Today in World War II History—October 21, 1942

Lt. Gen. Mark Clark aboard USS Ancon off Salerno, Italy, 12 Sept 1943 (US National Archives: 80-G-87335)
80 Years Ago—Oct. 21, 1942: Maj. Gen. Mark Clark lands by submarine at Cherchel, Algeria, for a clandestine meeting with the Vichy French in preparation for the upcoming Allied invasion.
WWI ace Eddie Rickenbacker’s B-17 ditches in the central Pacific; crew afloat for 24 days.
Congress passes Revenue Act of 1942, which raises $7 billion in new income taxes and reduces deductions, adding 13 million new taxpayers into the system.
Movie premiere of For Me and My Gal with Gene Kelly in his debut and Judy Garland.