October 18, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 18 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Four B-24s bomb Main Camp on Kiska and score near misses on Nozama Maru beached Trout Lagoon, and hit a gasoline storage area. Weather aircraft fly reconnaissance missions over Attu, Segula, Little Sitkin, and Garelois.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): Admiral William F. Halsey succeeds Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley as Commander-in-Chief, South Pacific (COMSOPAC).

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-17s attack shipping and aircraft in the Faisi area, schooners and buildings at Lorengau, Kahili Airfield, and shipping off Kahili, Pupukuna Point, and Buin. B-25s hit Wairopi bridge, the village of Mubo, and the dock and occupied area on PileloIsland; the Fifth AF completes the air movement of most of the 128th InfantryRegiment, 32d Infantry Division, to Wanigela Airfield; and the 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, moves from Garbutt Field to 14 Mile Drome with P-38s.