80 Years Ago, Wednesday, 28 June 1944

USN

PACIFIC—Submarine Archerfish (SS-311) sinks Japanese Coast Defense Vessel No.24, 30 miles southwest of Iwo Jima, 24°25'N,141°20'E, as the enemy warship covers unloading operations by what are most likely landing ships.

Submarine Pargo (SS-264) attacks Japanese convoy in Moro Gulf, army cargo ship Yamagiku Maru and damages Coast Defense Vessel No.10 about 35 miles east of Zamboanga, 06°50'N, 121°30'E.

Submarine Sealion (SS-315), despite presence of escorts, sinks Japanese collier Sansei Maru in Tsushima Strait,33°53'N, 129°01'E.

USAAF B-24s (14th Air Force) attack Japanese convoy MATA 23 southwest of the Pescadores, sinking transport Ussuri Maru off Formosa, 23°49'N, 119°02'E.

EUROPE—U.S. freighter Charles W. Eliot fouls two mines about four miles off Juno Beach, Normandy, and breaks in two; there are no fatalities among the crew (which includes a 31-man Armed Guard). Survivors are transferred to freighter George W. Woodward and later tank landing craft LCT-527 for transportation to England. Charles W. Eliot is subsequently written off as a total loss.

AAF

EIGHTH AF—672 B-17’s and B-24’s bomb airfields at Laon/Couvron, Laon/ Athies, and Juvincourt-et-Damary; rail bridges at Fismes and Anizy-leChateau; fuel storage dump at Dugny; marshalling yards at Saarbrucken; and targets of opportunity, including airfields at Denain/Prouvy, Le Bourget, and Florennes, and railroad chokepoint near Tergnier. Nearly 300 Heavy Bombers abort because of heavy cloud and dense contrails at operational level. 566 fighters support the Heavy Bombers, destroying 2 fighters in aerial combat and suffering no losses. Heavy Bomber losses total 2. About one-third of the escorting fighters afterward bomb and strafe transport targets, claiming 3 locomotives and an armored vehicle destroyed.

NINTH AF—220-plus fighters, based on Continent, attack railroad facilities, bridges, fuel and ammo dumps, artillery, troop concentrations, vehicles, and other targets. Bad weather cancels bomber and fighter operations from UK.

TWELFTH AF—Bad weather cancels all Light Bomber and Medium Bomber operations. Fighter Bombers carry out rail-cutting missions N of battleline in NC Italy.

FIFTEENTH AF—229 B-24’s bomb marshalling yard and 2 oil refineries at Bucharest; 138 others hit Karlovo airfield. 40 fighters carry out sweep over Bucharest area while other fighters fly more than 230 sorties in escort of Heavy Bombers. 20-plus enemy fighters are claimed shot down, mostly by the fighters during sweep over Bucharest.

TENTH AF—8 B-24’s fly fuel to Kamaing. Ammo delivery to Imphal is continued by 47 B-25’s. 14 other B-25’s pound Naba-Mawlin railroad.

FOURTEENTH AF—In Yangtze R Tungting Lake area B-25’s and Fighter Bombers fly more than 160 sorties attacking river shipping at several locations, bombing towns of Hengshan, Liling, and Pingkiang, and bombing Japanese HQ and gun sites in Siangsiang area. Also in Hengyang area the Medium Bombers and Fighter Bombers hit rear supply bases and cavalry and infantry concentrations.

FEAF—Attacks on Wewak area continue. Japanese HQ and comm in Suain-Karowop Plantation area and coastal road from Babiang to Nyaparake are hit. airfield and fuel dumps on Noemfoor I, Japanese positions and occupied areas and buildings on Biak and Efman Is, village near Babo, and Tor R and Maffin Bay areas are attacked. B-24’s bomb airfield and town on Yap and comm on Sorol and Woleai. AA guns E of Tobera area are attacked.

SEVENTH AF—P-47’s and P-61’s carry out daylight raids and defensive night patrols over Saipan, Tinian, and Rota. 

USA

FRANCE—21 Army Group: In U.S. First Army’s VII Corps area, 79th Div, upon relief in Cherbourg, moves S to U.S. VIII Corps zone. 9th Div continues preparations for attack to clear Cap de la Hague. In Br Second Army area, 30 Corps secures Brettevillette but later loses it to enemy counterattack. 8 Corps expands its Odon bridgehead near Baron and secures another, near Gavrus; fights to clear enemy from flanks.

USSR—Soviet threat to Minsk increases as Second White Russian forces take Mogilev.

ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army area, salvage parties reach Piombino, and the port is made ready for use by Liberty ships in less than a month. In IV Corps area, 117th Cav Rcn Sq is withdrawn from line to participate in Operation ANVIL. IV Corps is pushing steadily northward, with 34th Div on left and 1st Armd Div on right, toward Highway 68, which Cecina R parallels.

In Br Eighth Army’s 13 Corps area, S African 6th Armd Div reaches Chianciano without making contact with enemy. In center, 4th Div breaks through enemy positions on Casamaggiore–Frattevecchia ridge. Elements of 78th Div move forward on 13 Corps right flank to conform. In 10 Corps area, Ind 10th Div is relieving Ind 8th Div. 

CBI—Vice President Wallace recommends to President Roosevelt that Gen Stilwell be replaced or that he be given a presidential representative with considerable powers as his deputy; suggests that steps be taken to meet Japanese threat in E China. In NCAC area, 1st Bn of 42d Regt, Ch 14th Div, attacks toward Sitapur in order to cut off Japanese N of Myitkyina. On Salween front, Japanese planes make their first appearance, dropping supplies to Sung Shan garrison. In E China, Japanese begin assault on Heng-yang itself and for the first time in E China are being firmly opposed by Chinese.

NEW GUINEA—Amphibian vehicles conduct rehearsal for Noemfoor operation. On Biak, Gen Eichelberger turns over command of TF HURRICANE to Gen Doe and leaves the island. It is learned that 34th Inf must serve as ALAMO Force reserve for pending operation, necessitating regrouping of forces on Biak. 34th Inf continues mopping up. Japanese begin a second withdrawal (first being on 22d), with orders to prepare for guerrilla warfare; about this time begin withdrawing from East Caves. Largescale infantry action against Ibdi Pocket ends, but the position is kept under fire from ground and air. SAIPAN—2d Mar Div continues clearing difficult terrain N of Tipo Pale and on crest of Mt. Tapotchau. Maj Gen George W. Griner takes command of 27th Div, which completes reduction of organized resistance at Hell’s Pocket on left but makes little headway and suffers heavy casualties in Death Valley proper and on Purple Heart Ridge. 4th Mar Div maintains and improves positions on right flank of corps, additional elements reaching 0–6 line; provides fire support for 27th Div.

USMC

80 Years Ago, Tuesday, 27 June 1944

USN

Pacific—TF 58 planes complete destruction of Japanese water tanker Kizugawa Maru, already damaged irreparably by submarine Seahorse (SS-304) on 8 April off Guam.

Submarine Seahorse (SS-304) attacks Japanese convoy, and sinks merchant tanker Medan Maru south-southwest of Formosa, 21°10'N, 120°31'E.

