80 Years Ago, Monday, 6 November, 1944

US NAVY

PACIFIC—TF 38 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) resumes strikes against Luzon; TG 38.3 planes sink Japanese transport T.139, Silanguin Bay, 14°35'N, 120°55'E. Planes from carrier Ticonderoga (CV‑14), in TG 38.3, sink tanker Marifu Maru, previously damaged by submarine Flier (SS‑250) on 13 June 1944, in Mariveles harbor, 14°26'N, 120°29'E.

            Submarines Guitarro (SS‑363), Bream (SS‑243), and Raton (SS‑270) each torpedo Japanese heavy cruiser Kumano west of Lingayen, 16°11N, 119°44'E. Kumano is towed to Santa Cruz, Luzon (see 9 November 1944). Guitarro is damaged by depth charges, 15°54'N, 119°44'E, but remains on patrol.

            Submarine Gurnard (SS‑254) lays mines off western Borneo.

            The blockading of the Nanpo Shoto region, by mining, begins as PROJECT MIKE commences. USAAF B‑24s (42d Bomb Squadron), fly from Guam and stage through Isely Field, Saipan, where the mines are loaded and fuel tanks topped off. The B‑24s lay 10 mines off Chichi Jima.

            RAAF Mitchells sink Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 118 off Soemba Island, N.E.I., 09°38'S, 120°17'E.

MEDITERRANEAN—Destroyer Plunkett (DD‑431) shells German troop concentrations and pillboxes. She carries out shore bombardment against gun emplacement south of Ventimiglia.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Over 1,000 heavy bombers in 6 forces attack 6 oil and chemical installations, a canal aqueduct and aircraft repair plant, along with 3 marshalling yards, an airfield, and several targets of opportunity in northern and northwestern Germany. 16 Fighter Groups afford close escort and later strafe ground targets in northwestern Germany and the Netherlands.

NINTH AF—Weather grounds 9th Bomb Division. Fighters, during armed reconnaissance, attack railroads and bridges. IX Tactical Air Command also supports ground forces in Schmidt area.

TWELFTH AF—Medium bombers strike electric transformers and converters, railway bridges and railway fills on the rail line through Brenner Pass. Fighter bombers and fighters again hit troops and gun positions in the battlelines south of Bologna and communications targets north of the battle area.

FIFTEENTH AF—580‑plus fighter‑escorted heavy bombers bomb Moosbierbaum oil refinery and Vienna southern ordnance depot, alternate targets of Kapfenberg steel works, Deutsch Wagram, Graz and Maribor marshalling yards, and railroad power sub station at Bolzano.

AAF, INDIA‑BURMA THEATER—AAF India‑Burma Sector, China‑Burma India Theater is redesignated AAF, India‑Burma Theater.

TENTH AF—70‑plus P‑47’s, sweep airfields at Anisakan, Onbauk, Shwebo, Kin, and Kawlin; destroy and damage bridges at Hinlong and Wingkang; bomb town of Mawtaung and marshalling yard at Kanbalu; hit boxcars at Wuntho and Meza, boats along the Irrawaddy from Katha to Twinnge. and attack several scattered targets of opportunity. 28 P‑47’s fly combat patrols south of Myitkyina. 8 B‑25’s bomb military area at Namun and supply dump at Mansi. Large‑scale transport operations continue.

FOURTEENTH AF—16 P‑40’s pound Mangshih and Lungling areas. 15 others hit buildings and other targets of opportunity at Wanling and around Chefang and Kweihsien.

FEAF—B‑24’s strike Lahug and Fabrica airfields, while fighter bombers pound Palompon, bridge north of Valencia, and barges in Ormoc Bay. B‑24’s bomb Malili.

SEVENTH AF—B‑24’s from Saipan bomb shipping at Okimura and Higashi‑minato and hit island of Ani Jima. During 6/7 Nov a snooper mission is flown over Iwo Jima airfields. Dispersal areas and runways are bombed. Beginning on this date and continuing through 24 Dec 44, B‑24’s on Saipan fly 24 missions to lay 170 mines in several anchorages throughout the Bonin Islands.

ELEVENTH AF—4 B‑25’s bomb Torishima Islands, score a hit on a large building, sink two nearby barges, and probably hit other shipping targets. About 20 fighters intercept, downing 1 B‑25. The medium bombers claim 3 victories.

 

US ARMY

WESTERN EUROPE—21 Army Group: In Canadian First Army area, 2 Corps clears Middelburg, on Walcheren Island. British 1 Corps continues to eliminate scattered strongpoints south of the Maas. Polish 1st Armored Division, assisted by elements of U.S. 104th Division, begins attack on Moerdijk, on enemy’s escape route. Main body of 104th Division starts to Aachen.

            In British Second Army area, U.S. 7th Armored Division is ordered to return to 12th Army Group in preparation for offensive. 15th Division continues limited action north of Meijel.

