http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1942/oct42/f09oct42.htm
Power of commissars reduced in Red Army
Friday, October 9, 1942 www.onwar.com
A Soviet officer briefing his troops [photo at link]
From Moscow... Stalin announces a major change in the command structure of the Soviet Army. All commanding powers are taken from the Political Commissars in the Army. Their role is reduced to morale and propaganda. Military decisions will be left to the commanding officers.
In the Solomon Islands... On Guadalcanal, American attacks succeed in wiping out a Japanese battalion west of the Matanikau. The attacks by the US 1st Marine Division are halted as intelligence reports of a major Japanese attack on the main American position are received.
On Madagascar... The British troops occupying the French island leave the capital, Tananarive, and move south to link with the troops landed there at the end of September.