AAF

Eighth AF—40 B-24’s bomb CROSSBOW supply site at Saint Leu-d’Esserent while 51 others bomb marshalling yards and airfield at nearby Creil. 5 B-24’s are downed by AA fire. 101 B-17’s bomb CROSSBOW supply sites at Saint- Martin-l’Hortier, Biennais, Beauvoir-Riviere, and Domleger, and a canal lock at Espierres, losing 1 plane to AA fire. 183 P-51’s support the Heavy Bombers, losing 2 fighters to enemy aircraft and destroying 6 fighters. After completing escort, the P-51’s bomb and strafe targets of opportunity, including marshalling yards, bridges, railroads, transportation and airfield installations, and dispersal areas.

Ninth AF—Bad weather precludes bomber operations. Over 700 fighters take part in various operations. Most of them fly high cover over assault areas and bomb and strafe rail and road traffic and comm centers in France.

Twelfth AF—Continued bad weather cancels Medium Bomber operations. Light Bombers again hit ammo supplies. Fighter Bombers hit roads, bridges, rail lines, and other targets in and near battleline.

Fifteenth AF—Around 300 B-17’s and B-24’s bomb marshalling yards at Budapest and Brod. 75 to 90 enemy fighters attack the formations. 3 Heavy Bombers are lost. Heavy Bombers and escorting fighters claim over 30 planes shot down. 90 P-51’s sweep Budapest area, claiming 7 fighters destroyed.

Tenth AF—8 B-24’s fly gasoline to Kamaing while 52 B-25’s continue ammo run to Imphal.

Fourteenth AF—In Tungting Lake area 160 Medium Bombers and Fighter Bombers hit troop concentrations, supplies, and river and road traffic between Changsha and Hengyang, bomb artillery concentrations at Sinsiang, attack waterfront and docks at Hengshan, pound villages near Chuchou, and attack numerous targets of opportunity throughout the lake region. 4 B-25’s over Formosa Strait claim 2 cargo vessels sunk and others damaged.

FEAF—Fifth AF and RAAF Light Bombers and Fighter Bombers continue to attack Wewak area, hitting troop concentrations, villages, ammo dumps, and warehouses. B-24’s, B-25’s, A-20’s, A-26’s, P40’s and P-47’s hit airfields, gun positions, and various other targets in or near Babo, Manokwari, Biak I, Noemfoor I, Ransiki, Waren, and Moemi. B-24’s bomb Yap and Sorol; others on photo recon flight bomb Woleai and Ifalik Is. Thirteenth AF fighters and bombers join other Allied airplanes from the N Solomons in bombing AA positions at Ralum and other targets in Rabaul area.

Seventh AF—P-47’s continue strafing and rocket attacks on Tinian, Saipan, and Rota while P-61’s carry out defensive night patrols. B-24’s, staging through Eniwetok, pound Truk. During the night a single B-24 bombs Ponape.

USA

FRANCE—21 Army Group: In U.S. First Army’s VII Corps area, organized resistance at Cherbourg ceases during morning when Brig Gen Robert Sattler, deputy commander of the Cherbourg fortress, surrenders the arsenal to 47th Inf, 9th Div, after Allies broadcast an ultimatum. 4th Div takes over garrisoning of Cherbourg; its 22d Inf overruns Maupertus airfield and quickly clears Cap Lévy. 9th Div prepares to attack to clear Cap de la Hague. Advance engineer units arrive at Cherbourg to restore facilities. In VIII Corps area, newly arrived 83d Div takes over defensive positions on corps left flank held by 101st A/B Div. In Br Second Army’s 30 Corps area, 49th Div gains Rauray and holds it against strong counterattacks. 8 Corps secures small bridgehead across the Odon near Baron, bypassing resistance in Grainvillesur- Odon region.

USSR—Red Army overruns Orsha, NE of Minsk, and envelops Bobruisk.

ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army area, IV Corps continues toward Highway 68.

In FEC area, enemy, after resisting strongly during day, begins retiring after nightfall.

In Br Eighth Army’s 13 Corps area, 4th Div drives enemy rear guards from Gioiella. In 10 Corps area, Germans begin general withdrawal in region between Lake Trasimeno and the Tiber and are being pursued by corps. Elements of 6th Armd Div find M. Pacciano and M. Bagnolo free of enemy. CBI—On Salween front, regt of Ch Hon 1st Div, 8th Army, relieves New 28th Div, but in the process Japanese are able to recover ground lost during June. Enemy is reinforcing Sung Shan by infiltration through Ch lines.

NEW GUINEA—On Biak, Co C rejoins 1st Bn, 34th Inf. Preparations are made by 34th Inf to clear Japanese from cliffs NW of 1st Bn area. Gen Eichelberger decides that situation on Biak is now stable enough for him to leave. 1st Bn of 162d Inf, accompanied by members of 41st Counter Intelligence Detachment, patrols into innermost depths of West Caves. A hasty count reveals that at least 125 Japanese have been killed there. This is the last enemy position that can threaten Mokmer airdrome. On Aitape front, Maj Gen Charles P. Hall, CG XI Corps, takes command of TF PERSECUTION at midnight, 27–28. Reorganization and regrouping of forces is quickly undertaken. Cav RCT 112 arrives to reinforce TF PERSECUTION, which is threatened with enemy attack. In Wakde-Sarmi area, 3d Bn of 63d Inf encounters fire from few remaining MG positions as it mops up on Lone Tree Hill.

SAIPAN—6th Marines, 2d Mar Div, continues to clear div center against heavy resistance; 8th Marines, elements of which are relieved by 2d Bn, 25th Marines, starts clearing N slope of Mt. Tapotchau. 27th Div’s 106th Inf again attacks Hell’s Pocket on div left with 1st Bn and for first time makes some progress in reducing it. On div right, other elements of 106th arid 2d Bn, 165th, clear further ground on Purple Heart Ridge; 3d Bn of 106th, followed by 2d Bn, then drives W across Death Valley under enemy fire. On right flank of corps, 4th Mar Div gets additional elements to line 0–6; attached elements of 165th Inf make substantial progress on div left, but gap develops and bn of 24th Marines is brought forward to fill it. Japanese decide to make their final stand on N Saipan on line across island from Tanapag through Hill 221 to Tarahoha, delaying in current positions as long as possible while the new line is being organized. On S Saipan, 2d Bn of 105th Inf concludes operations against Nafutan Pt, which is declared secure at 1840. 550 Japanese dead are counted. Total number estimated to have held the position exceeds 1,000, rather than the 300–500 originally thought to have been there.

USMC

 

80 Years Ago, Monday, 26 June 1944

USN

Pacific

Cruiser and destroyers (Rear Admiral Ernest G. Small) bombard Japanese positions at Kurabu Zaki, Paramushiro, Kurils.

Infantry landing craft (gunboat) LCI(G)-438 and LCI(G)-456 repel attack by Japanese barges (some of which fire torpedoes) off Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, but both gunboats are damaged in the battle. Elsewhere off Saipan, cargo ship Mercury (AK-42) is damaged by low- flying Japanese aircraft that flies into cargo boom, and is hit by dud aerial torpedo, 15°10'N, 145°58'E.

British submarine HMS Truculent attacks Japanese convoy, sinking cargo ship Harugiku Maru about 60 miles southeast of Medan, Sumatra, 03°15'N, 99°46'E.

USAAF P-38s sink Japanese army cargo ship Hokushin Maru east of Halmahera Island, 01°03'N, 131°08'E.

USAAF B-25s sink Japanese fishing boat No.1 Daisen Maru off Manokwari.