            12th Army Group: In U.S. First Army’s VII Corps area, 4th Division, moving from V Corps zone to Zweifall area, is ordered to release 12th Infantry, which, under command of 28th Division, V Corps, is to begin relief of elements of 28th Division at once. In V Corps area, 28th Division repels further attacks against Kommerscheidt but is forced from east end of Vossenack. Relief of 109th Infantry by 12th Infantry of 4th Division cannot be accomplished on night 6–7 as planned. Attack on Schmidt by TF River is postponed.

ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army’s IV Corps area, TF 45 assumes command of coastal sector from 107th AAA Group. In British 13 Corps area, Indian 8th Division takes Mont Monsignano without opposition.

            In British Eighth Army area, Polish 2 Corps moves forward following limited enemy withdrawal. In region west of Highway 67, 3d Carpathian Division takes Mont Chioda and Mont Pratello. 5th Kresowa Division, east of the highway, seizes Mont Testa, east of Dovadola.

INDIA‑BURMA—In NCAC area, 64th Regiment of Chinese 22d Division crosses the Irrawaddy and overcomes light opposition in Shwegugale.

CHINA—Japanese threat to Kunming, which is besieged, is by now a matter of serious concern to China Theater hq.

LEYTE—U.S. Sixth Army: X Corps is ordered by Gen Krueger to drive as quickly as possible down Highway 2 to secure Ormoc. 21st Infantry, 24th Division, probes Breakneck Ridge in preparation for attack southward. Forward elements of 3d Battalion are forced back to beach near Colasian by intense enemy fire. 1st Battalion attempts in vain to get into position to support assault on Breakneck Ridge. In XXIV Corps area, 382d Infantry of 96th Division clears all but isolated pockets on Bloody Ridge, despite well‑prepared enemy positions.

 

US MARINE CORPS

80 Years Ago, Sunday, 5 November, 1944

US NAVY

PACIFIC—TF 38 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) begins two days of carrier strikes on Luzon, targeting Japanese aircraft, airfields, and shipping. TG 38.3 attacks warships and auxiliaries in Manila Bay, where planes from carriers Lexington (CV‑16) and Essex (CV‑9), and light carrier Langley (CVL‑27) sink heavy cruiser Nachi five nautical miles west of Corregidor. F6Fs from TG 38.3 sink Patrol Boat No.107 [ex‑U.S. tug Genessee (AT‑55)] off Lubang Island, 14°23'N,120°25'E. Navy carrier‑based planes (TG 38.3 hitting targets in Manila Bay, TG 38.1 targets off Santa Cruz) damage destroyer Akebono and escort destroyer Okinawa, landing ship T.111, motor sailship Tanoguchi Maru and cargo ships Toyo Maru and Showa Maru. During Japanese retaliatory air strikes, kamikaze damages carrier Lexington (CV‑16),16°20'N, 123°59'E.

            Motor torpedo boat PT‑320 is damaged by aerial bomb off Leyte, 11°11'N, 125°05'E.

            USAAF B‑29s bomb Singapore, damaging Japanese fleet tanker Notoro while she lies in drydock at Selatar, 01°18N,103°52'E.

            Japanese landing ship T.112 runs aground off southwest Mindoro, 12°40'N, 121°22'E.

            Japanese merchant ship No.11 Bakshu Maru is sunk by mine off Penang.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—More than 1,200 heavy bombers attack marshalling yards at Frankfurt/Main, Ludwigshafen, Karlsruhe, Hanau, and Kaiserslautern, and synthetic oil plant at Ludwigshafen, rail facilities at Landau, and 8 targets of opportunity. 15 Fighter Groups give support. 37 heavy bombers and fighters are lost.

NINTH AF—160 medium bombers and light bombers strike ammo, ordnance, and supply depots at Hamburg. Fighters escort bombers, fly armed reconnaissance, attack railroads and bridges, and cover ground forces of V and XIX Corps. IX Tactical Air Command aids US 28th Infantry Division in withstanding counter‑attack near Kommerscheidt.

TWELFTH AF—Medium bombers, flying over 300 sorties, bomb bridges in Brenner Pass and in the northeastern Po Valley to interdict the Germans’ 2 main supply routes from the north. Fighters and fighter bombers hit defenses and forces in battle areas in the northern Apennines south of Bologna and attack communications targets to the northern as well as in battle zone.

FIFTEENTH AF—500 B‑24’s and B‑17’s bomb Vienna/Floridsdorf oil refinery in largest operation against a single target during World War IIsland. 10 other heavy bombers bomb about 20 scattered targets of opportunity and 1 alternate target (Kapfenberg tank works). 139 P‑38’s and 198 P‑51’s provide escort. 16 of the fighters strafe targets of opportunity in target area. 42 other B‑24’s, with fighter escort, bomb troop concentrations at Mitrovica and Podgorica.

TENTH AF—About 70 P‑47’s attack Lashlo airfield, hit gun positions on Kyundaw Island, bomb Kanbalu marshalling yard, hit targets of opportunity along Naba‑Wuntho railroad and on Burma Road and bomb town of Namhpakka and Lasai area. 28 other P‑47’s maintain patrols south of Myitkyina. Transports fly 300‑plus sorties carrying men, equipment and supplies to various forward areas.

