80 Years Ago, Tuesday, 31 October 1944

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Gabilan (SS‑252) sinks Japanese oceanographic research vessel No. 6 Kaiyo Maru off Murotosaki, Japan,32°50'N, 134°21'E.

            Submarine Guitarro (SS‑363) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks cargo ship Komei Maru and army cargo ship Komei Maru off Botolan Point, Luzon, 15°17'N, 119°50'E, and although damaged by the concussion generated by the explosion of one of these two ships, remains on patrol.

            Submarine Nautilus (SS‑168), en route to Mios Woendi after completing her clandestine mission (23, 24, and 27October), finishes the destruction of submarine Darter (SS‑227), aground on Bombay Shoal (09°26'N, 116°56'E) since 24 October, to prevent the boat from falling into enemy hands.

            Submarine Sterlet (SS‑392) sinks Japanese merchant tanker Takane Maru, damaged the day before by Salmon (SS‑182) and Trigger (SS‑237), southwest of Kyushu, 30°09'N, 132°45'E.

            British submarine HMS Stoic sinks two Japanese sailing vessels, 07°40'S, 114°13'E, and bombards warehouses and fuel tanks at Jangka Island.

            Motor gunboat PGM‑9 bombards Japanese targets on Aguijan Island, Marianas.

            Other Japanese casualties include landing ship T.131 damaged by aircraft, northeast of Panay; and auxiliary submarine chaser Uruppu Maru is sunk by aircraft, near Mindoro Island.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

NINTH AF—Weather forbids bomber operations and limits fighters. XII and XIX Tactical Air Commands fly patrols, sweeps, and armed reconnaissance over Eastern France and Western Germany. XII Tactical Air Command also supports US Seventh Army elements in Metz area.

TWELFTH AF—B‑26’s hit bridge and causeway at Nervesa della Battaglia and bridges at Montebello and Piazzola sul Brenta. Fighter bombers attack guns and positions in battle area South of Bologna in the Apennines, and communications and shipping targets in Po Valley and on Po River.

FIFTEENTH AF—P‑38’s fly photo and weather reconnaissance. 174 B‑24’s, dispatched against target in Yugoslavia, are forced to return because of weather.

TENTH AF—60‑plus P‑47’s attack occupied areas and supply areas at Namun, Bhamo, and Nakang, and railroad bridges, locomotive shelters, and rolling stock along the Kyaikthin-Naba line. 2 B‑25’s attack targets of opportunity from Katha to Bhamo along the Irrawaddy River.

FOURTEENTH AF—6 P‑51’s hit shipping targets of opportunity at Swatow and Amoy. About 70 fighters support Chinese ground forces by pounding positions in Lungling area. 4 B‑25’s and 12 P‑40’s bomb railroad bridge at Pengpu.

FEAF—P‑47’s and A‑20’s bomb Kairatoe airfield and Saharoe village. B‑25’s and P‑40’s hit Loloda and Soasioe. P‑38’s and A‑20’s, concentrating on airfields, attack Samate, Efman, Sagan, and Doom Island.

SEVENTH AF—During 31 Oct/1 Nov a B‑24 on snooper mission from Saipan bombs Iwo Jima.

ELEVENTH AF—4 B‑25’s score direct hits on a cannery at Tomari Cape and leave nearby buildings burning. 1 of 2 B‑25’s hit by AA heads for and safely lands in USSR.

 

US ARMY

WESTERN EUROPE—21 Army Group: In Canadian First Army’s 2 Corps area, Canadian 2d Division starts West across Walcheren causeway from South Beveland but is halted by enemy fire. Amphibious assault forces at Breskens and Ostend prepare to land on Walcheren.

            In the Breskens Pocket, only small enemy groups remain in coastal area. Cadzand and Knocks are free of enemy. In British 1 Corps area, while main body of corps is closing along the Mark, advance elements attempt unsuccessfully to establish bridgeheads. 1st Battalion of 415th Infantry, U.S. 104th Division, crosses North East of Standdaarbuiten in assault boats early in day but is encircled by enemy counterattacking force and withdraws after nightfall. Elements of Polish 1st Armored Division cross the river East of Zevenbergen, but they too are forced back to South bank. Enemy fire prevents bridging.

            In British Second Army area, 12 Corps overcomes opposition at Raamsdonk; releases 53d Division, which has completed its current mission with corps, to 8 Corps for action in Peel Marshes. In 8 Corps area, Maj Gen Lindsay McD. Silvester is replaced as commander of U.S. 7th Armored Division by Maj Gen Robert West. Hasbrouck, former Combat Command B commander. Division front is confined to Nederweert area as Belgian 1st Brigade, along Nederweert–Wessem Canal, is detached. The Belgian force is augmented by a British armored brigade. 15th Division regains Liesel.

            6th Army Group: In U.S. Seventh Army’s XV Corps area, French 2d Armored Division, with CCV on left and CCD on right, drives South East from Forêt de Mondon, taking enemy by surprise and overwhelming his forward positions Montigny, Merviller, and North part of Baccarat are cleared; other elements of division provide diversion on South flank, taking Menarmont and Nossoncourt, South West of Baccarat. In VI Corps area, 15th Infantry of 3d Division attacks at night, turning northward in region West of the Meurthe.

HUNGARY—Broadening operations toward Budapest, elements of Second Ukrainian Front force the Tisza and push into Kecskemet, where street fighting ensues.

ITALY—AAI: In British Eighth Army’s 5 Corps area, Indian 10th Division progresses rapidly toward the Rabbi as enemy resistance weakens. 4th Division establishes 2 bridgeheads across the Ronco between Selbagnone and Highway 9.

SEAC—Adm Mountbatten, having returned to Kandy from meetings with Prime Minister Churchill at Cairo, at or near this time proposes to CCS that Phases 1 and 2 of CAPITAL be completed; Arakan and Akyab be cleared (Operations ROMULUS and TALON, respectively) in order to release main body of 15 Corps for use elsewhere; forward base on Kra Isthmus be seized in March 1945; Rangoon be taken after the 1945 monsoon; Malaya be invaded regardless of the monsoon.

INDIA‑BURMA—11 Army Group: In British Fourteenth Army area, 4 Corps hq returns from India and opens near Imphal with Indian 19th Division under command about this time.

            In NCAC area, British 36th Division, against stiffening resistance, reaches Mawlu.

CHINA—Gen Wedemeyer assumes command of U.S. Forces, China Theater. His primary task is to conduct air operations from China, with logistical support from IBT.

LEYTE—U.S. Sixth Army: In X Corps area, while 3d Battalion of 34th Infantry, 24th Division, is engaged in clearing hill around Jaro, 2d Battalion passes through in attack toward Tunga. 19th Infantry protects South flank of 24th Division and blocks enemy escape routes. Elements move up to Jaro and make contact with 24th Division. In XXIV Corps area, 96th Division is mopping up Catmon Hill sector. Company G of 32d Infantry, 7th Division, starts from Abuyog toward Baybay.

US MARINE CORPS