US NAVY
PACIFIC—In an operation timed to precede a fast carrier
task force operations against Okinawa, three heavy cruisers and six destroyers
of TG 30.2 (Rear Admiral Allan E. Smith) conduct a diversionary bombardment of
Japanese installations on Marcus Island. Enemy return fire is intense and
accurate at the outset, with Japanese gunners repeatedly straddling U.S. ships.
In related operations, Saipan-based Navy PB4Ys, on interdiction patrols in the
path of TF 58 as it approaches the Ryukyus, damage Japanese auxiliary submarine
chaser Sankyo Maru off Okinawa.
Special
Air Task Force (STAG 1) operations continue in Southwest Pacific as four TDRs
are launched against Matupi Bridge, Simpson Harbor, Rabaul. Antiaircraft fire,
however, downs three of the TDRs; one is lost enroute to the target.
One
company of the U.S. Army 321st Infantry is landed on Garekayo Island, north of
Ngesebus, and quickly overruns the island.
In
wide-ranging U.S. submarine operations against Japanese shipping in the South
China Sea, Becuna (SS‑319)damages tanker San Luis Maru, 12°45'N,
118°00'E; and teams with Hawkbill (SS‑366) to sink merchant tanker Tokuwa
Maru, 12°43'N, 118°05'E; Croaker (SS‑246) sinks merchant cargo ship Shinki
Maru west of Kyushu,32°08'N, 129°51'E; Sawfish (SS‑276) sinks
merchant tanker Tachibana Maru at 19°33'N, 116°38'E.
MEDITERRANEAN—Destroyer Eberle (DD‑430) bombards
ammunition dump and buildings, later Eberle and destroyer Jouett (DD‑396),
and planes from light cruiser Brooklyn (CL‑40), destroy several floating
mines in the vicinity.
Tank
landing craft LCT‑459 sinks after running aground off western coast of
France.
US ARMY AIR FORCE
INTERNATIONAL—Churchill and Eden, with Harriman, US
presidential representative, as observer, arrive in Moscow. Polish PM arrives
later. Talks with Soviets deal with spheres of influence, the Balkans, and
Poland’s position.
EIGHTH AF—Over 1,000 heavy bombers strike 2 marshalling
yards and an engine plant at Mainz, and hit Koblenz, Gustavsburg, Schweinfurt,
and 2 targets of opportunity in Western Germany. 19 fighter groups, including 2
from Ninth AF, provide support.
NINTH AF—HQ gives the Tactical Air Commands an initial
attack list of 10 bridges on US front. Other lists follow. 309th Bomb division
aircraft attack rail bridge at Euskirchen. Fighters provide escort and fly
uneventful armed reconnaissance. Dive bombers sent against airfields in Germany
are recalled because of bad weather.
TWELFTH AF—Weather again grounds medium bombers. Fighter
bombers, and fighters hit roads, rail crossing, transport and other targets in
Bologna and Sabbioso areas.
FIFTEENTH AF—Bad weather restricts operations to weather
reconnaissance missions.
TENTH AF—50‑plus P‑47’s knock out bridge at Manyut and
thoroughly pound town area, bomb enemy positions at Nyaunggon, Pinhe, and near
Mawhun, damage bridge near Mawlu, and hit a variety of targets in Katha area. 9
B‑25’s attack road bridges SW of Lashio, knocking out Na‑lang and Nampawng
bridges. The medium bombers hit several targets of opportunity in the area.
Transport aircraft continue steady supply of various points in CBI.
FOURTEENTH AF—2 B‑25’s bomb area North of Mangshih. 3 B‑24’s
hit shipping along lower Yangtze River. 29 P‑51’s and P‑40’s on armed
reconnaissance attack river traffic, troops, bridges, and other targets of
opportunity in areas around Tanchuk, Tengyun, Anking, and Amoy. Airstrip at
Tanchuk is temporarily put out of commission.
FEAF—B‑25’s, A‑20’s, and fighter bombers attack Boela,
Namlea, Kairatoe, and Liang, concentrating on oil tanks and airfields. B‑25’s
and fighter bombers hit Lolobata and Hate Tabako airfields and nearby barges,
supplies, and other targets of opportunity. A‑20’s and fighter bombers strike
Faan and Langgoer airfields. P‑40’s hit Manokwari and B‑25’s bomb Samate.
SEVENTH AF—18 B‑24’s from Saipan pound Iwo Jima. 25 B‑25’s
from the Marshalls bomb Truk.
US ARMY
WESTERN EUROPE—21 Army Group: In Canadian First Army area,
2 Corps continues clearing Breskens Pocket. Amphibious assault force of
Canadian 3d Division lands at East end of the pocket, taking enemy by surprise
and establishing bridgehead; other elements of division expand holdings North
of Leopold Canal in Maldegem area. 4th Armored Division exerts pressure on
enemy positions at East end of the canal. Germans continue vigorous defense of
Zuid Beveland causeway, holding 2d Division to slight gains in Woensdrecht
area.
In British
Second Army area, 1 Airborne Corps returns to United Kingdom.
12th Army Group:
Gen Bradley decides to shift Ninth Army hq to North flank of army group, where
it is to take command of XIX Corps of First Army in place; leave VIII Corps in
current positions and attach it to First Army. These changes are to become
effective on 22 October. 12th Army Group takes direct control of 94th Division
from Ninth Army.
In U.S.
