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1901   (TUESDAY) 

JAPAN: Hirohito is born at the Aoyama Palace in Tokyo.  

1929   (TUESDAY) 

CANADA: The Montreal, Quebec, and Toronto, Ontario, Stock Exchange share prices plummet in their worst drop ever, as the New York market crash spreads quickly around the Globe. (See below.) The Calgary, Alberta, Stock Exchange closes for a few hours, but reopens when traders think the situation is only temporary. World governments quickly impose tariffs to protect their native industries from dumping, but this causes a collapse in world trade and leads to the Great Depression.  

UNITED STATES: The Stock Market crashes. Black Tuesday hits Wall Street as investors trade 16.4 million shares on the New York Stock Exchange in a single day. Billions of dollars are lost, wiping out thousands of investors, and stock tickers run hours behind because the machinery cannot handle the tremendous volume of trading. In the aftermath of Black Tuesday, America and the rest of the industrialized world spiraled downward into the Great Depression. During the 1920s, the U.S. stock market underwent rapid expansion, reaching its peak in August 1929, a period of wild speculation. By then, production has already declined and unemployment has risen, leaving stocks in great excess of their real value. Among the other causes of the eventual market collapse are low wages, the proliferation of debt, a weak agriculture, and an excess of large bank loans that can not be liquidated. Stock prices began to decline in September and early October 1929, and on 18 October the fall began.

 Panic sets in, and on 24 October, Black Thursday, a record 12.9 million shares are traded. Investment companies and leading bankers attempt to stabilize the market by buying up great blocks of stock, producing a moderate rally on Friday. On Monday, however, the storm breaks anew, and the market goes into free fall. Black Monday is followed by Black Tuesday, in which stock prices collapsed completely. After 29 October, stock prices have nowhere to go but up, so there is considerable recovery during succeeding weeks. Overall, however, prices continue to drop as the U.S. slumped into the Great Depression, and by 1932 stocks are worth only about 20 percent of their value in the summer of 1929. The stock market crash of 1929 is not the sole cause of the Great Depression, but it did act to accelerate the global economic collapse of which it is also a symptom. By 1933, nearly half of America's banks have failed, and unemployment is approaching 15 million people, or 30 percent of th  e workforce. It will take World War II, and the massive level of armaments production taken on by the U.S., to finally bring the country out of the Depression after a decade of suffering.

1935   (TUESDAY) 

UNITED KINGDOM: Winston Churchill publishes his extremely critical views on Germany in an article in Strand magazine under the title "The Truth About Hitler." German Chancellor Adolf Hitler is reported to have said, "What is to be the fate of the Anglo-German Naval Agreement if the writer of this article is to be made a Minister of the British Navy?"

1937   (FRIDAY) 

GERMANY: The government declines the Belgian invitation to participate in the Nine-Power Conference. ("As Germany is not a party to the treaty [Nine Power] . . ." The Nine-Power Treaty is a treaty between the U.S., Belgium, the U.K., China, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, and Portugal, signed on 6 February 1922, "desiring to adopt a policy designed to stabilize conditions in the Far East, to safeguard the rights and interests of China, and to promote intercourse between China and the other Powers upon the basis of equality of opportunity."

October 29th, 1939 (SUNDAY)

UNITED KINGDOM: A new type of German mine, set off by the noise of a ship is discovered near Porthcawl, Wales.

FRANCE: Picasso completes his masterpiece 'Femme au chapeau vert.' More....

The body of U-12's commanding officer, Kptlt Dietrich Von der Ropp, was washed ashore on the French coast near Dunkirk.

LITHUANIA: Lithuanian troops complete their re-occupation of Vilnius.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-34 sank SS Malabar in Convoy HX-5A.

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October 29th, 1940 (TUESDAY)

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October 29th, 1941 (WEDNESDAY)

UNITED KINGDOM:  Minesweeper HMS Stratford launched.

GERMANY:

U-822 launched.

U-513, U-601 laid down.

U-355 commissioned.

U.S.S.R.: The line west of Moscow receives a division from Siberia, the first of these reserve divisions.

COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: Colonel H. George, A-4 (supply) under Major General Lewis H. Brereton, submits a request to Hugh Casey ( MacArthur"> MacArthur's engineer) to devise plans as soon as possible for the construction of housing for 339 officers and 2,743 enlisted men at Del Monte airfield, Mindanao.

