80 Years Ago, Saturday, 16 September 1944

US NAVY

INTERNATIONAL—Second Quebec Conference (OCTAGON) attended by President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill ends. Combined Chiefs of Staff approve Admiral Halsey's recommendation to advance the invasion of Leyte from 20December to 20 October.

PACIFIC—Marine Air Wings, Pacific is redesignated Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (Major General Francis P. Mulcahy USMC) with headquarters at Ewa, Oahu.

            Motor torpedo boat operations begin from Morotai, N.E.I., to maintain patrols, break up the movement of Japanese troops in barges, and prevent seaborne counterattacks from Halmahera. Two Morotai-based boats, PT-489 and PT-363 transit 60 miles of mined waters and then run an 11-mile gauntlet of coast defense batteries to rescue Ensing Harold A. Thompson, a downed F6Fpilot from escort carrier Santee (CVE-29), in Wasilla Bay, Halmahera; under fire for two and a half hours, both boats receive superficial shrapnel damage in the successful operation that snatches the aviator out of danger. Lieutenant Arthur M. Preston (Commander, MTBRon 33), commanding the operation, will receive the Medal of Honor.

            Mine damages destroyer Wadleigh (DD-689) off eastern entrance to Kossol Passage, Palau, 07°51'N, 134°39'E.

            U.S. submarines operate against Japanese shipping south of Formosa: Picuda (SS-382) sinks army cargo ship Tokushima Maru in Bashi Channel, 21°27'N, 121°35'E; Redfish (SS-395) sinks fleet tanker No.2 Ogura Maru,21°24'N, 121°14'E.

            Submarine Sea Devil (SS-400) sinks Japanese submarine I-364 off Yokosuka, Japan, 34°30'N, 145°23'E.

            Submarine Shad (SS-235) unsuccessfully attacks Japanese cargo ship Hakozaki Maru, 34°30'N, 138°25'E.

            Aircraft sink army cargo ship Imaharu Maru, 05°08'N, 121°14'E; and mine sinks cargo vessel Imaji Maru, 05°08'N, 115°05'E.

MEDITERRANEAN—U.S. motor torpedo boats engage German explosive control boat and four drones off Cap Martin.

ATLANTIC—Salvage vessel Escape (ARS-6) brings damaged U.S. freighter George Ade into Hampton Roads; the ship is repaired and returns to active service.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—7 fighter groups, 4 carrying bombs, strafe Hannover-Bremen-Osnabruck areas and bomb Ahlhorn airfield and Mannheim-Kaiserslautern area.

NINTH AF—HQ Ninth AF begins reorganization of IX Bomber Command as 9th Bomb Division, implementing the redesignation of 30 Aug. 150-plus medium bombers and light bombers attack Bath dike and Arnemuiden road and rail embankment. Fighters escort bombers, fly sweeps, and armed reconnaissance over Rastatt and Haguenau, and support US Third Army’s XII and XV Corps in repelling counterattacks in NE France.

TWELFTH AF—Medium bombers attack fuel and supply dumps and defensive positions in Bologna and Rimini areas while fighter bombers and fighters bomb and strafe rail and road targets N of battle areas in the N Apennine Mts as US Fifth Army forces struggle to break through strong enemy defenses in hills N of Prato, along main Monte Altuzzo ridge, on Monte Veruca, Monte Monticelli, and other mountain positions.

FIFTEENTH AF—Bad weather cancels bombing operations. 2 P-38’s fly weather reconnaissance and 54 B-24’s fly supplies to S France.

TENTH AF—19 B-24’s haul fuel to Liuchow. In spite of bad weather, 4 P-47’s sweep Lungling-Wanling-Loiwing road and 5 damage bridge approach at Manyut.

FOURTEENTH AF—20 B-24’s bomb Hengyang. 12 B-25’s bomb Kutkai. 28 B-25’s hit targets in China, including Yuangshaho ferry, Pakmushih, Chuanhsien, and Lengshuitang. 130-plus P-40’s and P-51’s on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity in Mangshih and Lungling area and from N of Tangyang and along the Yangtze R southward including areas around Changsha, Kiyang, Samshui, Chuanhsien, Lingling, and Kwongning.

FEAF—B-24’s bomb Kendari air depot and Ambesia airfield while B-25’s attack large warehouse at Gorontalo. B- 25’s and B-24’s pound Namlea, Liang, Haroekoe, Kairatoe, Laha, and Kamarian. Fighter bombers hit Manokwari, Sagan, Moemi, and Waren airstrips.

SEVENTH AF—17 Saipan-based B-24’s bomb Iwo Jima. 3 others on training and armed reconnaissance missions bomb Pagan and Marcus. P-47’s pound enemy positions on Pagan. B-24’s in the Marshalls bomb Emidj.

ELEVENTH AF—3 B-24’s bomb Kataoka naval base. 4 B-25’s abort a shipping sweep due to weather and mechanical difficulties.

 

US ARMY

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES—Second Quebec Conference (OCTAGON) ends, British and American conferees having approved, for planning purposes, timing and direction of war to defeat Japan and considered the matter of occupying Germany upon its defeat. The Pacific war is to culminate in 1945 with invasion of Japan—Kyushu in October and Tokyo Plain (Honshu) in December.

WESTERN EUROPE—Hitler presents plan for Ardennes counteroffensive to his commanders.

            21 Army Group: In Canadian First Army’s 2 Corps area, Canadian 4th Armored Division works eastward toward Ghent–Terneuzen Canal from Balgerhoek bridgehead. Polish 1st Armored Division, on right flank of corps, makes limited progress northward toward Hulst.

            In British Second Army’s 12 Corps area, 7th Armored Division relieves 53d Division at Antwerp. In 30 Corps area, 50th Division relieves Guards Armored Division at Escaut bridgehead. 43d Division concentrates NE of Diest.

            12th Army Group: In U.S. Ninth Army area, 83d Division, screening former Third Army sector along the Loire, accepts surrender of German Group Elster, about 20,000 strong, which has been cut off by junction of Third and Seventh Armies. In VIII Corps area, 6th Armored Division ( — Combat Command B) is transferred to Third Army, 94th Division completing its relief and taking over its sector. Fort Montbarey falls to 29th Division, opening way to Brest proper from W: while 116th Infantry advances toward Recouvrance, 175th drives into Brest via tunnel beneath stone wall, and 115th advances toward submarine pens. 2d Division continues to press in from N.

            In U.S. First Army’s XIX Corps area, TF Stokes (Lt Col William M. Stokes, Jr.), consisting of 99th Infantry Battalion, tank Battalion of 2d Armored Division, and supporting units, starts N across 9-mile gap that has developed between British and American forces because of diverging drives, crossing Willems Vaart Canal N of Maastricht. Meerssen bridgehead of Combat Command B, 2d Armored Division, is under heavy fire; Combat Command A crosses into 30th Division’s bridgehead at Valkenburg, also under fire. 30th Division renews attack toward West Wall N of Aachen from De Geul bridgeheads with 119th Infantry on left and 120th on right, elements of 120th reaching positions within 3 miles of German border. In VII Corps area, stubborn defense of Stolberg corridor nullifies corps’ attacks. Combat Command B, 3d Armored Division, tries in vain to clear Weissenberg Hill; Combat Command A is unable to advance on N suburbs of Stolberg. To bridge 4-mile gap between the two combat commands, TF Hogan (Lt Col Samuel Hogan commanding small tank force and attached 1st Battalion, 26th Inf) is formed and overruns Buesbach. 47th Infantry, 9th Division, takes Vicht and Schevenhuette, the latter 10 miles inside Germany and the deepest penetration so far; 39th Infantry continues to batter at West Wall near Lammersdorf and reduces strongpoint that has been delaying it for 3 days; 60th Infantry, assisted by tanks, clears Hoefen on Hoefen–Alzen ridge. In V Corps area, 12th Infantry of 4th Division makes fruitless and costly efforts to push NE for the next few days; 8th Infantry enters center of line and drives down E slopes of the Schnee Eifel hampered more by terrain than enemy; 22d Infantry is still unable to take Brandscheid but gains hill on outskirts, and elements of regt take important hill on Bleialf– Pruem highway about midway between Meisert and Sellerich. In 28th Division sector, 1st Battalion of 110th Infantry makes narrow penetration into West Wall, seizing lofty Losenseifen Hill as well as Spielmannsholz Hill, within a few thousand yards of objective, Uttfeld. 5th Armored Division ( — ), awaiting arrival of arty, remains in place on S flank of corps; 1st Battalion of 112 Infantry, moving through Stockem, secures small bridgehead across the Pruem at Wettlingen and holds it against strong counterattack; Combat Command B crosses into Wallendorf bridgehead to expand it but can make little headway. At 2040, Gen Gerow, CG V Corps, halts offensive, since operations are too costly to pursue at this time.

