Chronology of World War II

Thursday, October 1, 1942

On the Eastern Front... Germans gains at Stalingrad continue in the Orlovka region. North of Tuapse, along the coast of the Black Sea, heavy fighting continues between Soviet and German forces. German troops are also advancing towards Grozny.

In New Guinea... Australian troops begin to move forward on the Kokada Trail.

From Australia... General MacArthur issues orders for the coordinated allied advances in New Guinea. US forces are to take the Kapa Kapa Trail running parallel to the Kokada Trail in an effort to entrap the Japanese troops between the two allied forces, closing their retreat at the Kumusi River. Landings are also to be made on the northern coast between Milne Bay and Cape Nelson. Wanigela is a focus for a portion of the landings.

In the United States... Fuel oil is now rationed in most parts of the country.

Friday, October 2, 1942

In the Atlantic... The ocean liner Queen Mary, in service as a troop transport, collides with the British cruiser Curacao sinking the cruiser. The liners traveled without escort, depending upon speed for safety. Escorts were provided for these ships only within British coastal waters.

From Washington... Stabilization of the Cost of Living Act becomes law. The US President has now has the power to control wages and agricultural prices. The law is effective November 1, 1942

In the Pacific... In the Ellice Islands, American forces begin construction of a base on Funafuti Atoll.

Saturday, October 3, 1942

On the Eastern Front... The German 4th Panzer Army and the 6th Army link up near Pitomnik near Stalingrad.

In North Africa... New Zealanders attack at Alam el Halfa.

Sunday, October 4, 1942

On the Eastern Front... German General Paulus begins the fourth and longest lasting of his assaults on the city of Stalingrad. His forces have been reinforced with combat engineers and police units to aid in the street to street fighting which is now occurring. The Soviets under General Chuikov have also perfected their close fighting abilities and set up specially prepared killing zones to which they lure German advances. Attacks are focused on the Barricades, Red October and Tractor Factories.

In New Guinea... The Australians continue advancing along the Kokado Trail. They take Efogi and continue advancing to Aola and Moyola.

Monday, October 5, 1942

In the Solomon Islands... American planes from the carrier USS Hornet attack Japanese vessels off Bougainville with little success.

Tuesday, October 6, 1942

From Washington... An additional Lend-Lease agreement is signed by the US and the USSR. It provides for 4,400,000 tons of supplies to reach the Soviet Union by July 1943. Seventy five per cent of the materiel is to be transported by sea, the remainder through the land route in Iran.

On the Eastern Front... In the Caucasus, German Army Group A captures the oil-producing city of Malgobek near Mozdok. German advances continue toward Terek.

In New Guinea... American troops begin implementation of General MacArthur's offensive to cut off the retreat of the Japanese forces withdrawing in the face of Australian attacks. Elements of the US 32nd Division begin to move down the Kapa Kapa Trail. They are 25 miles southwest of the Kokado Trail which the Japanese are using as an escape route. The terrain is very difficult.

Wednesday, October 7, 1942

On the Eastern Front... In the city of Stalingrad, fierce close combat occurs in and around the Tractor Factory.

In the Solomon Islands... On Guadalcanal, US 1st Marine Division attacks toward the mouth of the Matanikau River. They are attempting to remove much of the Japanese artillery which is firing on Henderson Field airstrip.

From London... Britain and the United States announce the creation of a United Nations Commission into war crimes committed by the Axis powers. It becomes a condition of any armistice that war criminals are to be surrendered to be tried.

In the South Atlantic... Off the coast of South America, a pack of four German U-boats begin a campaign which will sink 170,000 tons of shipping within the next six weeks.

Thursday, October 8, 1940

In the Solomon Islands... On Guadalcanal, the rainy season starts. The rains do not prevent heavy fighting west of the American position along the River Matanikau.

In Occupied Belgium... German authorities issues orders requiring the registration of all males between 18-50 and all females between 21-35 years of age for war work.