CANADA: Minesweeper HMCS Stratford laid down Toronto, Ontario.

UNITED STATES: The Japanese ambassador in Washington, D.C., WAKASUGI Kaname, sends the following message to the Foreign Office in Tokyo: "U. S.-Japanese relations are now fast approaching a critical crossroad. In view of the fact that the times are indeed grave, I am waiving formality and, though it may seem very presumptuous of me, am reporting to you my views on the general attitude of the United States after coming in contact with its representatives on several occasions." The last paragraph of the message is, "The United States has expressed its interest in continuing with the talks after she has been advised of the attitude and policy of the newly formed Cabinet of Japan. I urge, therefore, that the new Cabinet establish its basic policy as speedily as possible, so that we may lay our cards on the table for them to see. I sincerely believe that would be to our best interests."

     The Intelligence Branch of the War Department issues a memorandum based on "information received from the Orient" stating: "Mr. HIROTA, a presiding officer at directors' meeting of the Black Dragon Society, told of an order issued by War Minister TOJO (now premier) "to complete full preparation to meet any emergency with United States in the Pacific. All guns to be mounted in the islands of the Pacific under Japanese mandate. The full preparation to be completed in November." HIROTA and others are said to have stated: "War with United States would best begin in December or in February." "Very soon," they say, "the Cabinet will be changed. The new Cabinet would likely start war within sixty days."

     USN Patrol Squadron Eighty Two (VP-82) receives the first of a planned full complement of Lockheed PBO-1 Hudsons at NAS Norfolk, Virginia. Assignment of these aircraft, actually destined for the British and painted with British markings, is the beginning of what becomes an extensive use of land planes by patrol squadrons during the war and, although it is not yet apparent, is the first move toward the eventual elimination of the flying boat from patrol aviation.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-577 was attacked by a Blenheim bomber in the North Atlantic, suffering slight damage.

USN Task Unit 4.1.3 escorts convoy HX 156 (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, to U.K.); destroyer USS Hilary P. Jones (DD-427) carries out a depth charge attack on a suspicious contact. TU 4.1.6 screens convoy ON 28 (U.K. to North America). During the day, destroyers USS Lea (DD-118), DuPont (DD-152), MacLeish (DD-220), and Sampson (DD-394) depth charge suspected U-boat contacts.

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October 29th, 1942 (THURSDAY)

UNITED KINGDOM: London: A demonstration of protest against Nazi atrocities committed against the Jews of occupied Europe was held at the Albert Hall tonight. It was led by the William Temple, Dr. William Temple, who described what was being done as "so horrific that the imagination refused to picture it. It is a reversal to barbarism which seems to have the settled purpose of exterminating the Jewish people."

Messages were sent to Jewish victims in ghettoes and camps. The first, from Mr. Churchill, read: "The systematic cruelties to which the Jewish people, men, women and children, have been exposed under the Nazi regime are among the most terrible events of history and place an indelible stain upon all who perpetrate and instigate them. When this world struggle ends with the enthronement of human rights, racial persecution will be ended."

Leaders of governments in exile also sent messages. General Sikorski declared: "I assure Polish Jews that they will benefit from victory on equal terms with all Polish citizens." The Czech foreign minister, Jan Masaryk, gave a similar pledge.

There are reports that over a million Jews have been exterminated since the war began. A government white paper with details is expected shortly.

NETHERLANDS: During the day, one each RAF Bomber Command Mosquitos attack the Den Helder port area and Langeoog Airfield.

GERMANY: During the day, two RAF Bomber Command aircraft bomb the city and airfield on Wangerooge Island.

U-646 commissioned.

U.S.S.R.: Baltic Fleet, Ladoga and Onega Flotillas: Submarine "Sch-304"is sunk by a U-boat, in the Aland Sea. (Sergey Anisimov)(69)

According to Finnish sources this submarine was sunk by Finnish-laid mines yesterday.

Stalingrad: 60,000 German troops and two tank divisions launch a new attack, but advance just 50 yards.

Pinsk: The Germans massacre 16,000 Jews.

CRETE: US Army, Middle East Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators strike Maleme Airfield.

