TUESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): A single B-24 and single B-26 fly photo
reconnaissance over Agattu, Attu, and Kiska; the detachment of the 42d
Fighter Squadron, 54th Fighter Group, operating from Kodiak with P-39s begins
a movement to Adak.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): P-400s bomb and
strafe the Efogi area where Australian forces are hard pressed by the Japanese.
B-17s and RAAF Hudsons attack cruisers and a destroyer north of the D'Entrecasteaux Island Group.
SOUTH PACIFIC: Lost is B-17E "Stingaree" 41-9071 pilot Captain Robert H. Richards (MIA) on a mission over the Solomon Sea.
IJN: Nine G4M1 of Misawa Kokutai escorted by nine A6M2 Zeros from the 6th Kokutai from Rabaul bomb Rabi (Milne Bay). A6M3 Zeros from Buna Airfield made 12 sorties over Milne Bay to cover the withdrawal of Japanese Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF) Marines. In the afternoon the remaining A6M2 Zeros from the 2nd Kokutai withdraw from Buna Airfield.
USMC: On Guadalcanal, a provisional battalion of 813 Marines from the depleted 1st Raider Battalion and 1st Para Battalion under the command of Col Merritt A. Edson are transported in two waves aboard high-speed transports USS McKean (APD-5) and USS Manley (APD-1) plus two patrol boats based on a report by Coastwatcher Martin Clemens about the Japanese landing further to the east at Taivu Point. At 5:20am, the first wave of 501 Marines plus Edson lands near Tasimboko and were supported by aircraft from Henderson Field and gunfire from the destroyer transports. After the first wave landed, Edson's force advanced towards Tasimboko but were slowed by Japanese resistance and two Marines were Killed In Action (KIA). At 11:00, the second wave landed and continued the push. Believing a major landing was underway, the Japanese retreated into the jungle, leaving behind 27 dead. Raiders sustain 8 casualties including 2 killed. The Japanese lost 27 killed. Marine aircraft from MAG-23 from Henderson Field provide ground support. Japanese in Taivu Point area constitute main body of new assault force, smaller group of which is in vicinity of Kokumbona.
Australian Army: In New Guinea on the Kokoda Trail, General Horii with 5 reinf bns in attacks 21st Brig of Aus 7th Div on Efogi spur, forcing 2/27th Battalion off trail and encircling 2/14th Battalion and 2/16th Battalion.
