TUESDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): U. S. forces complete the occupation of Adak. During Sep, HQ 343d Fighter Group moves from Elmendorf to Umnak. The detachment of the
11th Fighter Squadron, XI Fighter Command, operating from Fort Randall, Cold Bay with P-40s, returns to Fort Glenn.
SOUTH PACIFIC: During September 1942, the forward echelon of the 26th Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy), 11th Bombardment Group (Heavy), begins operating from Guadalcanal with B-17s; the squadron is based at Efate.
(SWPA, 5th Air Force): Ten B-26s from the 22nd BG led by B-26 "Kansas Comet II" 40-1433 bomb Lae Airfield. Before reaching the target, three abort the mission. The remaining seven bomb the target but half their bombs fall into the sea, the other half hit Lae Airfield.
P-40s hit a Japanese HQ at Wagga Wagga
on Milne Bay while P-400s strafe Kokoda and Kokoda Pass; Australian ground forces continue a slow retreat over the range but make
progress in Milne Bay offensive; and the 89th Bombardment Squadron,
3d Bombardment Group, moves from Charters Towers to 3-Mile Drome (Kila) with A-20s. Lost is P-400 BX146 (survived).
WEDNESDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): Six bombers escorted by twelve P-38s fly
cover and photo reconnaissance over Nazan Bay off Atka and Kuluk Bays on Adak and
Amchitka and Semisopochnoi.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) (10th Air Force): In China, P-40s hit barges and junks
carrying rice in the Poyang Lake region, strafe HQ and runways at Nanchang Airfield,
attack railroad stations and warehouses at Hua Yuan, and sink a launch, damage
4 junks, and wreck a train on the Wuchang Peninsula.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): The mission of the 67th
Fighter Squadron P-400s on Guadalcanal is shifted from air defense to
close air support for U. S. Marine Corps ground forces and attacks on shipping, tasks for
which they are better suited.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): P-400s bomb and
strafe forces in the Kokoda and Alola areas as the Japanese continue to push
toward Port Moresby.
IJN: D3A1 Vals from the 2nd Kokutai attack shipping off Milne Bay. Three became lost and force landed near Deba on Table Bay: D3A1 Val 3287, D3A1 Val 3114 and D3A1 Val 3287. Afterwards, all three crews were killed by police.
THURSDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): Six bombers escorted by five P-38s
bomb Kiska and fly air cover over Kuluk Bay on Adak. Five bombers and three fighters abort due to weather; the others strafe seaplanes and
boats in Kiska Harbor and nearby installations; between 1 and 4 seaplanes are
claimed destroyed on the water; this is the longest over-water attack flight
thus far in World War II; the two fighters which reach the target area return
from the 1,260 mile round trip with only 40 US gallons of
fuel left; and the 21st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group (under
control of the 28th Composite Group), arrives at Umnak from the US with
B-24s.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) (10th Air Force): One B-25 drops
bombs and pamphlets on Hanoi in the first US raid against that city; munitions,
supplies, and several parked aircraft are destroyed or damaged; nine interceptors
pursue the B-25 for about thirty miles but fail to make contact; for the
next 3 weeks, bad weather and inaccurate Chinese weather forecasts severely
limit bomber operations.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): Lieutenant General George C.
Kenney assumes command of the Fifth Air Force in Brisbane, Australia, where
the Fifth's HQ is remanned; General Kenney retains command of the Allied Air
Force. P-400s bomb and strafe the Kokoda Pass area, hitting Kokoda Airfield and in the vicinity of Alola, Isurava, and Missima; B-25s and A-20s pound the Mubo-Busama-Salamaua area.
A B-17 strafes seaplanes at Faisi in the Shortland.
IJN: Troop convoy en route from Rabaul to Buna was escorted by A6M Zeros from the 2nd Kokutai and 6th Kokutai from Rabaul and later escorted by A6M Zeros from the 2nd Kokutai and Tainan Kokutai from Buna Airfield.
FRIDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): Two bombers escorted by a single P-38 bomb and patrol Nazan Bay off Atka and Kuluk
Bays. Bombing Kiska is cancelled due to weather.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): P-40s bomb and
strafe forces in the Milne Bay area at Goroni, Wagga Wagga, Ahioma, and N of Lilihoa. B-25s search for Japanese ships off Milne Bay. Lost are B-25C "The Queen" 41-12472 and B-25C Mitchell 41-12480.