FOURTEENTH AF—49 P‑40’s, P‑38’s, and P‑51’s attack storage facilities and other targets of opportunity around Mangshih, Chefang, Wanling, and Kweihsien.

FEAF—B‑24’s and P‑40’s attack airfields and barges in the Central Philippine Islands. B‑24’s also hit town of Bima and Waingapoe Bay shipping at Soembawa. B‑25’s and fighter bombers strike airfields, troop concentrations, and communications targets throughout the Halmahera area and northeastern peninsula of Celebes. Fighter bombers and A‑20’s hit Amahai and targets of opportunity on southern coast of Ceram. Almost 50 A‑20’s, supporting ground forces, blast installations in Sarrni area.

TWENTIETH AF—24 Marianas‑based B‑29’s bomb 2 Iwo Jima airfields, starting tactical operations against the island in preparation for its invasion. 53 Calcutta‑based B‑29’s bomb Singapore naval base putting the King George VI Graving Dock (one of the world’s best drydocks) out of operation for 3 months, and blast other targets at the base. 7 other B‑29’s bomb secondary target and Pangkalanbrandan refinery while 4 more hit other target.

SEVENTH AF—B‑24’s from Guam hit shipping in the Bonins and, during armed reconnaissance mission, bomb Marcus.

ELEVENTH AF—4 B‑25’s abort an offensive sweep off Suribachi due to intense shore fire. 4 more B‑25’s fly armed reconnaissance over Shimushu and deck level bomb Torishima Is targets. Of 4 fighters intercepting the B‑25’s, 1 is downed. 4 B‑24’s bomb Onnekotan and Matsuwa. 3 more B‑24’s bomb Kataoka naval base, starting fires. 7 fighters intercept and the heavy bombers down 1.

 

US ARMY

WESTERN EUROPE—21 Army Group: In Canadian First Army area, 2 Corps continues to make rapid progress on Walcheren Island. British 1 Corps gets forward elements to the Maas. U.S. 104th Division, less elements of 414th Infantry that are to help Polish 1st Armored Division take Moerdijk, prepares to move to Aachen. In British Second Army’s 12 Corps area, 51st Division finishes clearing enemy from south bank of the Maas. In 8 Corps area, U.S. 7th Armored Division approaches Meijel area from south, and 15th Division begins drive on Meijel from north.

            12th Army Group: In U.S. First Army’s V Corps area, 28th Division withstands infantry counterattacks against Kommerscheidt, but Germans infiltrate MSR and gain control of Kall bridge. Steady enemy fire on Vossenack is weakening U.S. defenders there. To help 112th Infantry in drive on Schmidt on 6th, TF River (Col Ripple, CO of 707th Tank Battalion) is formed, containing battalion of 110th Infantry, tanks, and tank destroyers.

            In VII Corps area, poor weather conditions prevent opening of offensive.

            In U.S. Third Army’s XX Corps area, 3d Cavalry Group, after heavy fire on enemy positions, clears Berg and hill to north. XII Corps is ready to open offensive, but awaits order from Gen Patton. Rain falls intermittently.

            6th Army Group: U.S. Seventh Army directive calls for reduction of enemy west of the Rhine and capture of Strasbourg. XV Corps is to attack on D Day, taking Sarrebourg and forcing the Saverne Gap. VI Corps, not later than D plus 2, is to attack through Vosges passes to take Strasbourg. In VI Corps area, 45th Division, into whose line additional elements of 100th Division are gradually being introduced, pushes in slowly toward Raon‑l’Etape. 3d Division continues to clear region west of the Meurthe from St Dié area northward. 36th Division is still engaged in Forêt Domaniale de Champ.

            In French 1st Army’s 2d Corps area, 3d Algerian Division, continuing limited offensive toward Gerardmer, gains Rochesson, Menaurupt, and heights near these villages,

ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army’s IV Corps area, 1st Division of BEF takes command of Combat Command B, 1st Armored Division, in place. Corps zone, from west to East, is now manned by 107th AAA Group, Brazilian 1st Division, and South African 6th Armored Division.

            In British Eighth Army area, improving weather conditions permit Allied aircraft to begin softening up strikes in preparation for attack by 5 Corps on Forlì.

LEYTE—U.S. aircraft attack enemy forces moving up Highway 2. U.S. Sixth Army: In X Corps area, 1st Cavalry Division begins prolonged program of patrolling in central mountains of Leyte. 21st Infantry returns to 24th Division and relieves 34th Infantry at Breakneck Ridge, west of Pinamopoan. In XXIV Corps area, 382d Infantry of 96th Division continues attack on Bloody Ridge after artillery preparation and, with assistance of co of tanks, is reducing enemy positions there.

 

US MARINE CORPS

Marine Corsair fighter‑bombers based in the Marshalls hit Nauru Island in the Gilberts, setting a distance record for Corsairs with full bomb loads.

80 Years Ago, Saturday, 4 November, 1944

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarines Bream (SS‑243), Guitarro (SS‑363) and Ray (SS‑271) attack Japanese convoy off western Luzon, all three team up to sink transport Kagu Maru off Dasol Bay, 15°55'N, 119°44'E. 