Friday, October 9, 1942

From Moscow... Stalin announces a major change in the command structure of the Soviet Army. All commanding powers are taken from the Political Commissars in the Army. Their role is reduced to morale and propaganda. Military decisions will be left to the commanding officers.

In the Solomon Islands... On Guadalcanal, American attacks succeed in wiping out a Japanese battalion west of the Matanikau. The attacks by the US 1st Marine Division are halted as intelligence reports of a major Japanese attack on the main American position are received.

On Madagascar... The British troops occupying the French island leave the capital, Tananarive, and move south to link with the troops landed there at the end of September.

Saturday, October 10, 1942

In Washington... Argentina and Chile protest against the remarks of Sumner Welles about Axis agents in those countries.

Sunday, October 11, 1942

In the Solomon Islands... The Battle of Cape Esperance. American and Japanese efforts to supply their troops fighting on Guadalcanal result in a night encounter between the escorting naval forces. The American escorts, led by Admiral Scott consists of 4 cruisers and 4 destroyers. The Japanese have 3 cruisers and 2 destroyers led by Admiral Goto. They meet at night off Cape Esperance. Despite the advantages of radar and better radio communications, the American fare as poorly as the Japanese, both at times firing on their own vessels. The Americans lose a destroyer and two cruisers in the fighting. The Japanese lose a cruiser and a destroyer with the two other cruisers badly damaged. Despite the battle, the Japanese manage to land artillery and tanks at their positions.

On the Eastern Front... A lull in the fighting for the first time in two months.

Monday, October 12, 1942

In the North Atlantic... A British Liberator bomber sinks German U-boat U-597. It is the first success scored by the single RAF squadron of long range bombers. Despite their usefulness, the Liberator is reserved for strategic bombing missions over Europe and will not be used in quantity in the Atlantic for some time.

In the Solomon Islands.. The Battle of Cape Esperance. The remaining two destroyers from the Japanese supply convoy are sunk by American planes from Henderson Field airstrip on Guadalcanal.

Tuesday, October 13, 1942

On the Eastern Front... In the southern part of the city of Stalingrad, German 48th Panzer Corps, part of German 4th Panzer Army reaches the Volga River. However, to the north the Soviets hold on to the large factory buildings, continuing their counterattacks.

In the Solomon Islands... On Guadalcanal, 3000 American troops land from the convoy which were the subject of the Battle of Cape Esperance. The Japanese bring up the battleships Kongo and Haruna to bombard the airstrip at Henderson Field during the night. 50 American planes are destroyed on the ground, about one half of the aircraft present. While the shelling is occurring, Admiral Tanaka takes advantage of the break in American air cover and lands 4500 men and large quantities of supplies at Tassafaronga.

Wednesday, October 14, 1942

On the Eastern Front... In Stalingrad, using heavy air support and five divisions, the Germans nearly break through Soviet resistance at the Tractor Factory. The Soviets are reinforced with a Guards Division. The Tractor Factory remains in Soviet hands.

From Berlin... Hitler orders a halt to all offensive action on the Eastern Front, except at Stalingrad and in a small area of the Caucasus along the Terek River.

In the Solomon Islands... On Guadalcanal, despite the damage from the night's shelling by the Japanese, American aircraft take off from Henderson Field. They damage three Japanese transports unloading at Tassafaronga.

In New Guinea... The Australians and Japanese engage heavily on the Kokado Trail at Templeton's Crossing.

In the English Channel... A British naval force finds and sinks the German raider Komet.

Thursday, October 15, 1942

On the Eastern Front... In the city of Stalingrad, the German onslaught against the Tractor Factory continues. The Germans reach the Volga River a little north of the main factory complex.

Friday, October 16, 1942

In the Solomon Islands... Near Guadalcanal, American aircraft from the carrier USS Hornet raid supply bases on Santa Isabel. On Guadalcanal, the Japanese increase their bombardment of American positions in preparation for a major attack.