EGYPT: Last night the Australian Division makes progress with their attacks in the northern sector, drawing the German 90th Light Division, in the Battle of El Alamein.

Later in the morning General Montgomery alters the emphasis of his attack, Supercharge, south towards the Italians, now alone opposite Kidney Ridge. This is to be a breakout by X Armoured Corps, with the way opened by infantry. Montgomery asks Freyberg to lead it, who had started the battle with only two infantry brigades (plus 9th Armd Bde).

The New Zealanders had done wonders in the first two days and suffered accordingly. Freyberg said his division wasn't up to it and refused. Montgomery offered him an extra British brigade, but he still refused, although "he was clearly weakening. 'Very well Bernard' said Montgomery 'I'll give you two infantry brigades'". Monty also sent up fresh tanks for Freyberg's armoured brigade. Monty said later: 'I could see that the old warhorse was itching to fight again. This sort of show was very much his cup of tea and I knew he was the right man for it'. Freyberg agreed. (Michael Alexander)

     US Army, Middle East Air Force B-25 Mitchells bomb landing grounds, motor transports, and tanks; P-40s fly escort, then bomb and strafe road east of El Daba, and attack troop concentration and vehicles.

MADAGASCAR: East African troops capture 440 Vichy troops at Alakamisy, and occupy Fianarantsoa. This is the most important town in the south of the island. They continue their advance towards the remaining pockets of Vichy French resistance.

NEW GUINEA: Australian units make a final attack against Japanese positions at Eora. The Japanese, planning to retire, are forced out ahead of schedule and the Australians find that the Japanese have abandoned their positions that have held up the Australians for a week. The Australians pursue the Japanese along the Kokoda Track.

     In Papua New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force A-20 Havocs hit the Isurava-Deniki and Abuari-Kaile trails.

AUSTRALIA: Prime Minister John Curtin cables British Prime Minister Winston Churchill that it is of vital importance to the Australian Government to get the Australian 9th Division back.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: In the aftermath of recent action on Guadalcanal, the Japanese are consolidating their units west of the Lunga Perimeter. Part of this action occurs as various units struggle in over the next several days. Much of their equipment has been left behind as the Japanese again fight the jungle and hunt for food during their trek.

The 1st Marine Division prepares for an offensive to drive the Japanese westward beyond the Poha River. The 2d Marine Regiment (less 3d Battalion) is ordered to Guadalcanal from Tulagi to assist in the offensive; the 3d Battalion, which has been operating as mobile reserve in the Lunga area, is to return to Tulagi for garrison duty. The attack is to begin on 1 November after outposts have been established west of the Matanikau River and bridges have been constructed across the river.

     USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses attack shipping in the Bougainville Strait between Buin and Faisi Islands.

General Vandegrift and his staff are planning their follow up moves. 

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the South China Sea, USN submarine USS Grenadier (SS-210) lays mines in the Tonkin Gulf off Haiphong, French Indochina.

     In the Coral Sea, a USN PBY-5 Catalina of Patrol Squadron Eleven (VP 11) sinks Japanese submarine HIJMS I-172 about 268 nautical miles (497 kilometers) southeast of Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, in position 13.01S, 162.45E. The sub is spotted on the surface and crash-dives and is underwater when two 650-pound (295 kilogram) depth charges are dropped. A large quantity of oil appeared and remained on the surface the following day. All 91 hands aboard, including Rear Admiral OKAMOTO Yoshisuke, Commander of the 12th Squadron of the Kure Submarine Flotilla.

TERRITORY OF ALASKA: First traffic rolls over the 2,575 kilometer (1,600 mile) Alcan Military Highway from Dawson Creek, British Columbia, to Fairbanks, Territory of Alaska, .

A force of Japanese infantry, engineers, antiaircraft guns, and support units lands at Holtz Bay on Attu Island. Simultaneously, 1,100 troops from the 303rd Independent Infantry Battalion sail for Shemya Island. As they sail, USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-24 Liberator flies overhead.

     A USAAF Eleventh Air Force aircraft flies a special reconnaissance mission with Lieutenant General Simon B Buckner, Commanding General Alaska Defense Force, aboard. The flight covers Tanaga, Amchitka, and Japanese-held Kiska Islands.

