December 21, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 21 DECEMBER 1942

(Eleventh Air Force) One B-24s flies an uneventful reconnaissance over Amchitka, Kiska, Semichi and Attu. A B-24 and two P-38s abort a photographic mission due to weather. A detachment of the 56th Fighter Squadron, 54th Fighter Group, operating P-39s in Alaska since June 20, returns to its base at Harding Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Seventh Air Force) B-24s from 307th Bombardment Group (307th BG) took off from Kiapapa Field on a flight to Midway Airfield to stage for a bombing mission against Wake Island. The air echelon of the 371st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) based at Wheeler Field with B-24s, flies to Midway.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Army Forces in South Pacific Area) B-17s attack two cargo ships near Kahili; a direct hit is scored on one ship. No B-17s are lost. The 70th Fighter Squadron, 347th Fighter Group, based on Fiji with P-39s, begins operating from Guadalcanal. The squadron flies its first combat mission today.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Fifth Air Force) B-17s attack vessels in Finschhafen Harbor while B-24s carry out single-bomber strikes on a cargo ship north of Finschhafen and barges at the mouth of the Mambare River and off Cape Ward Hunt.

U.S. Army: On Guadalcanal, Company C of 132nd Infantry Regiment was ordered to cut the Maruyama Trail and pushes 1,000 yards south without making contact with enemy or finding trail.