            In U.S. Third Army’s XX Corps area, limited objective attacks of 90th Division W of Metz are costly and almost fruitless. Combat Command R, 7th Armored Division, begins attack to break out of Arnaville bridgehead along Lorry–Sillegny road but is soon stopped; Combat Command B crosses into the bridgehead early in morning and joins in attack at 1400, pushing toward Marieulles. 5th Division regroups within the bridgehead: 2d Infantry relieves Combat Command B on right flank and Combat Command B moves to Vittonville; 11th Infantry crosses another Battalion into bridgehead and defends N f lank; 10th Infantry, in center, patrols toward Fey. Hitler, revoking a previous order, calls for reinforcement of Metz salient in order to prevent encirclement of Metz. In XII Corps area, 80th Division, assisted by air and arty, decisively defeats another major counterattack against Dieulouard bridgehead; 1st Battalion, 318th Infantry, returning to bridgehead from E, surprises enemy and captures Ste Geneviève; 319th Infantry moves into bridgehead, and its 1st Battalion recovers Atton and reaches isolated troops on Mousson Hill. Retreating Germans are pursued as far as Lesménils. After this action, 80th Division mops up and reorganizes for drive to E. In Nancy sector, 35th Division’s 134th Infantry pushes NE of Nancy to heights N of Essey-lès-Nancy; 137th forces Meurthe R and Rhine–Marne Canal and drives to within 2 miles of Nancy; 320th, to which 2d Battalion reverts from attachment to Combat Command B of 4th Armored Division, takes Buissoncourt. Germans withdraw from Lunéville as Combat Command R, 4th Armored Division, moves into NW part of the city and 42d Squadron of 2d Cavalry Group enters from SE. In XV Corps area, additional elements of 106th Cavalry Group cross the Moselle and begin to reconnoiter eastward toward Mortagne R. French 2d Armored Division’s Combat Command V Moselle bridgehead at Châtel undergoes determined counterattack by strong armored force; enemy is checked after reinforcements are moved up to the French. In order to avoid a major engagement, French withdraw the bridgehead.

            6th Army Group: In U.S. Seventh Army’s VI Corps area, 36th Division takes Luxeuil and 3d Division takes Lure against light opposition.

ESTONIA-LATVIA—Soviet forces of Leningrad and Baltic Fronts open offensive about this time toward Baltic Sea, pressing toward Tallinn, Valga, and Riga.

BULGARIA—Soviet forces of Third Ukrainian Front, pushing W to block enemy withdrawal from Yugoslavia, enter Sofia, capital of Bulgaria.

GREECE—British 9th Commandos lands without opposition on Kithira I., off S coast of Peloponnesus, to reconnoiter in preparation for landing of Force 140. Advance Coastal Forces Base is established on Kithira.

ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army’s IV Corps area, while TF 45 regroups, Regimental Combat Team 6 of BEF seizes Massarosa, N of Lake Massaciuccioli, and takes over that portion of 1st Armored Division front previously held by 2d Battalion, 370th Inf. 1st Armored Division is ordered to begin reconnaissance in force to block enemy withdrawal. Enemy continues to put up strong apposition on right flank of corps, but S African 6th Armored Division gains Alto Hill and M. Pozzo del Bagno. In II Corps area, 338th Infantry of 85th Division reaches positions near crest of M. Altuzzo, night 16–17, where it is delayed by friendly shelling; 339th Infantry is committed on extreme right, passing through elements of British 13 Corps on slopes of M. Pratone. 91st Division’s 363d and 361st Regiments are unable to break through enemy defenses on Monticelli, W of Il Giogo Pass; 362d Infantry continues costly efforts to reach Futa Pass, elements reaching anti-tank ditch below S. Lucia. 34th Division advances N from M. Frassino on right but is still held up on left in vicinity of Torricella Hill. British Eighth Army issues instructions for pursuit beyond Rimini Line, 5 Corps along Highway 9 toward Bologna and Canadian 1 Corps along Highway 16 toward Ravenna and Ferrara. Forward progress is sharply checked as 5 Corps and Canadian 1 Corps reach enemy’s Rimini Line. In 5 Corps area, 46th Division is unable to advance from Montescudo. 56th Division joins 1st Armored Division in battle for Mulazzano– La Tomba ridge N of the Marano. During night 16–17, British 4th Division of Canadian 1 Corps crosses into corps zone and by artificial moonlight provided by searchlights clears Cerasolo ridge. In Canadian 1 Corps area, Cdn. 1st Division attempts in vain to drive enemy from S. Martino on M. (Abate; on right flank, attached Greek 3d Mountain Brigade begins struggle to clear Rimini airfield.

CBI—At conference between Gens Hurley, Sultan, and Stilwell and T. V. Soong, role of a field commander is discussed. Gen Stilwell finds that his conception is greatly different from that Soong believes Chiang Kai-shek holds. President Roosevelt, in message to Chiang Kai-shek, protests the proposed withdrawal of Y–Force across the Salween. Gen Stilwell reports to JCS and others that Japanese successes against U.S. Fourteenth Air Force bases in China might prevent air support from China of operations against Formosa and the Philippines. This influences planners in favor of occupation of Luzon rather than Formosa.

MOROTAI—31st Division expands perimeter of beachhead around Pitoe Drome to distance of over 7,000 yards, E to W, and about 5,000 yards N to S. Gen Hall establishes CP ashore. Regimental Combat Team 125 of 32d Division, reserve force, lands and relieves elements of 124th Infantry still on Gila Peninsula. Enemy begins series of small and largely ineffective air raids.

PALAUS—5th Marines, assisted by 1st Marines to left, takes most of Peleliu airfield against heavy fire from heights to N, while 7th Marines clears S tip of island except for 2 small promontories. Perimeter is extended to over 3,000 yards in length, N to S, and to maximum depth of about 2,000 yards. Gen Rupertus, 1st Marine Division CG, takes command ashore. Orders are issued to land on Angaur on 17 September.

 

US MARINE CORPS

At OCTAGON Conference in Quebec, CCS establish a new schedule of Pacific operations. Kyushu to be invaded in October and Honshu in December 1945.

 

80 Years Ago, Friday, 15 September 1944

US NAVY

PACIFIC—1st Marine Division (Reinforced) (Major General William H. Rupertus, USMC) lands on Peleliu, Palaus, in Operation STALEMATE II. Landing is preceded by several days of intensive carrier-based aircraft bombing and ship gunfire bombardment (TG 32.5, Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf).

            TF 77 (Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey) lands Army 41st Infantry (Reinforced) (Major General John C. Persons, USA) on Morotai Island, N.E.I., in Operation TRADE WIND; supported by two heavy cruisers, three light cruisers and ten destroyers (TG 77.2) (Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey) and aircraft from six escort carriers (TG 77.1) (Rear Admiral Thomas L. Sprague), screened by eight destroyer escorts. Airfield facilities built on Morotai will be used in operations to support operations against Japanese positions in the Philippines.

            Submarine Guavina (SS-362) sinks Japanese fast transport T.3 off Pagubas, southern Mindanao, 05°35'N, 125°24'E.

            Submarines Pampanito (SS-383) and Sealion (SS-315) rescue 73 British and 54 Australian POWs who survived loss of Rakuyo Maru when she was sunk by Sealion on 12 September, about 300 miles west of Cape Bojeador, Luzon. There had been some 1,300 men on board Rakuyo Maru when she was attacked.

            Submarine Stingray (SS-186) lands men and stores on Majoe Island, Molucca Sea.

            USAAF B-24s sink small Makassar-bound Japanese cargo vessels Kirishima Maru and No.6 Keinan Maru off Mongole Island.

            RAAF Beaufighters and USAAF A-20s bomb Japanese shipping off southeast coast of Ceram, sinking fishing vesselsNo.3 Hoyu Maru and No.4 Bonan Maru.

