50 Years Ago - July 1944 Originally posted in Usenet newsgroup SOC.HISTORY.WAR.WORLD-WAR-II and on the World War II mailing list. Author: John Davis jbd@netcom.com/jbd@osbm.state.nc.us Sources: "2194 Days of War" by Cesare Salmaggi and Alfredo Pallavisimi, "The World Almanac Book Of WW II" by Peter Young, "United States Naval Chronology, World War II" by Naval Historical Division - United States Navy, "Facts On File Yearbook 1944, Person's Index Of World Events" edited by R.L. Lapica. ============================================================================= On 01-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - Orders are issued by the US 1st Army headquarters for the start of a general offensive on July 3. The offensive is to begin west of the Cotentin peninsula by the VII Corps and extend eastward to all of the other units in the army. All organized resistance ends on the Cotentin peninsula with the capture of Cap de la Hague by the US 9th Division. In the British sector, the VIII and XXX Crops hold and repulse strong counter-attacks by the I Panzer SS Group in the area of Tilly-sur-Seulles and Caen. This defence is aided by heavy artillery support and results in the destruction of a number of German tanks. At this point in the Allied effort, each of the two armies, the American 1st and the British 2nd, can put 15-16 divisions on the line, while an additional 9 American and 6 British are being held in reserve in the south of England, ready to embark. Eastern Front - Troops of the 3rd Belorussian Front take Borisov. Italian Front - Units of the US 34th Division take Cecina, while other units advance towards the Cecina river. The 135th Regiment succeeds in holding the bridgehead captured the previous day, despite a strong German attack. The US 1st Armoured Division is advancing towards Siena. On the right of the Allied line, the British X Corps replaces the British 6th Armoured Division on the front line. Marianas - On Saipan, the Marines and Infantry are making little progress towards the north of the island. New Guinea - Task Force 77, under RADM Fechteler, with the US 158th Infantry Regiment, sails for Numfoor Island; which is between Biak Isalnd and the northwest point of New Guinea. On Biak, the American forces react quickly to prevent the Japanese from re-grouping. In the Wadke-Salmi area, on the mainland, American forces advance to the mouth of the Woske river and then move inland. July Air Operations ------------------- Europe - During July of 1944, the US 8th and 15th Air Forces drop 73,000 tons of bombs. The RAF adds another 57,000 tons more. Targets for the Americans include Munich, Friedrichshafen, Metz and Belfort. Targets for the British include Stuttgart and Hamburg. The German oil industry is heavily hit by attacks on Wesseling, Bohlen, Merseburg, Vienna and Ploesti. The Homefront ------------- Monetary Conference Opens - An important international monetary conference has begun at Breton Woods, New Hampshire. US Secretary of the Tresury Henry Morgenthau is named president of the conference. The conference lasts until July 22. Forty-four countries are represented at the conference. Agreement is reached on the establishment of an International Monetary Fund and an International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. ============================================================================= On 02-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - Marshal Karl von Rundstedt asks to be relieved of the command of the German forces in the West and Hitler accepts. Eastern Front - Both the 1st and 3rd Belorussian Fronts converge on Minsk. The rail line between Minsk and Baranovichi is cut. Italian Front - The 133rd Regiment of the US 34th Division captures Marina. The 135th consolidates its bridgehead across the Cecina river. The 1st Armoured Divisions fails to take Casole d'Elsa and the US forces receives heavey losses of men and tanks. Sovicille is captured by the French Expeditionary Corps and continues advancing towards Siena. The South African 6th Armoured Division is heading towards Sinalunga from which the Germans have already withdrawn. The British 4th Division captures Foiano and continues on towards Arezzo. Marianas - On Saipan, the 2nd Marine Division captures Garapan. The front advances about half a mile. The Japanese fall back and establish a new defensive line running from the east coast of Saipan to north of