November 23, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 23 NOVEMBER 1942

USA: Bill authorizing Women's Reserve, U.S. Coast Guard (SPARS) is signed by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A reconnaissance is flown over Kiska, Attu, Agattu, and Amchitka.

(CBI) THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Tenth Air Force): CHINA AIR TASK FORCE (CATF): Nine B-25s and seven P-40s feint at Hong Kong, then fly to the Gulf of Tonkin sinking a freighter and damage two others near Haiphong. 6 B-25s and 17 P-40s pound Tien Ho Airfield claiming 40+ aircraft destroyed on the field; these strikes follow 3 weeks of missions in support of Chinese forces along the Siang-Chiang River.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s and B-26s pound Sanananda Point as Australian forces begin their assault on Gona and US forces approach Sanananda; the 403d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group moves from Iron Range to Turnbull Airfield. Condemned is P-400 Airacobra BW174. Damaged is B-25C "Der Schpy" 41-12496 piloted by 1st Lt. Edward J. Gorenflo force landed at Townsville and is written off.

USMC: By this time, 84 U.S. (Army, Navy, and Marine Corps) and New Zealand planes are operating from airfields on Guadalcanal. Reinforced by OS2U Kingfishers. 3d Reconnaissance Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force; night patrolling PBY's of Navy Patrol Squadron 12 (VP-12); the 12th Fighter Squadron, 68th Fighter Squadron, and 70th Fighter Squadron and the 69th Bombardment Squadron.

U.S. Army: On Guadalcanal, after a 30-minute artillery preparation, 8th Marines passes through 164th Inf to continue attack westward but is unable to advance. Since the offensive has proved too costly to be continued for the time being, attack is halted along Hills 66-80-81-Pt Cruz line to await reinforcements.

In New Guinea, 3d Bn of 126th Inf, U.S. 32d Div, continues toward Sanananda; Co L, on right is pinned down by fire at edge of food dump. Popondetta Airfield becomes operational, and 4 guns are flown in and emplaced just S of Soputa. 2d Bns of 126th and 128th Regts are combined to form Urbana Force under command of CO, 128th Inf. 2d Bn of 128th Inf is slowed by extremely difficult terrain as it advances against the Triangle along main track and swamps on either side of it. Warren Force commander, General Hanford MacNider, is wounded while inspecting front and replaced by Col J. Tracy Hale, Jr. After ineffective preparatory fire against enemy bunkers, 1st Bn of 128th Inf and Col Carrier's detachment of 1st Bn, 126th Inf, attack along coast toward Cape Endaiadere, gaining some 300 yards against intense fire. Aus 2/16th Independent Co makes limited progress toward east end of New Strip.

Australian Army: The Main body of Australian Army 25th Brig arrives at front and begins assault on Gona against determined resistance.