Europe

German garrison at Cherbourg, France, surrenders.

AAF

Eighth AF

72 B-17’s leave Poltava and Mirgorod, rendezvous with 55 P-51’s from Piryatin, bomb oil refinery and marshalling yard at Drohobycz (1 returns to USSR because of mechanical trouble), and then proceed to Foggia. Fifteenth AF P-51’s meet formation an hr after the attack and escort the B-17’s to Italy. It is planned to return the Heavy Bombers to bases in UK on 27 Jun but bad weather delays this move until 5 Jul.

Ninth AF

Weather cancels all Ninth AF operations save a few fighter sorties which result in claims against a few military vehicles and 3 airplanes as US ground forces capture Cherbourg. 3 US fighters are lost.

Twelfth AF

Bad weather grounds Medium Bombers. Fighter Bombers, operating on reduced schedule, hit railroad targets and other targets in battle area S of Gothic Line.

Fifteenth AF

677 B-17’s and B-24’s attack targets in Vienna area, hitting aircraft factory at Schwechat, marshalling yard at Vienna/Floridsdorf, and refineries at Korneuburg, Vienna/Floridsdorf, Moosbierbaum, Schwechat, Winterhafen, and Lobau. Ftrs fly over 260 sorties in support. An estimated 150 to 175 enemy fighters attack formations. Nearly 30 US aircraft (mostly Heavy Bombers) are lost. US claims total more than 60 enemy fighters.

Tenth AF

30-plus B-25’s fly ammo to Imphal. More than 80 A-36’s, P-51’s, and P-40’s pound Myitkyina. 7 Other Fighter Bombers hit Waingmaw, Loilaw, and Pyindaw.

Fourteenth AF

14 B-24’s blast Hankow, causing heavy damage and fires. 180-plus Medium Bombers and Fighter Bombers attack river shipping and several villages in Tungting Lake area. Towns of Yuankiang, Sinshih, Siangtan, Liling, and Hengshan are bombed, as is warehouse area at Yuhsien. Numerous troop and truck concentrations and other targets of opportunity throughout the entire region are attacked. In Salween area 14 B-25’s and 36 P-40’s knock out bridge at Tingka, damage another near Mangshih, bomb military installations at Tengchung, strafe Japanese positions at Lungling, and hit targets of opportunity between Lungling and Tengchung. Japanese bomb Lingling airfield, damaging runway and destroying a P-51.

FEAF

Wewak area is hit throughout the day by Fifth AF B-24’s and P-39’s, along with US Navy and RAAF airplanes: P-38’s, P-47’s, A-20’s, A-26’s, B-24’s, and B-25’s attack airfields, shipping, villages, town areas, roads, and numerous other targets at Efman, Noemfoor, Japen, and Biak Is, at Manokwari and Ransiki, and near Sarmi. B-24’s bomb targets on Yap and Sorol Is; others on armed rcn bomb airstrips at Woleai and Peleliu. AAF and other Allied aircraft hit airfields, AA positions, and other targets in Rabaul and Cape Orford areas.

Seventh AF

Saipan-based P-47’s continue to hit enemy forces remaining on Saipan and on Tinian while P-61’s carry out night patrols over Saipan. B-25’s from Makin pound Ponape and Nauru.

Eleventh AF

12 B-25’s fly 3 4- plane air cover missions for Naval TF on withdrawal following shelling of Kurabu Cape installations.

USA

FRANCE—21 Army Group: In U.S. First Army’s VII Corps area, 47th Inf of 9th Div attempts to clear NW section of Cherbourg but cannot gain the arsenal; 39th drives through Octeville and Cherbourg to coast, taking Gen Schlieben, fortress commander, and Rear Adm Walther Hennecke, enemy’s naval commander, prisoner at St Sauveur-le- Vicomte. Schlieben refuses to surrender the entire fortress, however. 79th Div completes capture of Fort du Roule and its assigned portion of Cherbourg. 22d Inf, 4th Div, begins attack on Maupertus airfield.

Br Second Army continues limited offensive within 30 Corps zone while beginning main attack with 8 Corps. In 30 Corps zone 8th Armd Brig, spearheading attack of 49th Div, drives to outskirts of Rauray. 8 Corps attacks to E of 30 Corps with 15th and 43d Inf and 11th Armd Divs. 15th Div gets elements to Colleville and patrols to Grainvillesur- Odon. 11th Armd Div thrusts to Mouen.

FRANTIC—Eighth Air Force planes leave USSR for Italy, bombing oil plant at Drohobycz, Poland, on the way. Upon reaching Italy, the planes remain long enough to fly one mission with Fifteenth Air Force before returning to England.

USSR—Vitebsk and Zhlobin fall to Red Army as offensive continues on central front. Vitebsk is one of 3 key positions generally E of Minsk, the others being Orsha and Mogilev, which Hitler has ordered to be held at all cost.

ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army’s IV Corps area, 34th Div takes control of coastal sector, releasing 36th Div for Operation ANVIL. Para RCT 517 Is. also withdrawn from line. 34th Div has under its command RCT 442 (Nisei) ( — 1st Bn), 100th Bn, 804th TD Bn, and other units. FEC completes crossing the Orcia and pushes on toward Siena. The battle along the Orcia has been costly to the French. In Br Eighth Army’s 13 Corps area, S African 6th Armd Div enters Chiusi. 4th Div moves forward to positions almost abreast 78th Div, on 13 Corps right flank, then halts to await 4th Div. 10 Corps is reinf by Ind 10th Div, which arrives to replace 6th Armd Div. Latter is to shift to 13 Corps front a little later. Ind 8th Div takes M. Pilonica.

CBI—In NCAC area, Brig Gen Theodore F. Wessels, USA, takes command of Myitkyina TF, replacing Gen Boatner who has malaria. Mogaung falls to 114th Regt, Ch 38th Div, and 77th Brig, Ind 3d Div. 77th Brig is withdrawn from action by its commander soon afterward on grounds of exhaustion despite orders from Gen Stilwell, who has operational control of the unit, for it to prevent Japanese from reinforcing Myitkyina. Fall of Mogaung permits Chinese to link up with Myitkyina TF, which thus far has been isolated from other friendly forces in Burma. On Salween front, offensive against Tengchung is begun with air attacks by B–25’s from Yun-nan-i. In China, Japanese seize Heng-yang airfield.

NEW GUINEA—On Biak, mopping up W of Mokmer begins. 1st Bn of 34th Inf (less Co C, which is ambushed en route) seizes abandoned positions on ridge extending N from NW corner of the Teardrop. In Wakde-Sarmi area, 3d Bn of 63d Inf replaces battle-worn 2d and 3d Bns, 20th Inf, on Lone Tree Hill.

SAIPAN—In early morning, 2 LCI(G)’s attack enemy barges moving from Tanapag Harbor, sinking 1 and damaging 1. This concludes enemy attempts to counterland. In 2d Mar Div zone, 6th Marines bypasses and later reduces the stubborn pocket that has been barring advance N of Mt. Tipo Pale; 8th Marines consolidates positions on Mt. Tapotchau. 27th Div continues attack in center of corps with 106th Inf and 2d Bn of 165th. On div left, 1st Bn of 106th is held up by strongpoint, called “Hell’s Pocket,” at SW end of Death Valley. On right, 3d Bn of 106th and 2d Bn of 165th batter at Purple Heart Ridge from W and E slopes, respectively; enemy there is beginning to weaken. CO of 106th Inf is replaced. 4th Mar Div, to which 165th Inf ( — 2d Bn) and 1st Bn of 105th are attached at night, mops up on right flank of corps. On S Saipan, 2d Bn of 105th Inf closes in on enemy in Nafutan Pt area. After nightfall, Japanese make futile breakout attempt.