the Tanapag harbour. New Guinea - The US 158th Regiment, reinforced by Australian units, lands on the north coast of Numfoor Island, near the Kamiri airfield. It meets no resistance. As the Americans advance inland, they finally meet some Japanese resistance. A beachhead is established about two miles wide and half a mide deep. Artillery units are landed and begin to shell the airfield. Burma/China - Chinese forces reinforce the north flank of the Myitkyina area. On the Salween river front, the Chinese 116th Division advances on Teng-chung in spite of violent monsoon rains. Naval Dispatches ---------------- US minesweeper YMS-350 sunk by mine, Normandy area. German submarine U-543 sunk by aircraft (VC-58) from escort carrier WAKE ISLAND (CVE-65), southeast of Azores Islands. The Homefront ------------- Congressional Medals Awarded - The Army has announced the posthumous award of the Congressional Medal of Honor to Lt. Walter E. Truemper from Aurora, Ill. and Sgt. Archibald Mathies from Finleyville, Pa. Truemper was navigator and Mathies engineer of a Flying Fortress which was crippled during a raid on Leipzig, Germany on Feb. 20th. The pair remained with the pland and tried unsuccessfully to land it and save its wounded pilot. Norman Davis Dies - Norman H. Davis, 65, chairman of the American Red Cross since 1938 died in Hot Springs, Va. ============================================================================= On 03-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - A general offensive begins by the American 1st Army. The US VIII Corps attacks south against the German LXXXIV Corps. Three divisions are taking part in the attack, the 79th, 82nd Airborne and 90th. Because of heavy rains they make very little progress. The bad weather reduces air cover and makes the terrain virtually impassible. The 82nd Airborne makes a slight advance taking Hill 131, northeast of La Haye-du-Puits, on the road to Coutances. General Gunther von Kluge takes over command of the German troops in place of von Rundstedt. Eastern Front - Minsk is taken by the 1st and 3rd Belorussian Fronts. Of 40 divisions of the German Army Group Centre, 28 are encircled. Russian reports cite 400,000 Germans dead and 158,000 captured. Because of this overwelming victory the Germany Army Group North, stationed in the Baltic states is in danger of bing cut off. The Russian 1st Baltic Front is preparing a powerfull offensive against the Baltic states. Italian Front - The US 34th Division begins to push towards Leghorn against strong German resistance. Troops from the US 135th Infantry advance as far as the Rosignano fortress. The French Expeditionary Corps takes Siena. In the British 8th Army sector, the 78th Division takes Cortona. Marianas - On Saipan, the Marines capture a hill overlooking Tanapag on the west coast. New Guinea - On Numfoor Island, the 158th Infantry Regiment extends its beachhead eastward. A battalion of the 503rd Parachute Regiment drops on Kamiri airfield and occupies it. Many of the parachutists are killed during the drop. On Biak Island, mopping up activies continue with the capture of the eastern caves. Volcano Islands/Bonin Islands - Two American task forces bomb and shell Japanese installations in the Volcano Islands and on Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonin Islands. Burma/India - On the Assam front, the 7th Indian Division captures Ukhurl. Naval Dispatches ---------------- German submarine U-154 sunk by destroyer escort FROST (DE-144) and INCH (DE-146), off Madeira. The Homefront ------------- Year's War Costs $90 Billion - The Tresury Department reports that at the end of the fiscal year on June 30th, US war expenditures for the year amounted to $87,039,000,000 plus $2,682,000,000 by the Reconstruction Finance Corp. for war purposes. The government ended the year with a deficit of $49,595,000,000. Disloyal Japanese To Lose Citizenship - President Roosevelt has signed a bill withdrawing citizenship of disloyal Japanese-Americans after the Attorney General's office said the legislation is needed to deal with them under the enemy alien statutes. Vallee's Wife Asks For Divorce - Bette Jane Greer Vallee, wife of Navy Lt. Rudy Vallee, has filed suit for divorce, calling Vallee "an incurable bachelor". ============================================================================= On 04-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The VIII Corps, US 1st