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

THURSDAY, 17 DECEMBER 1942

(Eleventh Air Force) A reconnaissance sortie is flown over Attu, Agattu, Kiska, Amchitka and Semichi. Two attacks by five B-24s, two B-25s and four B-26s attack Kiska. On the first mission, four B-24s, gets through and hit the submarine base area, marine railway, buildings, and communication facilities. The second mission escorted by eight P-38s aborts due to weather. P-38s and B-24s also fly offshore patrol between Vega Point and Little Kiska.

CBI (Tenth Air Force) China Air Task Force aircraft bomb Lashio.

U.S. Army: 132nd Infantry Regiment open preliminaries for an offensive with an attack on positions in the Mount Austen where the Japanese defend from defensive positions. USAAF aircraft, especially P-39s, and USMC SBDs, provide support and continue to do so as the offensive progresses from coastal supply points, hitting reinforcements moving through the jungle, and destroying ammunition dumps.

In New Guinea, 32nd Infantry Division, 126th Infantry Regiment soldiers attack The Triangle fortified with Japanese bunkers and trenches dubbed "Bloody Triangle" due to the American casualties sustained.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-26s bomb Buna Mission. Lost is B-26 "Fury" 40-1529 (MIA).

U.S. Army: In New Guinea, 32nd Infantry Division, 126th Infantry Regiment soldiers attack The Triangle fortified with Japanese bunkers and trenches dubbed "Bloody Triangle" due to the American casualties sustained.

U.S. Army: On Guadalcanal, Mount Austen operations begin wih a reconassiance in force of the northeast slope by elements of 3d Bn, 132nd Infantry Regiment; no enemy are encountered. Advance elements of 35th Infantry Regiment, 25th Division arrive on Guadalcanal.