In the Solomon Islands… The Battle of Santa Cruz. Both American and Japanese forces launch at dawn. Two hours later the Japanese attack reach and seriously damages the USS Hornet. Both attacks have been launched at the extreme edge of the aircrafts' range and the Japanese have the advantage as their range is longer. When the American planes find part of the Japanese force, there is not enough fuel left for an organized attack, however, the cruiser Chikuma of Admiral Abe's Vanguard Group is damaged. The remainder of the planes attack the carrier Shokaku and damage it heavily. A second wave of Japanese attackers severely damages the USS Enterprise but many of the planes are shot down by the antiaircraft guns of the South Dakota. The third wave of Japanese planes from the Junyo suffer the same fate. Enough though the Enterprise is made partially operational, Admiral Kinkaid decides to withdraw. The battle is considered a Japanese victory. The damaged USS Enterprise is now the only American carrier in the Pacific. However, the victory is costly as again loss of Japanese aircrew is high and the lost of aircraft has removed the effectiveness of the undamaged aircraft carrier Zuikaku. The loss of planes and crew also mean that no attack on Henderson Field airstrip is possible.

In North Africa… Battle of El Alamein. British General Montgomery halts the attack against Rommel's forces to regroup his forces. Rommel freshly back from Germany, begins quick counterthrusts moving the 21st Panzer and Ariete up from the south. Convinced that the main Allied attack will come along the coast, he moves the 15th Panzer there to counter it, with the 90th Light as support.

In London… British Prime Minister Winston Churchill is furious at reports that Montgomery has halted the advance in North Africa. He fears that there will be a repetition of the losses of men and materiel that has plagued the British fighting in Africa.

On the Eastern Front… In the Caucasus, the Germans capture the town of Nalchik, southeast of Pyatigorisk. The German 3rd Panzer Corps are threatening four Soviet divisions.