            U.S. aircraft sink Japanese guard boats Kaiko Maru and No.1 Kaza Maru, Marshalls.

ATLANTIC—Salvage vessel Escape (ARS-6) resumes tow of damaged U.S. freighter George Ade toward Chesapeake Bay (see 16 September).

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—The 3 fighter wings and 15 fighter groups of VIII , FC are transferred to the 3 bomb divisions.

NINTH AF—Ninth AF main HQ moves from Sunninghill Park to Chantilly. Bad weather prevents bomber operations. IX TAC supports US First Army troops and flies armed reconnaissance around Cologne and from Trier to Rhine R area. XIX TAC supports US Third Army and flies armed reconnaissance in Nancy-Strasbourg area.

TWELFTH AF—87th Fighter Wing, 47th Bomb Group, 57th Fighter Group, 86th Fighter Group, and several other units are transferred from XII TAC to XII FC. XII TAC passes under operational control of Ninth AF. All medium bomber missions are cancelled or aborted due to weather. Fighter bombers, though restricted by weather, carry out armed reconnaissance against enemy communications and defensive positions in Milan-Genoa-Modena-Pistoia areas, as Allied forces (joined on this date by elements of Brazilian Expeditionary Force) attempt to penetrate enemy strongholds in the N Apennines.

FIFTEENTH AF—276 B-17’s and B-24’s bomb Tatoi, Eleusis, and Kalamaki airfields and Salamis submarine base. P-38’s and P-51’s fly escort, target cover, and sweep target areas. The attacks are aimed at hampering withdrawal of enemy forces from the area. 53 B-24’s fly supply mission to S France. 24 B-24’s begin evacuating aircrews formerly imprisoned in Bulgaria from Cairo to Bari.

EAC—Combat Cargo TF is formed as a command of EAC. Gen Evans is CG. HQ is temporarily located at Hastings AB and later moved to Comilla. The command is responsible to air deliver supplies to British Fourteenth Army and other organizations as required, a task it fulfills until its disbandment on 1 Jun 45.

TENTH AF—8 P-47’s bomb Kutkai, 16 sweep river from Bhamo to Katha and bomb Naba, Katha, and Mohnyin. Several other P-47’s sweep Burma Road from Lungling to Muse to Bhamo and strafe boat on river at Myothit. 12 P-51’s hit Mawhun while 8 B-25’s hit fuel storage and targets of opportunity in Chefang area. 13 B-24’s fly fuel to Liuchow.

FOURTEENTH AF—19 B-24’s bomb military storage area at Hengyang. 20 B-25’s hit Chuanhsien and 5 pound ferry crossing and bus station at Lingling. More than 90 P-40’s and P-51’s on armed reconnaissance attack river shipping, numerous buildings, troops, and general targets of opportunity from NE of Ichang to Liuchow Peninsula concentrating on Kiyang and Changsha areas.

FEAF—B-24’s, A-20’s, and P-47’s bomb Kaoe, Lolobata, and Hate Tabako. P-39’s bomb Manokwari airfield and town area.

W PACIFIC—US forces land on Morotai and Peleliu.

SEVENTH AF—P-47’s from Saipan hit AA positions on Pagan with machinegun and rocket fire. A lone B-24 on a snooper mission bombs Iwo Jima. All other B-24 missions abort.

 

US ARMY

WESTERN EUROPE—21 Army Group: In Canadian First Army’s 2 Corps area, 4th Canadian Armored Division establishes bridgehead across Canal de Derivation near Balgerhoek.

            12th Army Group: In U.S. Ninth Army’s VIII Corps area, 2d and 29th Divisions continue to make slow progress at Brest. 8th Division launches attack to clear Crozon Peninsula.

            In U.S. First Army’s XIX Corps area, Combat Command B of 2d Armored Division crosses newly constructed bridge over the Albert S of Maastricht and finds that Combat Command A has finished mopping up Maastricht island. Combat Command B TF establishes small bridgehead across the De Geul NW of Meerssen under fire. In VII Corps area, 1st Division, less 16th Infantry, has almost encircled Aachen; 16th Infantry reaches Eilendorf and, fanning out from there, clears surrounding heights although enemy retains high ground near Verlautenheide village. With its left flank secured by 1st Division, 3d Armored Division heads E toward Eschweiler, battling second defense belt of West Wall, called Schill Line: Combat Command A meets strong AT opposition near Geisberg Hill, an enemy strongpoint, and loses 6 tanks; with assistance of Battalion of 16th Infantry, clears most of the West Wall fortifications in this area. TF Lovelady of Combat Command B crosses the Vicht upon completion of bridge and with little difficulty achieves complete breakthrough of West Wall fortifications; driving through Mausbach toward Eschweiler, the force is stopped and pulls back to Mausbach with heavy losses in armor. TF Mills (Maj Herbert N. Mills), former TF King, of Combat Command B, advances to vicinity of Stolberg but falls back behind TF Lovelady upon meeting tank-infantry force. 47th Infantry, 9th Division, pushes through second band of West Wall defenses; 60th Infantry attacks Hoefen– Alzen ridge from two directions, making no progress from Kalterherberg, but getting foothold on it N of Hoefen with elements that have driven through Monschau; 39th Infantry battles strong Scharnhorst Line positions near Lammersdorf without making much headway. In V Corps area, 8th Infantry goes into action on N flank of 4th Division but is unable to advance; 12th drives NE along Schnee Eifel highway, taking strongpoint at crossroads 655; dangerous gap exists between it and 22d Inf; 22d, ordered to take Brandscheid before continuing main drive, undergoes enemy counterattack near Hontheim and does not advance. 28th Division’s 110th Infantry, assisted by engineers who blow up roadblock, succeeds in taking key hill (Hill 553) near Kesfeld; 109th falls back a little under enemy attack and for the next two days tries in vain to drive through Roscheid. Combat Command R, 5th Armored Division, drives through West Wall and to edge of Bettingen; attached Battalion of 112th Infantry clears Biesdorf and moves on to Stockigt to protect SE flank.

            In U.S. Third Army’s XX Corps area, 90th Division begins attacks on German fortifications W of Metz, employing 357th Infantry on left and 359th on right: 1st Battalion, 357th, works forward to position from which to attack Kellermann works (called Fort Amanvillers by Americans) from N while 2d Battalion, 359th, attacks toward Jeanne d’Arc forts, gaining some 200 yards. Combat Command B, 7th Armored Division, and 10th Infantry, 5th Division, Combat Command B on right, expand Arnaville bridgehead in preparation for northward drive on Metz; Arry, Hill 396 NE of Arry, Lorry, Mardigny, and Vittonville are cleared. After this action, Combat Command B halts until relieved by 2d Infantry of 5th Division and reverts to parent Division. Other elements of 7th Armored Division are concentrating in Arnaville bridgehead. In XII Corps area, TF Sebree (Gen Sebree, 35th Division ADC), consisting of troops from 134th Regiment of 35th Division and 319th Regiment of 80th Division, moves into Nancy from Toul without opposition. Germans, having assembled strong reinforcements, begin determined counterattack against Dieulouard bridgehead just before dawn after intense bombardment, recovering Atton and Ste Geneviève and thereby isolating Americans on Mousson Hill. Both sides suffer heavily during day’s fighting. Advance elements of 317th Infantry, 80th Division, are withdrawn from Mt. Toulon to strengthen bridgehead, and Combat Command A, 4th Armored Division, is ordered to release 1st Battalion, 318th Infantry, for this purpose also. 35th Division and Combat Command B, 4th Armored Division, reach positions on or across Marne–Rhine Canal SE of Nancy: enemy fire prevents 137th Infantry from crossing the Meurthe at St Nicolas du Port, but 320th crosses Rhine–Marne Canal in Dombasle–Sommerviller area; Combat Command B forces the canal at Crevic and Maixe, against strong opposition at latter. Elements of Combat Command A, 4th Armored Division, are sent forward to attack enemy rear in Maixe area. XV Corps is mopping up W of the Moselle. 1st Battalion of 314th Infantry, 79th Division, maintains bridgehead E of the river opposite Charmes. Elements of Combat Command B, French 2d Armored Division, cross at Châtel, night 15–16.