CANADA: Corvette HMCS Mayflower commenced refit Pictou, Nova Scotia.

U.S.A.: President Franklin D. Roosevelt offers to send an American division from the Territory of Hawaii to the Southwest Pacific Area. Roosevelt claims that the "common cause" would best be served by the retention of the Australian 9th Division in the Mid East.

     A 1943 production objective of 107,000 aircraft is given top priority by President Roosevelt in his instructions to Donald M Nelson, Chairman of the War Production Board.

     A tornado strikes the town of Berryville, Arkansas, killing 20 persons and causing US$500,000 (US$5.99 million in year 2005 dollars) damage.

Destroyers USS Boyd, Halford and Leutze launched.

Submarine USS Cisco laid down.

Destroyer escorts USS Duffy and Emery laid down.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-522 sighted slow convoy SC-107 with its 42 merchant ships. Another 17 boats are placed across its path. (Henry Sirotin)

5,620 ton U.S. freighter WEST KEBAR is sunk by German submarine U-129, 14' 57" N, 53'37" E, while en route from Freetown, Sierra Leone to St. Thomas, Virgin Islands.  Three merchant seamen are killed; the survivors take to two lifeboats and one raft. (Rodney Sanders)(83)

At 0305 on 29 October, the Kosmos II was torpedoed by U-624, caught again fire and immediately settled. A third torpedo broke the ship in two, causing her to sink in 54°30N/29°55W. The Barrwhin picked up the most men after two and a half hours in a dramatic rescue operation. At 21.18 hours on 29 October, the Barrwhin was torpedoed and sunk by U-436 (Seibicke). Twelve men from Kosmos II died in the sinking, the survivors were picked up by the HMCS Kenogami (K 125) (Lt P.J.B. Cook) and landed at Londonderry. The Kosmos II had carried at least 70 passengers and 30 soldiers. A total of 33 lives were lost - The master, 18 Norwegian crewmembers, six Norwegian soldiers, one Norwegian and two Greek passengers and five Norwegian (newly educated) mates who had belonged to a group of 20 who were going to Dumbarton for further education and training. The three British landing craft HMS LCT-2190, HMS LCT-2192 and HMS LCT-2284 (each 291 tons) on deck were lost with the vessel.

At 0757 hours on 29 Oct 1942, the Pan New York (Master Hedley Vernon Thompson, lost) in station #43 of convoy HX-212 was torpedoed by U-624 about 550 miles west of Malin Head. One torpedo struck on the port side in the #3 tank and sprayed flaming gasoline all over the after part. The port bow wind blew the flames over nearly the entire length and ventilators aft sucked the fire down to the engine room and quarters of the crew. The flames destroyed nearly all lifeboats and rafts and burning gasoline swam on the water on the leeward side of the vessel. The survivors among the eight officers, 31 crewmen and 17 armed guards (the ship was armed with one 5in, one 3in, six 20mm and two .30cal guns) remained aft in the mess room. They waited more than nine hours and jumped at the first daylight into the water when a corvette was about 500 feet off the starboard side. HMCS Rosthern picked up 13 men, but one of these later died and two others were rescued by HMCS Summerside. Only one officer, twelve crewmen and one armed guard survived. The wreck of the tanker was sunk by the two corvettes with gunfire and depth charges about 11 hours after the attack.

U-159 sank SS Laplace and SS Ross.

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

The Canadian Government merchant ship Bic Island (4,000 GRT), formerly the Italian Capo Noli, captured on 10 Jun 40 by HMCS Bras D'or, was torpedoed and sunk by U-624, Kptlt Ulrich Graf Von Soden-Fraunhoffen, CO, in the North Atlantic, in position 55.05N, 023.27W. All of her crewmembers plus the survivors of two other sunken merchant ships, Gurney E Newlin and Sourabaya, were lost. Bic Island was part of HX-212, a 43-ship convoy from New York City to Liverpool. She is not listed among the five other ships that were lost, which means that she was likely a 'straggler'. The materiel lost from the five ships that were sunk while in convoy amounted to 21,000 tons of crude oil, 20,300 tons of fuel oil, 12,000 tons of petrol, and 8,200 tons of grain, plus the unspecified cargo from Bic Island. A total of 243 merchant sailors were lost from the five sunken merchant ships. The size of Bic Island's crew is not known. The convoy eventually reached the UK on 02 Nov 42. The convoy was escorted by the American Escort Group A-3, commanded by Captain Paul Heineman USN. The warships included the Secretary-class USCG cutters Badger and Campbell, the British Flower-class corvette Dainthus and the Canadian corvettes Rosthern and Trillium. Three additional Canadian corvettes were assigned for passage and for subsequent duties in Operation TORCH - Alberni, Summerside and Ville de Quebec.

