December 24, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 24 DECEMBER 1942

(Eleventh Air Force) Reconnaissance aircraft over Kiska finds shipping there unchanged. Weather cancel all other missions.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) The detachments of the 370th, 371st, 372d and 424th Bombardment Squadrons (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group that have been operating from Midway with B-24s return to their bases in Hawaii.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) In New Guinea, A-20s strafe troops near Kel Kel and along the northern bank of the Amboga River and trail. B-24s, operating singly, bomb Lae, a schooner in Vitiaz Strait, and the harbor at Arawe. B-17s and B-24s hit shipping off Gasmata and Gasmata Airfield.

U.S. Army: In New Guinea, After artillery preparation, Urbana Force, employing 127th Inf, begins drive toward the sea through Government Gardens, where enemy defenses are organized in depth and concealed by high kunai grass. Progress is very slow. Platoon of Co L discovers weak spot and drives through to line of coconut trees near coast; is surrounded there and suffers heavy casualties before escaping by circuitous route. As a diversion, elements move to Mission side of creek from Musita I. and from shallows between Buna Village and Buna Mission, but withdraw because of intense opposition.

U.S. Army / Australian Army: Warren Force opens attack on Old Strip after arty preparation. Aus 2/10th Bn, disposed along northern edge of Buna Airfield (Old Strip) is supported by three M3 Stuart tanks. 1st Bns of U.S. 126th and 128th Regts attack in parallel columns along S edge of strip; later 1st Bn of 128th Inf follows 1st Bn of 126th. Attack gains some 450 yards, but Japanese fire prevents movement onto the runway and knocks out the tanks. Lost is M3 Stuart 2017 is damaged by a 76.2mm shell fired by 76.2mm shell fired by Japanese 76.2mm Anti-Aircraft Gun Type 3 (1914) emplaced southwest of Buna Airfield (Old Strip).

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Army Forces in South Pacific Area) Nine SBDs, nine P-39s, four P-38s and four F4Fs attack Munda Airfield. They are intercepted by 14 Zeros. The Americans claim 14 Zekes shot down, seven by two F4F pilots while four P-39s pilots of the 12th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group get five and a P-38 pilot of the 70th Fighter Squadron claims one. The SBDs destroyed ten Zekes on the ground as they were taking off. There are no US losses.

U.S. Army: On Guadalcanal, 3d Bn of 132nd Infantry Regiment, followed by 1st Bn in reserve, moves west without incident to Hill 31, west of the summit of Mount Austen; upon attacking south toward Hill 27, is stopped short by fire from enemy strong point, dubbed The Gifu, between Hill 31 and Hill 27 where the Japanese have established fixed defenses and interconnecting pillboxes, defended by about 500 Japanese.