            6th Army Group: Becomes operational at 0001 and assumes control of the AFHQ forces that are in France. At same time, operational control of 6th Army Group and its elements passes from AFHQ to SHAEF, a move previously agreed upon between Gen Eisenhower and Gen Wilson. French Army B acquires autonomy and is on a par with U.S. Seventh Army. French Army B regroups during next few days for drive eastward.

ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army’s IV Corps area, TF 45 occupies Viareggio. Regimental Combat Team 6, Brazilian Expeditionary Force (BEF), under command of Brig Gen Euclydes Zenobia da Costa, enters line, relieving 434th AAA Battalion of 5-mile zone between coastal plain and Serchio valley. These are the first Brazilians to fight on European soil and the first echelon of Brazilian 1st Infantry Division to arrive, the rest of the Division coming later. S African 6th Armored Division continues battle for hills N of Prato, taking M. Moscoso. In II Corps area, 338th Infantry of 85th Division gains ground on main Altuzzo ridge, as grinding battle continues, but is unable to break through to summit. 339th, to right, is still held up by strong opposition on M. Veruca. To left of 85th Division, 91st Division’s 363d and 361st Regiments cannot gain crest of M. Monticelli; continuing toward Futa Pass, 362d Infantry makes limited progress up Highway 65 to positions near Montecarelli. 34th Division is still stalled near Torricella Hill on left but on right takes M. Frassino. In British 13 Corps area, 1st Division completes capture of Poggio Prefetto. Indian 8th Division takes Le Scalette and M. Stelleto. 6th Armored Division gains hold on slopes of M. Peschiena.

            British Eighth Army drives quickly toward next delaying line, called Rimini Line, which extends from fortified S. Fortunato, guarding Highway 16 and Rimini, SW to Ceriano ridge. In 5 Corps area, Indian 4th Division clears left flank of corps as far as the Conca. Montescudo falls to 46th Division. 1st Armored Division crosses the Marano in Vecciano area on right flank of corps. Canadian 1 Corps advances steadily toward Rimini with British 4th Division on left and Canadian 1st Division on right. While British 4th Division clears S. Patrignano ridge, which dominates the Marano, Canadian 1st Division gets forward elements to S. Martino in M. I’Abate, commanded by S. Fortunato, where confused and bitter fighting ensues.

CBI—Gen Stilwell, arriving in Chungking from Kweilin, confers with Chiang Kai-shek, who proposes to withdraw the Salween forces unless Chinese troops at Myitkyina attack toward Bhamo within a week. News of this is sent by Gen Stilwell to Gen Marshall, who is attending OCTAGON Conference, and results in alteration of strategy. 11 Army Group: In British Fourteenth Army’s 33 Corps area, Indian 5th Division, advancing down Tiddim road, establishes bridgehead across the Manipur near Tuitum. Crossing is facilitated by advance brig that has crossed earlier at Shuganu and has moved S.

MOROTAI—In preparation for landings on Morotai, Fifth Air Force planes from land bases and naval aircraft from fast and escort carriers of Third and Seventh Fleets complete program of neutralizing enemy bases within range of target, begun by land-based planes at beginning of September, with strikes on Halmahera, Batjan I. (S of Halmahera), and Celebes. Halmahera is also subjected to naval gunfire bombardment. Adm Barbey of VII Amphibious Force heads naval forces as commander of attack force (TF 77). After 2 hours of preliminary naval shelling of Morotai, TF TRADEWINDIAN (Gen Hall, CG XI Corps, ALAMO) begins landing on SW coast at 0830 without opposition. 155th and 167th Regts, 31st Division, land on beach at head of Gila Peninsula, while 124th Infantry, 31st Division, lands on adjacent beach to S at W side of the peninsula. Forces from both beaches push inland about 2,000 yards to D Day objectives, taking Pitoe Drôme and clearing Gila Peninsula. Gen Persons, commander of 31st Division and TRADEWINDIAN Assault Force, establishes CP ashore. Enemy opposition ashore is negligible, but extremely unfavorable conditions offshore hamper initial phase of landings.

PALAUS—After preparatory bombardment by Western Fire Support Group and aircraft from carriers, III (Mar) Amphibious Corps (Gen Geiger) begins landing 1st Marine Division on SW shore of Peleliu I., about 0830, 1st Marines on left, 5th Marines in center, and 7th Marines on right. Japanese fire, at first light, increases as marines move inland and is particularly heavy on flanks. 5th Marines partially surrounds airfield and drives salient to center of it, well ahead of flanking forces. By end of day beachhead perimeter measures about 2,800 yards from N to S but is only 400–700 yards deep, except for salient in center. As a diversion for Peleliu landings, elements of Angaur Attack Group (Rear Adm William H. P. Blandy), standing offshore, feint landings at Babelthuap.

U.S.—JCS decide to invade central rather than S Philippines and advance target date for invasion of Leyte from 20 December to 20 October. Projected operations against Yap, Talaud, and Mindanao are canceled.

 

US MARINE CORPS

JCS decide to invade Central rather than Southern Philippines and advance target date for invasion of Leyte from 20 Dec to 20 Oct 44.

            The 1st Marine Division, under Major General Rupertus, lands on the southwestern shore of Peleliu Island. U. S. Army troops land on Morotai, Netherlands East Indies, and capture airfield on that island.

 

80 Years Ago, Thursday, 14 September 1944

US NAVY

PACIFIC—TG 38.2 (Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan) attacks Japanese shipping and installations on and around Panay and Negros, supported by TG 38.3 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman); during these operations, Navy carrier-based planes damage motor torpedo boat Gyoraitei No.482 north of Cebu, 11°00'N, 124°00'E. TG 38.1 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain), en route to support Morotai landings, carries out strikes on Japanese installations on Mindanao; during the course of these operations, SB2Cs (VB 2) sink fast transport T.5 in Davao Gulf, 06°10'N, 126°00'E.

            Destroyers Farenholt (DD-491), McCalla (DD-488), and Grayson (DD-435), detached from TG 38.1, bombard suspected Japanese radar installation on Cape San Augustin, at mouth of Davao Gulf.

            Submarine Pargo (SS-264) lays mines near Natuna Island, South China Sea.

            Mine damages Japanese escort destroyer Yashiro off Formosa, 22°42'N, 120°12'E.

ATLANTIC—Storm sinks Coast Guard cutters Bedloe (WPC-128) and Jackson (WPC-142) off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

           Storm sinks Coast Guard Lightship No. 73, Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts.

           Miscellaneous district auxiliary YAG-sinks after running aground off Chesapeake Bay, 36°57'N, 76°13'W.

           Hurricane-engendered heavy seas cause towline from salvage vessel Escape (ARS-6) to the damaged U.S. freighter George Ade, torpedoed by U-518 on 12 September 1944, to part; the ship anchors to resume the passage toward Hampton Roads the following day (see 15-16 September 1944).

MEDITERRANEAN—Cruiser-based SOC spots small naval craft off Imperia, Italy, a 300-foot merchantman seven miles to the east, and 14 small craft off Cape Delle Mele; unopposed by enemy shore battery fire, destroyer Ludlow (DD-438) scores at least twelve direct hits on the vessels off Imperia with SOC spot.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

NINTH AF—XXIX TAC (Prov) is activated at Vermand, in anticipation of operating with US Ninth Army, shortly to join 12th Army Group. Gen Nugent is CG. About 140 B-26’s and A-20’s bomb gun emplacements and strongpoints in Brest area. Fighters fly armed reconnaissance in various battle areas. Transports continue large-scale supply and evacuation missions.

TWELFTH AF—Medium bombers attack def positions in E and C parts of Gothic Line as enemy fiercely resists, especially at Il Giogo Pass and on Monte Altuzzo. Fighter bombers continue strikes against communications and movement in Po Valley despite bad weather which limits France-based fighters to a few sweeps in S France.

TENTH AF—4 B-25’s drop fragmentation-boobytrap bombs on Bhamo. Large-scale transport operations continue to various points in CBI.

FOURTEENTH AF—6 B-25’s bomb Tunganhsien. 91 P-40’s and P-51’s attack inland shipping, troop compounds, supplies, and numerous buildings around Lungling area, throughout vast expanse of inland SE China, mainly in Hunan, and other areas S of Tungting Lake.

