October 11, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 11 OCTOBER 1942
AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Kiska is hit by three bombing and strafing missions flown by ten B-24s and three B-17s; the B-17s make no contact; the B-24s strike Kiska Harbor and Main Camp.

SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): B-17s sight a Japanese Task Force of cruisers and destroyers bearing down on Guadalcanal in the afternoon; search has been and continues to be the most useful service of the B-17s in the SOPAC.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): The 22d Troop Carrier Squadron, Air Carrier Service, Air Service Command, Fifth Air Force, moves from Essendon Airfield to Garbutt Field with C-47s.

USN (Night of October 11-12, 1942) Battle of Cape Esperance (Second Battle of Savo Island) an American forces consist of four cruisers and four destroyers led by Rear Admiral Norman Scott. The Japanese squadron, commanded by Admiral Goto, has three cruisers and two destroyers. Confused night action ensues during which both sides fire on their own ships. Despite heavy casualties, both sides' transports get through. The Japanese loose Fubuki and Natsugumo sunk, heavily damaged is Furutaka.

VT-3 Avengers fly a training mission over Oahu and three suffer an aerial collision TBF Avenger 00509 crew survived, TBF Avenger 00514 pilot Lt. Andrew J. Gardner (MIA) and TBF Avenger XXXX