December 2, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 2 DECEMBER 1942

(Eleventh Air Force) A B-24 finds Semichi and Attu unchanged during a reconnaissance run. A B-26s on reconnaissance finds Kiska closed by fog.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Army Forces in South Pacific Area) Headquarters 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 4th Photographic Group with the air echelon of A and B flights arrives Noumea. The air echelons of C and D flights will remain in the US until Jan 1944. American bombers from Henderson Field begin almost daily attacks on Munda Point to prevent the Japanese from constructing Munda Airfield.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) A-20s, B-17s, B-25s and P-400s attack four destroyers off Buna and Gona, and Buna Airfield and positions in the Buna area and between Watutu Point and Cape Killerton. Lost is B-17E "So Solly Plees" 41-2445. As a result of this attack, the destroyers, originally bound for Gona with 800 reinforcements, lands the troops near the mouth of the Kumment River twelve miles to the north. After a bombardment of Gona, Allied ground forces attack in strength but are again halted short of the village. Force landed is A-20A "Flying Lawnmower" 40-3151 (survived).

RAAF: Beaufighters from No. 31 Squadron attack Penfoei Airfield and destroyed parked aircraft.