SUNDAY, 1 NOVEMBER 1942
INDIA AIR TASK FORCE (IATF): During Nov 42, the 9th Photographic Reconnaissance
Squadron, Tenth Air Force, based at Karachi, India, with F-4s, sends a flight
to operate from Kunming, China until July 1943 (first mission is 1 Dec).
(POA, Seventh Air Force): HQ 307th Bombardment Group arrives at Hickam
Field, Hawaii from the US.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): The 431st Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy), 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Viti Levu, Fiji , to Espiritu
Santo with B-17s. During Nov, the 98th Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy), 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based on Espiritu
Santo, begins operating from Guadalcanal , Solomon with B-17s.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s bomb the airfield and
dump area at Lae. B-17s strike shipping in the Buin-Faisi, Shortland-Tonolai. Kahili Airfield is also attacked.
Lost is B-17E 41-2635. Force landed at 7-Mile Drome is A-20A "Little Hellion" 40-166. A detachment of the 33d Troop Carrier Squadron, 315th Troop Carrier Group, begins
operating from Cairns, Queensland,
Australia with C-47s (squadron is enroute to Australia from the US).
MONDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 1942
(POA, Seventh Air Force): The 370th, 371st, 372d and 424th Bombardment Squadrons
(Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrive at Kipapa Field, Wheeler Field,
Kahuku and Dillingham Field, Hawaii respectively from the US with B-24s (sea-search
missions are flown in Nov-Dec).
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): The 68th Fighter Squadron,
347th Fighter Group, arrives on New Caledonia from Tongatabu,
Tonga with P-40s (first mission
is 12 Nov).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-26s bomb Dili. B-17s attack shipping NE of Buna,
New Guinea while B-25s strike at a convoy S of New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago.
In New Guinea, Australian ground forces seize Kokoda in the Owen Stanley Range
with its airfield after long days of fighting; this will greatly facilitate
supply and reinforcement of troops in this area as they push over the mountains
toward the Buna-Gona area.
TUESDAY, 3 NOVEMBER 1942
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-26s bomb Dili. B-17s
bomb the airfield and wharf at Lae, and attack a ship S of Gasmata.
WEDNESDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians bad weather at Umnak and Dutch
Harbor on Unalaska and a flooded field at Adak preclude
missions; a new Adak runway permits
an air alert.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-26s bomb Aileu on Timor.
In New Guinea, B-17s and B-25s bomb the town and harbor of Salamaua; A-20s hit
troop concentrations at Oivi, where an Australian attack meets firm resistance;
transports fly most of the remainder of the 128th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry
Division, to Wanigela. HQ 90th Bombardment Group and the 319th, 320th,
321st and 400th Bombardment Squadrons arrive at Iron Range, Queensland,
Australia from Hawaii with B-24s (first mission is 13 Nov). Lost on a ferry flight is P-38F piloted by Porter and P-38F 42-12649.
THURSDAY, 5 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians weather reconnaissance is flown
over Kiska and Little Kiska
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s unsuccessfully attack
a schooner near Arawe. Lost is C-47 "The Broadway Limited" Serial Number 41-38615.
FRIDAY, 6 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A weather aircraft is forced back near Kiska . ASW OPERATIONS (AAF Antisubmarine Command): The 519th Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy), 337th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), moves from Naval Auxiliary Airfield
Hyannis to Otis Field, Falmouth, Massachusetts with B-25s and continues flying
ASW patrols.
(Tenth Air Force): INDIA AIR TASK FORCE (IATF): In India, the 25th Fighter
Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, based at Karachi, sends a detachment to operate
from Sadiya with P-40s.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A single B-25 attacks a destroyer
off the S tip of New Ireland , Bismarck Archipelago; no hits are scored. General
Douglas MacArthur arrives in Point Moresby, New Guinea, where the Advanced Echelon
of GHQ opens to direct operations. Force landed is DC-5 Tail Code VH-CXB near Charleville
SATURDAY, 7 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians, 6 B-24s and 2 B-26s attack
the submarine base in Kiska Harbor, slightly damaging float fighters and a seaplane beached by storm; a
B-17 flies reconnaissance over the airfield W of Holtz Bay and bombs the submarine base and a previously-damaged freighter in Gertrude
Cove on Kiska
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s bomb and
strafe forces at Kakandeta in the Owen Stanley Range; B-25s attack seaplanes
at Lasonga and shipping at Maklo in the Bismarck Archipelago. The 65th Bombardment
Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Iron Range to Mareeba with B-17s (first mission is 12 Nov).