Miline Bay - Australian ground forces pushing E along Milne
Bay reach Goroni; the Japanese begin evacuation of the area.
IJN: Six G4M1 of 4th Kû and 9 A6M2 of 6th Kû departed Rabaul to attack Rabi (Milne Bay) but they had to abort mission due to bad weather.
SATURDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): Three B-24s abort bombing Kiska due to an overcast.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): Brigadier General Kenneth N.
Walker becomes Commanding General V Bomber Command as the command is remanned
at Townsville. P-400s strafe Kokoda,
Kaile, Isurava, Alola, Buna, Sanananda,
and the trail from Buna-Kokoda; P-400s and A-20s strafe and bomb Buna Airfield; as the Japanese withdraw from the Milne
Bay area, Australian ground forces capture the Wagga Wagga supply dump.
SUNDAY, 6 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): A B-24 flying patrol and armed reconnaissance over
Tanaga, sinks a mine layer and strafes a tender as
well as nearby tents and buildings.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): P-400s, A-20s,
and B-17s strafe and bomb positions, troops, and shipping at Myola, Mubo, Kokoda,
Myola Lake, Eora Creek and Milne
Bay. Lost is P-400 Airacobra AP-359. Lost is B-17F 41-24428 at Mareeba Airfield.
Australian Army:
Australian troops in the Owen Stanley Range fall back to the vicinity
of the Efogi Spur beyond Gap Mountain, where defensive positions are already
established. Meanwhile, Australian ground forces continue to clear the enemy from the Milne
Bay area while Japanese continue evacuation. Sunk by aerial attack is MV Anshun.
IJN: 12 G4M1 Bettys from Kisarazu Kokutai, 9 G4M1 Bettys from Misawa Kokutai and 6 of Chitose Kokutai departed Rabaul escorted by 30 A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kokutai, 2nd Kokutai and 6th Kokutai on a mission against Rabi (Milne Bay). Despite bad weather, they bombed through dense clouds without seeing the target and departed without enemy fighter opposition.
MONDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): Three B-24s patrol and bomb Kiska Harbor and camp area and also patrol Tanaga; they are attacked by three sea fighters
of which at least one is downed.
USN - Air Transport Squadron 2, based at Alameda, established a detachment
at Pearl Harbor and began a survey flight to the South Pacific as a preliminary
to establishing routes between San Francisco and Brisbane.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): A-20s and P-400s
strafe and bomb positions at Myola Lake and Efogi. P-40s and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Hudsons, Beauforts, and Beaufighters
attack a cruiser and destroyer 17 miles ENE of Cape Karitahua; organized
Japanese resistance in the Milne
Bay sector ends, with the last Japanese bombardment of Milne Bay.
IJN: 27 G4M1 (the same formation) departed Rabaul to attack Port Moresby covered by 24 Zeros (Tainan, 2nd and 6th Kû). Over the target they meet Allied fighters and one G4M1 of Kisarazu Kû was badly damaged. It crash-lalnded on a friendly beach on the return flight. (crew of PO/1 Kinnosuke Ogawa safe).
TUESDAY, 8 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): 1 B-24 and 1 B-26 fly photo
reconnaissance over Agattu, Attu, and Kiska; the detachment of the 42d
Fighter Squadron, 54th Fighter Group, operating from Kodiak with P-39s begins
a movement to Adak.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): P-400s bomb and
strafe the Efogi area where Australian forces are hard pressed by the Japanese.
B-17s and RAAF Hudsons attack cruisers and a destroyer north of the D'Entrecasteaux Island Group.
SOUTH PACIFIC: Lost on a mission over the Solomon Sea is B-17E "Stingaree" 41-9071.
IJN: Nine G4M1 of Misawa Kokutai covered by 9 A6M2 of 6th Ku from Rabaul bomb Rabi (Milne Bay). A6M3 Zeros from Buna Airfield made 12 sorties over Milne Bay to cover the withdrawal of Japanese Marines. On the afternoon the 2nd Kokutai, too, began to withdraw its fighters from Buna Airfield.
WEDNESDAY, 9 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): One B-26 patrols Tanaga and Adak.
IJN: A Japanese airplane, launched from
a submarine off the coast, drops an incendiary bomb on a mountain slope near
Brookings, Oregon, causing a small forest fire.
