80 Years Ago, Tuesday 20 June 1944

USN

Pacific

Battle of the Philippine Sea concludes as planes from TF 58 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher), launched late in the afternoon from carriers Hornet (CV-12), Yorktown (CV-10), Bunker Hill (CV-17), and Lexington (CV-16), and small carriers Belleau Wood (CVL-24), Monterey (CVL- 26) and San Jacinto (CVL-30), strike Japanese fleet in what becomes known as the "Mission Beyond Darkness." TBFs from Belleau Wood (VT 24) sink carrier Hiyo northwest of Yap Island, 15°30'N, 133°50'E. Fleet tanker Gen'yo Maru, damaged by F6Fs, SB2Cs and TBFs from Wasp, is scuttled by destroyer Uzuki, west of Saipan; likewise, oiler Seiyo Maru, damaged by F6Fs, SB2Cs and TBFs from Wasp, is scuttled by destroyer Yukikaze, 15°35'N, 133°30'E. TF 58 planes also damage carrier Zuikaku, small carriers Chiyoda and Ryuho, battleship Haruna, heavy cruiser Maya, destroyers Samidare and Shigure, and fast fleet tanker/seaplane carrier Hayasui. Vice Admiral Mitscher orders the ships of TF 58 to show lights in order to guide returning strike groups home. In the two-day Battle of the Philippine Sea the Japanese Fleet loses 395 (92%) of its carrier planes, and 12 float planes remain operational. Besides the losses afloat, an estimated 50 land-based Japanese aircraft from Guam are destroyed. The U.S. Fleet loss is 130 planes and 76 pilots and crewmen for the two days, predominantly from the "Mission Beyond Darkness" on 20 June 1944 (see 23 June 1944).

Destroyer Phelps (DD-360) is damaged by shore battery, Saipan, 15°10'N, 145°58'E.

Submarine Hake (SS-256) attacks Japanese convoy off south coast of Mindanao, and sinks army cargo ship Nichibi Maru in Saragan Strait, 05°36'N, 125°17'E.

Submarines Narwhal (SS-167) and Nautilus (SS-168) land supplies and evacuate people from Negros and Panay, P.I.

USAAF A-20s raid New Guinea coastline, sinking Japanese fishing vessels Shinei Maru and No.3 Kompira Maru at Manokwari and No.31 Taikoko Maru at Windessi.

AAF

Eighth AF

In the morning 1,257 B-17’s and B-24’s attack 14 strategic targets in N Germany, including oil refineries, synthetic oil plants, a tank ordnance depot, and a military vehicle manufacturing plant. The Heavy Bombers are escorted by 760 fighters of which nearly half strafe 6 airfields and several other ground targets, with claims of 13 aircraft and 10 locomotives destroyed. Also during the morning 130 B-24’s bomb 10 V-weapon sites in Pas de Calais area; 42 P-47’s provide support, destroying 3 aircraft. During the afternoon 216 Heavy Bombers attack 10 V-weapon sites in same area and Targets of opportunity which are mainly airfields in France and Belgium. 108 P-47’s and P-51’s provide uneventful escort. Total losses for the day are 50 Heavy Bombers and 7 fighters. Heavy Bombers and fighters claim 76 aircraft destroyed.

Ninth AF

About 370 B-26’s and A-20’s bomb 9 V-weapon sites in France and a coastal def battery at Houlgate. Over 1,000 fighters operating over front-line areas, Cherbourg Peninsula, and S to Dreux, bomb and strafe rail lines, MARSHALLING YARDs, bridges, troop concentrations and other targets.

Twelfth AF

Weather continues to hamper operations but 60-plus Medium Bombers manage to attack rail targets between Genoa and La Spezia. Fighter Bombers destroy several road bridges in battle area and to the N, and damage several other road and rail bridges as Allies’ rapid adv slows down due to enemy’s ability to strengthen his position and form a delaying line across Italy to S of Gothic Line (Pisa-Rimini) where he is prepared to make a stand. Fighter Bombers also damage a 20,000-ton aircraft carrier in Genoa harbor.

EAC

AC Mellersh assumes command of Strategic Air Force, EAC.

Tenth AF

5 B-24’s fly fuel to Kamaing while 13 B-25’s supply ammo to Imphal. 2 B-25’s hit bridge at Banchaung. 8 A-36’s and 3 P-40’s attack targets at Myitkyina.

Fourteenth AF

In Yangtze R Tungting Lake area about 120 B-25’s and Fighter Bombers again attack a wide variety of targets, pound river shipping at numerous points, hit villages and supply lines in Pinkiang area, and bomb towns of Changsha, Pingsiang and Ikiawan. In Salween R area 24 B-25’s pound Lungling and 16 P-40’s hit troops and positions at Tengchung and Chenanso. In Yellow R area 8 P-40’s pound railroad yards and strafe about 75 trucks, destroying more than 20 of them. 3 B-24’s over S China Sea attack shipping, claiming a 5,000-ton commercial ship sunk.

