October 31, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 31 OCTOBER 1942

AMERICAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Weather and reconnaissance flight over Attu and Kiska. Over Kiska, the weather aircraft draws AA fire from Little Kiska; no other missions as all combat aircraft arealerted for a possible naval target.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, A-20s bomb and strafe Nauro and the area to north; B-25s strafe supply trucks southeast of Gona. B-17s bomb shipping off Rabaul and Buin-Faisi-Tonolai area.

RAAF: Crashed on take off was G 31 Trimotor A44-1 at Laverton Airfield when only two engines developed full power and crashed into the parked automobile used by visiting Air Minister Arthur S. Drakeford and was written off.

USMC: The 1st Marine Division completes preparations for offensive on Guadalcanal. The 5th Marines and 2d Marines moving into attack positions along the Matanikau River. During night, E Company, 5th Marines crosses the Matanikau River and establishes outposts on the west bank allowing the 1st Engineer Battalion to constructs three footbridges.