Army continues its slow advance southwards. Further east, the VII Corps begins its offensive. In the British sector, the Canadian 3rd Division captures Carpiquet but can not capture the nearby airfield. Eastern Front - The 1st Baltic Front attacks towards Riga with six armies and takes Polotsk. Italian Front - The US 34th Division is pushing towards Rosignano. Units of the 361st Regiment of the 1st Armoured Division enter Casole d'Elsa. The British 8th Army continues its advance in the central-eastern sector. The XIII Corps, makes rapid progress towards Arezzo against light resistance. The 6th Armoured Division takes Castiglion Fiorentino. Marianas - On Saipan, the US 27th Infantry Division reaches the Tanapag plain. One of its regiments reaches a seaplane base at Point Flores and along with a Marine regiment, wipes out a Japanese cave strongpoint. New Guinea - On Numfoor Island, the Americans take Kornasoren airfield and the village of Kamiri. An additional battalion of the 503rd Parachute Regiment is dropped on Kamiri airport. They loose one-twelfth of their men due to inexperience and difficult terrain. The losses are so high, it is decided to not attempt anymore parachute landings. On the mainland, in the Wadke-Sarmi area, the US 63rd Infantry makes a little progress westward. Naval Dispatches ---------------- US submarine S-28 sunk, cause unknown during training excercises off Hawaii. Japanese minesweeper SARUSHIMA sunk, by carrier-based aircraft, Bonin Islands. Japanese submarine I-10 sunk, by destroyer DAVID W. TAYLOR (DD-551) and destroyer escort RIDDLE (DE-185), Marianas Islands. The Homefront ------------- Negroes Barred In Georgia Vote - Negroes were prevented from voting in today's Georgia Democratic primary. They are refused ballots as they appear at the polling places. Sante Fe Wreck - The fireman and three passengers were killed last night when the Sante Fe Chief, westbound, left the rails 20 miles west of Flagstaff, Arizona. ============================================================================= On 05-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - Heavy fighting is occuring along the entire Normandy front. The La Haye-du-Puits railway station is captured by the US VIII Corps. The VII Corps continues to slowly advance towards Periers, along the road leading from St Lo to Lessay on the west coast of the Cotentin peninusla. Italian Front - The battle continues for Rosignano. The US 34th Division makes very slow progress against very strong German defences. The British XIII Corps meets stiffening German resistance from Vietinghoff's German 10th Army. Marianas - On Saipan, the final stage of the capture of the south part of the island begins. The 4th Marine Division makes headway; while the 27th Infantry Division is stalled by the Japanese, who are dug in on the north side of a ravine called Harakiri Gulch. New Guinea - On Numfoor Island, the Japanese counter-attack. The attacking troops, about 400 strong, are exterminated. Burma/China - On the Salween river front, the Chinese 8th Army attacks Sung Shan from the south and east. Any ground captured is lost though after a Japanese counter-attack. Naval Dispatches ---------------- German submarine U-133 sunk, by destroyer escorts THOMAS (DD-102) and BAKER (DE-190), in the North Atlantic area. German submarine U-586 sunk by air attack, Toulon, France. The Homefront ------------- 129,500 Women In Shipyards - The Department of Labor has announced that 10.3% of the workers in private shipyards are women, totaling 129,500. On the Pacific coast, the percentage is 16.1%. ============================================================================= On 06-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US VII and VIII Corps advance slowing towards Lessay and and Periers. The German resistance is very strong. Eastern Front - Troops of the 1st Belorussian Front capture Kovel, in Poland. Italian Front - The Polish II Corps captures Osmimo, in the British 8th Army sector. Marianas - On Saipan, the Marines and Infantry are still being held up by strong Japanese defences in the Harakiri Gulch area. On the east coast, the 24th Marine Regiment advances as far as Mount Petosukara. Japanese General Saito kills himself in accordance with the Japanese code of honour, after getting a promise from his officers that they will not fall into enemy hands alive. At about the same time, Admiral Nagumo commits commits