CBI (10th Air Force): HQ 7th Bombardment Group moves from Dum Dum to Karachi.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): P-40s strafe the Galaiwa Bay
area on Goodenough. In New Guinea, A-20s, in
support of encircled Australian ground forces, strafe and bomb troops in the
Efogi Spur area; and the 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, moves from Garbutt Field to 14
Mile Drome with F-4s.
USN - PBY Catalina 11-P-1 abandoned after force landed.
THURSDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): During the morning, weather, photo reconnaissance, and patrol missions
are flown over Nazan Bay off Atka. Weather, photo reconnaissance, and patrol missions
are flown during the morning over Nazan Bay, Tanaga, Adak and Amchitka with
poor weather is encountered over Kiska, Attu, and Agattu; a detachment
of the 42d Fighter Squadron, 54th Fighter Group arrives at Adak with
P-39s.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): Lost is A-24 41-15771.
IJN: G4M1 Betty bombers from the Misawa Kokutai and ? Kokutai took off on a bombing mission against Guadalcanal. Over the target, intercepted by F4F Wildcats from VMF-223. Shot down is F4F Wildcat ????. Force landed is G4M1 Betty 1365 Tail H-352 (crew taken prisoner).
FRIDAY, 11 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): A weather, photo, and patrol aircraft draws AA fire
over Chichagof Harbor on Attu and also covers Tanaga, Amchitka, and Semichi. HQ 343d Fighter Group is actived at Elmendorf Field.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): Combat control groups
are authorized for New Caledonia and Fiji; these units, under immediate
control of the Commanding General of US Army Forces in the South Pacific (COMGENSOPAC),
are to take over local operational direction of fighter aircraft and all other
units in the combat team. Lost after an escort mission against Guadalcanal is A6M2 piloted by Murakami.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-26s
hit Efogi and Menari in the Owen Stanley Range. 3rd BG A-20s strafe Buna Airfield ditched are A-20A "The Comet" 40-167 and A-20A "Little Ruby" 40-3145. B-17s, along
with RAAF Hudsons, attack two destroyers 20 miles (32 km) E of Normanby ;
a B-17 scores a direct hit on the stern of Yayoi, which later
sinks.
SATURDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER 1942
SUNDAY, 13 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): 14 B-24s of the 21st and 404th Bombardment Squadrons
move up to Adak. An LB-30 escorted by two P-38s fly a photo reconnaissance, antisubmarine
coverage and strafing mission over Kiska lakes and Kiska Harbor; a tender in the harbor is slightly damaged, 1 float fighter
is downed; a P-38 is hit by AA fire and fighters damage the LB-30.
GUADALCANAL: Marines repulse second major Japanese ground attack during the Battle of Bloody Ridge on Guadalcanal.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-26s pound Lae Airfield. Returning, B-26 "Kansas Comet II" 40-1433 (one KIA) crashed while landing at Iron Range Airfield.
B-17s unsuccessfully attack a cruiser SE of Rabaul. P-40s strafe buildings on Goodenough. During take off B-17F "Hoomalimali" 41-24391 explodes at Mareeba Airfield.
MONDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): In the first combined heavy mission over Kiska 13 B-24s, 1 B-17, 14 P-38s, and 14 P-39s fly low-altitude and photo runs; the
P-39s shell 3 submarines in the harbor; the other aircraft bomb and strafe many
installations including AA guns and the submarine base; a single aircraft also
strafes Segula; enemy losses are 5 float planes shot down and 1 flying
boat destroyed on the water; 2 mine sweepers sunk and another vessel slightly
damaged; while a large cargo vessel and several small barges and vessels sustain
hits; 2 P-38s are lost, colliding head-on while after a fighter.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): A single A-20
bombs ground forces and installations at Myola; and HQ 43d Bombardment Group
moves from Torrens Creek to Port Moresby. Lost is F4 41-2098 (MIA) near Buna.
TUESDAY, 15 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): One B-17 and one B-24 fly armed reconnaissance over Kiska and at Amchitka blast buildings in the Constantine Harbor area;
fighters strafe Kiska Camp area and down 4 intercepting aircraft.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) (10th Air Force): HQ 341st Bombardment Group (Medium)
and the 490th and 491st Bombardment Squadrons (Medium) are activated at Karachi with B-25s; also assigned are the 11th and 22d Bombardment Squadrons (Medium)
at Kunming and Karachi respectively with B-25s.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-25s hit Buna and Sanananda and attack
camps at Efogi and Myola; and the first US Army infantry, elements of the
32nd Infantry Division, arrive at Port
Moresby. B-17s bomb Simpson Harbor and airfield at Rabaul. Force landed is B-17E "Frank Buck" 41-2659, but it is later repaired and returns to service. Lost is B-17F 41-24427. The 19th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 22d Bombardment Group
(Medium), moves from Woodstock to Iron Range with B-26s.
