18 December 1942

U-361 commissioned.

U-1000 laid down.

U-540 launched.

TUNISIA: USAAF Ninth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses hit shipping and harbor installations at Sousse while RAF (B-24) Liberators, under the control of IX Bomber Command, follow with a raid on the same target during the night of 18/19 December.

Thirty six USAAF Twelfth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses with 16 P-38 Lightnings as escort, hit Bizerte harbor and shipping offshore; a direct hit is scored on one vessel. Antiaircraft and attacks by Axis fighters result in the loss of one B-17 and four P-38s; three Axis fights are destroyed and others damaged. B-26 Marauders with P-38 escort attack the marshaling yard at Sousse, hitting the station, roundhouse and other buildings, tracks, and a train; heavy antiaircraft accounts for the loss of two B-26s. DB-7 Bostons with fighter escort hit the landing ground and dispersal area near Mateur and attack the railroad yards in the town. P-38s and P-40s fly reconnaissance missions and sweeps and attack ground targets, including a train north of Sfax and trucks near Sainte-Marie-du-Zit.

Continuing the pursuit of the Axis forces, the New Zealand 2d Division, British Eighth Army, clashes sharply with rear guards at Nofihia. After the action, the pursuit is largely abandoned for administrative reasons. (John Nicholas)

USAAF Ninth Air Force P-40s fly reconnaissance and patrol as the British Eighth Army's lead division. The New Zealand 2nd Division, clashes with the Geramn rear guards at Nofilia.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA: Whilst screening Force H, destroyer HMS Partridge is attacked and sunk by U-565 (Kapitanleutnant Wilhelm Franken) 50 miles West of Oran at 35 50N 01 35E. HMS Penn rescues 173 survivors. (Alex Gordon)(108)

NEW GUINEA: The Allies capture Cape Endiadere, east of Buna. The Australians use tanks with good effect in the advance. They also attack Japanese positions at Napapo and Sanananda.

In Papua New Guinea, the Australian 39th Battalion, 7th Division, which has been joined by elements of the 2/14th Battalion, 21st Brigade, has reduced the Japanese strength at Napapo to about half and is being relieved for action on the Sanananda front by the Australian 2/16th and 2/27th Battalions, 21st Brigade. The Australians, supported by fire of the Americans, begin a concerted attack on the Sanananda front. The Australian 2/7th Calvary Regiment, 7th Division, having moved elements into the roadblock against firm opposition, attacks north along the Soputa-Sanananda trail, bypassing resistance just ahead of the block. The Australian 30th Brigade attacks at the track junction, employing two battalions in a frontal assault and another in the region east of the track, but makes little headway. The Urbana Force attempts to clear Musita Island. Elements of Company L, U.S. 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division, reach the island by means of a cable, but with draw upon meeting heavy resistance. On the Warren front, a concerted assault against Cape Endaiadere and New Strip is spearheaded by Australian tanks, which prove invaluable in reducing concrete and steel fortifications. After preliminary air and ground bombardment, the Australian 2/9th Battalion, 18th Brigade, begins an attack on Cape Endaiadere and soon breaks through the main Japanese positions and reaches their objective; then drive west along the coast until halted near Strip Point by a new line of bunkers. The 3d Battalion, U.S. 128th Infantry Regiment, mops up and establishes a defensive perimeter in the Duropa Plantation. Americans and Australians attack New Strip from the south and east. While the 1st Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, pushes toward the bridge between the strips, elements of the Australian 2/9th Battalion, reinforced during the day by the 1st Battalion, U.S. 128th Infantry Regiment, reduce a strongpoint at the eastern end of New Strip and pursue th e Japanese west along the northern edge of the strip toward the bridge. The Australians sustain heavy casualties and lose three tanks in the action, which is otherwise highly successful. Advance elements of Australian 2/10th Battalion, 18th Brigade, arrive at the front by sea during night of 18/19 December. (John Nicholas and Jack McKillop)

In Papua New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20 Havocs hit positions at Kurenada in the Cape Endaiadere area while Allied ground forces launch a concerted assault. B-17 Flying Fortresses attack a convoy in Astrolabe Bay off Madang, while B-24 Liberators bomb the Alexishafen area and other B-24s bomb the airfield at Lae and attack the convoy off Madang.

ADMIRALTY ISLANDS: USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24 Liberators attack a transport northwest of Lorengau on Manus Island.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The 3d Battalion, 132d Infantry Regiment, Americal Division, advances up the northwestern slopes of Mt Austen to Hill 35, where Japanese fire is encountered.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN submarine USS Albacore (SS-218) torpedoes and sinks Japanese light cruiser HIJMS Tenryu about 8 nautical miles (15 kilometers) east of Madang, Northeast New Guinea, in position 05.12S, 145.56E. Albacore survives counterattacks by escorting destroyer (HIJMS Sukukaze or Isonami).

CANADA: Minesweepers HMS MMS 1050, 1051, 1052, 1053, 1054, 1055, 1056, 1057, 1058, 1059, 1060, 1061 ordered in Canada.

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: A USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-24 Liberator flies reconnaissance over Kiska, Attu, Agattu and Semichis Islands.

U.S.A.: [Msg, WD to Eisenhower OPD Msg files, CM-OUT 6349] Following message under date of December 15 furnished you from the President:
"I am today appointing Mr. Murphy to be my personal representative in North Africa with the rank of Minister. He will continue on General Eisenhower's staff in his present capacity as Civil Affairs Officer until such a time as consultation with the War Department suggests a change."

The Joint Chiefs of Staff authorize the occupation of Amchitka Island, Aleutian Islands, less than 100 miles (161 kilometers) from Japanese held Kiska Island, provided it is suitable for an advanced air base from which Kiska can be attacked.