US NAVY
PACIFIC—Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) (Commander Robert
F. Jones) commences operations with TDR-1 drones (controlled from converted
TBM-1c aircraft) against Japanese targets in the southwest Pacific. Four TDRs
are launched against beached Japanese freighter used as antiaircraft
emplacement off Kahili airstrip, Bougainville. Two drones hit the ship, one
crashes just short (bomb does not explode) and one is lost enroute.
Submarine Apogon
(SS-308) sinks Japanese cargo ship Hachirogata Maru in Sea of
Okhotsk off Shimushir Island,46°32'N, 146°48'E.
Submarine Bonefish
(SS-223) damages Japanese oiler Kamoi 240 miles southwest of Manila,
13°48'N, 148°38'E.
Submarines
Flasher (SS-249) and Lapon (SS-260) attack Japanese convoy in
South China Sea west of Luzon; Flasher sinks army transport Ural Maru
and damages merchant tanker Tachibana Maru, 15°45'N, 117°20'E; Lapon
sinks merchant tanker Hokki Maru, 15°50'N, 117°41'E.
Submarines
Narwhal (SS-167) and Stingray (SS-186) land supplies on north
coast of Mindanao and east coast of Luzon, respectively.
Submarine Plaice
(SS-390) sinks Japanese Coast Defense Vessel No.10, 100 miles
north-northwest of Amami-O-Shima, 29°26'N, 128°50'E.
Submarine Searaven
(SS-196) damages Japanese destroyer Momi off Etorofu, Kurils,
45°44'N, 148°41'E.
British
submarine HMS Thorough damages Japanese auxiliary sailing vessel No.9
Kashiwa Maru off north coast of Sumatra.
PBY
damages Japanese cargo ship Tateishi Maru off Jolo, 06°02'N, 121°29'E;
the ship is beached to prevent sinking.
Tank
landing craft LCT-823 sinks after running aground off Palau.
CARIBBEAN—Garbage lighter YG-39 sinks off Canal
Zone, 10°10'N, 79°51'W.
MEDITERRANEAN—Motor torpedo boat PT-559, with
British motor torpedo boats, attack northbound convoy off Raffallo, Italy.
US ARMY AIR FORCE
EIGHTH AF—Nearly 1,100 heavy bombers bomb 2 marshalling
yards, 2 synthetic oil plants, 2 motor works, and a tank and armored vehicle plant,
at Cologne, Ludwigshafen, Mainz, and Kassel, and targets of opportunity in W
Germany. 15 escorting fighter groups claim 31 aircraft destroyed. Over 160
B-24’s carry gasoline to France.
NINTH AF—Nearly 300 medium bombers and light bombers abort
due to weather. 8 manage to bomb target at Foret de Parroy. Fighters fly armed reconnaissance,
cover US First and Third Army forces in W Germany and E France and later fly
night patrols in Belgium, Luxembourg, and W German areas.
TWELFTH AF—During 26/27 September A-20’s bomb motor
transport in Po Valley. During the day bad weather cancels medium bomber operations
and restricts XII FC. Yet fighter bombers effectively support US Fifth Army,
especially on Monte Oggioli, blasting defensive positions, troop
concentrations, roads, and motor transport, and cutting rail lines between
Parma and Piacenza.
TENTH AF—13 P-47’s bomb area near Katha. 30 P-47’s in 5
flights hit ammo stores and town area of Myothit, and attack Sinkin, Bhamo, and
Ma-ubin. 7 other P-47’s damage approaches to railroad bridge at Nansiaung, 7
more hit bivouac area at Pinwe, and 7 B-25’s pound Hsenwi. 10 B-24’s fly fuel
to Liuchow and Yungning. Troop carriers fly 200-plus sorties to various points
in CBI.
FOURTEENTH AF—40-plus P-40’s and P-51’s on armed reconnaissance
attack communications targets, river shipping, buildings, and troops in Kiyang,
Lungfukwan, Sungpai, Chuanhsien, Lingling, Paishui, and Paoching areas.
FEAF—B-24’s bomb Menado personnel and supply areas. B-25’s
attack oil tanks at Boela and hit Old Namba airfield. P-40’s hit Rapsiki,
Kokas, and Waren airfield and shipping in Vogelkop Peninsula area.