Guadalcanal - While
escorting a troop convoy to Guadalcanal, USS Wasp torpedoed & sunk, North Carolina torpedoed and damaged.
WEDNESDAY, 16 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): The Japanese completes transfer of the Attu garrison to Kiska begun on 27 August. One B-17 and one B-24 fly photo and reconnaissance
runs over Adak.
CARIBBEAN (6th Air Force): HQ 40th Bombardment Group
moves from Howard Field to Albrook Field. The 22d Fighter
Squadron, 36th Fighter Group, based at Vega Baja, Puerto Rico with P-39s and
P-40s sends a detachment to operate from Zandery Field, Surinam; other detachments
are operating from Waller Field, Trinidad, Aruba, and Curacao.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s bomb the wharf at Rabaul and Lakunai Airfield
and
Gasmata Airfield. A lone B-17 attacks
landing barges in the Sanananda area while a single A-20 bombs and strafes
positions at Nauro and Menari in the Efogi area; the Japanese ground offensive
toward Port Moresby comes to a halt at Ioribaiwa; Australians are entrenched on Imita Range where
they are preparing a counteroffensive.
THURSDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 1942
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): B-17s, carrying out single
bomber attacks bombing airfields at Rabaul.
Rear Admiral Ugaki recalled September 16/17, 1942 night air raid:
"The noise of gunfire and small arms was terrible. Anyway it was a night of little sleep. Now, I can see the effectiveness of night raids." He also noted the Japanese anti-aircraft fire was ineffective, 'Outragiously uncontrolled and unskilled'. At his suggestion, officers and crews from battleships Yamato and Mutsu were sent to Rabaul to train gunners.
Four B-17s take off from Townsville on a night bombing attack against Rabaul. Lost due to weather is B-17E 41-2650. B-17s hit Lae, and hit the beached cargo vessel Kotoku Maru off Salamaua;
P-400s, P-40s, and P-39s strafe and bomb landing barges off Buna and Salamaua. Japanese ground forces at Ioribaiwa, 32 miles to the north of Port
Moresby are unable to attack without
reinforcements and supplies, neither of which is available.
In Australia, fourteen P-38 Lightnings from the 39th Fighter Squadron departed Amberley Field on a ferry flight to Garbutt Field.
FRIDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 1942
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A B-17 bombs Salamaua while a B-25 strafes
pack trains on the Kokoda Trail in the Andemba-Wairopi-Kokoda area; and HQ 8th Fighter Group and the 35th and 36th Fighter Squadrons move
from Ross River, Australia
to Milne Bay with P-39s and
P-400s.
USMC: 7th Marines arrive on Guadalcanal.
Lost is B-26 Marauder 41-17585.
SATURDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 1942
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) (Tenth Air Force): In
China, B-25s strike Lungling; the raid is ineffective due to bad weather but
results in the discovery of much Japanese activity which further reconnaissance
reveals as part of a heavy movement of enemy and supplies along the Burma Road
toward the Salween front.
USN - Commander Patrol Wing 1 departed Kaneohe for the South Pacific
to direct the operations of patrol squadrons already in the area. Headquarters
were first established at Noumea, New Caledonia, and subsequently at Espiritu
Santo, Guadalcanal, and Munda.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s and B-26s
strafe and bomb the airfield at Lae; and the 7th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter
Group, moves from Batchelor to 14 Mile Drome with P-40s. B-17s attack
cargo vessels near Umboi (Rooke) between New Guinea and New Britain.
A whaling vessel is strafed by fighters off Goodenough.
SUNDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 1942
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): In the Owen Stanley Range, A-20s bomb and strafe troops and installations at Sangara, Arehe, and
along the Popondetta-Andemba Road, and P-40s strafe Kokoda Airfield and bridges on the trail near Wairopi, and troops at Myola, Efogi, and Kagi.
USMC: Lost are SBD 03293 and SBD 03294 in a ditching.
MONDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 1942
USA - First flight of the Boeing XB-29 bomber prototype.
