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October 30th, 1942

UNITED KINGDOM: USAAF 336th Fighter Squadron transfers to Debden, Essex. (Jack McKillop)

Destroyers HMS Obedient, Racehorse and Wensleydale commissioned.

Destroyer HNLMS Tjerk Hiddes commissioned. (Dave Shirlaw)

GERMANY: U-991, U-992 laid down. (Dave Shirlaw)

EGYPT: Alexandria: The Bletchley Park codebreakers who have been unable to read the U-boat Enigma cipher for almost a year must thank the self-sacrifice of two men who died today retrieving an Enigma machine and its key settings from a sinking submarine. Lt. Tony Fasson and Able Seaman Colin Grazier boarded U-559 (Type VIIC) as she was being scuttled after an attack by destroyers HMS Pakenham, HMS Petard and HMS Hero, 70 miles off Egypt at position 32.30N, 33.00E. They passed their prize to safety, but were unable to escape before the U-boat sank, taking them with her. In total there were seven dead and 38 survivors.

Lt. Francis Anthony Blair Fasson (b.1913) and A/S Colin Grazier (b.1920), both of HMS PETARD, boarded a crippled U-boat and, aware of the danger, recovered valuable documents and instruments until the vessel suddenly sank, taking them both. (George Crosses)

NEW GUINEA: The Australian advance up the Kokoda Track reaches Alola, New Guinea. This is 10 miles from Kokoda. One Brigade will proceed directly up the track, the other will advance more easterly to Oivi.

PACIFIC OCEAN: US cruisers and destroyers shell Japanese positions on Santa Cruz Island.

The Japanese fleet is reported to have withdrawn from the Solomons.

CANADA: Corvettes HMCS Regina, Moose Jaw and Algoma departed St John’s as UK convoy escort and eventual Operation Torch Duty. (Dave Shirlaw)

U.S.A.: Submarine USS Flier laid down.

Destroyer USS Cony commissioned.

Submarine USS Hake commissioned. (Dave Shirlaw)

ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-520 (Type IXC) is sunk east of Newfoundland, at position 47.47N, 49.50W, by depth charges from a Canadian Digby aircraft (RCAF Sqdn 10/742). 53 dead (all crew lost).

U-658 (Type VIIC) is sunk east of Newfoundland, at position 50.32N, 46.32W, by depth charges from a Canadian Hudson aircraft (RCAF Sqdn. 145/Y). 48 dead (all crew lost). (Alex Gordon)

U-659 sank SS Bullmouth and damaged SS Tasmania and Corinaldo in Convoy SL-125.

U-129 sank SS West Kabar.

U-203 sank SS Corinaldo in Convoy SL-125.

U-409 dank SS Silverwillow and damaged SS Bullmouth in Convoy SL-125

U-509 sank SS Brittany in Convoy SL-125

U-604 sank SS Baron Vernon and President Doumer in Convoy SL-125.

Destroyer HMCS Columbia attacked by U-522 Kptlt Schneider, CO. Torpedo missed. (Dave Shirlaw)