U-436 sank SS Barrwhin in Convoy HX-212.

U-509 damaged SS Corinaldo in Convoy SL-125.

The 11,330 ton passenger/cargo liner MS Abasso is sunk while on its way from Cape Town, South Africa, to Liverpool, England, by the German submarine U-575 about 589 nautical miles (1 091 kilometers) north of Lagens Field, Azores Islands, at position 49.00N, 28.00W (approx.) [According to KTB: Qd. BD 3761 =48°51'00"N  28°25'00"W]. There are only 31 survivors; a total of 168 crew and 83 passengers are lost. Among the passengers are 44 newly trained pilots from a training school in Southern Rhodesia; only one, a Canadian, survives. Survivors are picked up from the freezing Atlantic on 1 November by the sloop HMS Bideford (L 43). (Jack McKillop & Lucas Bruijn)

UD-5 sank SS Primrose Hill.

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October 29th, 1943 (FRIDAY)

UNITED KINGDOM: Slough, Buckinghamshire: Sgt John Rennie (b.1920), Canadian Army, tried to hurl a live grenade clear of his trench; it went off as he did so, killing him. (George Cross)

Anti-Aircraft cruiser HMS Bellona commissioned.

Frigate HMS Kingsmill commissioned.

GERMANY: U-870 laid down.

U.S.S.R.: Colonel General Gotthard Heinrici, Commander of the Fourth Army, organizes German defenses between Orsha and Vitebsk, while under a new Soviet attack. This is the beginning of his rise as one of the best defensive tacticians in the German Army.

ITALY: Cantalupo is captured by units of XIII Corps British 8th Army.

In the U.S. Fifth Army's VI Corps area, 34th Infantry Division continues to pursue the Germans northward, the 135th Infantry Regiment taking Pratella and Prata. Elements of 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Infantry Division, protecting the right flank of the VI Corps, reach Gallo. The3d Infantry Division continues north on the left flank of corps in region west of the Volturno River.

     In the British Eighth Army area, XIII Corps begins an attack toward Isernia, the 5th Division leading off in a downpour of rain during the night of 29/30 October.

CHINA: Two USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells bomb the administration building and runway at Ft Bayard airfield; nine P-40s on offensive reconnaissance in the Chiuchiang area strafe a 200-foot (320 meter) steamer and attack a train, destroying the locomotive.

HONG KONG: Mr. John Alexander Fraser (b.1897), a colonial official, was executed. He had organized escape plans and a radio service for fellow internees until arrested by the Japanese, and revealed nothing under torture. (George Cross)

Capt. Matreen Ahmed Ansari (b.?), Rajput Rifles, endured 18 months of brutality in an effort - utterly unsuccessful - to make him switch loyalties. The Japanese executed him today. (George Cross)

FRENCH INDOCHINA: Fourteen USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-24 Liberators and 16 P-40s attack the smelter area at Quang Yen.

EAST INDIES: USAAF B-25 Mitchells sink a vessel off Tanimbar Island located between Australia and New Guinea while B-24s bomb Selaroe (Poelau) Aerodrome located on a smaller island, just to the south of Tanimbar.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, 17 USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25 Mitchells attack the Madang area and P-47 Thunderbolts attack shipping in the Hansa Bay area and B-24 Liberators attack the Waroe Bay area .

