Today in World War II History—October 9, 1942
80 Years Ago—Oct. 9, 1942: US Eighth Air Force bombs Lille, France, in its first mission with B-24 Liberator heavy bombers, its first mission with over 100 bombers, and the first mission for the 306th Bomb Group.
On Guadalcanal, Marines cross Matanikau River, pushing Japanese out of artillery range of Henderson Field.
Australian Parliament formally adopts Statute of Westminster of 1931, allowing Australian legislative independence, backdated to 9/3/39.
First WAVES enlisted schools open at Stillwater, OK (yeoman), Bloomington, IN (storekeeper), and Madison, WI (radioman).