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Bombers fly reconnaissance over Kiska and
bomb Constantine Harbor installations at Amchitka; and the 21st
Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 30th Bombardment Group (operating under
control of the 28th Composite Group), based on Umnak begins operating
from Adak with B-24s.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force):
P-40s bomb and strafe bridges and targets of opportunity along the trail from Buna-Kokoda.
TUESDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): 9 B-24s, 2 B-17s, and 1 LB-30, accompanied by
15 P-39s and 20 P-40s, abort a Kiska bombing mission due to weather;
photo reconnaissance suggests that Chichagof Harbor on Attu is abandoned.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s bomb and
strafe occupied areas at Menari, Efogi, Nauro, Yodda, and Kokoda; P-40s strafe
AA positions, huts, and barges at Buna and Salamaua and bomb and strafe Wairopi bridge, strafe buildings at Yodda, Buna Airfield, and AA positions and
other targets along the trail from Buna-Kokoda; One B-25 bombs the north end of Buna Airfield and the coastal end of Sanananda
Track. B-17s bomb Lakunai Airfield and shipping
off Rabaul.
WEDNESDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Weather causes a mission abort to Kiska;
photo reconnaissance over Attu confirms it is abandonment by the enemy;
a U. S. Navy (USN) PBY escorted by two P-38s lands off Amchitka with a scouting
party which determines that the is unsuited as an airfield; the P-38s
also bomb a radio shack and sink a submarine at Amchitka.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA The movement of the 72d Bombardment
Squadron to the SOPAC on 18 September, plus subsequent movement of other squadrons
of the 5th Bombardment Group to the SOPAC, makes it difficult for some
time to maintain the minimum force of 35 heavy bombers considered necessary
for the defense of the Hawaiian ; this situation is relieved by 90th
Bombardment Group (Heavy), which stops in Hawaii while enroute to the SWPA,
and by the 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy), which is assigned to the Seventh
Air Force for a time.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): P-40s, P-39s,
P-400s, and B-17s hit tanks, buildings, and Buna Airfield at Buna, Wairopi bridge and targets of opportunity on the trail from Buna-Kokoda,
and Tau-Pota Mission near Goodenough Bay.
RAAF: Lost attacking Buna is Beaufighter A19-1.
THURSDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Three B-24s bomb Kiska Main Camp, storage dumps, and dock areas, starting several fires.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC, Joint Chiefs of Staff): The 72d Bombardment Squadron
(Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), arrives at Espiritu Santo
from Hawaii with B-17s.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-17s bomb shipping at Rabaul. P-40s and A-20s hit Mubo while B-17s bomb wrecked
vessel [Ayutosen Maru] at Gona; P-40s hit Kokoda Airfield and targets along the Kokoda-Wairopi trail, including a bridge at Wairopi.
Guadalcanal - Marine John Basilone becomes the first Marine awarded the medal
of honor for his defense of bloody ridge, on Guadalcanal.
3 B-17s bomb Shortland Island Seaplane base. Lost are: B-17E 41-9206 and B-17E "Bessie The Jap Basher" 41-2420.
FRIDAY, 25 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (11th Air Force): 9 B-24s, 1 B-17, and 1 B-24 photo airplane, escorted
by 11 P-39s and 17 P-40s, fly the first of 2 missions to Kiska; Royal
Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Kittyhawks participate in this first combined Canadian-American
mission of the 11th Air Force; later two B-24s and a B-17, escorted by fifteen
P-39s, pound a radar installations at Little Kiska and bomb Kiska causing explosions and fires at the Main Camp area;
other targets include shipping, stores, and tents; the P-39s also strafe 2 submarines;
2 float planes are downed; 5 to 8 biplanes are probably destroyed on the water;
1 large transport vessel is hit and lists badly; and 150 personnel are believed
killed.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) (Tenth Air Force): Four B-25s, escorted by ten P-40s, attack Hanoi, the strike force is intercepted by 10 fighters but the B-25s place
several bombs on the runway at Gia Lam Airfield; the P-40s claim at least 9
fighters shot down. In China, CATF bombers fly 11 missions during the remainder
of Sep and early Oct to support Chinese ground forces attempting to hold the
Japanese on the W bank of the Salween River.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): P-40s again
bomb the bridge at Wairopi, scoring a direct hit on the NE end, which is demolished;
Australian ground forces open a counteroffensive, attacking strongly toward
Ioribaiwa to drive the enemy back along Kokoda Trail; and
the 8th Fighter Squadron, 49th Fighter Group, moves from Darwin to Port Moresby with P-40s.
RAAF - Lost near Derby is F2A A51-5.