On Madagascar... The British take Ambositra, 140 miles south of the capital city of Tananarive.

Saturday, October 17, 1942

In Burma... British 14th Indian Division begins a slow advance into the Arakan, in preparation for further operations against Akyab

In New Guinea... The Australian 16th Brigade has relieved the 25th Brigade at the head of the advance along the Kokoda Trail. Fierce Japanese resistance holds up the continuing advance at Eora Creek. A regiment of the US 32nd Division is airlifted from Port Moresby to Wanigela on the north coast.

Sunday, October 18, 1942

In New Guinea... American forces sent on a parallel trail to help the Australians cut off Japanese retreats down the Kokoda Trail, finally begin to reach Pongani. The trip has proved to be so difficult that the soldiers are in no condition to fight. In addition, the transport of troops by air from Port Moresby to the northern coast has made the land trip unnecessary.

From Washington... Admiral Halsey is appointed chief of the Pacific Command Area, replacing Admiral Ghormley.

On the Eastern Front... In Stalingrad, renewed German attacks make small gains in the Red October Factory area.

From Berlin... In reaction to several incidents, Hitler orders that all prisoners taken from Commando or similar units are to be shot immediately.

Monday, October 19, 1942

In Washington... The War Department agrees to provide equipment for another thirty Chinese divisions.

Tuesday, October 20, 1942

From Washington... The United States Congress passes the largest tax bill in the country's history. It will raise $6,881,000,000 in tax revenue.

Wednesday, October 21, 1942

On the Eastern Front... At Stalingrad, vicious fighting again is concentrated in small areas. The Germans are attacking the Barricades Factory and a housing estate. The attacks will continue over the next two days. The Germans make some gains in the Red October Factory area.

In the Solomon Islands... On Guadalcanal, the Japanese forces, mainly 2nd Infantry Division, under General Maruyama now number 20,000. The plan for the attack on the main American position involves simultaneous attacks to be made northward in the area between the Lunga and Tenaru Rivers, while secondary attacks are made on the American western outposts along the Matanika River. The Japanese lack accurate intelligence concerning the numbers and dispositions of the American troops.

In New Guinea... The Australian troops fighting on Kokoda Trail advance to the main Japanese positions in Eora. General MacArthur orders them to speed up their advance.

From Britain... The transports and escorts in support of Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of French North Africa, sail. Despite the presence of 21 German U-boats in the waters off Gibraltar and the Moroccan coast, the transports are only mentioned vaguely in dispatches to Italy and Germany.

In the Atlantic... Convoy SL-125 comes under attack from U-Boat forces.

Thursday, October 22, 1942

In the Solomon Islands... On Guadalcanal, the Japanese attack again over the Matanikau River with a strong force of tanks and infantry. They are thrown back with heavy losses due mainly to the effectiveness of the American artillery.

On the Eastern Front... The first snows of winter fall at Stalingrad.

In New Guinea... Australian troops land on Goodenough Island. The Japanese have mostly left the island after the battle at after Milne Bay.

Friday, October 23, 1942

In North Africa... The Battle of El Alamein. The British go on the offensive. General Montgomery's attack begins before midnight. Planning for the battle has been detailed and training of the troops precise. An elaborate and extensive artillery campaign has been worked out and deceptive measures have been taken to confuse the enemy as to the timing and locations of the attack. Montgomery's plan is to have the infantry of British 30th Corps push through the minefields and enemy infantry positions with British 10th Corps, with two armored divisions, to move through and hold off any counter attacks while the infantry clears and widens the gap. The final phase calls for the German armor to be engaged and destroyed in the open. The British have a numerical superiority in tanks of 2 to 1 in guns, tanks and men. They also dominate the air. The Germans and Italian units are short of supplies. They are so short of fuel that the armored group has been split into 2 groups to enable motorized units to reach battle sites. The German and Italian units have also been interspersed so that a consistent strength front is presented to the British. The attack begins falling on the German 164th Division and the Italian Trento Division, support by the Italian Littorio and German 15th Panzer Divisions. British diversionary attacks in the south keep the 21st Panzer in its position for the time being. British forces make progress but do not make their time table to push their armor through the minefield. General Stumme, commander in Rommel's medical absence dies of a heart attack while visiting the front lines. In the confusion following his death, German responses to the attack are slowed.

