| Special Forces Operations in October 1942 |
| October 3rd, 1942 – October 4th, 1942 |
| Operation Basalt |
| Commandos, Small Scale Raiding Force |
| Twelve men from the Small Scale Raiding Force, No. 62 Commando and No. 12 Commando, Motor Torpedo Boat 344. Their mission is an offensive reconnaissance of the island Sark, one of the British Channel Islands and to capture German soldiers for integration. With the help of the locals the Commandos manage to get some valuable information and capture five German soldiers. While trying to capture some officers in the nearby hotel, one German escapes. In the fight that follows three Germans are killed. The Commandos decide to retreat to the Motor Torpedo Boat and return to Great Britain with one German prisoner. |
| October 7th, 1943 – October 9th, 1943 |
| Second Battle for the Matanikau River |
| 1st Raider Battalion |
| In early October 1942, U.S. intelligence reports a Japanese build-up west of the Matanikau River. To pre-empt a new offensive, the 1st Marine Division launches a coordinated attack to seize key river crossings. Two battalions of the 5th Marines advance along the coast, while three more cross the river upstream to push north toward Kokumbona. This time, the assault includes substantial fire support. On October 7th, 1942, the 5th Marines encounter stiff resistance near the sandbar. Edson’s 2nd Battalion secures its objectives upriver, but the 3rd Battalion is stalled. Reinforcements arrive in the form of Company A, 1st Raider Battalion. On October 8th, 1942, the Japanese probe Marine lines overnight. At first light, Major Lewis W. Walt leads Company A in an assault, which gains little ground. Rain delays further movement, prompting Vandegrift to scale down the operation to a limited envelopment. Edson halts the attack and has Company A entrench on the right flank of the 3rd Battalion. That evening, the Japanese attempt a breakout, striking Company A’s left and centre but are halted by barbed wire and concentrated fire. By morning, 59 Japanese lie dead. Marine losses stand at 12 killed and 22 wounded. |
| October 18th, 1942 – November 23rd, 1942. |
| Operation Grouse |
| Norwegian Independent Company 1, Special Operations Executive |
| Four-man Norwegian Team of Norwegian Independent Company 1 (Kompani Linge). Their mission is to make preparation for Operation Freshman in the Telemark area, Norway. After the completion of Operation Freshman, the group should train local groups and target ‘Hirdmen’ (Quisling vigilante guards) and Norwegian collaborators and informers. |