80 Years Ago, Friday, 30 June 1944

 USN

FY44 END STRENGTH–Naval vessels on hand (all types)--46,032. Personnel: Navy--2,981,365; Marine Corps--472,582; Coast Guard--169,258. Total personnel--3,623,205.

PACIFIC–Submarine Jack (SS-259) attacks Japanese convoy about 70 miles west of Manila, and sinks army cargo ships Tsurushima Maru and Matsukawa Maru, 14°15'N, 119°40'E.

Submarine Plaice (SS-390) (despite a debilitating epidemic of intenstinal influenza on board) sinks Japanese gunboat Hyakafuku Maru northwest of Chichi Jima, 28°20'N, 141°23'E. Auxiliary netlayer Kogi Maru's counterattack is unsuccessful.

Submarine Tang (SS-306) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Nikkin Maru in the Yellow Sea off Mokpo, Korea,35°05'N, 125°00'E.

Japanese guard boat Aikoku Maru is sunk by shore battery off Kwajalein Atoll.

ATLANTIC–Off Normandy during the month of June 1944 (exact dates unknown), tank landing craft LCT-572, LCT-713, and LCT-714 are sunk by mines; LCT-147 sinks after running aground; LCT-200, LCT-244, and LCT-413 are lost to the rigors of amphibious operations.

MEDITERRANEAN–Motor torpedo boat PT-306 captures Italian motor torpedo boat MAS 562 off Elba and tows it into Bastia, Corsica.

AAF

EIGHTH AF–136 Heavy Bombers attack airfields at Montdidier, Evreux/Fauville, Conches, Le Culot, and Coxyde/Furnes. P-51’s furnish escort and afterwards strafe marshalling yards, airfields, barges, barracks, a train, a factory, and a warehouse with good results. No enemy aircraft are encountered and no airplanes are lost.

NINTH AF–125-plus B-26’s and A-20’s, using blind-bombing methods in bad weather, bomb fuel dumps and road junctions at Conde-sur-Vire, Foret de Conches, Conde-sur-Noireau, and Thury-Harcourt. Around 250 others are forced to abort due to weather. 600-plus fighters escort bombers, fly cover over the beach, and bomb marshalling yards at Chartres and Verneuil-sur-Avres, bridges E of Paris, and Evreux-Bueil, and Breux-sur- Avre-Trappes rail lines. The fighters fly armed rcn in Seine-Loire gap and along the Loire, and Continentbased fighters of IX TAC attack comm targets in adv of US and British positions.

TWELFTH AF–Weather again restricts Medium Bomber operations but B-25’s attack Pietrasanta railway bridge and Marradi viaduct and tunnel. Fighter Bombers hit rail lines, bridges, railroad cars, guns, motor transport, and other targets along battleline and area to the N in Pistoia area.

FIFTEENTH AF–Bad weather causes over 450 Heavy Bombers and more than 150 fighters to abort missions. 188 Heavy Bombers, escorted by 138 fighters, hit airfield at Zagreb and targets of opportunity in Hungary and Yugoslavia, including marshalling yards at Kaposvar, Osztopan and Split, highway bridge at Brac I, airfield at Banjaluka, and city of Budapest. 130-plus fighters provide escort.

TENTH AF–47 B-25’s continue Imphal ammo run while 17 B-25’s haul gasoline to Kamaing. 18 B-25’s bomb Tamu and 6 hit Wainggyo. 11 P-38’s attack Myitnge bridge.

FOURTEENTH AF–Medium Bombers and Fighter Bombers again pound numerous targets in Tungting Lake area, concentrating on river shipping, town areas, troop concentrations, and road traffic. Towns bombed include Pingkiang, Hengshan, Liling, Yuhsien, Siangyin, and Chuchou. Also hit is airfield at Hengyang and bridges at Leiyang and Liling. 15 P- 40’s over NE Indochina damage bridge approaches at Phu Lang Thuong and blast 3 trains.

FEAF–Barges, troop concentrations, and other targets of opportunity near Nyaparake and Suain are attacked. Kamiri and Namber airfields, supply areas, and defensive positions on Noemfoor I are hit. Tobera and Erventa I are also bombed.

SEVENTH AF–P-47’s on Saipan continue to pound entry forces remaining on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

USA

FRANCE—21 Army Group: Gen Montgomery, CG, orders U.S. First Army to make breakout attack while Br Second Army continues efforts to take Caen and contains enemy between there and Villers-Bocage.

In U.S. First Army’s VII Corps area, enemy’s defense line on Cap de la Hague Peninsula collapses under 9th Div’s attacks. 39th Inf begins exploring tip of the peninsula after nightfall. 101st A/B Div relieves 4th Div at Cherbourg and latter starts S for coming offensive. In XIX Corps area, CCA of 3d Armd Div gains its limited objectives NE of St Lô and is relieved there by 115th Inf, 29th Div.

ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army’s IV Corps area, 34th Div continues battle for Cecina: bn of 135th Inf establishes bridgehead across the Cecina R and, with assistance of tanks, defends it successfully; 133d Inf makes main effort against town of Cecina, which is still stoutly defended; to protect right flank, 168th Inf is moved forward to Cecina R by truck, and 3d Bn begins crossing without opposition.

In Br Eighth Army’s 13 Corps area, 4th Div overruns Petrignano in lively fighting.

NEW GUINEA—Main body of Noemfoor attack forces leaves Toem at 1800. On Biak, 34th Inf finishes mopping up its sector, ending main phase of action on Biak, and withdraws to beach. 162d and 186th Regts move into assigned positions on main and reserve lines. In Wakde-Sarmi area, TF TORNADO completes mop up of Lone Tree Hill and surrounding region.

SAIPAN—At commander’s conference on Saipan, it is decided to land on Guam on 21 July and to reinforce Southern Troops and Landing Force (III Amphib Corps) for this purpose with 77th Div. Postponement of Guam invasion allows time for 77th Div to arrive from Hawaii and permits stronger and more prolonged preliminary bombardment. 2d Mar Div continues to advance its center and right flank over difficult terrain above Tipo Pale and Mt. Tapotchau. 27th Div finishes clearing Death Valley and Purple Heart Ridge; makes contact with Marines on either flank. This successfully concludes battle for central Saipan. 4th Mar Div continues to consolidate on Kagman Peninsula and patrols deeply beyond 0–6 line.

USMC

Commanders’ conference on Saipan decides landings on 21 Jul 44. Conclusion of battle for central Saipan.