http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1942/dec42/f15dec42.htm
“Tokyo Express” to New Georgia
Tuesday, December 15, 1942 www.onwar.com
Admiral Tanaka: Commander of the “Tokyo Express” [photo at link]
In the Solomon Islands... Admiral Tanaka’s supply flotilla begins missions to aid the building of an airfield on New Georgia to support the Japanese positions on Guadalcanal.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/frame.htm
December 15th, 1942
UNITED KINGDOM: The government is to launch an all-out campaign to warn people of the dangers of venereal disease, using leaflets, films and broadcasts. The House of Commons today approved a regulation which provides that if two people report a third as a source of infection, that person may be compelled to go for treatment.
The minister of health, Ernest Brown, revealed that the number of new cases of syphilis had risen by 70% since 1939. The rate was now as bad as in 1932. Public education was essential, as well as free treatment available from GPs and an increasing number of clinics. The Labour MP Dr. Edith Summerskill said the new regulation did not go far enough. Last year 70,000 cases of VD had been seen by clinics. This meant that the total number was probably 150,000 - more than the casualties of the Blitz.
MPs reported that VD in the factories was seriously affecting the war effort, and that ships were sometimes unable to sail because of it. It was no longer confined to towns. Lady Astor said: “There has been a lowering of the moral tone and the government has done nothing about it.”
London: It was gazetted today that PO (Cook) Charles Henry Walker (b.1914) dived from his destroyer to rescue a survivor of a burning ship who was in difficulties. (Albert Medal)
Scotland: Convoy JW-51A sails from Loch Ewe for Kola Bay in the USSR, re-opening the Arctic convoy route.
Escort carrier HMS Trumpeter launched. (Dave Shirlaw)
GERMANY: U-670, U-671, U-843 launched. (Dave Shirlaw)
NEW GUINEA: US forces enter Buna, which Japan has evacuated.
SOLOMON ISLANDS: During the next 10 days Admiral Tanaka’s Tokyo Express also runs supply missions to Munda airfield on New Georgia, while still making express runs to Guadalcanal.
U.S.A.: The 101st Infantry Battalion (Separate) - personnel of Austrian ancestry is formed at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. (Nick Minecci)
ATLANTIC OCEAN:
U-159 sank SS Star of Suez.
U-174 sank SS Alcoa Rambler.
U-626 sunk in the North Atlantic, in position 56.46N, 27.12W, by depth charges from USCGC Ingham. 47 dead (all hands lost).
Aircraft carrier USS Bennington laid down.
Destroyer escort USS Hopping laid down.
Submarines USS Lancetfish and Lionfish laid down.
Minesweepers USS Change and Clamour launched.
Destroyers USS Guest and Stevenson commissioned.
(Dave Shirlaw)
Treasury to Lease-lend silver for coinage to Britain and Australia until end of war.
.................The Arabs receive $5 in gold for bringing lost US airmen and another $5 for rescuing the parachute......
Interesting the parachute was as valuable as the airman.