freighter at Holtz Bay drawing no AA fire
during 10 runs over Bay, and flies rcn over Kiska.
11/29/42
Twelfth AF
British First Army, after taking Tebourba on 27 Nov, is stalled It
Djedeida. In an effort to rejuvenate the drive on Tunis, elements of
British 1st Parachute Brig are dropped at Depienne by Twelfth AF
C-47s, but the objective of capturing Oudna A/F and threatening
Tunis (10 mi to the N) fails because of overwhelming def of the A/F.
Over 300 casualties are suffered by the paratroops. P-38s and DB-7s
attack Gabes A/F while other US ftrs operate with RAF out of Bone,
furnishing air cover for ground units in battle area.
11/29/42
Ninth AF
B-24s bomb Tripoli harbor at dusk, hitting docks, warehouses, 2
vessels, and silencing an AA battery."
11/29/42
Tenth AF
B-25s bomb Hongay and Campho on Indochina coast.
11/29/42
Fifth AF
B-17s, P-40s, and A-20s pound Gona area while B-25s and a single
A-20 bomb A/F at Lae. B-17s intercept force of 4 troop-carrying
destroyers proceeding through Vitiaz Strait without air cover. The
HBs damage 2 vessels and cause the others to turn back, thus
preventing reinforcement of Gona with fresh troops from Rabaul.
11/29/42
Eleventh AF
A B-24 over Holtz Bay reports vessel bombed and damaged on 26 Nov as
still sinking. 1 B-26 flies uneventful rcn over S shore of Kiska.
11/30/42
Eighth AF
In a meeting at the Air Ministry a joint decision is made on
allocation of responsibility, with RAF to provide aerial def of
sectors in which US A/Fs are located while VIII FC operates
principally as escort for bmr strikes against Continent."
11/30/42
Twelfth AF
B-17s bomb N quay at Bizerte; B-26s hit A/F and rail road at Gabes;
DB-7s attack bridge and railway station at Djedeida. P-38s escort
all 3 missions. Other P-38s strafe Gabes A/F, fly rcn, and shoot
down an Me-109 in aerial battle near Tunis. Elements of British First
Army remain hard pressed at Djedeida.
11/30/42
Tenth AF
IATF HBs attack shipping at Port Blair in the Andaman Is, claiming
damage to one vessel by near misses. This strike begins a series of
raids on this water approach to Burma.
11/30/42
Fifth AF
B-25s and B-26s pound A/F, AA positions, and defenses in Buna area.
3 attempts by Allied ground forces to take Buna fail. US forces
establish a block behind enemy forces on Soputa-Sanananda trail but
frontal and flanking assaults make little head-way.
11/30/42
SOPAC
Battle of Tassafaronga. USN turns back Japanese effort to land troops
in Tassafaronga area of Guadalcanal during 30 Nov/1 Dec.
11/30/42
Eleventh AF
Fog prevents rcn over Kiska, while a B-24 on rcn is turned back at
Buldir.
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