USMC

 

80 Years Ago, Sunday, 25 June 1944

USN

Pacific

Submarine Bashaw (SS-241) attacks Japanese convoy, and sinks army cargo ship Yamamiya Maru between Taland Island and Halmahera, 03°28'N, 127°06'E.

Submarine Jack (SS-259) attacks Japanese convoy, and sinks merchant tanker San Pedro Maru off northwest coast ofLuzon, 16°17'N, 119°40'E.

Japanese minelayer Nichiyu Maru (see 3 March 1943 and 12 June 1944) is further damaged by naval gunfire in Apra Harbor, Guam.

Europe

Battleship, cruiser, and destroyer force (Rear Admiral Morton L. Deyo) duels with German shore batteries and coastal defenses at Cherbourg, France; battleship Texas (BB-35) and destroyers Barton (DD-722), Laffey (DD- 724), and O'Brien (DD-725) are all damaged by the enemy gunfire.

AAF

Eighth AF

During the morning 236 B-17’s bomb Toulouse/Francazal and Toulouse/Blagnac airfield’s and oil dumps at Montbartier. 10 B-17’s bomb scattered targets of opportunity. 107 B-24’s bomb Avord and Bourges airfields. 176 B-17’s drop supplies to French interior forces. A total of 8 Heavy Bombers are lost. VIII FC flies 639 sorties in supporting operations. In addition 5 fighter groups carry out strafing activities, claiming numerous ground targets including 6 airplanes on a landing ground and the airfield at Bourges. 19 enemy fighters are claimed destroyed in aerial combat. During midday 153 B-24’s bomb 17 power and transformer stations in effort to disrupt flow of electric power to V-weapon stations. 64 B-24’s, hampered by cloud over primary aiming points, bomb miscellaneous last resort targets, including airfields at Peronne and Nuncq. Fighter support is provided by 3 groups. All airplanes return safely. In night mission 300 B-17’s and B-24’s bomb 7 railway bridges and 2 airfields in Paris area. 69 Heavy Bombers attack alternate targets, including airfields of Orly, Romilly-sur-Seine, and Etampes/Mondesir. Fighters fly 346 sorties in escort and target area support. A P-38 group strafes ground targets in Angers, Le Mans-Laval area, and a P-47 group bombs and strafes an alternate landing ground near Evreux/Fauville airfield. Heavy Bomber losses total 7. Fighters claim 6 airplanes destroyed against no losses. In USSR, Eighth AF Heavy Bombers and fighters are flown, at daybreak, from dispersal bases to Poltava and Mirgorod and loaded and fueled with intentions of bombing oil refinery at Drohobycz and proceeding to base in Italy. Bad weather cancels the mission until the following day. The aircraft return to dispersal bases for the night as precaution against air attacks.

Ninth AF

400-plus B-26’s and A-20’s hit fuel dumps at Foret d’Andaine, Foret d’Ecouves, and Senonches, and rail bridges at Cherisy, Chartres, Oiseme and Epernon. 14 fighter groups send airplanes on escort, and on armed recon and dive bombing missions over Chartres, Dreux, Argentan, Tours, and Orleans areas. Transports fly supply and evacuation missions to France.

Twelfth AF

Bad weather again prevents operations by Medium Bombers. Light Bombers hit enemy ammo supply. Fighter Bombers bomb towns of San Quirico di Moriano and Castelfiorentino and several rail lines and bridges in battle area near Gothic Line. Piombino falls to US Fifth Army during the day, and the enemy withdraws from Chiusi during 25/ 26 Jun after several days of resisting British Eighth Army forces attacking the town.

Fifteenth AF

650-plus B-17’s and B-24’s attack marshalling yard and oil installations at Sete and Balaruc-le-Vieux, telephone exchange at Le Pontet, railroad bridges at Tarascon and Arles, marshalling yards and bridges at Avignon, and harbor facilities along S coast of France. Fighters fly almost 200 sorties in support. 1 fighter group strafes targets along Fiume-Senje road and at other points on Istrian peninsula.

Tenth AF

More than 50 B-25’s make ammo run to Imphal. 60-plus A-36’s, P-51’s, and P-40’s pound Myitkyina and Mogaung. 2 B-25’s bomb Mohnyin-Mawhun railroad.

Fourteenth AF

31 B-25’s, P-40’s, and P-51’s hit towns of Siangtan and Ichang, attack sampans at Wukou, destroy about 50 trucks and strafe concentrations of troops and horses in Tangyang-Pingkiang and Siangtan- Yungfengshih areas, and pound river dock and sampans at Siangsiang. 7 CACW B-25’s bomb Shayang storage area. 23 B-25’s and P-40’s bomb storage area and damage bridge at Chenghsien.

FEAF

Wewak area continues under attack of Fifth AF and RAAF aircraft. Personnel areas at But, Dagua, and Suain and barges at Mushu and Kairiru Is are hit. P-40’s and B-24’s strike Kamiri airfield while A- 20’s, P-47’s, and B-25’s hit villages along Tor R and P-47’s hit tanks along Wiske R. B-24’s pound Yap and Sorol. Medium Bombers and fighters, along with other Allied airplanes, hit AA positions near Wunapope and blast plantations along Wide Bay.

Seventh AF

P-47’s based on Saipan carry out recon and strafing missions over Saipan and Tinian. B-24’s based on Kwajalein hit Truk and Wotje.

Eleventh AF

Two B-24’s bomb the airfield at Kurabu Cape.

USA

FRANCE—21 Army Group: In U.S. First Army’s VII Corps area, naval gunfire supplements aerial and ground bombardment as battle for Cherbourg nears its end. 9th Div’s 47th Inf drives into W suburbs of Cherbourg, overrunning fort at Equeurdreville, Hameau de Tot, and Redoute des Fourches; elements reach coast but are withdrawn. 39th Inf attacks Octeville, where enemy continues to hold out. 79th Div’s 314th Inf gains upper defenses of Fort du Roule against stubborn resistance; 313th gets advance elements into outskirts of Cherbourg. In 4th Div zone, 12th Inf gains its objective with drive to coast E of Cherbourg; when orders are changed to permit div to participate in capture of Cherbourg, 12th Inf enters the city and clears assigned portion in E part; 22d Inf is ordered to take Maupertus airfield.

Br Second Army opens offensive in 30 Corps zone for commanding ground in Rauray area. 49th Div, reinf by 8th Armd Brig, attacks S in region E of Tilly-sur-Seulles and makes limited progress against strong resistance. Some elements reach Fontenay; others thrust to Tessel–Bretteville area.

USSR—Soviet forces envelop Vitebsk, trapping 5 enemy divs, and cut Smolensk–Minsk highway.

ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army’s IV Corps area, port of Piombino falls without opposition to 39th Engineers. This is last day of action in Italy for 36th Div. FEC begins crossing the Orcia in strength as enemy opposition diminishes.