FEAF—B-25’s pound Mapanget airstrip on Menado area. B-24’s hit 4 airfields on Halmahera. A-20’s and B-25’s bomb Babo airfield while fighter bombers make scattered small raids on AA positions, airfields, and targets of opportunity on Vogelkop Peninsula.

SEVENTH AF—B-24’s from Saipan bomb Iwo Jima. P-47’s make strafing and rocket attacks on warehouses and shelters on Pagan. B-24’s on armed reconnaissance bomb Marcus. B-24’s from Eniwetok bomb Truk while Gilbertsbased B-25’s hit Ponape.

ELEVENTH AF—During 13/14 September 3 B-24’s strike Kurabu Cape shipping and airfield.

 

US ARMY

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES—CCS, meeting at Quebec in OCTAGON Conference, draw up new directive for Adm Mountbatten, making his primary mission the recapture of Burma as quickly as possible. DRACULA (assault on Rangoon) and that part of CAPITAL requiring air and land route to China be opened are approved with target date of 15 March 1945.

WESTERN EUROPE—21 Army Group: Gen Montgomery issues orders for next phase of offensive, to begin on 17th, calling for British Second Army to secure crossings of the Rhine and Meuse Rivers in preparation for major drive on the Ruhr and for Canadians to open port of Antwerp and seize Boulogne and Calais. Offensive operations are virtually at a standstill while supplies are being brought forward and units regrouped.

            12th Army Group Area: XXIX TAC (Prov) is activated under command of Brig Gen Richard E. Nugent to provide direct assistance to U.S. Ninth Army, whose movement to main battle front will begin upon fall of Brest. The new command is attached temporarily to IX TAC.

            In U.S. First Army’s XIX Corps area, Combat Command A of 2d Armored Division reaches the Maas and crosses canal to Maastricht island late in day as Germans are withdrawing. Earlier, elements of 117th Infantry, 30th Division, cross to Maastricht island and fIndian the town undefended; some elements of 119th Infantry cross the De Geul a mile N of Gulpen without opposition, but others crossing at Valkenburg under enemy fire are just able to maintain a foothold on E bank. 30th Division then halts temporarily, maintaining its De Geul bridgeheads while bridges are being built and adjacent forces come abreast. In VII Corps area, TF Lovelady (Lt Col William B. Lovelady) of Combat Command B, 3d Armored Division, thrusts to Vicht R SW of Stolberg and crosses; engineers begin bridging the river. Combat Command A gains 4 miles, reaching outskirts of Eilendorf, a suburb of Aachen, where it halts to await 16th Infantry, 1st Division, which is moving up on left flank. On right flank of armor, 9th Division commits 47th Infantry, which moves elements E into Roetgen Forest to envelop towns of Zweifall and Vicht while rest works N along Vicht R. 60th Infantry force turns over Camp d’Elsepborn to 4th Cavalry Group and drives N across German border, seizing Kalterherberg and trying in vain to take Hoefen–Alzen ridge in order to attack the West Wall in Lammersdorf corridor. To strengthen assault on the ridge, rest of 60th Infantry is ordered SE from Eupen through the Hertogenwald to Monschau from which to attack the ridge in conjunction with forces from Kalterherberg. 39th Infantry drives SE from Roetgen to Lammersdorf, then attacks N against strong portion of Scharnhorst Line but is pinned down. In V Corps area, 4th Division penetrates West Wall in the Schnee Eifel: 12th Infantry cuts Schnee Eifel highway and drives NE along it, taking Hill 698; 22d reaches crest of Schnee Eifel ridge and gets one Battalion on E slopes overlooking Hontheim. 28th Division begins major attacks in effort to breach West Wall in its sector: 109th Infantry makes futile efforts to reach Roscheid; 110th, to N, attacks toward Kesfeld and sends column through Heckhuscheid and SE to take Hill 553, enemy strongpoint on Heckhuscheid– Uttfeld highway, but can clear neither objective. On S flank of corps, Combat Command R, 5th Armored Division, begins to cross the Sauer into Germany at Wallendorf, clearing that town and bluffs beyond.

            In U.S. Third Army area, XX Corps regroups in order to place greater weight on S flank. 43d Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, assisted by team from 12th Army Group hq whose function it is to make a show of strength, is given responsibility for left flank of corps. 90th Division, leaving containing force at Thionville, shifts S, relieving elements of 7th Armored Division and 5th Infantry Division W and N of Metz for action to S. Planned attack to expand Arnaville bridgehead is postponed because of deep mud that makes movement of armor almost impossible. XII Corps completes envelopment of Nancy and is seriously threatening Lunéville. In local counterattacks against 80th Division’s Dieulouard bridgehead, Germans gain Ste Geneviève and Loisy. 80th Division then recovers lost ground and expands bridgehead: 3d Battalion of 318th Infantry takes Atton and continues N to crest of Mousson Hill; 317th Infantry thrusts eastward to Mt. Toulon, which enemy retains, on left and reaches Falaise Hill, S of Landremont, where enemy force moving N from Nancy is dispersed, on right. Combat Command A, 4th Armored Division, ordered to bypass Château-Salins, races to Arracourt–Moncourt area to block enemy movement from E and cut escape routes from Nancy. SE of Nancy, 35th Division gains positions astride the Meurthe with forward elements within 6 miles of Nancy. From the Meurthe, Combat Command B of 4th Armored Division drives through Forêt de Vitrimont to Marne–Rhine Canal near Dombasle, cutting main road W of Lunéville. 2d Cavalry Group, upon crossing the Meurthe SE of Lunéville, cuts approaches from this direction. With junction of patrols of Combat Command A and Combat Command B near the canal late at night, envelopment of Nancy is complete. In XV Corps area, French 2d Armored Division makes contact with patrol of French 1st Armored Division, Seventh Army, near Clefmont. Combat Command B, 6th Armored Division, is released to Third Army with mission of protecting S flank W of Troyes, relieving French 2d Armored Division of this task. 79th Division is ordered, except for the Battalion on E bank, to remain W of the river until further notice. 313th Infantry mops up Poussay and takes Mirecourt on Neufchâteau– Epinal road; 315th drives enemy rear guards from Châtenois, SE of Neufchâteau, to Ramecourt, where elements of 313th destroy them during night. French 2d Armored Division clashes with retreating enemy near Hennecourt.

S FRANCE—In U.S. Seventh Army’s French 2d Corps area, Gen de Lattre directs corps to turn E and advance to left of 1st Corps; 1st Infantry Division is to relieve U.S. 45th Division. In VI Corps area, 36th Division pushes from Vesoul toward Luxeuil while 3d drives on Lure. 45th Division is virtually halted along line l’Islesur- Doubs–Villersexel.

POLAND—First White Russian Front troops, assisted by Polish forces, take Praga, suburb of Warsaw, but Germans are prepared for a stand along line of the Narew and Vistula Rivers.

YUGOSLAVIA—British detachment with 25-pounders lands on Peljesac Peninsula and shells Trpanj, enemy withdrawal point.

ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army area, II Corps continues to hammer Gothic Line defenses of Il Giogo Pass but is unable to break through. 338th Infantry, 85th Division, makes costly efforts to take M. Altuzzo, elements temporarily gaining hold on ridge to W of main Altuzzo ridge, later known as Peabody Peak (Capt Maurice E. Peabody, Jr., Co B commander). Enemy retains M. Veruca despite efforts of 339th Infantry to clear it. 91st Division’s 363d Infantry is again halted short of enemy’s MLR on Monticelli; reserve regt, 361st, is committed through left flank of 363d in effort to outflank enemy; 362d Infantry takes M. Calvi. In British 13 Corps area, 1st Division continues attacks on Prefetto Hill. Indian 8th Division gains crest of Alpe di Vitigliano.

            In British Eighth Army area, 10 Corps begins period of regrouping in order to release units to other sectors. 5 Corps and Canadian 1 Corps consolidate positions on S. Savino–Coriano ridge and push on to the Marano, which Canadian 1st Division of 1 Corps begins crossing.

