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• USS Finback damaged a large Japanese freighter east of Taiwan, hitting her with 2 of torpedoes fired. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]
• US Navy Vice Admiral William F. Halsey was designated the commander of the South Pacific Area, and was made directly responsible for the campaign in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Main Article | TH]
• Adolf Hitler issued his Kommando Befehl, ordering that any captured Soviet commandos be shot. ww2dbase [Main Article | TH]
• Norwegian commandos parachuted near Telemark, Norway, to conduct reconnaissance. ww2dbase [TH]
• US Navy Pacific Fleet's chief communications officer John Redman sent Joseph Wenger a message noting Redman's wish to relieve radio intelligence officer Joseph Rochefort. ww2dbase [CPC]

• During the night, Japanese warships again shelled Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Main Article | Facility | TH]

• The German Ministry of Justice transferred the responsibility for Jews and citizens of Eastern European countries within Germany to the Gestapo. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]

• Japanese hospital ship Hikawa Maru arrived at Yokosuka, Japan. ww2dbase [Main Article | Tabular Record of Movement | CPC]

• French troops attempted a counter offensive at Andriamanalina, Madagascar, but it was soundly repulsed by British and Commonwealth troops. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]

• Kamoi departed Mili, Marshall Islands. ww2dbase [Main Article | Tabular Record of Movement | CPC]

• Four Norwegian agents of the British Special Operations Executive were parachuted near the Vemork heavy water production plant in Telemark, Norway on a reconnaissance mission code named Grouse. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]

• Submarine S-7 departed Moshchny Island near Leningrad, Russia. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]

• British Captain Pat Reid and Canadian Flying Officer Hank Wardle, having escaped from Oflag IV-C prisoners of war camp at Colditz Castle in Germany on 14 Oct 1942, successfully made it to Switzerland. ww2dbase [CPC]

18 Oct 1942 Interactive Map