Today in World War II History—September 12, 1942
Monday, September 12, 2022 by Sarah Sundin
US Fifth Air Force parachute fragmentation bombs falling on docks at Rabaul, New Britain, 2 November 1943 (Library of Congress)
80 Years Ago—Sept. 12, 1942: Battle of the Ridge begins: US Marines fight off Japanese attacks on Guadalcanal.
US Fifth Air Force A-20 light bombers first use parachute fragmentation bombs (“parafrags”)—at Buna, New Guinea.
Off Ascension, German submarine U-156 sinks British troop transport Laconia carrying 1800 Italian POWs; U-156 radios for assistance in rescuing survivors (beginning of Laconia Incident).