            Submarine Sailfish (SS‑192) damages Japanese destroyer Harukaze and landing ship T.111 in Luzon Strait, 20°08'N,121°43'E. Although damaged by aerial bombs, 20°09'N, 121°43'E, the submarine remains on patrol; Patrol Boat No.38 takes the damaged Harukaze in tow and brings her into port.

            British submarine HMS Terrapin attacks Japanese convoy in Malacca Strait, and sinks minesweeper W.5, 03°14'N,99°50'E.

            U.S. freighter Frank J. Cuhel is damaged by friendly fire while anchored off Tacloban, Leyte; the explosion of a shell wounds one of the 500 troops being transported by the ship, and 2 of the 28‑man Armed Guard. During Japanese air attack shortly thereafter, freighter Cape Constance is damaged when a kamikaze, having been hit by the heavy fire being put up by the Armed Guard gunners, explodes over the ship and scatters wreckage. Only the Armed Guard officer is wounded during the attack; there are no other casualties among the 41‑man merchant complement and the28‑man Armed Guard.

MEDITERRANEAN—Destroyers Benson (DD‑421) and Woolsey (DD‑437) bombard German gun emplacements in Cap Ampeglio area.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—More than 1,000 heavy bombers operating in 6 forces attack synthetic oil plants, oil refineries, and benzol plant at Bottrop, Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, Hamburg/Harburg, Misburg, and Neunkirchen, and several targets of opportunity. 17 Fighter Groups, including a Ninth AF group, provide support.

NINTH AF—218 medium bombers and light bombers hit Trier ordnance depot, Baumholder depot, and Eschweiler gun positions. Fighters escort the 9th Bomb Division, attack railroads, bridges, and other targets, and support US XIX Corps in Aachen area.

TWELFTH AF—Over 200 B‑25’s and B‑26’s of 42d Bomb Wing hit railway and road bridges in Brenner Pass. More than 130 B‑25’s of 57th Bomb Wing strike communications in western Po Valley, cutting at least 4 bridges. Fighters and fighter bombers of XXII Tactical Air Command concentrate on communications targets and trains in Po Valley and defenses in battle area south of Bologna. Some XXII Tactical Air Command aircraft hit guns on northern Italian coast, some hit rocket launching site and communications north of battle area, and 4 P‑47’s bomb Milan hotel where Hitler is rumored to be staying.

FIFTEENTH AF—715 heavy bombers with fighter escorts pound oil storage at Regensburg, marshalling yards at Munich and Augsburg, main marshalling yard and a benzol plant at Linz, a troop concentration at Podgorica, as well as attacking several alternate targets and scattered targets of opportunity including marshalling yards at Wels and Kufstein, Erding, airfield, railroad targets in and near Rosenheim, and towns of Strass and Muhldorf.

TENTH AF—17 P‑47’s pound Shwebo airfield while 6 others bomb stores of guns and ammo at Mong Yaw.

FOURTEENTH AF—34 P‑40’s, P‑51’s, and P‑38’s attack road traffic and other targets of opportunity in Mangshih and Lungling areas. 4 P‑38’s bomb pass near Menghsu, blocking the highway.

FEAF—B‑24’s again pound Alicante airfield.

SEVENTH AF—18 Saipan‑based B‑24’s bomb Iwo Jima airfields. 2 others, on shipping reconnaissance, bomb Haha Jima. 2 B‑24’s on armed reconnaissance from Guam bomb Marcus. 16 P‑47’s bomb landing strip on Pagan.

ELEVENTH AF—6 B‑24’s strike airfield, buildings, and off shore shlpplng at Suribachi and Kurabu.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—First report is received of Japanese balloon southwest of San Pedro; USN recovers some apparatus, envelope, and rigging.

 

US ARMY

WESTERN EUROPE—21 Army Group: In Canadian First Army area, first mine sweepers reach Antwerp. In 2 Corps area, British 52d Division and commandos are methodically clearing Walcheren. Junction is made between forces at causeway and those who have crossed Slooe Channel. Enemy is being cleared from north coast. In British 1 Corps area, 49th and U.S. 104th Divisions continue to push north toward the Maas in center of corps. Polish 1st Armored Division, on right flank, takes Geertruidenberg. Steenbergen, on left flank, is encircled. 104th Division is directed to move to Aachen when released from current mission.

            In British Second Army’s 8 Corps area, Combat Command A of U.S. 7th Armored Division continues to clear northwest bank of Canal du Nord.

            12th Army Group: In U.S. First Army’s V Corps area, Germans counterattack vigorously toward Schmidt and Kommerscheidt, regaining former. A few tanks that have reached Kommerscheidt help materially in turning enemy back. 109th Infantry, 28th Division, withstands determined enemy attack to north; on south, 110th makes limited progress and takes Simonskall. In U.S. Third Army’s XX Corps area, 3d Cavalry Group takes hill overlooking Berg but is driven off in counterattack.

            6th Army Group: In U.S. Seventh Army’s VI Corps area, 3d Division continues to clear For de Mortagne west of St Dié and open ground to north, where La Salle is now clear. 36th Division is clearing Forêt Domaniale de Champ and pushing toward Corcieux on south flank of corps.

ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army area, IV Corps takes command of South African 6th Armored Division’s sector and U.S. troops (Combat Command B, 1st Armored Div) attached to that div; releases 92d Division to Fifth Army control to hold Serchio Valley and coastal sector on left flank of army. In British 13 Corps area, 1st Guards Brigade of 6th Armored Division completes relief of 1st Division in line. 1st Division then moves to relieve 88th Division and elements of 85th Division, U.S. II Corps, to west.

HUNGARY—Soviet forces of Second Ukrainian Front seize Cegled and Szolnok, on rail line to Budapest. Autumn rains and stiffening opposition in environs of Budapest are beginning to slow Red Army.

YUGOSLAVIA—Sibenik, on Dalmatian coast, falls to Partisans.

BURMA—11 Army Group: In British Fourteenth Army’s 33 Corps area, Indian 5th Division clears Kennedy Peak, another enemy strongpoint south of Tiddim.

LEYTE—U.S. Sixth Army: X Corps, directed to take up defensive role against seaborne attack in Carigara area and to patrol to locate sites for artillery within range of Ormoc, regroups. After patrol of 34th Infantry, 24th Division, finds that enemy has fallen back, advance continues through Colasian and Pinamopoan to edge of ridge later called Breakneck Ridge. In XXIV Corps area, 1st Battalion of 382d Infantry, 96th Division, continues attack west of Dagami toward Bloody Ridge and gains about 1,000 yards against light opposition. Main body of 2d Battalion moves up behind 1st. Japanese counterattacking on night 4–5 are turned back by artillery fire and leave 254 dead behind.

 

US MARINE CORPS

VMF‑122, commanded by Major Joseph H. Reinburg, supports U. S. Army landing on Pulo Anna Island south of the Palaus.

80 Years Ago, Friday, 3 November, 1944

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese aircraft attack air facilities on Saipan and Tinian as part of a series of strikes on this area from which heavy bombing missions against their home islands are launched.

            Japanese planes raid U.S. shipping and airfield facilities at Tacloban, Leyte; U.S. freighter Matthew P. Deady is crashed by kamikaze that is engaged with intense antiaircraft fire from the Armed Guard; the explosion of the crashing suicide plane starts a fire in the cargo that threatens the ship. Although firefighting efforts are successful, two Armed Guard sailors (of the 27‑man detachment) and 26 troops (of the 300 on board) perish in the attack.

            Light cruiser Reno (CL‑96) is damaged by Japanese submarine I‑41 off Leyte, 13°46'N, 131°27'E.28

            Submarine Cero (SS‑225) lands men and supplies on east coast of Luzon.

            Submarine Gurnard (SS‑254) attacks Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, and sinks merchant cargo ship Taimei Maru about 275 miles west of Labuan, Borneo, 05°48'N, 111°12'E.

            Submarine Pintado (SS‑387) attacks small detachment of Japanese warships and sinks destroyer Akikaze 160 miles west of Lingayen Gulf, 16°50'N, 117°29'E.

            Submarine Pomfret (SS‑391) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Hamburg Maru in Bashi Channel, 20°19'N, 121°30'E. Transport Atlas Maru, torpedoed by Pomfret the previous day, is beached, a total loss, off Sabtang Island, 20°18'N,121°51'E.

            Japanese merchant cargo ship Shino Maru is sunk by aircraft off Palau.

MEDITERRANEAN—Destroyer Woolsey (DD‑437) shells German troop concentrations near Franco‑Italian border.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

NINTH AF—140‑plus medium bombers and light bombers hit rail overpass at Kaiserslautern, and rail bridges at Neuwied‑Irlich, Bad Munster am Stein, Morscheid and Konz‑Karthaus. Fighters fly armed reconnaissance, ground forces cover, attack railroads, bridge, and observation posts in western Germany, and escort 9th Bomb Division.

TWELFTH AF—Heavy clouds over most of northern Italy begin to disperse. Medium bombers are still grounded but fighter bombers manage to fly 8 sorties against gun positions in mountains south of Bologna.

FIFTEENTH AF—46 B‑17’s and B‑24’s (in an operation adapted to bad weather and flying without escort) bomb Vienna southern ordnance depot, Moosbierbaum oil refinery, Munich western marshalling yard, Klagenfurt aircraft factory, towns of Innsbruck and Graz, and rail line south east of Graz. The heavy bombers attack individually, depending on cloud cover for protection. Over 30 other heavy bombers abort due to clearing weather.

TENTH AF—12 B‑25’s, supported by 18 P‑47’s, hit Nawnghkio airfield. A single medium bomber attacks targets of opportunity between Myitkyina and Lashio. 90‑plus fighter bombers attack bridges, enemy forces, town areas and numerous targets of opportunity at Kawngmu, Namhai, Tonlon, Ho‑hko, Hinlong, Namhsum, Hkusan, Hkawngwa, Wingkang, Namhkam, and south of Mansi.

TENTH AF—transports fly 240‑plus sorties to forward areas.