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, 37 USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24 Liberators, escorted by 53 P-38 Lightings, bomb the Rabaul area on New Britain Island, claiming 45 Japanese airplanes destroyed on the ground and in the air. Meanwhile, P-47 Thunderbolts attack shipping in Hansa Bay and strafe the Cape Gloucester area. Australian Beauforts fly the first of many torpedo attacks against Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor, Rabaul. During the night of 29/30 October, Australian (PBY) Catalinas begin a series of night harassment missions to Kavieng on New Ireland Island.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: USAAF Thirteenth Air Force and USN aircraft attack Buka Airdrome on Buka Island north of Bougainville. The four attacks are made by: (1) 40 B-25 Mitchells and 22 F6F Hellcats; (2) nine B-25s dropping parafrag bombs; (3) 21 B-24 Liberators; and (4) 11 B-24s and 24 fighters. Bonis Airfield on northern Bougainville is hit by 12 USN PV-1 Venturas and a B-25.

PACIFIC OCEAN: 0200 hours: USS Seawolf (SS-197) sinks a cargo ship at 22-45 N, 116-10 E. 1400 hours: USS Seawolf (SS-197) sinks a sampan at 31-24 N, 138-24 E. (Skip Guidry)

CANADA: Frigate HMCS La Hulloise launched.

Frigate HMCS La Hulloise launched Montreal, Province of Quebec.

U.S.A.: Destroyer escort USS Savage commissioned. Historian Samuel Loring Morison served on this ship during the Vietnam War. Destroyer escort USS Cockrill launched.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: While tracking fast Convoy ON 208 (U.K. to North America), German submarine U-282 (Type VIIC) is sunk about 601 nautical miles (1 113 kilometers) southwest of Reykjavik, Iceland, in position 55.28N, 31.57W, by depth charges from British destroyers HMS Vidette (D 48) and HMS Duncan (D 99) and the British corvette HMS Sunflower (K 41). All 48 crewmen on the sub are lost. (Alex Gordon)

U-220 (Type XB) is sunk in the North Atlantic at position 48.53 N, 33.30 W by depth charges from two Avenger aircraft of escort carrier USS Block Island. 54 dead.

U-415 was attacked by a Wellington aircraft in the North Atlantic and suffered slight damage.

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October 29th, 1944 (SUNDAY)

NETHERLANDS: In the Canadian First Army area, II Corps is rapidly clearing southern Beveland and completing the reduction of the Breskens Pocket. The 52d Division and Canadian 2d Division establish contact on southern Beveland and the 52d Division takes Goes. Breda falls to the Polish 1st Armoured Division.

     In the British Second Army's VIII Corps area, the Germans attack in force from Meijel toward Liesel and Asten, taking Liesel from Combat Command B, U.S. 7th Armored Division, and pushing Combat Command R units back about halfway up the road toward Asten.

     During the day, RAF Bomber Command dispatches 358 aircraft, 194 Lancasters, 128 Halifaxes and 36 Mosquitos, to attack 11 different German ground positions on Walcheren. Visibility is good and it is believed that all the targets are hit. One Lancaster is lost.

WESTERN EUROPE: The USAAF Ninth Air Force flies numerous tactical missions: About 170 B-26 Marauders and A-20 Havocs bomb rail bridges at Mayen, Konz-Karthaus, and Euskirchen, Germany and Ellern and Moerdijke, the Netherlands; fighters fly escort to bombers, sweeps, defensive patrols, armed reconnaissance over wide areas of eastern France, the Netherlands, and Germany, bomb rail targets and bridges, and fly cover for the US XIX Corps in Belgium.

FRANCE: Sakato, George T., Pvt., 442nd Regimental Combat Team, will be awarded the MOH for actions today in Biffointaine. (William L. Howard)

During the rescue of the German-surrounded 141st Texas Regiment - the Lost Battalion - Barney Hajiro, Private in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, initiated an attack up what was dubbed Suicide Hill by running forward about 100 yards under fire.

"He then advanced ahead of his comrades about 10 yards (9 meters), drawing fire and spotting camouflaged machine gun nests," his citation reads. "He fearlessly met fire with fire and single-handedly destroyed two machine gun nests and killed two enemy snipers. As a result of Private Hajiro's heroic actions, the attack was successful." (MOH)

In U.S. Third Army's XX Corps area, three companies of the 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, omitting artillery preparation, attack from the factory area at Maiziêres-les-Metz into the section south of Hôtel de Vile; two others attack from the north. Most of the town is cleared by dark.