In Br Eighth Army’s 13 Corps area, 78th Div expands its Pescia bridgehead slowly. 4th Div forces enemy rear guards from Vaiano. Enemy retains Chiusi throughout day but withdraws after nightfall, blocking exits.

CBI—On Salween front, Chinese reluctantly admit to U.S. liaison personnel with 71st Army that Japanese have routed 261st Regt, 87th Div, and that the 87th Div commander has attempted suicide. Although 8th Army is moving forward from Indochina border to reinforce troops in Lung-ling area, the battle has already been lost to small enemy force of 1,500. Ch effectives in this region have totaled 10,000. Failure at Lung-ling brings orders from Chiang Kai-shek to take Teng-chung and Sung Shan at all costs in preparation for renewing attack on Lung-ling.

NEW GUINEA—On Biak, 1st Bn of 162d Inf makes limited penetration into underground positions of West Caves. Co L, 186th Inf, seizes the enemy guns that have been firing from positions NW of perimeter. Elements of 2d and 1st Bns, 186th Inf, overrun the Teardrop, which has been largely evacuated by enemy, killing 38 Japanese. In Wakde-Sarmi area, under combined attacks of 2d and 3d Bns, 20th Inf, and 3d Bn of 1st, Japanese begin withdrawing from Lone Tree Hill, having received and inflicted heavy casualties there. 3d Bns of 63d and 1st Regts are to mop up on N while 1st Bns of 20th and 1st Regts conduct holding and mopping up operations to S.

SAIPAN—6th Marines, 2d Mar Div, is still held up by strongpoint N of Mt. Tipo Pale. To right, 8th Marines and attached elements of 29th Marines gain crest of Mt. Tapotchau, whose 1,554-foot height commands the island. Some elements of 27th Div’s 106th Inf begin wide outflanking movement eastward while others continue northward pressure on enemy in Death Valley, but progress is slow. 165th Inf makes futile efforts to scale Purple Heart Ridge. On right flank of corps, 4th Mar Div easily secures all of Kagman Peninsula, sharply reducing corps front; elements are now on 0–6 line. Turning point in Nafutan battle on S Saipan comes as 2d Bn, 105th Inf, succeeds in crushing Japanese MLR on Ridge 300, which controls Nafutan Pt. Enemy’s position on Saipan is by now hopeless, but fanatic resistance continues.

 USMC

80 Years Ago, Saturday, 24 June 1944

USN

Pacific

Japanese planes conclude night high-level bombing attack on U.S. amphibious shipping off Saipan. Battle damage repair ship Phaon (ARB-3), submarine chasers PC(S)-1401 and PC(S)-1461, and tank landing craft LCT-998 are all damaged by near-misses.

Aircraft from carrier task groups (Rear Admiral Joseph J. Clark and Rear Admiral Alfred E. Montgomery) strike Japanese airfields and facilities on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, and Pagan Island, Marianas.

Motor torpedo boat PT-193, irreparably damaged by grounding, western New Guinea, 00°55'S, 134°52'E, is burned by her crew.

Submarine Grouper (SS-214) attacks Japanese convoy off coast of central Japan, and sinks cargo ship Kumanoyama Maru and merchant tanker No.6 Nanmei Maru south of Yokosuka, 34°45'N, 139°30'E.

Submarine Redfin (SS-272) attacks Japanese convoy off southern coast of Leyte, and sinks army cargo ship Aso Maru southwest of Surigao Strait, 09°51'N, 125°06'E.

Submarine Tang (SS-306) attacks Japanese convoy leaving Koshiki Straits, and sinks army cargo ships Tamahoko Maru and Kennichi Maru, and merchant tanker Nasuzan Maru and cargo ship Tainan Maru outside Nagasaki harbor, Kyushu, 32°24'N, 129°38'E. Coast Defense Vessel No.1 does not prove fast enough to pursue Tang to counterattack.

Atlantic

TBM (VC 69) from escort carrier Bogue (CVE-9) sinks Japanese submarine I-52, 800 miles southwest of Fayal, Azores, 15°16'N, 39°55'W.

AAF

Eighth AF

During the morning 317 B-17’s bomb dock area, aircraft factory, steelworks, and coke oven plant at Bremen, and shipyard, railroad station and warehouses at Warnemunde. 6 fighter groups provide escort: 1 group strafes airfield and rail transport in the Munster and Hamm areas. A second force of 334 B-24’s attack targets in France, including railway bridges at Saumur and Tours/La Riche, airfields and landing strip at Toussus-Le-Noble, Orleans/Bricy, Chateaudun, and Foret-de-Bourse, and targets of opportunity at Conches, Dreux, and Pont-Audemer. 288 fighters fly escort, part of which afterwards strafe road and rail transport, destroying 4 locomotives and a rail tank car, along with 4 enemy fighters in aerial combat. 4 Heavy Bombers and 1 fighter are lost, all to AA fire. 145 Heavy Bombers airborne to attack 12 CROSSBOW sites in Pas de Calais area are prevented by overcast from bombing the sites, but 12 fly S and release bombs near the industrial area of Rouen losing 1 B-17 to AA fire. During the afternoon 163 Heavy Bombers attack 5 electrical stations, 7 V-weapon sites, Saint-Pol-sur-Mer marshalling yards, and a missile platform. 118 sorties are flown by supporting fighters which, after Heavy Bombers withdraw, attack ground targets destroying 1 airplane a locomotive, and a truck.

Ninth AF

430-plus B-26’s and A-20’s attack targets in France, including 4 gun positions, 3 V-weapon sites, 3 fuel dumps, 2 marshalling yards, and a railroad bridge. Over 200 transports fly supplies to the Continent. 11 fighter groups provide escort, attack fuel dumps, rail targets and bridges W of Paris and S of the Loire, and fly armed recon S of Cherbourg Peninsula and SW of Paris.

Twelfth AF

Weather cancels Medium Bomber operations. Fighter Bomber activity is restricted but P-47’s attack several bridges, railway lines, guns, and other targets in Lucca area and other points along and N of battleline.

Fifteenth AF

335 B-17’s and B-24’s bomb railroad repair depot at Craiova, railroad bridge at Piatra, and oil refinery at Ploesti. 33 P-51’s sweep Ploesti-Bucharest area while other P-51’s, P-38’s, and P-47’s fly 220-plus sorties in support of Heavy Bombers. Heavy Bombers and fighters claim over 20 aircraft shot down. 10 US airplanes are downed and several others are missing.

Tenth AF

11 B-24’s fly gasoline to Kamaing while 35 B-25’s supply Imphal with ammo. 60-plus A-36’s, P-51’s, P- 40’s, and P-38’s attack Myitkyina, Mogaung, Mawlaik-Kin area, Pinbaw, and Hopin.

Fourteenth AF

60-plus P-40’s and P-38’s bomb towns of Siangsiang and Yuankiang, attack cav forces in Hengyang area, and damage a pontoon bridge between Tungcheng and Pingkiang. 4 B-25’s and a few P-40’s knock out bridge N of Chenghsien.

FEAF Fifth AF and RAAF airplanes continue to blast stores, personnel areas, roads, and bridges in general area of Wewak. B-25’s, A-26’s, and A-20’s hit enemy positions in caves E of Mokmer airfield, attack shipping in Babo area (on MacCluer Gulf), and bomb Kamiri and Kornasoren airfields. Heavy Bombers, Medium Bombers, and fighters, along with other Allied airplanes, hit Tobera airfield, AA guns at Wunapope, and buildings at Nordup.