FOURTEENTH AF—69 P‑40’s, P‑51’s, and P‑38’s on armed reconnaissance over eastern Burma, southwestern and southeastern China, and northern Indochina hit targets of opportunity in Lungling area, damage railroad bridge south of Lashio, hit town of Mangshih and destroy nearby warehouse. The fighter bombers hit town areas and docks at Takhing and Tengyun, attack troops in Mosun area, destroy 2 Japanese fighters near Amoy, hit trains at Hongay, and bomb areas on Hainan Island.

FEAF—B‑25’s bomb Alicante airfield. P‑40’s hit highway and oil dump north of Ormoc. A‑20’s and B‑25’s bomb Babo airfield. During 3/4 Nov harassing strikes are flown at airfields in Central Philippine Islands, on northeastern peninsula of Celebes, and on Halmahera.

TWENTIETH AF—49 B‑29’s, operating from rear bases in Calcutta area, bomb Malagon railroad yards. Almost as many others hit alternate targets.

SEVENTH AF—14 B‑24’s from Guam pound shipping at Chichi Jima and Haha Jima. 34 P‑47’s from Saipan bomb and strafe Pagan. B‑24’s from Saipan continue armed reconnaissance and snooper missions over Marcus and Iwo Jima.

 

US ARMY

WESTERN EUROPE—21 Army Group: In Canadian First Army’s 2 Corps area, Canadian 3d Division finishes clearing Breskens Pocket. Some 12,500 prisoners have been taken during the operation. Substantial progress is made by British 52d Division, reinforced by 4th Special Service Brigade, on Walcheren Island. Assault forces from Westkapelle join with those from Flushing. Positions in east Walcheren are extended. In British 1 Corps area, German delaying line along the Mark collapses as 49th Division and U.S. 104th Division expand bridgeheads, but many strongpoints remain. Polish 1st Armored Division establishes bridgehead near Zevenbergen on right flank of corps; Canadian 4th Armored Division, on left flank, improves positions in Steenbergen area.

            In British Second Army’s 8 Corps area, Combat Command A of U.S. 7th Armored Division continues to clear northwest bank of Canal du Nord, overrunning villages of Horik and Ospel.

            12th Army Group: In U.S. First Army’s V Corps area, 112th Infantry of 28th Division crosses Kall River and takes Kommerscheidt and Schmidt, but 110th and 109th Regiments make little or no progress on flanks. Schmidt is on MSR of enemy in Lammersdorf Corridor.

            In U.S. Third Army area, XX and XII Corps issue orders for offensive. XX Corps is to eliminate the Metz garrison, secure crossing of the Sarre in Saarburg area, and, upon order, continue offensive toward northeast. XII Corps, attacking between 5 and 8 November, is to seize Faulquemont, secure Rhine bridgehead between Oppenheim and Mannheim, and, tentatively, push to Darmstadt area. In XX Corps zone, 3d Cavalry Group moves forward at night to eliminate small enemy pocket west of the Moselle at Berg‑sur‑Moselle.

            6th Army Group: In French 1st Army’s 2d Corps area, 3d Algerian Division, in limited attack toward Gerardmer, arouses strong opposition.

ITALY—AAI: U.S. Fifth Army is assigned 366th Infantry, a separate regiment, but the unit does not arrive at Leghorn until 91st.

            In British Eighth Army’s 5 Corps area, local attack by 4th Division brings such sharp enemy reaction that it is decided to attack in strength when weather conditions improve. Positions across the Ronco are gradually strengthened during the next few days in preparation for renewing offensive.

INDIA‑BURMA—On Salween front, Chinese Hon 1st Division recovers Lung‑ling, scene of hard fighting for some months.

            In NCAC area, Chinese 22d Division reaches the Irrawaddy in vicinity of Shwegu without opposition and prepares to cross.

LEYTE—Japanese reinforcements moving up Ormoc Valley are hit with good effect by aircraft. U.S. Sixth Army: Issues order for converging drive on Ormoc by X and XXIV Corps. In X Corps area, 34th Infantry of 24th Division takes Capoocan with ease and continues toward Pinamopoan until held up by enemy strongpoint. In XXIV Corps area, 1st Battalion of 382d Infantry, 96th Division, attacks west of Dagami toward ridge, later called Bloody Ridge, moving through rice paddy, but is so heavily opposed that it withdraws after nightfall. One 2d Battalion column advances to Patok and another moves up to reinforce 1st Battalion. 1st Battalion withstands strong counterattack, night 3–4.

 

US MARINE CORPS

80 Years Ago, Thursday, 2 November, 1944

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese aircraft bomb U.S. airstrip and planes on the ground at Tacloban, Leyte.

            USAAF B‑24s and P‑38s (13th Air Force) attack Japanese reinforcement convoy (TA Operation, Second Phase) unloading reinforcements at Ormoc Bay, sinking army cargo ship Noto Maru, 10°30'N, 125°00'E. The rest of the convoy, however, returns safely to Manila.

            Submarine Barbero (SS‑317), despite presence of escort vessel, sinks Japanese army cargo ship Kuramazan Maru in Makassar Strait, 04°30'S, 118°20'E.