SUNDAY, 8 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians , there is an intermittent air
alert; the weather aircraft returns due to icing.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-25s bomb the radio station
and airfield on Gasmata. A-20s hit forces in the Oivi area in
the Owen Stanley Range as Australian ground forces push over the mountains toward
the Gona-Buna area; Fifth AF transports fly the final elements of the 128th Infantry Regiment,
32d Infantry Division, from Port Moresby to Wanigela; the 80th Fighter Squadron,
8th Fighter Group, moves from Port Moresby to Milne Bay with P-39s and P-400s.
The 64th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves
from Iron Range to Mareeba with B-17s.
MONDAY, 9 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians , 2 B-26s and 4 P-38s bomb a
cargo ship in Gertrude Cove, Kiska ; no hits; 2 P-38s then strafe the harbor area on Kiska ; 1 B-17 and 4 P-38s attack Holtz Bay, Attu and Attu Airfield, destroying
8 float Zekes; 1 B-17 flies weather reconnaissance over Attu, Kiska, and Segula.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, A-20s hit troops
at Oivi in support of an Australian offensive in the Owen Stanley Range; B-26s
bomb Buna while B-25s score hit
on a merchant vessel off the S tip of New Ireland and attack a schooner off
Salamaua; airlift of elements of the 126th Infantry Regiment, US 32d Infantry Division, from Port Moresby to forward
areas begins; the first elements are flown to Abel's Field and moved overland
to Pongani.
USMC Lost on a flight from Espiritu Santo is R4D 4696.
TUESDAY, 10 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians , reconnaissance is flown over Attu, Semichi, Segula, Alaid,
and Kiska ; 5 B-24s and 1 B-17
bomb Kiska , but they cannot
bomb the Kiska submarine base
and return with some bombs; 2 P-38s and 1 OA-10 fly local air coverage.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-26s bomb AA
positions and supply dumps along the Sanananda-Soputa trail; A-20s hit positions
at Soputa as Australian ground forces push the Japanese from Oivi toward the
mouth of the Kumusi River. The 30th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment
Group (Heavy), begins a movement from Mareeba to the US (the squadron
will convert to B-29s and return to the Pacific in Jan 45). Lost is C-47 "Flying Dutchman" 41-18564 returning to Port Moresby.
WEDNESDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians , 3 B-26s, 3 B-17s, and 3 B-24s
are over Kiska ; the
B-26s make unsuccessful runs on a ship in Gertrude Cove; the B-17s and B-24s
find the submarine base closed by weather. A weather aircraft flies over Attu and Amchitka.
(CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force): INDIA AIR TASK FORCE (IATF):
9 P-40s hit Shinghbwiyang, Burma, causing heavy damage.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): Search aircraft from Guadalcanal report at least 61 Japanese ships in the Buin-Tonolai area;
other ships are massed at Rabaul.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-17s attack shipping off
the S coast of Bougainville, including B-17F 41-24528. A-20s bomb and strafe targets in
the Wairopi area; HQ, 126th Infantry Regiment, US 32d Infantry Division, is
flown from Port Moresby to Pongani. HQ V Fighter Command arrives in Australia
from the US; Brigadier General Paul B Wurtsmith is named Commanding General.
THURSDAY, 12 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Bombers are on alert at Umnak and Adak to attack any reported
naval targets; intermittent fighter patrols fly over Adak. The 344th Fighter Squadron, 343d Fighter Group, based at Elmendorf Field sends a detachment to Cold Bay with P-40s.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-17s bomb shipping at Tonolai
Harbor. The 3d Battalion of the 126th Infantry
Regiment, US 32d Infantry Division, is airlifted from Port Moresby to Pongani;
the troops immediately start overland toward Natunga; the 2d Battalion, flown
in earlier, reaches Bofu. HQ 374th Troop Carrier Group is activated at Brisbane,
Australia.
