November 17, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 1942

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A weather a reconnaissance aircraft is forced back by weather west of Kiska. Bombers are on alert to attack surface vessels.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-26s hit Gona Mission as the U.S. Army 32nd Infantry Division and Australian Army 7 Division continue to move toward the Buna-Gona beachhead. B-25s bomb Lae Airfield and Gasmata Airfield. A lone B-24 bombs the wharf area at Rabaul. Lost are P-40E Warhawk 41-36166 (survived) and P-40E Warhawk 41-24821 (survived).

RAAF: Beaufighters from 30 Squadron make a low level strafing raid over Lae Airfield.

CNAC: Lost is C-47 441-18556 CNAC #60 pilot Captain John J. Dean (MIA).

U.S. Army: Australian Army and U.S. forces continue toward Japanese beachhead area of Buna-Gona. Japanese planes strike U.S. Army small ships of the 32nd Infantry Divison Task Force Warren (TF Warren) that put two supply luggers out of action including Willyama Two, leaving only one serviceable and necessitating supply of vital items by air until more luggers become available. Meanwhile, the Wairopi Patrol reports to Australian Army 7th Divison at Wairopi.

IJN: In the evening, Japanese destroyer lands Japanese reinforcements at Basabua.