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December 9th, 1942

UNITED KINGDOM: Minesweeper HMS Rattler launched.

Frigate HMCS (ex-HMS) Nene launched South Bank-on-Tees.

Destroyer HMS Bideford rammed the anchored HMCS Louisburg in Londonderry. Louisburg required five weeks of repair in Belfast.

Oiler HMCS Mastodon commissioned. Built Renfrew, Scotland, 1,233/10, 6 kts, 210x36.5x13.75ft, crew 5/37, 1-12pdr, 2-20mm. Formerly Dept of Public Works, Dredger No.306, #129529, converted Burrard Dry Dock Co, Ltd, Vancouver. Delivered oil to naval storage tanks West Coast, occasionally assisted in distribution of commercial oil products. MASTODON was one of a very few auxiliaries that, despite their generally small size and decrepit condition, did absolutely indispensable work. Post WW.II, sold, Imperial Oil South America, Peruvian flag in 1950’s. (Dave Shirlaw)

GERMANY: U-276 commissioned. (Dave Shirlaw)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA: Whilst escorting convoy MKS.3, Flower class corvette HMS Marigold is sunk by an aircraft torpedo off Algiers at 36 50N 03 00E. There are 40 casualties but 6 officers and 37 ratings survive.

Whilst escorting submarine depot ship HMS Maidstone from Algiers to Gibraltar, destroyer HMS Porcupine is torpedoed by U-602 (Kapitanleutenant Philipp Schuler) 70 miles NE of Oran at 36 40N 00 04E. She is towed back to port at Arzeu, separated into two parts and sent to the UK in two halves referred to as “Porc” and “Pine”, but is not repaired. (Alex Gordon)(108)

SOLOMON ISLANDS: General Alexander Patch of the US Army XIV Corps, assumes command of Guadalcanal from General Vandegrift. The 1st Marine Division is relieved. Vandegrift marks the occasion with a letter that paid tribute to the sailors, airmen, soldiers “and small band of devoted allies” that fought side by side with his Marines. The reference quoted is to the Coastwatchers and is so worded for security reasons. The Marines that were expected to make the landing and then hand off the fighting to the Army have been relieved, 124 days after landing. The 5th Marines begin embarking. The 2nd Marines, attached to the 1st MarDiv in place of the 7th Marines, remain on Guadalcanal with the 2nd MarDiv.

NEW GUINEA: Australian forces capture Gona after a fierce hand-to-hand battle.

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

Destroyer USS Clarence K Bronson laid down.

Escort carrier USS Liscombe Bay laid down. (Dave Shirlaw)

ATLANTIC OCEAN:
U-161 transferred an ill crewmember to the milk cow U-461.

U-508 captured four crewmembers from SS Nigerian; a ship she had just sunk.

U-553 sank SS Charles L.D. in Convoy HX-217. (Dave Shirlaw)