     In the U.S. Seventh Army's VI Corps area, 45th Infantry Division moves into Bru and Jeanménil, which the Germans have successfully defended for the past month, without opposition. The drive on Raonl’Etape continues to the right. The 3d Infantry Division improves their positions near St Die. In the 36th Infantry Division zone, the 442d Infantry Regiment (Nisei) pushes closer to the isolated 1stBattalion of the 141st Infantry Regiment in Forêt Domaniale de Champ.

GERMANY: Capt. Harry E. Fisk, a P-51 pilot with the 356th FS/354th FG, USAAF, achieves ace status when he downs three Bf 109s near Karlsruhe. Germany at 1145 hours.

2nd Lt. Bruce Carr, a P-51 pilot with the 353d FS/354th FG, USAAF, achieves ace status when he downs two Bf 109s near Bockingen, Germany at 1145 hours. This brings his total to 6.5. He ends the war with 15 enemy aircraft destroyed. (Skip Guidry)

At the edge of a fierce fight for control of Aachen, U.S. soldier Max Fuchs is the cantor at the first Jewish religious service to be broadcast from German soil since the advent of Hitler.

Thirty five USAAF Fifteenth Air Force of over 155+ B-24 Liberators dispatched with fighter escort, bomb Munich Main marshalling yard; the remainder and 670 other bombers, dispatched against targets in southern Germany, abort the mission due to bad weather.

     During the night of 29/30 October, RAF Bomber Command sends 59 Mosquitos to Cologne; 57 bomb the city without loss. Meanwhile, six Mosquitos bomb Mannheim.

AUSTRIA: Thirty USAAF Fifteenth Air Force P-38 Lightnings, after escort duty, strafe communications lines from Wels to Kienberg destroying 17 locomotives and several other road and rail transportation targets.

BALTIC SEA: U-1001 took off two ill crewmembers from U-958 and U-475.

NORWAY: During the day, 37 RAF Bomber Command Lancasters and a film unit aircraft are dispatched from RAF Lossiemouth, Morayshire, Scotland to attack the battleship Tirpitz, which is now moored near the port of Tromso. The removal of the Lancasters' mid-upper turrets and other equipment and the installation of extra fuel tanks, giving each aircraft a total fuel capacity of 2,406 Imperial gallons (2,889 U.S. gallons or 10 938 liters), allows the Lancasters to carry out this 2,250 mile (3 621 kilometer) operation. A weather reconnaissance Mosquito has reported the target area free of cloud and the Lancasters form up at a lake near the bay in which the Tirpitz is moored and commence their attack. Unfortunately the wind has changed and a bank of cloud came in to cover the battleship 30 seconds before the first Lancaster is ready to bomb. Thirty two aircraft release Tallboy bombs on the estimated position of the battleship but no direct hits are scored. One Lancaster, which is damaged by flak, crash-lands in Sweden and its crew are later returned to Britain.

U.S.S.R.: Moscow: Stalin orders the seizure of Budapest, regardless of cost.

YUGOSLAVIA: During the night of 29/30 October, 74 RAF bombers of No. 205 (Heavy Bomber) Group bring supplies to the partisans.

ITALY: In the U.S. Fifth Army area, elements of Combat Command, South African 6th Armoured Division, on the left flank of the division, take Palazzo, west of Highway 64.

     In the British Eighth Army's V Corps area, the German garrison at Meldola is threatened with encirclement as the Indian 10th Division begins attacks from bridgeheads and south of the town. The 4th Division prepares for another attack across the river since flood waters are subsiding.

     Weather again restricts operations by the USAAF Twelfth Air Force but the XXII Tactical Air Command fighter-bombers fly 15 sorties against railroad targets in the Po Valley.

CHINA: USAAF Fourteenth Air Force fighters in support of Chinese ground forces hit hill positions in the Lungling and Mangshih areas; others damage a bridge at Sinshih, bomb Kweiyi and Paoching, hit railroad targets between Siaokan and Sinyang, and strafe airfields at Chingmen, Tangyang, and Ichang.

BURMA: On the Salween front, the Chinese Expeditionary Force, closely supported by the USAAF Fourteenth Air Force, renews an offensive, attacking toward Lung-ling with the Chinese 200th Division in the lead. The Japanese have been thinning out.