Guadalcanal - Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (12-15 Nov) begins as Japanese aricraft
attack U.S. transports Guadalcanal.
FRIDAY, 13 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians , reconnaissance over Attu and AgAttu reveals 5 landing
barges in Chichagof harbor on Attu .
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): Air strength on Guadalcanal is raised by the arrival of 3 B-26s of the 69th and 70th Bombardment Squadrons
(Medium), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium), from New Hebrides as the naval battle
of Guadalcanal continues.
Guadalacanal - Japanese cruisers and destroyers bombard Henderson Field on Guadalcanal during the night of 13/14 Nov, and destroy one of the new P-38s. They engage
RAdm Callaghan's task group of cruisers and destroyers, U.S. force are heavily
damaged. The USS Juneau is sunk off the coast of Guadalcanal, killing the majority
of her crew, including the five Sullivan brothers. Japanese ships retire
to
the north after the bombardment.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-17s bomb
shipping off Tonolai-Komaleai Point and the airfield at Kahili. A B-17 strafes
a schooner in Lorengau Harbor.
SATURDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians , 1 B-24 flies armed reconnaissance
over Kiska and Attu and bombs Holtz Bay and Chichagof on Attu with negative results; bombers at Adak and Umnak are alerted for shipping targets.
(CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force): INDIA AIR TASK FORCE (IATF):
In India, the following squadrons of the 7th Bombardment Group begin
operating or move to Gaya with B-24s: - 9th Bombardment Squadron based
at Karachi, begins operating from Gaya with B-24s - 436th Bombardment Squadron
moves from Ambon Lahabad
to Gaya - 492d Bombardment Squadron moves from Karachi to Gaya
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): Aircraft from the US aircraft
carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) are joined by landbased US Marine Corps and AAF
aircraft in driving off the force that bombarded Henderson Field on Guadalcanal the previous night. In view of the pressing need for aircraft in the SOPAC,
Admiral Chester W Nimitz [Commander-in-Chief SOPAC (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 the S and C Pacific provided he
move units rather than individual aircraft and crews.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 1 B-25 bombs
and strafes the track N of Soputa; Aircraft drop bridging equipment
at Wairopi on the Kokoda trail where the Australian 25 Brigade is crossing
on improvised bridge; US and Australian forces are consolidating at Natunga
and
in the Oro Bay-Embogu-Embi areas. 2 B-17s attack transport in the Solomons.
SUNDAY, 15 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): The 21st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment
Group (under control of the 28th Composite Group), ceases operating
from Adak and returns to base
on Umnak with B-24s. The 406th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 41st Bombardment
Group (Medium) (attached to 28th Composite Group), arrives at Elmendorf Field from the US with A-29s and B-18s (the squadron has been operating
from Alaska since June 42).
Guadalcanal - Rear Admiral Willis A Lee's force of 2 battleships [USS Washington
(BB-56) and USS South Dakota (BB-57)] 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 squadrons of the 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), as well as the 69th
and 70th Bombardment Squadrons (Medium), 72d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), and
the 39th and 339th Fighter Squadrons. The Japanese beach several transports landing supplies, including: Kinugawa Maru, Hirokawa Maru, Yamazuki Maru, Yamaura Maru,
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s strafe
targets near Gona while B-25s
and B-26s pound AA positions at Buna and Soputa as US and Australian ground forces prepare to move against the Buna-Gona beachhead. B-17s hit shipping at Rabaul. Force landing on the return is B-24D-1 "The Condor" 41-23718. The 435th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group
(Heavy), begins a movement from Townsville to the US (the squadron
will re-equip with B-29s and return to the Pacific in Aug 1945).
MONDAY, 16 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians , a weather reconnaissance flight
is flown over Kiska and Attu. On Attu demolition charges
are dropped on Holtz Bay, AA guns, and on a village; results are not observed.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-26s, B-25s,
and A-20s pound the areas around Buna, Gona, Soputa, Sanananda, and Giruwa,
hitting AA positions, buildings, barges, and troop concentrations. Lost on a ferry flight is A-20A 40-155. Lost on a bombing mission to Rabaul is B-24D "Punjab" 41-11902.