suicide also. The remaining Japanese plan a final Banzai attack. US carrier based aircraft begin a series of daily bombing runs on the islands of Guam and Rota, in preparation for landing. New Guinea - On Numfoor Island, units of the US 158th Infantry occupy Namber airport in an amphibious operation. Australian P-40 fighters land on Kamiri airfield to support the land operations. On Biak Island, the Americans use loudspeakers to call on the Japanese in the eastern caves to surrender. Naval Dispatches ---------------- Japanese destroyer HOKAZE sunk by submarine PADDLE (SS-263), Celebes Sea. The Homefront ------------- De Gaulle Visits Washington - General Charles de Gaulle visits Washington for talks on the status of his administration and aid for the fighting French. Circus Fire - In Hartford, Conn. fire has destroyed the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus main tent, killing 163 people mostly women and children. Some 200 people are injured in the fire. The tent, which was the largest in the world, was reduced to ashes in 10 minutes. Men Trapped In Mine - Hope is abandoned for 66 men trapped in the Powhatan coal mine, Bellaire, Ohio. A fire began yesterday and the mine was sealed to check it. ============================================================================= On 07-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US 79th and 90th Divisions (VIII Corps) are continuing their attempts to break through the German defensive line between La Haye-du-Puits and Mont-Castre-Forest, but are having to withstand violent counter-attacks. Against growing opposition from two SS divisions, the US VII Corps is moving slowly along the Carentan-Periers road. The 30th Division establishes a bridgehead near St Jean-de-Daye. RAF bombers carry out a heavy night bombing raid against Caen. They drop more than 2,500 tons of bombs, in preparation for the final assault on the city. Italian Front - The US 34th Division captures Rosignano. The 4th Mountain Division (French Expeditionary Corps) takes Val d'Alsa hill. Marianas - On Saipan, as dawn arrives about 3,000 Japanase (all that is left of the Saipan garrison) hurl themselves in a furious assault against the American lines in the Tanapag plain. They sweep through one regiment of the 127th Infantry Division and the guns of the 3rd Battalion of the 10th Marines. Bitter hand-to-hand fighting takes places. Towards noon, an American counter-attack drives the Japanese back and they are pursued northwards where they are caught and massacred. New Guinea - On Biak Island, some Japanese are still holding out in the Ibdi area and are heavily bombarded. Burma/China - The Chinese 8th Army attacks Sung Shan but are repulsed by the Japanese and receive heavy losses. Japan - The Japanese islands are the target of a second raid by US B-29 Superfortresses. The B-29's concentrate their attack on naval installations at Sasebo, in Kyushu Island. Naval Dispatches ---------------- Japanese destroyer USUGUMO sunk by submarine SKATE (SS-305), Kurile Islands area. Japanese destroyer TAMANAMI sunk by submarine MINGO (SS-261), South China sea. The Homefront ------------- Circus Officials Arrested - In Hartford, Conn. five officials of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus have been arrested as a result of the fire yesterday that killed 163 people. The five are charged with manslaughter. Authorities allege that the management was negligent in providing fire protection and that the tent was waterproofed with a paraffin-gasoline mixture. Soldiers In Train Wreck - Thirty-three bodies, including thirty-one soldiers, have been recovered from the wreckage of a troop train that wrecked near Jellico, Tenn. More than 100 people were injured in the wreck. ============================================================================= On 08-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US 78th Division of the VIII Corps overruns La Haye-du-Puits. The VII Corps continues to advance, with great difficulty, along the Carentan-Periers road. The XIX Corps, reinforced by newly landed 35th Division, is advancing on St Lo. The 8th Division, also newly landed, goes into the line between the 79th and 90th Divisions. In the British sector, the British I Corps launches its offensive against Caen. The attack is being carried on by the 49th and 3rd Divisions and the Canadian 3rd Division. Eastern Front - The 1st Belorussian Front captures