Xmas Eve Afloat, 75 Yrs. Ago

THU 24 DEC 1942
Pacific
Henderson Field, Guadalcanal-based SBDs, P-40s, and F4Fs attack 13 Japanese troop-laden barges bound for Munda, New Georgia, sinking nine of the enemy craft.

Japanese netlayer Koa Maru is sunk by aircraft (possibly a USAAF B-24 heavy bomber), Marcus Bay, New Britain.

Submarine Silversides (SS-236) is bombed and damaged by Japanese aircraft off Rabaul, but continues on her patrol.

Submarine Triton (SS-201) sinks Japanese water tanker No.1 Amakusa Maru south of Wake Island, 19°16'N, 166°36'E.

USAAF B-17s sink Japanese transport No.2 Tama Maru at Gasmata, New Britain, 06°18'S, 150°16'E.

Atlantic
Transports Florence Nightingale (AP-70) and Thurston (AP-77) are damaged in collision off North Africa, 34°41'N, 07°25'W.