New Guinea - Australian 7 Division and US 32d Infantry Division move forward
against the Buna-Gona beachhead.
TUESDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians , weather a reconnaissance aircraft
is forced back by weather W of Kiska ; bombers are on alert to attack surface vessels.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-26s hit Gona Mission as the US 32d Infantry and Australian 7 Divisions continue to move toward
the Buna-Gona beachhead. B-25s bomb airfields at Lae and Gasmata. A lone B-24 bombs the wharf area at Rabaul. Lost are P-40E 41-36166 and P-40E 41-24821.
WEDNESDAY, 18 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians , armed reconnaissance is flown
over Kiska and Attu ; no bombs are dropped.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-25s bomb the
airfields at Lae and Salamaua; B-17s
attack warships 50 miles (80 km) SW of Gasmata located off the S coast of New
Britain , 17 miles (27 km) N of Buna,
and between Gona and Cape Ward Hunt;
B-26s bomb and strafe the area between Cape Endaiadere and Buna.
The 28th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), begins
a movement from Mareeba to the US (squadron will return to Guam in
Jan 45 with B-29s).
USA: Missing on a training fight is AT-7 Navigator piloted by Gamber.
THURSDAY, 19 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians, reconnaissance aircraft over Attu and AgAttu sights 2 unidentified float monoplanes E of Buldir.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): The 12th Fighter Squadron,
15th Fighter Group, moves from Christmas in the Line to Efate in the New Hebrides
with P-39s.
FRIDAY, 20 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A reconnaissance aircraft over Kiska draws heavy AA from Gertrude Cove.
(CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force): INDIA AIR TASK FORCE (IATF):
8 B-24s bomb the marshalling yard at Mandalay, Burma as IATF bombers, commanded
by Colonel Conrad F Necrason, intensify their campaign against Burma and Thailand.
SATURDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians , reconnaissance is flown over Kiska, Attu,
and Agattu.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s and B-25s
pound the airfield, AA positions, and bridge at Buna and hit the village of Sanananda in support of Allied ground forces; the Australian-US
force is advancing from Soputa toward Sanananda; US forces driving on Buna are halted by strong bunker positions at The Triangle where trails to Buna mission and Buna village meet. Force landed is A-20A "Old Man Mose" 40-101 and P-40E 41-5607.
SUNDAY, 22 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians , a B-24 flies reconnaissance
over Kiska, Attu,
and Agattu; bombers and fighters
are alerted for a 23 Nov mission to find and destroy a reported 5-vessel convoy.
(CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force): INDIA AIR TASK FORCE (IATF):
6 B-24s inflict heavy damage on the railroad center at Mandalay, Burma.
(POA, Seventh Air Force): 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 Service Groups; the units are based on New Caledonia and Espiritu
Santo .
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): HQ 4th Photographic Group
arrives on New Caledonia from the US.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s pound
trails around Sanananda while B-26s hit the Buna area; B-17s and B-25s hit the airfield at Lae and barges between Lae and Salamaua,
and attack warships 68 miles (109 km) SW of Arawe, New Britain and elsewhere
in the Solomon Sea.
MONDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians , reconnaissance is flown over Kiska, Attu, Agattu, and Amchitka.
(CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force): CHINA AIR TASK FORCE (CATF):
9 B-25s and 7 P-40s feint at Hong Kong, then fly to the Gulf of Tonkin and sink
a freighter and damage 2 others near Haiphong, French Indochina. 6 B-25s and
17 P-40s pound Tien Ho Airfield at Canton claiming 40+ aircraft destroyed on the field; these strikes follow 3 weeks of missions in
support of Chinese forces along the Siang-Chiang River.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s and B-26s
pound Sanananda Point E as Australian forces begin their assault on Gona and US forces approach Sanananda; the 403d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d
Bombardment Group (Heavy), moves from Iron Range to Turnbull Airfield.