In Algeria... In preparation for Operation Torch, British General Clark lands in Algeria for discussion with French General Mast and Robert Murphy, an American diplomat. Murphy has been conducting the negotiations with the French leaders in Morocco and Algeria concerning the coming invasion. French Generals Mast and Bethouart, Chiefs of Staff at Algiers and Casablanca have given their support. However, support of the Allies is less prevalent with the more senior French officials and soldiers. It is nonexistent with the Navy, who have not forgiven the British for the bombings of French ships at Mers-el-Kebir and Dakar. The purpose of this particular meeting is to ensure the cooperation of General Mast with the allied effort and to gain his acceptance of French General Giraud as the French leader. Mast agrees.

In Burma... Much of the British force has advanced to Cox's Bazaar and their forward units have reached Buthidaung. They engage the Japanese who have retreated from Akyab. After a brief engagement the Japanese hold the position.

Saturday, October 24, 1942

In the Solomon Islands... On Guadalcanal, heavy fighting continues as the Japanese offensive gains some success with the secondary operations infiltrating the left wing of the America positions. The main operation against the south of the American perimeter begins at dusk and continues throughout the night. It is repelled.

In Berlin... In Germany for medical treatment, Rommel receives word of the British attack and the need for him to return quickly to Africa.

Sunday, October 25, 1942

On the Eastern Front... In the Caucasus, the 3rd Panzer Corps renews offensives after a period of regrouping with attacks south of the Terek River.

In North Africa... The Battle of El Alamein. General Montgomery intervenes personally to ensure that 10th Corps advances. By the end of the day, the British have lost 250 tanks, but the 15th Panzer has less than 50 tanks left and the British can be re-supplied. Rommel returns to Africa by the evening, just as the Australian 9th Division begins its drive to the sea.

In the Solomon Islands... On Guadalcanal, the Japanese army again attempt attacks on the southern perimeter of the American positions. They are thrown back with heavy losses. Meanwhile, the Japanese navy mounts a major operation to support the offensive on Guadalcanal. Four battleships and the carriers Shokaku, Zuikaku, Zuiho and Junyo as well as numerous cruisers and destroyers. The carriers contain aircraft for use at Henderson Field airstrip when the Japanese capture it. A report to that effect has brought the carriers this close to the islands. The Americans have two carriers in the area, Hornet and Enterprise, with an attending battleship USS South Dakota close enough to provide anti-aircraft cover. The Japanese force is split into four for the operation. Numerically the number of planes are close, the Japanese have 212, the Americans have 171. The Americans discover the Japanese force first launching an attack which doesn't find the Japanese ships.

Monday, October 26, 1942

In the Solomon Islands... The Battle of Santa Cruz. Both American and Japanese forces launch at dawn. Two hours later the Japanese attack reach and seriously damages the USS Hornet. Both attacks have been launched at the extreme edge of the aircrafts' range and the Japanese have the advantage as their range is longer. When the American planes find part of the Japanese force, there is not enough fuel left for an organized attack, however, the cruiser Chikuma of Admiral Abe's Vanguard Group is damaged. The remainder of the planes attack the carrier Shokaku and damage it heavily. A second wave of Japanese attackers severely damages the USS Enterprise but many of the planes are shot down by the antiaircraft guns of the South Dakota. The third wave of Japanese planes from the Junyo suffer the same fate. Enough though the Enterprise is made partially operational, Admiral Kinkaid decides to withdraw. The battle is considered a Japanese victory. The damaged USS Enterprise is now the only American carrier in the Pacific. However, the victory is costly as again loss of Japanese aircrew is high and the lost of aircraft has removed the effectiveness of the undamaged aircraft carrier Zuikaku. The loss of planes and crew also mean that no attack on Henderson Field airstrip is possible.