CBI—In Kweilin, Gen Stilwell learns of Chiang Kai-shek’s order for 3 Ch Divisions to be kept inside Kweilin to defend the city and prepares to ask for a more aggressive defense. On Salween front, Chinese complete capture of Teng-chung, which was entered on 4 August. Since Teng-chung is lost and Chinese are vigorously resisting in Lung-ling, Japanese decide to halt their counteroffensive on Salween front.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

80 Years Ago, Wednesday, 13 September 1944

US NAVY

PACIFIC—TG 38.2 (Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan) continues operations against Cebu, supported by TG 38.1 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) and TG 38.3 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman), as well as against Japanese targets in the area of Negros, Cebu, and Legaspi. Navy carrier-based planes sink submarine chaser Ch 55 three miles northeast of Cebu,10°20'N, 124°00'E. Late that afternoon, TG 38.1 (see 14 September) is detached to provide support for the landings at Morotai.

            Mine sinks high speed minesweeper Perry (DMS-17) 750 yards off the southeast coast of Angaur, southern Palaus, 06°53'N, 134°10'E.

            Submarine Sunfish damages Japanese army cargo ship Gyoku Maru, 34°32'N, 124°44'E, and sinks army cargo ship Etajima Maru, 35°04'N, 124°49'E.

            USAAF A-20s sink merchant cargo ship Akitsushima Maru off southeastern Ceram, 03°04'S, 128°11'E.

            Japanese landing ship T.153 damaged (probably by USAAF aircraft) off Iwo Jima.

ATLANTIC—Hurricane sinks destroyer Warrington (DD-383) 175 miles east-southeast of Great Abaco Island, Bahamas Islands, 27°00'N, 73°00'W.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—70-plus B-17’s, escorted by a P-51 group, continuing UK-USSR-Italy-UK shuttle-bombing mission, take off from USSR bases, bomb steel and armament works at Diosgyor and proceed to Fifteenth AF bases in Italy. 750-plus heavy bombers from UK bomb 3 synthetic oil plants, 2 aero engine factories, 3 marshalling yards, an airfield, motor works, ordnance depot, fuel depot, and several cities and isolated targets of opportunity in C and SW Germany. 11 fighter groups escorting later strafe airfields and miscellaneous ground targets. 28 heavy bombers and 9 P-51’s are lost. P-51’s claim 33 aircraft destroyed in the air and 20 on the ground. A P-51 group sweeping S of Munich strafes aircraft dispersal area, airfield and a marshalling yard.

NINTH AF—XIX TAC HQ accompanies US Third Army HQ to Chalons-sur-Marne. B-26’s fly leaflet mission to coastal N France and Belgium. Fighters support ground forces in Brest and Nancy-Metz areas (air-ground coordination being especially effective between XIX TAC and French 2d Armored Division in defeating enemy move on Vittel), and fly armed reconnaissance over Cologne, Aachen, Koblenz, Linz/ Rhine, and Wahn areas. XIX TAC inaugurates rail cutting campaign. Transports fly numerous supply and evacuation missions.

TWELFTH AF—B-25’s destroy bridge at Peschiera del Garda, cutting the Milan-Verona line. B-25’s and B-26’s bomb guns and defensive positions N of Florence. Fighter bombers attack railroads, rolling stock, and bridges in N Italy, although heavy overcast hampers operations in NW.

FIFTEENTH AF—350-plus fighter-escorted B-17’s and B-24’s bomb Auschwitz oil and rubber works and Odertal and Blechhammer oil refineries, hit Cracow-Auschwitz area and bomb marshalling yard at Vrutky. Over 100 other heavy bombers attack Avisio viaduct, Mezzocorona and Ora railroad bridges.

TENTH AF—8 P-47’s hit targets at Mawhun and some of the fighter bombers afterwards strafe targets of opportunity on the Irrawaddy R from Katha to Shwegu. 8 others sweep the river between Bhamo and Katha. 12 more hit targets along road in Kutkai area. Large-scale transport operations in CBI continue.

FOURTEENTH AF—B-24’s claim 3 cargo vessels sunk off Pescadores Is.

FEAF—B-24’s and B-25’s hit 4 airfields and bomb villages on Morotai I. B-25’s hit Langgoer airfield while A-20’s and fighter bombers hit 2 airfields in Efman I. A-20’s, B-25’s, and fighter bombers hit Babo AA positions and airfields at Manokwari and Ransiki.

THIRTEENTH AF—Thirteenth AF moves from Los Negros to Hollandia.

SEVENTH AF—Saipan-based P-47’s hit buildings on Pagan with rockets and machinegun fire. B-24’s on armed reconnaissance, snooper, and training missions bomb Iwo Jima, Marcus, and Pagan.

 

US ARMY

WESTERN EUROPE—Gen Eisenhower directs capture of two objectives: the Ruhr and a deepwater port, either Antwerp or Rotterdam.

21 Army Group: In Canadian First Army’s 2 Corps area, Canadian 4th Armored Division crosses light force over Canal de Derivation and Leopold Canal NE of Bruges, night 13–14.

            In British Second Army’s 12 Corps area, 15th Division takes over Gheel bridgehead, relieving 50th Division of 30 Corps, and presses on to Meuse–Escaut Canal, crossing it after nightfall. 53d Division is expanding holdings in dock area of Antwerp.

            12th Army Group: In U.S. Ninth Army’s VIII Corps area, German garrison of Brest refuses request to surrender although the garrison is being steadily compressed on all sides. W of Recouvrance, Fort Keranroux falls to 175th Infantry, 29th Division. 8th Division has been pinched out, and 29th and 2d Divisions hold area around Brest. As 94th Division continues gradual relief of 6th Armored Division, Combat Command A is released from task of containing Lorient.

            In U.S. First Army’s XIX Corps area, Combat Command A of 2d Armored Division drives E toward the Maas (Meuse), on N flank of corps, forcing enemy back several miles. 119th and most of 117th Regts of 30th Division drive toward De Geul R, between Aachen and Maastricht; a Battalion of 117th enters Wijk, suburb of Maastricht, but finds bridges leading to island of Maastricht down. VII Corps penetrates outer defenses of West Wall at 2 points: Combat Command B, 3d Armored Division, breaches fortifications between Roetgen and Rott; Combat Command A, assisted by Battalion of 26th Infantry, 1st Division, pushes through AT obstacles to village of Nutheim, which commands road to Kornelimuenster, and into Stol-berg corridor. To left, 16th Infantry of 1st Division withstands small counterattacks in Aachen Municipal Forest and gets into position for assault on West Wall near Ober Forstbach. 1st Division is largely engaged in containing role at Aachen. 9th Division, to secure S flank, occupies Camp d’Elsenborn with elements of 60th Inf. In V Corps area, forward elements of 4th Division assemble near the Schnee Eifel at Radscheid and Bleialf. 28th Division, employing a Battalion each of 109th and 110th Regts, attacks West Wall: 109th attempts to reach heights W of Roscheid but is unable to get as far as Irsen Creek; 110th advances through Grosskampenberg without opposition but is halted about half way between there and German line. 5th Armored Division, reinforced by Regimental Combat Team tie of 28th Division, continues to protect S flank and fires on Wallendorf area.

            In U.S. Third Army’s XX Corps area, 90th Division, planning to cross the Moselle in Thionville area, is ordered to extend southward to relieve forces still bitterly opposed W and N of Metz. Arnaville bridgehead forces are holding on despite critical shortage of artillery ammunition and heavy fire from Fort Driant that destroys ferrying raft, damages treadway at the ford, and destroys ponton bridge under construction. Combat Command B, 7th Armored Division, crosses into the bridgehead and attacks toward Mardigny but is soon stopped by fire from Arry. In XII Corps area, enemy has decided to abandon Nancy in order to mass forces with which to overwhelm Dieulouard bridgehead; begins determined counterattacks against the bridgehead at 0100 with forces already on hand, overrunning Ste Geneviève, Loisy, and Bezaumont before being stopped just short of American-held bridges. Counterattack of 80th Division, assisted by Combat Command A, 4th Armored Division, which crosses into bridgehead during the action, restores original bridgehead perimeter, enemy having no immediate reserves to commit in exploitation; Combat Command A pushes through Ste Geneviève and then rapidly E toward Château-Salins, reaching Fresnes-en-Saulnois. From Lorey bridgehead S of Nancy, 35th Division, committing 320th Infantry ( — ) with 137th, and Combat Command B, 4th Armored Division, speed toward the Meurthe, which Combat Command B reaches by pushing through gap in retreating enemy forces. In XV Corps area, 1st Battalion of 314th Infantry, 79th Division, maintains its bridgehead opposite Charmes, which elements of 106th Cavalry Group are screening; 313th Infantry breaks into Poussay; 315th completes capture of Neufchâteau. CCL, French 2d Armored Division, discovers enemy columns preparing to drive on Vittel—one at Dompaire and the other near Ville-sur-Illon; engages them and with assistance of XIX TAC decisively defeats them, destroying 60 tanks. This is an outstanding example of effective air-ground coordination. CCD overruns Chaumont.