Seventh AF

P-47’s, based on Saipan, strafe remnants of enemy forces on the island and also hit forces left on Tinian.

Eleventh AF

3 B-24’s at dawn bomb area N of airfield at Kurabu Cape. Later 2 B-25’s fly a negative shipping search.

USA

FRANCE—21 Army Group: In U.S. First Army area, VII Corps closes in on Cherbourg. While 9th Div’s 60th Inf clears N flank, 47th and 39th Regts move in on the city, 47th toward Equeurdreville fort and Redoute des Fourches and 39th toward Octeville. In 79th Div zone, 314th Inf overruns La Mare à Canards and pushes toward Fort du Roule, while 313th, to right, keeps abreast and takes Hameau Gringer; 315th, on div left, is still clearing Hardinvast region, far to rear. 12th Inf continues to make main effort of 4th Div. Reinforced by bn of 22d, the regt overcomes strong resistance in Digosville area and enters Tourlaville unopposed at night. 8th Inf reduces strong positions E of La Glacerie, on div left. 22d Inf, on div right, contains enemy in Maupertus area. 3d Armd Div, XIX Corps, arrives on Continent.

ITALY—AAI: 1st Motorized Div is the first of the French units to leave Italy for Operation ANVIL. In Fifth Army area, IV Corps continues northward against strong rear-guard opposition, 117th Cav Rcn Sq on coast overrunning Follonica. In FEC area, Guillaume Group, reinf with light armor, crosses Ombrone R in order to continue advance in contact with 1st Armd Div of IV Corps.

In Br Eighth Army area, 13 Corps opens concerted drive northward with 3 divs. 78th Div, on 13 Corps right flank, establishes bridgehead across Pescia R with infantry, but armor is unable to follow. In center, 4th Div battles in vain for Vaiano throughout day; Germans abandon the hamlet, night 24–25. S African 6th Armd Div continues to meet stubborn opposition on left flank of 13 Corps at Chiusi. In 10 Corps area, enemy has shortened his line, which now runs through Magione, in order to shift armor W to oppose 13 Corps. Br progress up the Tiber Valley is very slow because of mountainous terrain.

NEW GUINEA—On Biak, TF HURRICANE cuts exits from the Teardrop. 2d Bn, 186th Inf, moves N and E to reach NW corner; Co K of 163d Inf blocks N exits and Co C, 163d, guards E side. In Wakde-Sarmi area, TF TORNADO begins outflanking attacks on Lone Tree Hill. Cos K and L, 1st Inf, move by sea to coast just W of the hill and establish small beachhead; try in vain to push inland to clear W side of the hill. 2d and 3d Bns, 20th Inf, assisted by Co L of 1st, make slow progress against numerous enemy defenses on top of the hill and open supply route. Co M, 1st Inf, moves along coast to assist.

SAIPAN—On W flank of V Amph Corps, 2d Marines of 2d Mar Div reaches 0–6 line at S outskirts of Garapan, where the regt must remain for some days awaiting units to right. 6th Marines is battling enemy strongpoint N of Mt. Tipo Pale. On div right, 8th Marines, reinf by bn of 29th Marines, reaches ridge within MG range of top of Mt. Tapotchau. 27th Div’s zone is broadened eastward as 165th Inf is given responsibility for clearing valley E of Purple Heart Ridge; 106th Inf alone is thus responsible for clearing Death Valley. Further efforts of 27th Div to move forward are futile. 4th Mar Div veers E to clear Kagman Peninsula, 23d Marines pivoting about 24th Marines. Gap develops between marines and 27th Div because of turning movement. Against moderate resistance, div overruns Laulau and Chacha villages. Failure of 27th Div to advance, despite urging of Gen Holland Smith, results in replacement of its commander, Gen Ralph Smith. Maj Gen Sanderford Jarman, Island Commander, assumes command temporarily, pending arrival of a permanent commander. Gen Jarman’s chief of staff takes control of 27th Div elements on S Saipan, where no progress is made during day, and the force on Mt. Nafutan is recalled.

USMC

2d Marines reach outskirts of Garapan.

U. S. Navy carrier task force again hits Volcano-Bonin Islands, including Iwo Jima

80 Years Ago, Friday, 23 June 1944

USN

Pacific

Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Admiral Joseph J. Clark) bomb Japanese air facilities and shipping in the Marianas, sinking guardboat Haruta Maru off Pagan Island and cargo ship Shoun Maru off Rota, 14°10'N, 145°10'E.

SB2C crew (VB 14) is rescued by PBM (VH-1); the two men picked up by the flying boat are the last to be recovered in the wake of the "Mission Beyond Darkness" of 20 June 1944. Ironically, the PBM is off course when it recovers the men.

Japanese planes begin night high-level bombing attack on U.S. amphibious shipping off Saipan.

AAF

Eighth AF

At midday 211 Heavy Bombers attack 12 CROSSBOW installations, damaging at least 6 of them. Fighter support is furnished by 4 P-51 groups (161 aircraft) all of which afterward strafe transportation targets in Paris area, destroying 3 locomotives, 100 pieces of rolling stock, and 14 motor vehicles. An exploding ammo train causes a low-flying P-51 to crash, the only airplane lost on the mission. During the late afternoon 196 Heavy Bombers attack airfields at Juvincourt-et-Damary. Laon/Athies, and Coulommiers, and a railroad bridge at Nanteuil-sur-Marne. Over 100 Heavy Bombers abort because of heavy clouds over targets. 226 P-47’s and P-51’s provide support. Afterwards part of a P-47 group bombs and strafes a marshalling yard while the remainder of the group bombs and strafes a train carrying trucks and armored cars, destroying the locomotive, 3 trucks, and an armored car, and damaging 20 freight cars. Total losses are 7 Heavy Bombers, mostly to AA fire.

Ninth AF

Bad weather prevents Medium Bomber and Light Bomber missions during morning. In the afternoon over 175 B-26’s and A-20’s bomb 7 V-weapon sites in France. Around 630 fighters provide escort and also bomb and strafe rail and road traffic and communications centers. 200 C-47’s and C-53’s fly supplies to the Continent.

Twelfth AF

Weather cancels Medium Bomber operations. A-20’s continue to attack ammo supplies. Fighter Bomber operations are restricted but P-47’s hit rail communications at 4 different points in battle area as fierce struggle for Chiusi takes place.

Fifteenth AF

More than 400 B-17’s and B-24’s attack oil storage at Giurgiu, 2 oil refineries at Ploesti, and marshalling yard at Nish. More than 100 US aircraft are shot down. Heavy Bombers and escorting fighters claim more than 30 aircraft destroyed.

Tenth AF

12 B-24’s fly gasoline to Kamaing while 29 B-25’s make ammo run to Imphal. About 80 A-36’s, P-51’s, and P-40’s attack Mogaung, Myitkyina, Taungni, and bridge at Namkwi.

Fourteenth AF

20 B-24’s bomb docks at Hankow. In Tungting Lake area 70-plus B-25’s and Fighter Bombers attack wide variety of river shipping at several locations, bomb runway at Hengyang, strafe cav troops in the area, and hit towns and villages of Chuchou, Ikiawan, Chuting, Chwanchishih, and Siangtan. 30 B-25’s and Fighter Bombers hit various targets of opportunity along Yellow R.