Baranovichi, north-east of Brest-Litovsk. Italian Front - After the capture of Rosignano, the US 34th Division of the IV Corps speeds up their advance on Leghorn. Volterra is occupied by the 88th Division. Units of the French Expeditionary Corps are attacking towards San Gimignano, west of Poggibonsi, and capture Hill 380, two miles north of Highway 68. Marianas - On Saipan, the Americans advance towards the north of the island. Guam - A squadron of US carriers and destroyers under the command of RADM C.T. Joy begin a series of daily bombardments of Guam. Burma/China - Five Chinese divisions surround Teng-chung on the Salween river front. China - Chiang Kai-shek has agreed in principle with President Roosevelt's request that General Stilwell be given operational control over the Chinese army. The Homefront ------------- Roosevelt-de Gaulle Talks End - General Charles de Gaulle has held his third and final talk with President Roosevelt, but neither will disclose the results of these talks. Sources report however that the French are highly gratified by the results of the conference. Navy Half Way To Landing Craft Goal - The Navy says 48,267 landing craft aggregating 1,624,162 tons have already been produced in a program calling for 100,000 craft. ============================================================================= On 09-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US VIII Corps is pinned down by difficult terrain and by very stiff German resistance, while trying to push on beyond La Haye-du-Puits. The 4th and 83rd Divisions (VII Corps) advance towards Periers in spite of a violent German barrage. The 9th Division is sent into the line east of the river Taute. In the XIX Corps sector, the 39th Division continues pushing towards the road linking St Lo and Lessay. The US 5th Division lands at Normandy. In the British sector, the Canadian 3rd Division of the British I Corps enter the suburbs of Caen from the west, while the British 1st Division enters from the north, driving out the German 12th Panzer SS Division. The Canadians also take the Carpiquet Airfield. Eastern Front - Troops of the 3rd Belorussian Front capture Lida, in the central northern sector. The German Army Group North is isolated in the Baltic states as a direct result of Hitlers reckless orders. Italian Front - The US 34th Division is advancing northward beyond Rosignano. The 88th Division takes Volterra. On their right, French units are advancing on Poggibonsi. The British 8th Army prepares to attack Arezzo. Marianas - On Saipan, the Marines and Infantry reach Point Marpi, the final objective of their advance. Apart from final mopping up actions, Saipan is now completely in the hands of the Americans. This is officially announced by Vice-Admiral Turner at 4:15 pm. The Saipan campaign has cost the Americans 3,400 dead and 13,000 wounded. The Japanese have lost almost 30,000 dead. Only about a hundred Japanese have been taken prisoner. At Point Marpi, hundreds of civilians, possibly collaborators with the Japanese, are found smashed to death at the foot of a high cliff. Naval Dispatches ---------------- US submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168) lands men and supplies on Pandan Isalnd off the west coast of Mindora, P.I. US minesweeper SWERVE (AM-121) sunk by mine, Italian area. The Homefront ------------- Wallace Home - Vice President Henry A. Wallace has arrived in Seattle en route to Washington from China, where he met with Chiang Kai-shek. In a nationwide radio address he predicts an era of properity and peace in the Pacific. He says Russia and China will "take the necessary steps to promote peace and trade among the nations of the Pacific to the benefit of all". Best Selling Books - "Strange Fruit" by Lillian Smith, "The Razor's Edge" by W. Somerset Maugham, "A Tree Grows In Brooklyn" by Betty Smith, "The Robe" by Lloyd C. Douglas and "A Bell For Adano" by John Hersey. ============================================================================= On 10-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - Orders are issued by Montgomery for Operation Cobra, the US 1st Army offensive to penetrate the defenses west of St Lo and to take Coutances. The VIII Corps advances south of La Haye-du-Puits. The 4th, 9th and 83rd Divisions of the VII Corps continue advancing from the west. In the British sector, the British VIII Corps begins an offensive southwest of