First Army’s XIX Corps area, 119th Infantry of 30th Division drives through
Bardenberg to North Wuerselen; 120th is kept from Euchen and Beek, villages
astride road to Bardenberg, by enemy force crossing its front en route to
Bardenberg; 117th clears Schaufenberg and tries unsuccessfully to reach
Mariadorf, then is authorized to go on the defensive in Alsdorf–Schaufenberg
region. At night, enemy force reaches Bardenberg and routs small holding force
of 119th Infantry, isolating main body of that regiment in North Wuerselen;
119th Infantry reserves attempt to regain Bardenberg from the North but are
stopped at the village. In VII Corps area, 1st Division continues operations
against Aachen. 9th Division attacks to break out of Huertgen Forest; assisted
by tanks, forward battalion of 60th Infantry emerges in Richelskaul area and 2
platoons of 39th Infantry at Wittscheidt. In V Corps area, planned attack on
West Wall is postponed until 11 October.
In U.S.
Third Army’s XX Corps area, it is decided to break off costly action against
Fort Driant. Indecisive fighting continues within Maizières-lès-Metz.
In XII
Corps area, Combat Command A of 6th Armored Division, attacking through Combat
Command B attempts to take final objective of division, plateau West of
Létricourt; elements clear woods South West of Létricourt but column to right
comes under heavy fire from Chenicourt and cannot reach Létricourt; Combat
Command B sends reinforcements forward. To left, 80th Division advances abreast
or nearly so of armor. This ends corps’ offensive toward the Seille. 80th
Division gradually takes over positions won by armor and improves them. Germans
retain Létricourt and from time to time mount small, ineffective
counterattacks. Enemy force breaks into Fossieux, where it is engaged by 35th
Division. Corps front is largely quiet for rest of month and early days of November.
Regrouping and rotation of front-line troops is thus possible.
6th Army Group:
In U.S. Seventh Army’s XV Corps area, 79th Division makes all-out effort to
clear rest of Forêt de Parroy, gaining main road junction in center and thereby
making enemy positions untenable. Germans withdraw from the forest after
nightfall.
In French
1st Army’s 2d Corps area, the 3d Algerian Division forces the Moselotte in
Thiéfosse–Saulxures region and takes village of Trougemont.
ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army area, boundary between U.S.
II and British 13 Corps is altered to permit 88th Division, on right flank of
II Corps, to concentrate fully on northward drive and to give 13 Corps for
Santerno River valley. South African 6th Armored Division regroups for another
effort against Mont Stanco, giving Combat Command B responsibility for left
flank along Highway 64. In IV Corps area, TF 92 pushes to top of Mont Cauala
without opposition but later in day is forced to withdraw. Next 2 days are
devoted to preparations for another assault. Regimental Combat Team 6 of BEF,
pushing northward along the Serchio, halts near Barga to avoid possible enemy
counterattack. In II Corps area, 34th Division continues to make slow progress
against Monterumici hill mass. 91st Division repels counterattack from
Livergnano, mops up, and prepares for co-ordinated effort against formidable
Livergnano escarpment: Company K of 361st Infantry reconnoiters to edge of
Livergnano, where it is cut off from main body; Cos East and G move to
positions above Bigallo and are pinned down. 338th Infantry, 85th Division, now
well ahead of 337th, prepares to attack Mont delle Formiche in conjunction with
attack of 91st Division; 1st Battalion outflanks La Villa. 337th Infantry
prepares for full-scale effort against Hill 578, peak of Monterenzio hill mass.
349th Infantry, 88th Division, begins clearing ridge leading to Mont delle
Tombe; 351st reaches edge of Gesso. In British 13 Corps area, 78th Division,
reinforced, takes responsibility for Mont Battaglia and Mont Cappello, on left
flank of corps; 1st Guards Brigade, 6th Armored Division, remains on Mont Battaglia
but comes under command of 78th Division. Indian 8th Division gets into
position for attack on Mont Casalino.
In British
Eighth Army area, 10 Corps, upon regrouping in connection with arrival of 1st
Armored Division hq, pursues retreating enemy northward along Highway 71;
reconnaissance elements find Mont Castello and Mercato Saraceno clear. In 5
Corps area, hard fighting develops at South. Paola as Germans make unsuccessful
attempt to recover it. 138th Brigade, 46th Division, relieves 25th Brigade,
Indian 10th Division, on ridge North of Roncofreddo.
SEAC—Prime Minister Churchill asks Adm Mountbatten to meet
him in Cairo to consider premonsoon operations. T. V. Soong presents to Gen
Hurley an aide memoire from Chiang Kai-shek denouncing Allied strategy in
southeast Asia. Gen Stilwell is blamed for loss of East China but the criticism
falls indirectly upon President Roosevelt.
POA—In Warning Order for invasion of Iwo Jima, CINCPOA
designates Fifth Fleet Commander, Adm Spruance, as commander of the operation
(CTF 50); Vice Adm Richmond K. Turner, Commander Amphibious Forces, Pacific, to
command joint Expeditionary Force (TF 51); Lt Gen Holland Mont Smith, USMC, CG,
Fleet Marine Force, Pacific, as commander of Expeditionary Troops (TF 56). 20
January 1945 is set tentatively as invasion date. Expeditionary troops are to
be mounted in Hawaiian area and in the Marianas.
PALAUS—On Peleliu, 5th Marines renews attack on Umurbrogol
Pocket but makes little headway.
MARCUS ISLAND—Bombarded by warships of Third Fleet task
group.
US MARINE CORPS
Admiral Nimitz informs General Smith that Iwo Jima is to be
the objective in the Volcano-Bonins.
Third Fleet bombards Marcus Island.
CinCPOA issues warning order for ICEBERG.
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