TUESDAY, 24 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians , 1 B-24 flies reconnaissance
over Kiska; weather precludes
the westward continuation of reconnaissance; a scheduled mission of 8 B-24s
and 4 B-26s to Kiska is called
off due to icing conditions.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): Search aircraft over the
Buin, Bougainville
area report a large number of destroyers and cargo vessels in the harbor. By
this date elements of the Americal Division have pushed along the N coast of Guadalcanal to a position
S of Point 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.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s, B-25s,
B-26s, B-17s, P-40s, P-39s, and P-400s hit Sanananda
Point, and the Buna area, the Sanananda-Soputa
trail S of Sanananda, and
the area between Cape Killerton and Sanananda
Point as
Allied forces launch a ground assault on The Triangle; the attack is repelled
by fierce resistance; B-17s bomb destroyers and a light cruiser between Lae and Finschhafen. Bombed is Hayashio that was later scuttled.
RAAF: Force landed at Myola Lake is Ford 5-AT-C A45-1.
WEDNESDAY, 25 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians, reconnaissance is flown over Kiska, Attu and the Semichi.
CHINA AIR TASK FORCE (CATF): B-25s and P-40s cripple 3 freighters on Pearl
River near Canton, China.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, P-38s hit the
airfield at Lae; a B-25 scores
a hit on a cruiser off Tami.
THURSDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): In the Aleutians , a B-24 reconnoitering Holtz
Bay harbor on Attu spots
shipping targets which are subsequently hit by 4 B-26s escorted by 4 P-38s;
1 large vessel is claimed afire and sinking; reconnaissance is flown over
Rat , Kiska shipping, Agattu and Semichi
and the N coast of Attu ;
2 P-38s and 1 B-26 sustain minor damage.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): US and Australian
ground forces carry out limited attacks on the Buna front, making little progress; in an effort to break Japanese air superiority
over Buna, P-40s, A-20s, and B-25s
pound airfields and AA positions in the area; B-26s strike the Salamaua area. Lost is C-47 "Swamp Rat" 41-38601 and C-47 41-38631.
IJN: Japanese fighters and bombers of the 582 Kokutai took off from Lae Airfield and attacked the Buna area of ground combat area. They claimed two Douglas transports destroyed: C-47 "Swamp Rat" 41-38601 and C-47 41-38631. Also two C-47s were damaged as well as damage to ground targets and a transport ship, lugger Helen Dawn that had run aground and was strafed and destroyed. There was also air combat with P-40s of the 8th FS.
A Japanese radio message states 10 Zeros and 7 Val dive bombers were available at Lae. Various Allied reports place the number of attacking Japanese aircraft at 15, 13, 11 or 8 at various points during the attacks. In addition the Japanese hit US (3Bn/128th Inf) and Australian positions (inc a field hosp). Aussies suffered 22 killed (inc 2 MDs) and about 50 wounded, US lost 6 killed. References: Japanese monograph on naval SE Area air ops via Richard Dunn.
Field Guide to the Kokoda Track lists the following:
"Some low reconnaissance flights were immediately followed up by a raid by 13 Zeros that bombed both Soputa and a nearby American Clearing Hospital. Six Americans were killed, but worse was in store for the Australians. At the MDS, sited in a clearing by the roadside and practically devoid of cover, 22 Australians were killed and approximately another 50 patients, field ambulance personnel and visitors were wounded. Among those lost were two well-beloved Australian medical officers, Majors Ian Vickery and Hew McDonald of the 2/4th Field Ambulance, both of whom had done outstanding work during the campaign over the ranges."
The same book goes on to list the following 10 AA Medical Corps members killed in the attack:
27-NOV-1942:
Pte George E Antees, NX71582 (KIA)
Sig Dean B George, NX46705 (KIA)
Pte Keith A Kuch, VX29147 (KIA)
Pte Keith A Lawler, TX3638 (KIA)
T/Maj Hew F McDonald, VX14704 (KIA)
L/Cpl Arthur M Moodie, NX25177 (KIA)
Pte Edmund Schubert, NX52126 (KIA)
Spr Horace W Thomas, NX53514 (KIA)
Maj Ian F Vickery, NX473 (KIA)
Pte Gordon L Pugh, NX67499 (DOW 31-DEC-1942)
ABMC for those listed as KIA with the 128th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Infantry Division on 26/27-NOV-1942 and have come up with the following five names. Note that there were other personnel, serving with other parts of the 32nd Inf Div also killed on these dates, so these are not confirmed to have been KIA in the air raid...