Caen in the area between the Odon and Orne rivers. The 43rd Division captures Eterville. In the Caen sector, the Canadian II Corps goes into action. Eastern Front - Field-Marshal Model requests that Hitler allow the Army Group North withdraw across the Dvina to help with the defensive operations in the central sector. Hitler refuses. Army Group Centre has lost almost the entire 9th and 4th Armies. The 3rd Belorussian Front, surround Vilna in Lithuania. New Guinea - The Japanese attack in force over the river Driniumor, inflicting heavy losses on the US 128th Infantry Regiment, in the Aitape sector. Burma/China/India - The Chinese continue their very costly efforts to dislodge the Japanese from Sung Shan on the Salween river front. In India, the British XXXIII Corps drives the Japanese out of the immediate vicinity of the Ukhrul rail junction. The Homefront ------------- De Gaulle In New York - General Charles de Gaulle has arrived in New York and says that he had had "comforting talks" with President Roosevelt. Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia gives him full recognition, calling him "the symbol of Free France". Half-Year Steel Output A Record - The American Iron and Steel Institute reports that steel production in the first six months of 1944 was 45,061,075 tons. ============================================================================= On 11-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US 1st Army front now stretches from the west coast of the Cotentin peninsula to Caumont, about 13 miles east of St Lo. All four corps, the VIII, VII, XIX and V, are deployed on the front. Units of the VIII Corps make good progress south of La Haye-du-Puits. A counter-attack by the German panzers succeed in breaking through the line of the 9th Division in the Le-Desert sector. The Germans are driven back with a considerable loss of tanks by a combined infantry, artillery and air action. The XIX Corps opens an offensive against St Lo with its 30th and 35th Division. Units of the V Corps renew their attacks northeast of St Lo. In the British sector, the 50th Division of the XXX Corps improves upon its positions near Hottot-les-Bagues, 13 miles west of Caen. Eastern Front - The 2nd Baltic Front begins an offensive on a 90-mile front east of Idritsa. The German pocket of resistance east of Minsk is wiped out. Italian Front - Orders are issued for Operation Mallory Major, the destruction of bridges over the river Po. The US IV Corps is making a little progress northwards. In the British sector, the New Zealand 2nd Division gets ready to support the final attack on Arezzo. New Guinea - On Numfoor Island, the US 158th Infantry and 503rd Parachute Regiment begins mopping up the island. In the Aitape sector, the Americans withdraw from the river Driniumor line, due to the strong Japanese attack. China - In central China, the Japanese 11th Army renews attacking Hengyang, but is repulsed by the Chinese. The Homefront ------------- Roosevelt Will Run If Nominated - President Roosevelt tells a Press Conference that if he is nominated he will run. He says "If the people command me to continue in office, I will ... I have as little right as a soldier to leave his position in the line". French Provisional Government Recognized - President Roosevelt has announced that the US recognizes de Gaulle's French Provisional Government as the de facto authority for the civil administration of the liberated territory in France. Plan Crash Kills 16 - A twin-engined Army bomber has crashed into a trailer camp in South Portland, Maine killing 16 people. National League Wins All-Star Game - The National League All-Stars have defeated the American League team 7-1 before 29,589 fans in Pittsburg. ============================================================================= On 12-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US VIII Corps is making very good progress southwards towards the Ay and Seves rivers. The VII is running into difficulty however, along the Carentan-Periers road. The XIX Corps push towards St Lo continues at a slower pace because the 39th Division is facing strong resistance in the Pont-Hebert sector. The 116th Regiment of the 29th Division is also facing strong resistance west of Pont-Hebert. The Americans are within two miles of St Lo. The 101st Airborne is moved back to England for rest and training of new recruits. Eastern Front - The Russian offensive