October 1942

October

• 03

  • Key eventThe first successful A4 rocket launchOn 3 October 1942 at Peenemünde the fourth A4 prototype flew some 190 km and climbed to 84.5 km. The future V-2 weapon was born.
• 04

  • The raid on SarkOn the night of 3–4 October 1942 British commandos raided the Germans on Sark. They took one prisoner; the binding and deaths of others enraged Hitler.
• 06

  • The dispute over day and night bombingIn autumn 1942 the British pressed the Americans to give up daylight raids. Eaker and Arnold defended their doctrine, and the raid on Lille put it to the test.
• 07

  • The third battle of the MatanikauOn 7–9 October 1942 five Marine battalions crossed the Matanikau on Guadalcanal and shattered the Japanese 4th Infantry Regiment as it prepared to attack.
• 11

  • The Battle of Cape EsperanceOn the night of 11–12 October 1942 Rear Admiral Scott's cruisers surprised off Guadalcanal a Japanese force sent to shell Henderson Field.
• 12

  • The fighting in Stalingrad's factory districtIn mid-October 1942 Paulus struck at the factories of northern Stalingrad. The 62nd Army, fed by night across the Volga, was cut in two but held on.
  • The 100th Infantry BattalionIn summer 1942 over 1,400 Japanese Americans from Hawaii formed the 100th Infantry Battalion – a Nisei unit that was to prove their loyalty.
• 13

  • The bombardment of Henderson FieldOn the night of 13–14 October 1942 the battleships Kongō and Haruna fired 973 shells at Henderson Field. The Guadalcanal airfield was nearly knocked out.
• 14

  • The sinking of the CaribouOn 14 October 1942 U-69 sank the ferry Caribou, bound from Sydney to Newfoundland, in the Cabot Strait. 136 or 137 people died, children among them.
• 18

  • The Commando OrderOn 18 October 1942 Hitler ordered Allied commandos to be killed, even in uniform and trying to surrender. Five days later the first victims died.
  • Halsey takes command in the South PacificOn 18 October 1942 Nimitz relieved the exhausted Ghormley and gave the South Pacific to Vice Admiral Halsey. The news lifted morale on Guadalcanal.
• 22

  • Britain lowers the call-up ageOn 22 October 1942 Ernest Bevin told the Commons that 18-year-olds would be called up. Until then, in practice, men were called only from 18 and a half.
  • Clark's mission to AlgeriaOn the night of 21–22 October 1942 General Mark Clark landed from a submarine near Cherchell to agree French help for the landings with General Mast.
  • The raid on GenoaOn the night of 22–23 October 1942, 112 RAF Lancasters bombed central Genoa, opening an autumn bombing offensive against the cities of northern Italy.
• 23

  • Key eventThe Second Battle of El Alamein beginsAt 9.40 p.m. on 23 October 1942 almost 900 Eighth Army guns opened fire at El Alamein. The infantry of four divisions advanced into the Axis minefields.
  • The battle for Henderson FieldOn 23–26 October 1942 the Japanese 2nd Division attacked the American perimeter around Henderson Field on Guadalcanal and was repulsed with heavy losses.
• 24

  • The Operation Torch convoys sailOn 24 October 1942 Admiral Hewitt's fleet with Patton's troops left Hampton Roads for Morocco. Convoys from the Clyde were already bound for Algeria.
  • The crisis at El AlameinOn 24 and 25 October 1942 British tanks stuck in the minefield corridors at El Alamein. Montgomery ordered them to keep attacking despite the losses.
• 25

  • Rommel returns to AfricaAfter Stumme's death Hitler recalled Rommel from sick leave. On 25 October 1942 he was back in command at El Alamein, with fuel for only a few days.
• 26

  • The Battle of the Santa Cruz IslandsOn 26 October 1942 the Japanese sank the carrier Hornet and damaged Enterprise but lost nearly 150 airmen. Tactically, Japan won the battle.
• 29

  • The Albert Hall protestOn 29 October 1942 at the Royal Albert Hall the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sikorski and Jan Masaryk condemned the murder of the Jews. Churchill sent a message.
• 31

  • The fighting for Thompson's Post at El AlameinOn the night of 30/31 October 1942 the Australians reached the coast road at El Alamein. Beating off counter-attacks, they drew Rommel's reserves north.