SATURDAY, 26 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A destroyer and a freighter are bombed
at 53-30N 174-20E north of Atka; two near misses are scored on the freighter.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) (Tenth Air Force): 4 B-25s devastate the village of
Luchiangpa in SW China.
Guadalcanal - Fighting on Matanikau.
Australian Army: On the
Kokoda Trail, the Japanese are thrown back from Ioribaiwa.
5th AF: Crashed on take off is B-26 40-1392 none of the crew are injured.
SUNDAY, 27 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Shore and harbor areas of Kiska are bombed. 8
B-24s and 1 B-17, escorted by 1 P-38, 13 P-39s and 4 P-40s take off first, and
are followed by 6 unescorted B-24s; weather turns back 13 of the fighters. A
LB-30 flies photo-weather reconnaissance over Attu,
Buldir, Semichi, Agattu,
and Amchitka.
CHINA-BURMA-INDIA (CBI) (Tenth Air Force): 4 B-25s over SW China blast Mengshih, claiming about 30 trucks
and 400 troops destroyed; The B-25s also bomb Tengchung, leaving it aflame;
3 flights of P-40s strafe targets of opportunity along the Burma Road, claiming
15 trucks destroyed and 5 barracks groups damaged.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): A-20s continue
to pound forces north of Ioribaiwa in the area between Kagi and Efogi and the Myola and Menari areas; the Japanese abandon Ioribaiwa Ridge and are in full
retreat under heavy pressure from Australian ground forces.
MONDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Two bombing missions are flown to Kiska and Attu by 7 B-24s, 1 B-17, and 1 LB-30, escorted by 17 fighters; installations
on Kiska and a freighter nearby are bombed; 1 of the B-24s and the LB-30
bomb the village and Chichagof Harbor on Attu and on returning silence
AA guns on a freighter; 5 floatplanes are shot down, and RO-65 Submarine;
1 P-39 is shot down.
PACIFIC OCEAN AREA The 394th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment
Group (Heavy), moves from Hickam Field to Bellows Field with B-17s.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): P-40s and P-400s
bomb and strafe Wairopi bridge, Kagi, Myola Lake area, and targets
of opportunity along the Buna-Kokoda Trail; One B-17 bombs Lae Airfield; the main body of the U.S. Army, 126th Infantry Regiment,
32nd Infantry Division, arrives at Port
Moresby and is assigned to the New Guinea Force to join the Australian advance
on Wairopi.
RAAF: Lost is Beaufort A9-89.
TUESDAY, 29 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): A morning armed reconnaissance mission is flown
by an LB-30 over Semichi and Attu;
it strafes a ship at Attu; 3
B-24s bomb and strafe sea transport, scoring no hits.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-17s bomb AA
positions at Buna and Salamaua; a single A-20 bombs the Menari area. HQ 22d Bombardment Group (Medium)
and 33d Bombardment Squadron (Medium) move from Woodstock to Iron Range, Australia
with B-26s.
SOUTH PACIFIC AREA (SOPAC): Eleven B-17s from the 11th BG's 26th BS, 98th BS and 431st BS plus B-17s from the 5th BG, 72nd BS took off on a bombing mission against Tonolei Harbor on Bougainville. Over the target was thick fog and the formation dove down to make their bombing run and were attacked by fifteen A6M Zeros. The formation was unable to locate the target due to bad weather and instead patrolled the western coast of Bougainville before spotting a Japanese cruiser and the formation bombed from 5,500' with all bombs missing the ship. Shot down was B-17E "Blue Goose" 41-2616 (MIA).
WEDNESDAY, 30 SEPTEMBER 1942
ALASKA (Eleventh Air Force): Nine B-24s bomb Kiska and Attu, two turn back; the others blast the Attu Camp area, and at Kiska Harbor and score at least one direct hit and near misses on
a ship; 8 fighters intercept over Kiska and Little Kiska but inflict no losses;
the detachment of the 57th Fighter Squadron, 54th Fighter Group operating from Elmendorf Field moves to Kodiak.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, Fifth Air Force): B-17s, A-20s,
and P-40s pound occupied areas at Menari, Myola Lake, Kagi, and Efogi and a
bridge at Wairopi. HQ 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) and the 405th Bombardment
Squadron (Medium) moves from Breddan Field to Garbutt Field with B-25s. Crashed is B-26 "Bunagoon" 40-1403 (damaged, parts salvaged).