is growing stronger in scale and intensity. The 2nd Baltic Front launches a series of attacks south of Lake Peipus, between Nevel and Ostrov and capture Idrica. Italian Front - The US IV Corps takes Castiglioncello. The 34th Division runs into strong resistance, while the 88th Division takes Laiatico, assisted by strong artillery fire. A major series of Allied air attacks against the Po bridges begin (operation Mallory Major). New Guinea - In the Aitape sector, the Americans regroup after withdrawing from the Driniumor river area. Burma/China - The Americans and Chinese launch an attack in force against Myitkyina but are repulsed. They are assisted in their attack by strong air support, but some of the aircraft bomb their own troops through a communication error. On the Salween river front, the Japanese garrison at Sung Shan continue to hold against attacks by two Chinese divisions. The Chinese suspend their offensive against the garrison. The Homefront ------------- Population Shifts - The Census Bureau reports a population increase from 131,699,275 in 1940 to 133,942,410 in 1943. Twenty-five states and the District of Columbia show gains in population. Western and southern states gained 4,000,000; while the northeast and north-central areas lost 2,000,000 due to wartime migrations. Army Nurses Get Officer Rank - President Roosevelt has issed an executive order providing for the commissioning of all Army nurses as actual Army officers, giving them the full authority of their officer rank. ============================================================================= On 13-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US VIII Corps continues pushing south. In the VII Corps sector the 9th Division makes headway, while the rest of the line is held up by German resistance. The XIX Corps continues its struggle for St Lo. In the V Corps sector, the 5th Division replaces the 1st Division on the line. The 1st Division moves over to the VII Corps sector. The 4th Armoured Division lands at Normandy. Eastern Front - The 3rd Belorussian Front captures Vilna, the capital of Lithuania after fierce street fighting. The German Army Group North is in still greater danger of being cut off completely. Italian Front - The US 34th Division of the IV Corps pushes three miles towards Leghorn. The 4th Moutain Division of the French Expeditionary Corps captures San Gimignano. The 2nd Moroccan Division moves close to Poggibonsi. The New Zealand 2nd Division captures Monte Castiglione Maggiore. New Guinea - On Numfoor Island, the US parachutists make contact with the main Japanese force northeast of Namber airfield. In the Aitape sector on the mainland, the Americans counter-attack and succeed in reaching the Driniumor river at two points. Naval Dispatches ---------------- US submarine HERRING (SS-133) sunk, Pacific Ocean area. The Homefront ------------- Windsors In US - The Duke and Duchess of Windsor has arrived in Miami, Florida from the Bahamas. They subsequently fly to New York city. Band Leader Arrested As Draft Dodger - Band leader, Teddy Powell has been arrested in Detroit as a draft dodger. He is charged with sending a case of whiskey and a hat to a New York draft board official who later approved a deferment for him. [Editor's note - I wonder what they did with the official who took the "bribe"? Must have been a mighty nice hat.] ============================================================================= On 14-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US 30th Division captures Pont-Hebert after a bitter struggle. The 35th Division reaches the road between Pont-Hebert and St Lo. Eastern Front - The 1st Ukraine Front initiates an offensive in Poland, in the region of Lvov. Further north, units of the 1st Belorussian Front capture Pinsk, east of Brest-Litovsk. Italian Front - The US 34th Division continues advancing towards Leghorn, with the 442nd Regiment taking San Pieve di Luce and the 133rd approaching Usigliano. The 9th Division captures Chianni. Units of the French Expeditionary Corps capture Poggibonsi. New Guinea - The Japanese counter-attack on the river Driniumor but are driven back. India - The British XXXIII Corps completes the encirclement and elimination of the Japanese along the Uphrul-Imphal road. The IV Corps, who are advancing on Tiddim, manages to weaken the Japanese defences through a series of attacks by the 5th and 17th Indian Divisions. Naval Dispatches ---------------- Japanese submarine I-6 sunk by destroyer escort WILLIAM C. MILLER (DE-259), Marianas Islands area. The Homefront ------------- Pearl Harbor Boards Named - The Army and Navy have named "boards of investigation" to inquire into negligence during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. These boards are formed by order of Congress. 