            Submarine Pomfret (SS‑391) attacks Japanese convoy between Formosa and Luzon, sinking transport Hamburg Maru damaging transport Atlas Maru in Luzon Channel, 20°20'N, 121°30'E.

            British submarine HMS Tantalus attacks Japanese Singapore‑to‑Manila convoy SIMA‑04 one day after its departure, sinking cargo ship Hachijin Maru and damaging submarine chaser Ch 1 about 225 miles east of Singapore, 00°48'N,107°43'E.

            British submarine HMS Terrapin sinks netlayer Kumano Maru in Strait of Malacca, 01°30'N, 103°00'E.

            Japanese army cargo ship No.2 Tateyama Maru is sunk by aircraft, 13°16'N, 99°46'E.

INDIAN OCEAN—German submarine U‑181 torpedoes and sinks U.S. tanker Fort Lee at 27°35'S, 83°11'E; of the 26‑man Armed Guard, at least ten perish in the loss of the ship (see 7, 9 and 16 November 1944).

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Eighth AF is ordered to increase size of 406th Bomb squadron (Night Leaflet), as liberation of Europe and conquest of Germany accelerate. About 1,100 heavy bombers in 5 separate forces attack synthetic oil plant at Merseburg/Leuna, Castrop‑Rauxel, Sterkrade, and Bielefeld/ Schildesche railroad and marshalling yard, along with several targets of opportunity. Opposition is heavy with an estimated 500 fighters attacking, mainly against the Merseburg/Leuna force claiming 40 heavy bombers. The 17 escorting Fighter Groups lose 28 planes. Total of over 160 fighters are claimed destroyed.

NINTH AF—147 bombers of 9th Bomb Division attack rail bridges at Mayen, Euskirchen, Bullay, Konz‑Karthaus, and Trier. Fighters fly escort to 9th Bomb Division and Eighth AF, attack bridges, fly armed reconnaissance and night patrol, and provide support for ground forces in frontline areas.

TWELFTH AF—Clouds over Po Valley prevent medium bomber operations. XXII Tactical Air Command aircraft are also grounded due to unserviceable fields and bad weather over Italian battle areas.

FIFTEENTH AF—Bad weather curtails operations. 5 B‑17’s bomb Moosbierbaum oil refinery, while 2 others hit an airfield north of the city and bomb Klagenfurt. 6 P‑38’s fly weather reconnaissance missions. All other operations are cancelled.

TENTH AF—Tenth AF moves from New Delhi to Myitkyina. 80‑plus P‑47’s hit variety of targets. The fighter bombers bomb bridge at Ho‑hko, support ground forces at Myothit, bomb supply dumps at Namdaungmawn personnel and supply areas at Naungletgyi and Mawtaung, knock out bridge at Meza, hit nearby railroad cars, attack airfields at Nawnghkio and Sinlanzu and strike boats and boxcars south of Katha. 8 B‑25’s knock out 2 bridges at Tangon and Tantabin. A single B‑25 bombs Indaw. Transports fly 268 sorties to forward areas.

FOURTEENTH AF—100‑plus P‑40’s, P‑51’s, and P‑38’s on armed reconnaissance over southwestern and southeastern China and northern Indochina attack targets of opportunity in Lungling and Mangshih area, knock out bridge at Dara and hit Nantingshun and Pinglo towns. The fighter bombers also damage 4 factories at Kweilin, hit tanks and troop concentrations north of town, attack targets of opportunity near Pinglo, Tahsu and east of Yungfu, and airfield, barracks, town area, and trains at Gia Lam.

FEAF—B‑24’s over Ormoc Bay attack Japanese convoy, claiming 1 transport sunk and another damaged. P‑38’s hit smaller shipping in Ormoc Bay, strafe vehicles from Ormoc to Valencia, and bomb San Enrique. B‑25’s pound Matina, Libby, Davao and Likanan airfields. During 2/3 Nov B‑24’s bomb Makassar, concentrating on wharf area.

TWENTIETH AF—17 Marianas‑based B‑29’s bomb sub pens on Dublon Island.

SEVENTH AF—11 Saipan‑based B‑24’s bomb Chichi Jima. 3 from Guam, on armed reconnaissance, hit Marcus.

ELEVENTH AF—4 B‑24’s bomb Suribachi and Onnekotan. 4 B‑25’s on a photo and offensive sweep bomb targets at Torishima Is and Hayakegawa setting fire to 15 buildings, including a cannery.

 

US ARMY

WESTERN EUROPE—21 Army Group: Field Marshal Montgomery orders extensive regrouping after Schelde Estuary and southwest Holland are cleared in preparation for offensive by British Second Army to destroy enemy bridgehead west of the Maas as prerequisite for Rhineland battle.

            In Canadian First Army’s 2 Corps area, 157th Brigade of British 52d Division relieves Canadian 2d Division forces at Walcheren causeway, where enemy continues to resist tenaciously; to ease pressure, elements of 156th Brigade cross Slooe Channel about 2 miles south of the causeway after nightfall; Flushing is cleared of enemy. British 1 Corps attacks across the Mark late in day after heavy artillery preparation. 49th and U.S. 104th Divisions establish bridgeheads, 104th in Standdaarbuiten area and 49th to west. 104th, with 413th and 415th Regiments in assault, clears village of Standdaarbuiten.

