October 7, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 7 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Three B-24s taking off to bomb Kiska and patrol, but abort the mission due to mechanical failure and instead fly reconnaissance over Agattu, Attu, and Semichi with negative results.

USN: Laid down PT-174 by Electric Boat Co. (Elco) in Bayonne, NJ.

USMC: Marines defend the Matanikau River on Guadalancal. Meanwhile, a patrol of eight Marines from G-2-1 were the first patrol to reach the Grassy Knoll (Mount Austen) to observe the Marine offensive on the Matanikau River. While atop Mount Austen, the patrol's radio operator Sam Philps experienced radio interference from a nearby transmitter, likely from the Japanese observation post. A few minutes later, their patrol came under attack and withdrew.

IJN: Japanese established a midget submarine base at Marovovo on Guadalcanal.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): 3rd BG, 13th BS arrives 17 Mile Drome north of Port Moresby.

Kriegsmarine: Komet departs on her second raiding voyage.