American troops pose for a photograph on
a captured Japanese command post in the Solomons

November 1
Pacific, Solomons
US forces land on Bougainville; their final objective in the campaign. The island is of strategic importance as it offers the Allies airfield sites that can be used for operations against the Japanese base at Rabaul. The island is defended by 40,000 troops and 20,000 sailors. Most of these are concentrated in the south but US forces land farther west at Empress Augusta Bay, where there are fewer defenders.

November 1-2
Sea War, Pacific
A Japanese force of three heavy cruisers, one light cruiser, and six destroyers attempts to disrupt the Bougainville landings at Empress Augusta Bay. A lack of radar and overcomplicated maneuvers enable US Task Force 39 to sink a light cruiser and a destroyer. Two heavy cruisers and a destroyer are damaged. Only one of Task Force 39's 12 vessels is damaged by the Japanese.

An American Hellcat takes off from the carier
USS Essex during Admiral Frederick Sherman's
attack on Rabaul

November 5-11
Sea War, Pacific
US Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman's Task Force 38, including the heavy carrier Saratoga and light carrier Princeton, attacks Rabaul. A surprise attack by 97 aircraft damages eight cruisers and destroyers commanded by Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita. A second air attack by 183 aircraft, launched from the heavy carriers Bunker Hill and Essex, plus the light carrier Independence, hits Rabaul on the 11th. One light cruiser and a destroyer are sunk; five other destroyers and light cruisers are damaged. The Japanese also lose more than 55 aircraft during the raid and their counterattack.

November 6
Eastern Front, Ukraine
The Soviets recapture Kiev. The Seventeenth Army is trapped in the Crimea as Adolf Hitler orders the region not to be left. Two bridgeheads - at Kiev and southwest of Kremenchug - have been created by the Red Army for the offensive to liberate the western Ukraine.

November 10
Mediterranean, Aegean Sea
The island of Kos is now under German control and British destroyers shell the craft anchored in the harbor. Despite the attack, the Germans sail for Leros on the 12th. Shore batteries and infantry counterattacks attempt to halt the invaders. Strong air support and an airborne assault help the Germans to stabilize their positions.

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