FEAF

Wewak area is again pounded throughout the day by A-20’s, P-39’s, P-47’s, and RAAF airplanes. A few A-20’s and A-26’s on barge search bomb offshore islands near Manokwari. This marks SWPA debut of the A-26. P-47’s on sweeps strafe areas E of Maffln. B-24’s hit airfield at Yap and Woleai. Heavy Bombers on armed recon bomb Dublon, Koror, and Peleliu. B-24’s bomb Tobera airfield. B-25’s along with other Allied airplanes, hit AA positions S and SW of Rapopo.

Seventh AF

Eniwetok-based B-24’s strike Truk. B-25’s from Engebi pound Ponape. During the evening, B-24’s from Kwajalein also attack Ponape.

Eleventh AF

2 B-25’s fly a negative shipping sweep.

USA

FRANCE—21 Army Group: Unloading is resumed as storm abates. In U.S. First Army area, VII Corps penetrates outer defenses of Cherbourg. On left, 9th Div’s 60th Inf overruns Flottemanville area, and 47th completes capture of Hill 171; 39th overcomes bypassed resistance near Beaudienville. 79th Div makes limited progress in vicinity of La Mare à Canards but is unable to reduce this strongpoint. In 4th Div zone, 12th Inf, assisted by tanks, advances steadily toward Tourlaville, but units flanking it make little progress. In Br Second Army’s I Corps area, 51st Div, in limited offensive, takes Ste Honorine, NE of Caen and E of the Orne. 1 Corps subsequently exerts limited pressure against enemy N of Caen without making decisive gains.

USSR—Red Army opens summer offensive on central front, where main attack, on 350-mile front, is made by First Baltic and 3 White Russian Fronts against enemy’s Minsk salient in White Russia. Particularly strong pressure is applied near Vitebsk and Bobruisk. Soviet aircraft and arty lend powerful support to troops. Both German and Soviet forces have by this time completed extensive reorganization, but enemy is spread thin and lacks adequate reserves.

ITALY—AAI: Gen Alexander, meeting with his commanders, proposes that AAI advance through Ljubljana gap into S Germany.

In Br Eighth Army area, elements of 13 Corps break into Chiusi after hard battle, but German counterattack isolates the troops. 4th Div takes command of sector in center of 13 Corps, between Vaiano and Lake Chiusi, relieving elements of 78th Div. In 10 Corps area, King’s Dragoon Gds gain foothold on M. S. Croce.

CHINA—At meeting between Mr. Wallace and Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, a proposal is presented that a U.S. observer group be sent to Chinese communists to secure information and assist pilots shot down over N China. When approval is gained, the project (coded DIXIE Mission) is undertaken by 16 officers and enlisted men and 2 civilians.

NEW GUINEA—TF CYCLONE Issues FO 1 for Noemfoor operation. On Biak, 1st Bn of 162d Inf continues to probe West Caves area. 3d Bn, 163d, makes patrol contact with 186th Inf at the Teardrop. Photographs of the Teardrop indicate that Japanese are concentrated on W of the position and preparations are made for attack. 186th Inf is still unable to seize weapons firing on it from NW. In Wakde-Sarmi area, 2d Bn of 20th Inf repels dawn attack against its perimeter on Lone Tree Hill in costly fighting; after unsuccessful attempt to push N to make contact with 3d Bn, moves back down hill and up again, along route used by 3d Bn, to positions just NW of 3d Bn’s perimeter. Some supplies are obtained from volunteer groups and from Co L, 1st Inf, which arrives after hard fight. Japanese make determined attempt to destroy forces on Lone Tree Hill in evening; attack in small groups through night 23–24. Gen Sibert decides to try to outflank enemy on the hill.

SAIPAN—VAC attacks northward on 3-div front as 27th Div enters center of line. 2d Mar Div’s left and center regts remain in place until more progress can be made to right; 8th Marines, on div right, gains cliff commanding most practical route to crest of Mt. Tapotchau. 27th Div is slow in accomplishing relief of left flank elements of 4th Mar Div and consequently slow in opening attack up valley, called “Death Valley,” which is flanked on left by hill mass of Mt. Tapotchau and on right by ridge, called “Purple Heart Ridge.” Upon attacking, with 106th Inf on left and 165th on right, div meets intense opposition from cave-studded heights; progress is slow and costly, particularly on left. On right flank, 4th Mar Div attacks with 23d Marines on left and 24th on right: 23d Marines is slowed by inability of 165th Inf to advance but gets to top of Hill 600; 24th continues to make rapid progress along Magicienne Bay and reaches 0–5 line just E of Laulau. Enemy tank supported counterattacks down Death Valley and against Hill 600 are repelled, night 23–24. On S Saipan, 2d Bn of 105th Inf, after reorganizing throughout morning, continues attack on Nafutan position, getting platoon to top of Mt. Nafutan; rest of bn, after small initial gains, pulls back to starting line.

USMC

 

80 Years Ago, Thursday, 22 June 1944

USN

Pacific

Battleship Maryland (BB-46) is damaged by aerial torpedo off Garapan, Saipan, 15°13'N, 145°39'E; tank landing ship LST-119 is damaged by Tinian shore battery, Saipan, 15°10'N, 145°58'E; transport Prince Georges (AP-165) is damaged by near-miss of bomb off Saipan.

Submarine Batfish (SS-310) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Nagaragawa Maru off Honshu, 34°36'N, 137°56'E.

Submarine Flier (SS-250) torpedoes Japanese army cargo ship Belgium Maru west of Mindoro, 13°11'N, 120°27'E.

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) damages Japanese tanker Itsukushima Maru in Sulu Sea, 09°00'N, 120°55'E.

USAAF aircraft damage Japanese cargo vessel Shoyu Maru off Sorong Island.

Atlantic

U.S. freighter Cyrus H.K. Curtis is damaged by mines off SWORD Beach, Normandy, but discharges her cargo; there are no casualties among the 43-man merchant complement, the 27-man Armed Guard, or the 250 U.S. troops onboard.

AAF

Eighth AF

In morning mission 216 Heavy Bombers attack 12 CROSSBOW installations in Pas de Calais area. Some of the 212 support fighters strafe coastal defenses. During the afternoon 718 Heavy Bombers attack 22 targets in France and Belgium, including marshalling yards transformer stations, airfields, bridges, fuel storage facilities, railroad facilities, CROSSBOW supply site, and numerous targets of opportunity. Fighters escort the mission and 3 P-47 groups strafe and bomb transportation targets, destroying an ammo train, 6 other freight cars, and a truck. 8 Heavy Bombers are lost, mostly to ground fire. Because of attack on B-17’s at Poltava on shuttle mission, the B-17’s at Mirgorod and P-51’s at Piryatin are moved farther E into USSR. They are to be returned to Mirgorod and Piryatin to be dispatched to bases in Italy as soon as weather permits. The move is fortunate as German bombers strike both Piryatin and Mirgorod during 22/23 Jun.

