September 27, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 1942

CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) (Tenth Air Force): Four B-25s from 11th BS over southwest China bomb Mengshih, claiming about 30 trucks and 400 troops destroyed. The B-25s also bombed Tengchung, leaving it aflame. Three flights of P-40s strafed targets of opportunity along the Burma Road, claiming 15 trucks destroyed and 5 barracks groups damaged.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Shore and harbor areas of Kiska are bombed. 8 B-24s and 1 B-17, escorted by 1 P-38, 13 P-39s and 4 P-40s take off first, and are followed by 6 unescorted B-24s; weather turns back 13 of the fighters. A LB-30 flies photo-weather reconnaissance over Attu, Buldir, Semichi, Agattu, and Amchitka.

Japanese land on Kuria Atoll in the Gilbert Islands.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s continue to pound forces north of Ioribaiwa in the area between Kagi and Efogi and the Myola and Menari areas; the Japanese abandon Ioribaiwa Ridge and are in full retreat under heavy pressure from Australian ground forces.

USMC: On Guadalcanal, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines under Lieutenant Colonel Lewis B. Puller attempts to attack enemy strongpoint at Kokumbona west of Point Cruz near Matanikau village area from rear but is unable to cross the Matanikau River. 2d Bn of 5th Marines attacks frontally at mouth of the Matanikau River but cannot cross. 2d Bn, 5th Marines, covers withdrawal of 1st Raider Bn and returns during night to Lunga perimeter. Meanwhile, Companies A, B and D of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines land at Kokumbona west of Point Cruz on Guadalcanal to expand the perimeter but were trapped by the Japanese and withdrew under artillery and Naval gunfire support from USS Monssen (DD-436) and SBD Dauntless dive bombers to cover their withdrawal back to Kukum.

USCG: A total of 24 Higgins boats, all available are sent to extract the Marines. Defending the Marines as they are evacuated, boat group leader Sig 1c Douglas A. Munro with a volunteer crew, interposes his boat so as to draw fire away from the five boats that are embarking marines and is killed, two of his three-man crew are wounded (one mortally) and earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously. He was the only member of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to earn the Medal of Honor.

Australian Army: In New Guinea, Japanese abandon Ioribaiwa Ridge on the Kokoda Trail under Australian pressure and are in full retreat.