December 3, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 3 DECEMBER 1942

(Eleventh Air Force) Two bombers and several fighters fly reconnaissance over Semichi, Kiska and Attu. There is a constant air alert for U. S. forces on Adak.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Army Forces in South Pacific Area) Eight SBDs, seven TBFs and fighters attack a Japanese "Tokyo Express" convoy 150 miles northwest of Guadalcanal. One destroyer is slightly damaged; ten F1M2 Petes are shot down, four by three P-39 pilots from 67th Fighter Squadron. US losses are one TBF, one SBD and one fighter.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-24s bomb Buna Mission. Lost is B-24D "Little Eva" 41-23762 (KIA, rescued) and P-39 Airacobra pilot Felker (MIA). Lost is C-47 "Johnny Reb" 41-18571 crashed at Popondetta.

IJN: Scuttled is HA-8 Midget Submarine off Cape Esperance on Guadalcanal.