S FRANCE—In U.S. Seventh Army’s French 2d Corps area, Langres falls to 1st Armored Division. In VI Corps area, Germans surrender Vesoul, on last enemy escape route to Belfort in U.S. zone. 45th Division overruns Villersexel. Corps takes more than 1,300 prisoners during day.

FRANTIC—On return trip to Italy from Soviet bases, Eighth Air Force planes attack steel works at Diosgyoer, Hungary. FRANTIC bases in USSR are now well behind front line and shuttle bombing is discontinued.

POLAND—Soviet planes begin dropping supplies to beleaguered Warsaw. Lomza, key position between East Prussia and Warsaw, falls to troops of Second White Russian Front.

ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army’s IV Corps area, 1st Armored Division, ordered to be prepared to move all but one combat command to II Corps zone on 48 hours’ notice, can do no more than patrol aggressively within its broad Serchio Valley sector. S African 6th Armored Division, making main effort of corps in support of II Corps to right, continues full-scale attack on hills N of Prato and takes M. Acuto. II Corps begins general assault to force II Giogo Pass and thus gain entrance to Po Valley. 85th Division’s 338th Infantry, attempting to attack through 363d Infantry of 91st Division and make main effort against M. Altuzzo, is unable to locate 363d and comes to a halt well short of objective under stiff opposition; to right, 339th Infantry attempts in vain to take M. Veruca; to left, 363d Infantry concentrates on M. Monticelli but is unable to reach crest. 362d Infantry begins drive toward Futa Pass. In a supporting role on left flank of corps, 34th Division batters at Torricella Hill, below M. Coroncina, and M. Frassino. In British 13 Corps area, 1st Division begins attack on heights flanking Highway 6521 (Poggio Prefetto and M. Guivigiana), where enemy is firmly established. Indian 8th Division takes M. Veruca and thrusts almost to top of Alpe di Vitigliano. 6th Armored Division patrols actively on right flank of corps.

            In British Eighth Army area, 5 Corps and Canadian 1 Corps gain firm hold on S. Savino–Coriano ridge, 1st Armored Division of 5 Corps taking S. Savino and Canadian 5th Armored Division of Canadian 1 Corps, Coriano and N spur of the ridge.

CBI—Gen Hurley drafts U.S. proposals for appointment of Gen Stilwell to post of Field Commander of the Ground and Air Forces of the Republic of China and directive for Chiang Kai-shek to Gen Stilwell. The Generalissimo receives them on or before 16 September. Gen Stilwell, after receiving emissaries from the Chinese Communists, leaves for Kweilin to inspect E China positions.

SWPA—TF TRADEWINDIAN convoy is joined by Covering Force and escort carriers as it continues toward Morotai by a circuitous route in order to maintain secrecy.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

80 Years Ago, Tuesday, 12 September 1944

US NAVY

INTERNATIONAL—Romania signs armistice with U.S., Great Britain, and Russia.

PACIFIC—TF 38 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) (TG 38.1, TG 38.2, and TG 38.3) begins operations against Japanese shipping and airfields in the Visayas. Planes from all three carrier groups pound enemy installations on Cebu and shipping offshore, sinking gunboat Kiso Maru, auxiliary submarine chasers Mogami Maru and No.12 Kyo Maru, auxiliary netlayer Korei Maru, auxiliary minesweeper No.18 Choun Maru, guard boats No.97 Banshu Maru and No.4 Fukuju Maru, transports Bugen Maru, Nichiei Maru, army cargo ships Keian Maru and Genkai Maru, merchant tanker Ayazono Maru, merchant cargo ships Toyo Maru, No.2 Shintai Maru, No.5 Shintai Maru, and No.8 Shintai Maru,10°20'N, 124°00'E; salvage ship Miho Maru, 10°35'N, 124°00'E; transport Shiramine Maru, 10°34'N, 124°01'E;transport Oakita Maru, 11°21'N, 124°07'E; transport Rakuto Maru, 10°35'N, 124°20'E. TF 38 planes also damage minesweeper No.21 Choun Maru off Cebu, 10°20'N, 124°00'E. Between Biliran and Cebu, TF 38 planes sink auxiliary minesweeper Takao Maru and auxiliary submarine chaser Nan-Ho Maru; in Bohol Strait, carrier aircraft sink motor torpedo boat Gyoraitei No.483.

            Filipinos rescue Ensign Thomas C. Tillar, USNR, a pilot from Hornet, in TG 38.1, after his F6F ditches off ApitIsland, off the southwestern coast of Leyte. Before Tillar is recovered by SOC from heavy cruiser Wichita (CA-45), he learns from his rescuers that the size of the Japanese garrison on Leyte is negligible. That fact, when combined with the lack of aerial opposition encountered and the few airfields that exist on Leyte and Samar, prompts Admiral Halsey (Commander Third Fleet) to recommend that the planned attack on Yap be abandoned and that the date of the landings on Leyte be advanced from 20 December to 20 October 1944.

            Light minelayer Preble (DM-20) explodes acoustic mines in the shoals between Angaur and Peleliu; she and sistership Montgomery (DM-17) sweep most of the navigable waters by the end of the day.

            Destroyer Marshall (DD-676) captures boat with 44 survivors of Japanese light cruiser Natori (see 18 August).

            High speed transport Noa (APD-24) sinks in collision with destroyer Fullam (DD-474) off Palau, Carolines,07°01'N, 134°30'E; Fullam is damaged; oilers Millicoma (AO-73) and Schuylkill (AO-76) are damaged in collision off the Palaus.

            Submarine Growler (SS-215) sinks Japanese destroyer Shikinami 240 miles south of Hong Kong, 18°25'N, 114°30'E, and escort vessel Hirado 250 miles east of Hainan Island, 17°54'N, 114°49'E.

            Submarine Pampanito (SS-383) sinks merchant passenger/cargo ship Kachidoki Maru (ex-U.S. passenger liner President Harrison) and tanker Zuiho Maru, 19°25'N, 112°27'E.

            Submarine Pipefish (SS-388) sinks Japanese auxiliary vessel No.7 Hakutetsu Maru off Shiono Misaki, Japan,33°32'N, 135°56'E.

            Submarine Redfin (SS-272) carries out unsuccessful attack on Japanese cargo vessel Tosho Maru, 05°27'S, 120°28'E; counterattack by submarine chaser Ch 53 is likewise unsuccessful.

            Submarine Sealion (SS-315) sinks Japanese transport Nankai Maru and merchant passenger/cargo ship Rakuyo Maruin South China Sea, east of Hainan Island, 18°42'N, 114°30'E; Sealion crew is unaware that the latter carries Allied POWs.

            Aircraft sink Japanese tanker No.2 Eiyo Maru, damaged by Paddle (SS-263) on 7 September, 08°12'N,122°37'E.

ATLANTIC—Motor minesweeper YMS-409 founders and sinks off Atlantic Coast.

            Submarine U-518 torpedoes U.S. freighter George Ade, en route from Mobile, Alabama, to New York, via Key West, Florida at 33°30'N, 75°40'W; the ship's Armed Guard fires two rounds at what they believe to be a surfaced submarine. There are no casualties among the 41-man merchant crew or the 27- man Armed Guard. Destroyer Barton (DD-722) contacts the stricken ship, and salvage vessel Escape (ARS-6) takes George Ade in tow (see 14-16 September).

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Over 800 heavy bombers escorted by 15 fighter groups attack 4 synthetic oil plants, 2 oil refineries, an oil depot, an aero engine works, and numerous targets of opportunity including several C and NW German cities. 400 to 450 aircraft are encountered by the heavy bombers and fighters. Heavy bombers lose 45 of their number and claim destruction of 27 fighters. 13 P- 51’s are lost. US fighters claim 63 air victories plus 26 on the ground.

