December 9, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 1942

(Eleventh Air Force) Force landed is B-24A Liberator 40-2367 crew survived.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Army Forces in South Pacific Area) RNZAF 3 Squadron Hudsons and American B-17s bomb Munda Airfield without loss. On Guadalcanal, command passes from Lieutenant General Vandegrift, USMC, Commanding General First Marine Division (Reinforced), to Major General Patch, USA, Commanding General Americal Division. The battle weary Marines gradually withdraw from Guadalcanal during December. Written off after an accident is B-17E "So Solly Plees" 41-2445.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-26s pound the Buna area as ground forces prepare for the final assault on the village. P-40s hit the area along the Sanananda-Soputa Trail.

Australian Army: Following air and artillery bombardment, Australian forces overcome resistance, capture Gona in hand-to-hand combat.

USMC: Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift, CG 1st 1st Mar Div, is relieved by Maj Gen A.M. Patch, CG Americal Division, as commanding general on Guadalcanal. For the remainder of the month, the 1st Mar Div is gradually withdrawn to Australia to rehabilitate.

USN: PT-44 and PT-59 spot a surfaced submarine and torpedo I-3 off Guadalcanal.

U.S. Army: General Patch, Commanding General Americal Division, relieves Major General Alexander A. Vandegrift, Commanding General 1st Mar Div, of responsibility for Guadalcanal.