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

FRIDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 1942

British Army: 29th Independent Inf Brig of Br E African Command lands without opposition on east coast at Tamatave on eastern coast of Madagascar and moves inland toward Tananarive virtually unopposed. E African 22d Brig continues toward Tananarive from west coast.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A B-17 bombs Salamaua while a B-25 strafes pack trains on the Kokoda Trail in the Andemba-Wairopi-Kokoda area. Lost is B-26 "Kansas City Kitty" 41-17585 with the crew bailing out successfully over Espiritu Santo and were rescued.

IJA: Japanese Imperial General Headquarters orders current positions held as long as possible and Buna-Gona beachhead held as primary defensive position. Gen Horii prepares to thin lines gradually.

USN: Task Force 65 (TF 65) arrives off Kukum on Guadalcanal and unloads Marine reinforcements plus vehicles, equipment, ammunition, and supplies. This is the first ammunition to arrive in response to request of August 22, 1942, three other vessels unload aviation gasoline. Afterwards, TF 65 retires to Espiritu Santo with 1st Para Bn, American wounded, and 8 Japanese prisoners. Marines are patrolling aggressively from defense perimeter.

U.S. Army: Main body of 126th Inf (less arty), U.S. 32d Div, embarks at Brisbane for New Guinea.

USMC: On Guadalcanal, arrives the remainder of 1st Mar Div--4,180 of 7th Marines, reinf. The improved Allied supply situation permits restoration of full rations to garrison.

Commissioned is USS Scamp (SS-277) at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.