October 18th, 1942 (SUNDAY)
UNITED KINGDOM: Escort carrier HMS Ameer (ex-USS Baffins) launched.
Corvette HMCS Louisburg
completed fitting with extra a/a armament at
Humber.
GERMANY: Berlin: With the tide of war now turning
against his armies, Hitler has issued a "Top Secret Commando
Order" which says: "From now on, all enemies on so-called commando
missions in Europe or Africa ... even if they are in uniform, whether armed or
unarmed, in battle or in flight, are to be slaughtered to the last man."
Hitler says that he has been compelled to act because of the recent increase -
not to mention success - of Allied commando operations. General Jodl, says that
in no circumstances must it fall into enemy hands.
U.S.S.R.: Renewed German attacks in the Krasnye Oktyabr area make gains against the Soviet defenses which have held over the past two days. In the Caucasus, the advance by Heeresgruppe A (Army Group A) toward the Black Sea port of Tuapse is halted due to difficult terrain and stubborn Soviet resistance.
NEW GUINEA: US forces advancing over the Kapa Kapa Trail arrive at Pogani. This track parallels the Kodaka Trail over the Owen Stanley Mountains of New Guinea. The complete regiment will finish the journey over the next 3 days. They will, however, not be in condition to fight due to the rigors of the trek through the mountains and jungle. This overland journey will prove wasted, since it has become possible to airlift troops to the north shore of New Guinea.
U.S. forces advancing over the Kapa Kapa Trail, which parallels the Kokoda Trail over the Owen Stanley Mountains, arrive at Pogani. The complete regiment will finish the journey over the next 3 days. They will, however, not be in condition to fight due to the rigors of the trek through the mountains and jungle. This overland journey will prove wasted, since it has become possible to airlift troops to the north shore of New Guinea. Hard fighting by the Australians continues on Kokoda Track in the vicinity of Eora Creek.
USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25s hit Wairopi bridge in the Owen Stanley Range, the village of Mubo, and the dock and occupied area on Pilelo Island; the Fifth Air Force completes the air movement of most of the 128th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, to Wanigela. Elements are left at Port Moresby temporarily when Wanigela Field becomes unserviceable because of rains. (John Nicholas and Jack McKillop)
SOLOMON ISLANDS: At 1300 hours local, 16 F4F USMC and USN F4F Wildcats intercept 15 "Betty" bombers (Mitsubishi G4M, Navy Type 1 Attack Bombers) escorted by 9 "Zeke" fighters (Mitsubishi A6M, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighters) over Guadalcanal; 3 Japanese aircrew are captured. The Americans claim 6 "Betty" bombers and 4 "Zekes"; IJN records state 3 bombers and 4 fighters lost. One Wildcat is lost in an operational accident and 2 F4Fs are shot down but there are no pilot loses.
Fifth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses attack shipping and aircraft in the Faisi area in the Shortland Islands, and Kahili Airfield, and shipping off Kahili, Pupukuna Point, and Buin on Bougainville Island.
During the early evening, a "Val" dive bomber (Aichi D3A, Navy Type 99 Carrier Bomber) and a "Zeke" fighter are shot down near Guadalcanal by a USMC F4F pilot and twoUSNFighting Squadron Seventy One (VF-71) Wildcat pilots.
On Guadalcanal, construction begins on an all-weather fighter airfield to the west of Henderson Field. (John Nicholas and Jack McKillop)
NEW CALEDONIA: Admiral William F. Halsey arrives at Noumea prior to the arrival of his flagship USS Enterprise (CV-6) to scout the situation. He receives a sealed envelope containing orders, from Admiral Nimitz, to immediately take command of the South Pacific Ocean Area. In relieving Admiral Ghormley just days after the public release of the Battle of Savo Island, the blame for the loss is attached publically to Ghormley.
In the arena of US public opinion, the NY Times on October 16, "The shadows of a great conflict lie heavily over the Solomons - all that can be perceived is the magnitude of the stakes at issue. ... Guadalcanal. The name will not die out of the memories of the generation. It will endure in honor."
US Navy Secretary Knox responds to a question of holding Guadalcanal: "I certainly hope so and expect so ... I will not make any predictions, but every man will give good account of himself. What I am trying to say is that there is a good stiff fight going on. Everybody hopes we can hold on."
ADMIRALTY ISLANDS: Fifth Air Force B-17s attack schooners and buildings at Lorengau on Manus Island.
TERRITORY OF ALASKA: Aleutians: On Kiska Island 4 Eleventh Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb the Main Camp, score near misses on a beached vessel in Trout Lagoon, and hit a gasoline storage area; weather aircraft flies reconnaissance over Attu, Segula, Little Sitkin, and Gareloi Islands.
NEWFOUNDLAND: Corvettes HMCS Baddeck, Port Arthur and Baddeck departed St. John's to join with the 50-ship New York City to Liverpool convoy SC-105 and subsequent support to Operation Torch, the North African Landings. SC-105 arrived safely in Liverpool on 31 Oct 42.
U.S.A.: Minesweepers USS Admirable and Adopt launched.
ATLANTIC OCEAN: U.S. freighter SS Steel Navigator, also straggling from convoy ON 137, takes on 40° list as her sand ballast shifts; USN Armed Guard volunteers shovel ballast for 30 hours without relief (reducing the list to 12°) until financial bonus offered by ship's master induces reluctant merchant sailors to lend a hand in the arduous work.
U-618 sank SS Angelina in Convoy ON-137.