SEVENTH AF—Saipan-based P-47’s bombs and strafes Pagan. 2
B-24’s on armed reconnaissance hit Marcus. 14 Marshallsbased B-24’s strike
Truk.
US ARMY
WESTERN EUROPE—21 Army Group: Field Marshal Montgomery
orders Gen Crerar to clear the Schelde as quickly as possible.
In British
Second Army area, enemy aircraft make large-scale but futile efforts to destroy
Nijmegen bridges.
12th Army Group:
In U.S. Third Army’s XX Corps area, 359th Infantry of 80th Division, after
further efforts in greater strength to gain road from Gravelotte to St Hubert’s
Farm, breaks off attack; 358th Infantry, having been relieved by TF Polk, moves
to right of 359th, replacing 3d Cavalry Reconnaissance Sq. 5th Division begins
limited attacks against Fort Driant, outer bastion of Metz barring N approach
to the city; after ineffective aerial bombardment at low level, 2d Battalion of
11th Infantry attacks at 1415 but is unable to reach main works and withdraws
to original positions. In XII Corps area, massed enemy tanks again attempt to
drive in 4th Armored Division’s salient, making main effort on S flank where
they succeed in taking Hill 318, SE of Arracourt, which commands road to Nancy;
subsidiary thrusts at Bezange-la-Petite and Xanrey are largely contained. 35th Division,
holding Forêt de Grémecey salient with 134th Infantry on left and 137th on
right, undergoes sharp counterattacks. German columns push toward Grémecey and
Pettoncourt from Chambrey, reaching latter. When reinforcements from 320th Infantry
of 35th Division arrive, enemy falls back toward Chambrey. Other enemy forces
make limited penetration into NE edge of the forest after infiltrating from
Fort de Château- Salins, but most of lost ground is recovered. 6th Armored
Division is alerted for possible action with 35th Division.
ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army’s IV Corps area, TF 92 makes
substantial progress up Serchio valley; takes responsibility for zone of 24th
Guards Brigade, which is to assist in drive up Highway 6620. S African 6th Armored
Division column, moving along Highway 64, reaches Collina. In II Corps area,
34th Division continues to advance slowly on left flank of corps against strong
opposition. 91st Division begins assault on M. Oggioli and makes slow progress
with assistance of supporting weapons and aircraft. 85th Division reaches crest
of Torre Poggiolli and clears Sambuco. 88th Division takes hill dominating
Highway 937 on left, Castel del Rio in center, and M. Battaglia, key feature on
road to Imola, on right; 2d Battalion, 350th Infantry, establishes itself on M.
Battaglia and soon undergoes the first of a series of determined enemy
counterattacks. In British 13 Corps area, 1st Division seizes M. Toncone,
jeopardizing enemy on M. Gamberaldi. Indian 8th Division begins flanking
maneuver against M. di Castelnuovo. 1st Guards Brigade returns to 6th Armored
Division from 10 Corps front.
In British
Eighth Army’s 5 Corps area, Indian 4th Division is virtually halted by enemy on
ridges on left flank of corps. 46th Division expands its bridgehead slightly and
holds gains against counterattacks. 56th Division, finding further progress
toward Savignano barred by enemy on Castelvecchio ridge, patrols while awaiting
reinforcements. Canadian 1 Corps issues instructions for future action of
troops upon relief, scheduled to begin on 29th, by Polish 2 Corps. It is subsequently
decided to employ Polish 2 Corps in another sector and keep Canadian 1 Corps in
coastal zone. Forward elements of corps are approaching the Fiumicino. S. Mauro
di Romagna and La Torre are clear of enemy.
PALAUS—On Peleliu, elements of 321st Infantry begin attack
on N side of Umurbrogol Pocket, which 7th Marines is helping to contain, and
meet intense enemy fire. 1st Battalion drives N, clearing Kamilianlul Mt with
ease and making contact with 5th Marines at junction of East and West Roads.
Some elements of 5th Marines continue clearing resistance on Amiangal Mt, while
others push to end of island, Akarakaro Pt. On Angaur, 322d Infantry surrounds
Lake Salome bowl and gains positions along inside of it. Methodical elimination
of doomed enemy there ensues.
US MARINE CORPS
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