Ninth AF

Around 600 B-26’s and A-20’s and over 1,200 fighters fly missions during the day. The main effort consists of an attack on tip of Cherbourg Peninsula in support of US VII Corps assault on port of Cherbourg. Beginning 1 hr before ground attack and continuing until attack begins fighters and Fighter Bombers pound whole area S of city from low level. As ground assault begins, B-26’s and A-20’s strike series of strongpoints selected by US First Army, forming a 55-min aerial barrage moving N in advance of ground forces. Later in the day Medium Bombers attack marshalling yards, fuel dumps and a German HQ. Fighter Bombers fly armed recon over various railroads and bomb rail facilities, trains, road traffic, and gun emplacements in France. 25 Fighter Bombers are lost during the day’s operations.

Twelfth AF

Medium Bombers attack railway bridges and viaducts in NC Italy, at Marzabotto, Boccheto, and Gricigliana, A-20’s again hit ammo supplies. Fighter Bombers pound road and rail bridges, mainly in Pisa area, and cut rail lines between Bologna and Pistoia.

Fifteenth AF

Following 5 consecutive days of bad weather more than 600 Heavy Bombers bomb targets in N Italy, hitting motor transport works at Turin and Chivasso, marshalling yards at Parma, Modena, Fornovo di Taro, Bologna, Castel Maggiore, and Ferrara, oil storage at Fornovo di Taro, harbor at Pola, airfield at Poggio Renatico, and highway and railroad bridges at Nervesa della Battaglia and Rimini. Fighters fly more than 250 sorties in support of the missions.

Tenth AF

6 B-24’s fly fuel to Kamaing while 40 B-25’s supply Imphal with ammo. 40 A-36’s, P-51’s, and P-40’s hit Mogaung and Myitkyina while 10 others hit targets at Hopin, Namma, and Sahmaw.

Fourteenth AF

18 P-40’s destroy 20-plus trucks between Hsuchang and Lohochai. 4 P-40’s damage a troop steamer in Tungting Lake. 13 B-24’s bomb Bakli harbor, damaging dock facilities and claiming 1 freighter sunk.

FEAF

B-25’s, A-20’s, and P-47’s hit shipping at Efman I and airfields and targets of opportunity on Noemfoor, attack Manokwari, and hit villages in the Sarmi area. Attacks by A-20’s and fighters, along with RAAF airplanes, on wide coastal area around Wewak continue. B-24’s bomb Yap, Sorol, and Woleai. B-25’s join the Allied aircraft in pounding Nordup and Ralum.

Seventh AF

B-24’s, staging through Eniwetok from Kwajalein, hit Truk; 1 bombs Ponape. First fighters of Seventh AF arrive in Marianas; 22 aircraft of 19th Fighter Sq, taking off from aircraft carrier, land on Saipan.

USA

FRANCE—21 Army Group: In U.S. First Army area, VII Corps, receiving no reply to ultimatum begins final assault on Cherbourg fortress. Intense air preparation, beginning at 1240, does more to demoralize enemy than to damage his positions. VII Corps attack opens at 1400. On left flank, 9th Div presses NE toward Cherbourg with 60th Inf on left and 47th on right; 60th quickly takes Acqueville but is halted at edge of Flottemanville fortifications; 47th gets forward elements to slopes of Hill 171, just W of Bois du Mont du Roc. In center, 79th Div attacks with 3 regts: while 315th is clearing Hardinvast region and 314th the draws E of Tollevast, 313th makes main effort on div right astride Valognes– Cherbourg highway and thrusts to positions just S of La Mare a Canards, an enemy strongpoint. On right flank of VII Corps, 4th Div also attacks with 3 regts: on left, 8th Inf makes limited progress toward La Glacerie; 12th, in center, makes main effort toward Tourlaville but is held to small gains; to right, 22d Inf, with mission of clearing Digosville, becomes surrounded by enemy and is unable to advance.

USSR—German Air Force makes night attack on base at Mirgorod, but U.S. planes escape before the raid. Dumps and supplies are considerably damaged.

ITALY—AAI: Pol 2 Corps is forced to abandon its small bridgehead across the Chienti in Adriatic coastal sector. Activity along the river subsides to patrolling as corps moves troops and supplies forward in preparation for stronger assault.

U.S. Fifth Army continues to advance slowly, particularly in sector of FEC, where it is decided to outflank enemy holding Orcia R line. On right flank in IV Corps area, 1st Armd Div commits TF Howze between CCA on right and CCB on left.

CBI—In NCAC area, Chindits of 77th Brig, Ind 3d Div, begin assault on Mogaung and are joined by 114th Regt, Ch 38th Div. On Salween front, Japanese fall back hastily from Chiangtso toward Teng-chung, harassed by Allied planes. Ch XX Group Army has firm control of Shweli Valley, and is ready for drive on Teng-chung.

11 Army Group: In Br Fourteenth Army area, 4 and 33 Corps troops meet, reopening Dimapur– Kohima–Imphal road. Enemy offensive has failed, and Japanese are obliged to withdraw as best they can under difficult monsoon weather conditions.

NEW GUINEA—PT’s land Allied rcn party on Noemfoor, night 22–23. First big cargo ships arrive at Biak. Fifth Air Force P–40’s begin operations from Mokmer airdrome. 1st Bn, 162d Inf, continues to work on West Caves, using TNT charges and flame throwers, and at 1555 reports them clear. However, small groups of Japanese emerge from caves during night 22–23 and have to be eliminated by 1st Bn and 186th Inf to N. 186th Inf continues to probe the Teardrop; attempts unsuccessfully to seize 3 enemy guns that are firing from new positions NW of perimeter. In Wakde-Sarmi area, RCT 158 is relieved in preparation for Noemfoor I. operation. RCT 158 has had 70 killed, 257 wounded, and 4 missing during Wakde-Sarmi action; has killed an estimated 920 Japanese and captured 11. After air attack by P–47’s from Wakde and intense arty preparation, 3d Bn of 20th Inf drives to crest of Lone Tree Hill and establishes defense perimeter. 2d Bn also reaches the crest but gap exists between the two bns. Japanese counterattack 3d Bn in evening, isolating both it and 2d Bn. Co L, 1st Inf, starts forward with supplies for 3d Bn. On Aitape front, 3d Bn of 127th Inf replaces 1st Bn at Afua.

SAIPAN—2d and 4th Mar Divs begin northward attack toward 0–5 line, extending from W coast below Garapan across Mt. Tapotchau to Laulau village on Kagman Peninsula on E. On W, left flank of 2d Mar Div, 2d Marines remains in place since it is already on 0–5; in center, 6th Marines gets elements to top of Mt. Tipo Pale, about 1,200 yards SW of top of Mt. Tapotchau, achieving greatest div gain for day; on right, 8th Marines makes slow progress toward Mt. Tapotchau, which commands entire island, over extremely difficult terrain. 4th Mar Div attacks with 25th Marines on left and 24th on right; commits 23d in center during day. 25th and 23d Regts drive almost to objective, while 24th advances rapidly along E coast. 27th Div (less 105th Inf) is ordered to attack between 2d and 4th Mar Divs, relieving left flank elements of latter to permit 4th Mar Div to shift E to cover Kagman Peninsula. 27th Div regroups units about the Nafutan position. 3d Bn of 105th Inf shifts N, relieving 1st Bn on right flank, while 2d Bn replaces 3d Bn of 165th on left. No advance is made against the strongpoint and a little ground is lost on left, where relief is accomplished with difficulty. Late in day, 2d Bn of 105th Inf is ordered to continue mop up of Nafutan Pt, a task still believed to be an easy one.

USMC

V AC attacks northward on Saipan.