     In the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC) area, the British 36th Division, having paused briefly at Mawpin, resumes southward drive down the railroad corridor.

     Over 80 USAAF Tenth Air Force fighter-bombers again attack a wide variety of targets including troop concentrations, bridges, supply dumps, and numerous targets of opportunity at Kawlin, Wingnang, Hsenwi, Bhamo, Shwegu, Kyungon, Tugyaung, Yebyangale, Henu, and Kayin.

JAPAN: On Paramushiru Island in the Kurile Islands, four USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-25 Mitchells on reconnaissance hit Tomari Cape buildings and a freighter which is left listing.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces fighter-bombers and B-25 Mitchells, operating in small forces, are active against airfields, antiaircraft positions, and targets of opportunity on Halmahera Island.

COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: Abuyag, Leyte, south of Dulag is liberated by US forces. Catmon Hill is cleared and the US advance to Dagami is able to continue.

In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, takes the lead in a drive to Jaro, reaching the town at 1700 hours after having cleared opposition en route to Galotan. In the XXIV Corps area, the 381st Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division, takes Labir and Catmon Hills with ease. The 17th Infantry Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division continues an attack toward Dagami and breaks into the southern part of the town. From Burauen, the 32d Infantry Regiment moves without incident along Highway 1 to Abuyog, the 7th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, preceding it, pushes on toward Baybay.

     USN Task Group 38.2 attacks Japanese airfields in the Manila, Luzon, area and shipping in Manila Bay, damaging heavy cruiser HIJMS Nachi. During Japanese air attacks on the fast carriers operating off Leyte, a kamikaze crashes into one of the port gun tubs of the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid (CV-11) killing ten men and wounding six.

NEW GUINEA: In Dutch New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force fighter- bombers hit Ransiki Aerodrome while fighter-bombers, A-20 Havocs, and B-25 Mitchells bomb Utarom (Kaimana) Aerodrome and Soeli and strafe targets of opportunity throughout the Utarom-Kaimana area.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: Twenty Australian Beauforts attack Rabaul on New Britain Island.

BONIN ISLANDS: Nineteen USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24 Liberators from Saipan bomb Chichi Jima.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: Two USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24 Liberators from Guam strike Yap Island.

PACIFIC OCEAN: 2300 hours: USS Sterlet (SS-392) sinks a cargo ship at 30-04 N, 132-24 E. (Skip Guidry)

U.S.A.:

Destroyer USS Harwood laid down.

Destroyers USS Bristol and Chevalier launched.

Minesweeper USS Ruddy launched.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-1226 (Type IXC/40) is lost in the Atlantic, possibly because of a Schnorkel defect. Position not known. 56 dead (all hands lost).

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October 29th, 1945 (MONDAY)

UNITED KINGDOM: Destroyer HMS Queenborough commissioned.

JAPAN: IJN submarine I-363 en-route from Kure to Sasebo hits a mine and sinks, ten crewmen are rescued but 33 are lost. More...

CANADA: Minesweeper HMCS Drummondville paid off.

U.S.A.: The US Army's 1399th Engineering Construction Battalion is awarded a Meritorious Service Plaque for "superior performance and record of accomplishment and exceptional devotion to duty". They are a Japanese-American unit. More...

USS Bon Homme Richard (CV-31) sails from San Francisco bound for Pearl Harbor where she is to be converted into a troop transport.

Destroyer USS Robert A Owens laid down.

The Committee to Evaluate the Feasibility of Space Rocketry recommends that detailed studies be made to determine the feasibility of an Earth Satellite Vehicle. This leads the USN Bureau of Aeronautics to issue contracts to one university and three companies for theoretical study, and preliminary design of a launch vehicle and for determining by actual test the specific impulse of high energy fuels including liquid hydrogen-oxygen.

     The first commercially-made ballpoint pens goes on sale, at Gimbels Department Store in New York City. The pens sell for US$12.50 (US$135.63 in year 2005 dollars) and rack up a tidy profit of US$500,000 (US$5.99 million in year 2005 dollars) in the first month!

     The top songs on the pop music charts are: "I'll Buy That Dream" by The Pied Pipers; "That's for Me" by Dick Haymes; "On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe" by Johnny Mercer; and "With Tears in My Eyes" by Wesley Tuttle.

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