FEAF

A-20’s, P-39’s, and RAAF aircraft, pound areas along coast in general area of Wewak. B-24’s bomb Kamiri airfield and attack Woleai and Dublon. B-25’s, P-38’s, and other Allied airplanes (including some of RNZAF) blast AA positions S and SW of Rapopo.

Seventh AF

B-25’s from Makin strike Ponape. Kwajalein based B-24’s bomb Truk.

USA

FRANCE—21 Army Group: Gen Montgomery decides that Br offensive cannot begin before 25 June since arrival of VIII Corps units has been delayed.

In U.S. First Army area, VII Corps continues rapidly toward Cherbourg, 9th and 79th Divs coming up against semicircular belt of fortifications 4–6 miles from the city. 9th Div’s 60th Inf moves quickly N through Vasteville to positions just short of its objective— Hill 170—E of Haut Biville; 47th follows to Vasteville, then turns E and advances short distance toward Bois du Mont du Roc. 79th Div reaches positions between St Martin-le-Gréard and Bois de Roudou. 4th Div is virtually unopposed as it moves to line from Le Thiel to Bois de Roudou, just short of enemy’s MLR within its sector. In XIX Corps area, 29th Div elements, assisted by tanks and engineers, make limited and futile effort to reduce Villiers- Fossard salient.

USSR-FINLAND—Viipuri falls to Soviet forces of Leningrad Front, insuring safety of Leningrad and opening Gulf of Finland to Soviet fleet.

ITALY—AAI: Period of rapid advance northward comes to a close about this time since enemy has been able to re-form his units and strengthen his positions. Delaying line is disposed across Italy below Gothic Line, where enemy is prepared to make a stand. Pol 2 Corps, across Aso R, seizes Fermo and Pedaso.

U.S. Fifth Army is about half way between the Tiber and the Arno. IV Corps, which has met increased rear-guard opposition during past 10 days, holds line extending E from junction of Highways 1 and 73. FEC gets forward elements to Orcia R, a tributary of the Ombrone, where it is halted. 1st Motorized Div, which is to participate in ANVIL, is replaced in line by 2d Moroccan Div at midnight,

20–21.

In Br Eighth Army’s 10 Corps area, 6th Armd Div enters Perugia without opposition. 13 Corps, in center and on right flank, encounters forward positions of enemy delaying line extending from Lake Trasimeno W to Chiusi.

CBI—Gen Stilwell and his force of NCAC are transferred from operational control of Fourteenth Army commander to direct control of Supreme Allied Commander. GALAHAD situation is now critical because of battle exhaustion and disease, and it is apparent that Myitkyina cannot be taken quickly. Personnel from rear area are forced to return to the battle when at all fit for duty.

On Salween front, Ch 36th Div seizes Watien, in Shweli Valley.

Vice President Henry A. Wallace arrives in Chungking, China, for talks with Chiang Kai-shek and Gen Chennault.

SWPA—During planning conference at Gen Krueger’s hq, it is decided that D Day for Noemfoor should be postponed to 2 July.

NEW GUINEA—On Biak, 1st Bn of 162d Inf begins attack on West Caves strongroupoint but makes little headway. 163d Inf establishes outpost on Hill 320. 34th Inf occupies Borokoe and Sorido airdromes and the village of Sorido against negligible resistance; establishes blocking positions to prevent enemy from reinforcing main battle area. On Aitape front, Japanese strengthen positions in Yakamul area and halt patrolling in this region by 128th Inf. In Wakde-Sarmi area, 6th Div begins westward attack from the Tirfoam toward Lone Tree Hill. 20th Inf drives along coast to Snaky R without difficulty but is stopped by heavy fire from defile between Lone Tree Hill and E nose of Mt. Saksin.

SAIPAN—Marines complete pivoting movement for northward drive, 4th Div coming up to right of 2d, and are on 0–4 line, a little below enemy’s MLR, which crosses island from just below Garapan to NW corner of Magicienne Bay. As 4th Div swings around 2d, 25th Marines encounters and reduces well-organized enemy positions on Hill 500, just W of Tsutsuuran village. 27th Div begins converging drives on Nafutan from N and W. 165th Inf, reinf by 1st Bn of 105th, attacks S toward Nafutan Pt at noon after preparatory fire and gains about 1,000 yards. 3d Bn, 105th, continues E along S coast for about 600 yards; it is then but 100 yards from 165th Inf force. 106th Inf lands on Saipan and is placed in corps reserve. 2d Bn, 105th Inf, reverts to 27th Div.

BATTLE OF THE PHILIPPINE SEA—In final phase of this major sea action, planes from TF 58 attack strong Japanese naval force well W of Saipan and sink 2 carriers, 2 DD’s, and 1 tanker; severely damage 3 carriers, 1 BB, 3 cruisers, 1 DD, and 3 tankers. 16 U.S. planes are destroyed by enemy; 73 others are lost because they cannot locate carriers in darkness or because they run out of fuel. Subsequent efforts to overtake the enemy fleet are unsuccessful.

USMC

Battle of the Philippine Sea. Carrier aircraft of TF 58 engage planes from enemy carriers and inflict crippling losses.