In North Africa... Battle of El Alamein. British General Montgomery halts the attack against Rommel's forces to regroup his forces. Rommel freshly back from Germany, begins quick counterthrusts moving the 21st Panzer and Ariete up from the south. Convinced that the main Allied attack will come along the coast, he moves the 15th Panzer there to counter it, with the 90th Light as support.

In London... British Prime Minister Winston Churchill is furious at reports that Montgomery has halted the advance in North Africa. He fears that there will be a repetition of the losses of men and materiel that has plagued the British fighting in Africa.

On the Eastern Front... In the Caucasus, the Germans capture the town of Nalchik, southeast of Pyatigorisk. The German 3rd Panzer Corps are threatening four Soviet divisions.

Tuesday, October 27, 1942

On the Eastern Front... At Stalingrad, German advances continue in the ground between the Red October and Barricades Factories. From this area, they can bring the landing stages on the Volga under direct machine gun fire. The remaining Soviet controlled areas are now on average of 300 yards deep, however, these are strongly held and fortified.

In North Africa... The Battle of Alamein. While the British concentrate on regrouping their forces, what Rommel intends as a major counterattack is defeated by a small British force at Kidney Ridge. Other attacks farther north meet with no success.

In the Solomon Islands... At Guadalcanal, the Japanese halt the offensive. They have suffered 3500 casualties with entire units being destroyed. Both sides are exhaustive by the heavy day and night fighting, but the initiative has passed to the Americans.

Wednesday, October 28, 1942

In North Africa... The Battle of Alamein. The Australian 9th Division makes progress toward the sea and continues to draw more German troops to oppose them, specifically the German 90th Light Division.

In French West Africa... American diplomat Robert Murphy informs French General Mast that the Allied invasion of the area will take place in November. Mast protests that he will be unable to organize support for either General Giraud or the Allied cause in time.

In the Mediterranean... The British carrier Furious brings another cargo of Spitfires to within flying range of Malta from Gibraltar. The situation on the island continues to deteriorate as the supplies are reaching the island are brought by submarine or fast minelayer. Axis intelligence is award of the shortages and interprets the build up of shipping at Gibraltar to yet another attempt at a large convoy run to Malta rather than the transports carrying troops for Operation Torch, the invasion of French North Africa.

Thursday, October 29, 1942

In the Solomon Islands... On Guadalcanal, the Japanese, stung by their heavy losses begin withdrawals from the coast to the west of the American beachhead. The Americans begin preparing to occupy this area.

In North Africa... The Battle of Alamein. British General Montgomery is persuaded to alter the direction of attack in the next phase of his offensive.

In New Guinea... The Australian forces make a final attack against the Japanese positions at Eora, forcing them to retire before they had completely withdrawn their troops.

From Australia... General Vasey is appointed to the command of the Australian 7th Division, replacing General Allen who has been judged as insufficiently forceful.

In Madagascar... East African Allied troops capture Fianarantsoa, the largest town in the southern portion of the island and continue to advance at the last of the Vichy French resistance.

Friday, October 30, 1942

In New Guinea... The Australian advance reaches Alola, about 10 miles south of Kokoda. One of the brigades is sent directly toward Kokoda, while the second is sent on a more easterly route.

In North Africa... Battle of El Alamein. The Australian 9th Division continues to battle the German 90th Light Division north and east of Tell el Eisa.

Saturday, October 31, 1942

In North Africa... Battle of El Alamein. Fierce fighting continues between Australian and German forces near Tell el Eisa.