            In British Second Army’s 8 Corps area, Combat Command A of U.S. 7th Armored Division begins limited attacks to clear enemy from Canal du Nord. 53d Division makes patrol contact with U.S. XIX Corps near Maeseyck.

            12th Army Group: In U.S. First Army’s V Corps area, 28th Division, after hour‑long artillery preparation, begins drive on Schmidt: 2d Battalion, 112th Infantry, with tank support, seizes Vossenack ridge, but main effort by rest of regiment to drive south east from Richelskaul toward Kommerscheidt and Schmidt is stopped at once; 109th Infantry gets elements to woods line overlooking Huertgen on north flank, but 110th is unable to advance on south flank.

            In U.S. Third Army area, Gen Bradley, while visiting Army hq, asks if Third Army can begin offensive alone, since First Army cannot attack until British release 2 U.S. divisions; he is told that Third Army can attack on 24‑hour notice. Third Army offensive will begin when weather conditions permit softening of enemy; in the event of poor weather conditions, XII Corps will attack on 8 November.

            In XX Corps area, 10th Armored Division enters line in Fort Driant sector.

            6th Army Group: In U.S. Seventh Army’s XV Corps area, elements of VI Corps begin relieving French 2d Armored Division in south east part of XV Corps sector, but French retain positions along the Blette for some days to come. In VI Corps area, 100th Division begins relief of 45th Division, 399th Infantry replacing 179th in line. Pushing northward northwest of St Dié, 15th Infantry of 3d Division takes Nompatelize without opposition, but enemy still holds La Salle, to south.

            In French 1st Army area, Gen de Lattre is charged with conduct of Operation INDEPENDENCE.

ITALY—AAI: U.S. Fifth Army issues instructions, confirming verbal orders of 30 October, for future operations during current winter lull, calling for consolidation of the Bologna salient and limited action on its flanks. In British 13 Corps area, on right flank, command of 26th Armored Brigade’s sector on Highway 67 passes to Polish 2 Corps and intercorps boundary is adjusted accordingly. Indian 8th Division’s zone is broadened to include Mont delle Valle area, previously held by 1st Division.

            In British Eighth Army area, 5 Corps remains in place because of tenuous communication lines. 128th Brigade, 46th Division, relieves Indian 10th Division, which withdraws to reserve.

YUGOSLAVIA—Partisans seize Dalmatian port of Zara.

BURMA—11 Army Group: In British Fourteenth Army’s 33 Corps area, Indian 5th Division reduces enemy strongpoint, known as Vital Corner, below Tiddim, with assistance of air and artillery bombardment.

LEYTE—U.S. Sixth Army: With clearance of entire Leyte Valley, army completes second phase of battle for Leyte. In X Corps area, 1st Cavalry and 24th Infantry Division forces converge on undefended Carigara, near north entrance to Ormoc Valley, and make contact. In XXIV Corps area, 382d Infantry of 96th Division relieves 3d and 1st Battalions of 17th Infantry, 7th Division, in vicinity of Dagami and engages enemy west of Dagami. Company G of 32d Infantry, 7th Division, reaches Baybay, on west coast, at 2200. Main body of 32d Infantry is alerted for move to Abuyog.

PALAUS—As weather conditions improve, 323d Infantry of 81st Division opens attack to complete reduction of Umurbrogol Pocket on Peleliu but makes little headway.

US MARINE CORPS

Follow the Money, The War Production Board Mailing List Part 2

Back In January 2023 I wrote a post about the War Production Board’s November 1944 Mailing List that I’d found on Google Books.

https://northbaylines.blogspot.com/2023/01/follow-money-war-production-board.html

 

With a little help from the OCR function in Acrobat, I converted the list into text, then imported it into Excel.  9830 entries later, it’s usable and sortable/filterable with the original information.  I’ve started an enhancement to Geo-locate the industries and show the railroad(s) serving them, but have not gotten very far.  But, given the interest on the STMFC about the OPSIG industry list database, I thought I’d share what I had so far.  You can download the XLSX file at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/17r1GfgvR6bmxbGfcitUcCfCtWqaK-DTn/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108993762274583742730&rtpof=true&sd=true

 

Cross references are in red, consolidated mailing addresses in green.  The number in the Industry 1939 column corresponds to the Industry Classifications from the 1939 Census of Manufacturers.  I have also digitized that document and included tabs sorted both numerically and alphabetically for the convenience of the user.

 

This is a manufacturing list, so it doesn’t include refineries, chemical plants, logging or mining.  But it does cover a vast gamut of stuff that was fabricated from small arms to airplanes to ships to lanterns.

 

If you want refinery info, my post https://northbaylines.blogspot.com/2022/08/us-refineries-in-40s.html has a link to a spreadsheet with all of the US domestic refineries in 1941 and 1947.

 

I hope you find this information useful in your modelling efforts.

 

John Barry

Lovettsville, VA

14 November 2024

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