26-NOV-1942:
Pvt Howard Adams, 37067179 (KIA - Buried Manila)
PFC Ralph Carpinelli, 36111734 (KIA - Buried Manila)
Sgt Walter J Zimmerman, 20650622 (KIA - Buried Manila)
27-NOV-1942:
Pvt Joseph A Jack, 36206332 (KIA - Buried Manila)
PFC Daniel H Phetteplace, 20650474 (KIA - Buried Manila)
Thanks to Daniel Leahy for additional information.
RAAF - Lost over Buna is DB-7 Boston A28-22.
FRIDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Photo reconnaissance covers Kiska,
Amchitka and Attu ; a ship attacked
in Holtz Bay on Attu on the previous
day is observed lower in water and still burning.
CHINA AIR TASK FORCE (CATF): 10 B-25s and 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 fighters intercept during the return trip but are driven off by the escort;
the P-40s and B-25s claim several airplanes
shot down.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-26s pound
the Buna area, hitting buildings,
the airfield, and other targets, as Allied ground forces prepare to renew attacks
in the Buna-Gona area.
SATURDAY, 28 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A B-24 photographs a beached freighter at Holtz
Bay, Attu drawing no AA fire
during 10 runs over the bay, and flies reconnaissance over Kiska. Lost on a ferry flight from Alaska to Washington is P-38E 41-2276.
(CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force): CHINA AIR TASK FORCE (CATF):
In China, the detachment of the 11th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 341st Bombardment
Group (Medium), operating from Nanning with B-25s, returns to base at Kunming
(another detachment is operating from Karachi, India).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-26s bomb the
airfields at Lae and Buna;
elements of the 126th Infantry Regiment, US 32d Infantry Division arrive on
the Sanananda front from Wairopi.
SUNDAY, 29 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A B-24 over Holtz Bay, Attu reports the vessel bombed and damaged on 26 Nov as still sinking; 1 B-26 flies
an uneventful reconnaissance over the S shore of Kiska.
(Tenth Air Force): CHINA AIR TASK FORCE (CATF): B-25s bomb Hongay and Campho
on the French Indochina coast. The 16th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group
(attached to 23d Fighter Group), moves from Kweilin to Chenyi, China with P-40s.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): A detachment of the 33d
Troop Carrier Squadron, 374th Troop Carrier Group, ceases operating from New
Caledonia (another detachment is operating from Cairns,
Australia; the squadron is enroute from the US to Australia).
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-17s, P-40s,
and A-20s pound the Gona area
while B-25s and a single A-20 bomb the airfield at Lae;
B-17s intercept a force of 4 troop carrying destroyers proceeding through
Vitiaz Strait between New Britain and New Guinea without air cover; the B-17s
damage 2 vessels and cause the others to turn back, thus preventing reinforcement
of Gona with fresh troops from Rabaul on New Britain.
RAAF: Exploded mid-air over Gona is DB-7 Boston A28-20.
MONDAY, 30 NOVEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A B-24 flies reconnaissance over Semichi and Attu ; other flights are prevented by weather.
(Tenth Air Force) INDIA AIR TASK FORCE: B-24s attack shipping at Port Blair
in the Andaman , claiming damage to 1 vessel by near misses; this strike begins
a series of raids on this water approach to Burma. The 9th Photographic Reconnaissance
Squadron, Tenth AF, moves from Karachi to Chakulia, India with F-4s (a flight
is operating from Kunming, China).
(POA, Seventh Air Force): SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff):
In the Battle of Tassafaronga, the US Navy turns back a Japanese effort "Tokyo
Express" to land troops in the Tassafaronga area of Guadalcanal during the night of 30 Nov/1 Dec. An average of 1,000 soldiers are transported
per night. The 31st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy),
arrives on Espiritu Santo from Hawaii with B-17s.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, B-25s and B-26s
pound the airfield, AA positions, and defenses in the Buna area; 3 attempts by Allied ground forces to take Buna fail; US forces establish a block behind enemy forces on the Soputa-Sanananda trail but frontal and flanking assaults make little headway. Lost in a dogfight over Dobodura is P-40E piloted by Voorhees.