NINTH AF—Medium bombers and light bombers hit Westwall fortifications, Sankt Wendel station where an armored division and important technicians are to entrain, and fortifications around Nancy. Fighters continue ground support in French-German border area. 400-plus transports complete supply and evacuation missions.

TWELFTH AF—Gen Chidlaw assumes command of XII FC. B-26’s blast defended positions in C battle sector of Gothic Line. B-25’s pound Po R railroad bridges and attack guns and strongpoints in battle zone as enemy falls back to prepared Gothic Line defenses and rapid Allied adv halts. Fighter bombers strike at guns, troop concentrations, strongpoints, and flak positions in Genoa and Milan areas. Francebased fighter bombers cut tracks in Belfort, Basel, and Freiburg areas.

FIFTEENTH AF—Nearly 330 B-17’s and B-24’s supported by P-38’s and P-51’s bomb Lechfeld airfield, Munich/ Allach engine works, and Wasserburg jet aircraft factory. 50-plus B-24’s fly supply mission to S France.

TENTH AF—4 B-25’s pound buildings in Katha area. 25 B-24’s haul fuel to Kunming. 8 P-47’s sweep river from Bhamo to Katha, 3 strafe official buildings at Bhamo, and 16 hit targets of opportunity on Burma Road from Lungling to Wanling to Namhkam and blast gun positions N of Loiwing airfield.

FOURTEENTH AF—10 B-25’s and 6 P-40’s pound Lungling. 14 B-25’s hit town area and destroy 2 bridges and damage another at Sungpai. 22 others bomb Kaochishih, Tunghsiangchiao, and area E of Kiyang. 27 P-51’s and P-40’s on armed reconnaissance over Hunan and other areas of inland SE China attack road and river trafflc and general targets of opportunity around Lingling, Hengyang, Kiyang, Yangtien, and Patpo. 15 P-40’s hit coastal and river shipping in S China and in Indochina on S China Sea, in Chikhom Bay, and along the Red R.

FEAF—B-24’s pound 3 airfields in Menado area. B-24’s and B-25’s bomb Kaoe and Galela, airfields, and radar facilities on Morotai I. B-24’s hit Lautem. P-38’s dive-bomb Namlea runways while P-47’s hit Boela. A-20’s, B-25’s, and fighter bombers hit airfields, AA guns, and other targets at Babo, Mongosah, Manokwari, Sagan, Moemi, and Samate.

SEVENTH AF—P-47’s from Saipan hit AA positions on Pagan with rocket and bombing attack. A lone B-24 on armed reconnaissance bombs building area on Marcus. B-25’s from the Gilberts bomb Nauru.

ELEVENTH AF—6 bombers fly a negative shipping sweep over Shimushu. 3 more attack Suribachi airfield and offshore shipping targets. 1 B-24 flies negative recon.

 

US ARMY

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES—Second Quebec Conference (OCTAGON) opens.

WESTERN EUROPE—21 Army Group: In Canadian First Army’s British 1 Corps area, German garrison of Le Havre surrenders. About 12,000 prisoners are taken. In 2 Corps area, Polish 1st Armored Division, after relieving 7th Armored Division of 12 Corps at Ghent, pushes forward to Lokeren and St Nicolas. 4th Armored Division finishes clearing Bruges area and reaches Leopold Canal.

            In British Second Army area, 12 Corps, as relieved by Canadian First Army, is moving into area Gheel–Diest– Malines Antwerp.

            12th Army Group: In U.S. First Army’s XIX Corps area, 30th Division, whose 117th Regiment has joined 119th E of the canal and river S of Vise, drives N and NE, with 113th Cavalry Group advancing NE to its right. 2d Armored Division reconnaissance Battalion clears bridge site along N bank of Albert Canal and bridge is completed there at midnight. Combat Command A begins crossing at once. VII Corps conducts reconnaissance in force to West Wall. 1st Division thrusts at Aachen Municipal Forest, S of Aachen, where it repels counterattack. One 3d Armored Division column, driving NE from Eupen, stops for night on edge of Eynattener Wald, within about 1,000 yards of West Wall; another column probes E from Eupen, some elements reaching West Wall at Schmidthof and others reaching Roetgen, just short of West Wall. Gen Collins decides to bypass Aachen, isolating it in conjunction with XIX Corps, and drive toward Stolberg corridor. V Corps begins limited attacks toward West Wall. While 102d Cavalry Group protects N flank and maintains contact with VII Corps, 4th Division advances toward St Vith against light resistance. Elements of 109th Infantry, 28th Division, cross bridge over the Our and take Sevenig; elements of Moth cross German frontier to reach positions W of Grosskampenberg, on Kesfeld–Uttfeld route, coming up against West Wall.

            In U.S. Third Army’s XX Corps area, 90th Division eliminates all resistance W of the Moselle in Thionville area and clears Thionville W of the river except for approach to main bridge there. Germans destroy the bridge. 2d Infantry, 5th Division, continues bitter fighting to improve positions and straighten lines S of Amanvillers. Arnaville bridgehead perimeter holds against co-ordinated German counterattack. At noon engineers finish bridging the Moselle, thus per-mitting tanks and TD’s from Combat Command B of 7th Armored Division to cross into bridgehead. In XII Corps area, 80th Division’s 317th Infantry attacks across the Moselle in Dieulouard area early in morning and finds E bank lightly held; 318th ( — ) follows just before noon. Weapons and vehicles start across later in day. With little difficulty the bridgehead is expanded to include Ste Geneviève, Loisy, Bezaumont, and La Côte Pelée. 137th Infantry, 35th Division, and Combat Command B, 4th Armored Division, strengthen and expand Lorey bridgehead S of Nancy. In XV Corps area, elements of 106th Cavalry Group cross the Moselle N of Charmes without opposition. 79th Division’s 314th Infantry clears Charmes, and after dark 1st Battalion fords the Moselle at Charmes; 313th clashes with enemy near Poussay; 315th converges on Neufchâteau, where enemy garrison is trapped. French 2d Armored Division’s CCL takes Vittel and CCV clears Andelot. Germans move from Epinal in 2 columns in preparation for counterattack to free encircled forces in Vittel area.

S FRANCE—In U.S. Seventh Army’s French 2d Corps area, armored forces reach outskirts of Langres. In VI Corps area, 45th Division repels counterattack near Villersexel. 36th and 3d Divisions continue clearing Vesoul area.

RUMANIA—Signs armistice, drawn up in Moscow, with Allies, agreeing to co-operate in war against Germany and Hungary and to pay reparations. Boundary between USSR and Rumania is to be that established by Soviet-Rumanian agreement of 28 June 1940. USSR promises to return Transylvania to Rumania.

ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army’s IV Corps area, S African 6th Armored Division continues to gain ground on right flank of corps as enemy falls back to prepared positions of Gothic Line. In II Corps area, rapid advance comes to an end as outer defenses of Gothic Line are reached. 34th Division is delayed on left by mine field SW of M. Frassino but on right gains lower slopes of the mountain; 135th Infantry relieves 168th, on Division right. 91st Division ambitiously tries to take M. Calvi and hills (Monticelli and Altuzzo) commanding II Giogo Pass, but can get no farther than enemy outposts. In support of corps, medium bombers strike at Firenzuola. In British 13 Corps area, 1st Division comes up against outer positions of Gothic Line. 21st Brigade, Indian 8th Division, crosses the Sieve and drives quickly northward toward M. Citerna. 6th Armored Division is delayed on right flank of corps so that Indian 8th Division can have the right of way on Highway 67.

            In British Eighth Army area, 5 Corps and Canadian 1 Corps begin second battle for S. Savino–Coriano ridge at 2300, artillery fire preceding and closely supporting assault.

CBI—Gen Stilwell suggests to Chiang Kai-shek that replacements be sent for Ch forces on Salween front, who thus far have received none, instead of using Chinese from Myitkyina.

SWPA—TF TRADEWINDIAN convoy begins uneventful voyage toward Morotai. P.I.—Carrier TF 38 begins 3-day strike against targets in central Philippines, meeting surprisingly weak opposition from Leyte.

PALAUS—Western Fire Support Group of Adm Fort’s Western Attack Force (TF 32) arrives off the

PALAUS and begins naval bombardment in preparation for landings, covered by Task Group 38.4 and escort-carrier force, which make aerial attacks. Mine sweeping and clearance of underwater obstacles offshore also begins.

 

US MARINE CORPS