196,941 War Prisoners in US - The Army says that there are 196,941 Axis war prisoners in the United States. These include 146,101 Germans, 50,278 Italians and 562 Japanese. Hartford Releases Circus - A Hartford, Conn. Superior Court order gives Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus permission to leave Hartford after it deposits $1,005,000 in cash and insurance policies to cover $1,000,000 in damage claims filed by relatives of victims of the July 6 fire. Joan Blondell Divorced - Actress Joan Blondell has won a divorce in Los Angeles from actor Dick Powell on grounds of cruelty. ============================================================================= On 15-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The majority of the offensive in the American sector is halted at the outskirts of Lessay for regrouping. The US 35th and 29th Divisions (XIX Corps) continues to advance towards St Lo against heavy resistance. Units of the 29th Division reach the Bayeux-St Lo road nead La Madeleine, but are cut off by the Germans. In the British sector, the XII Corps is attacking along a line Bougy-Evrecy-Maizet, south west of Caen between the Orne and Odon rivers. Eastern Front - The 2nd Baltic Front captures Opochka, south of Ostrov and Lake Peipus. Other Russian units cross the Niemen west and south west of Vilna. Italian Front - The US 34th Division is moving rapidly on Leghorn. The 168th and 133rd Regiments press on towards Pisa. The 363rd Regiment of the 9th Division captures Bagni di Casciana. The 88th Divisions offensive on the right flank of the IV Corps continues. The 8th Moroccan Regiment captures Castellina in Chianti. The British XIII Corps attacks Arezzo. Naval Dispatches ---------------- US PT-133 sunk by coastal artillery, eastern New Guinea area. The Homefront ------------- Navy Reaches Personnel Goal - The Navy says that it has reached its manpower goal of 3,650,000 and is now accepting 10,000 men per month as replacements. The Army reached its goal of 7,700,000 men several months ago and has been calling up 70,000 replacements monthly. ============================================================================= On 16-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US VI Corps continues its offensive; the 9th Division is on the right flank and the 30th Division is on the left flank in the direction of the road linking Periers and St Lo. The 29th Division, in the vacinity of La Madeleine, attempts to reach the units cut off after yesterday's attack, but fail. The 59th Division (XXX Corps) is attacking towards Noyers, while the 50th Division is reinforcing its positions near Hottot-les-Bagues. The 15th Division (British XII Corps) captures Gavrus, Bougy and Esquay. In a report to Army Group West headquarters, Rommel reports that since June 6th his units have lost nearly 100,000 men killed, wounded or missing. His message ends with this pessimistic note: "The enemy is on the point of smashing our weak front line and penetrating deep into the interior of France." Eastern Front - Armoured units of the 3rd Belorussian Front and 1st Belorussian Front converge from the north and south and capture Grodno. In southern Poland, the 1st Ukraine Front are engaged with the German North Ukraine Army Group along a 300-mile front. Italian Front - The US 34th Division captures Monte Maggiore, south east of Leghorn. Units of the 133rd Regiment capture Usigliano. In the British sector, the 6th Armoured Division takes Arezzo. Some units of the British XIII Corps push on as far as the Arno, seize a bridge and establish a bridgehead on the opposite bank. New Guinea - On Numfoor Island, the parachutists lose contact with the main body of the Japanese forces. Kamiri airfield is ready to go into action. The Homefront ------------- Fuel Shortage Warning - The Office of War Information warns that coal, fuel oil and wood for domestic use will be in short supply this winter. Congressional Medal Of Honor - The Congressional Medal has been awarded to Private William J. Crawford of Pueblo, Colorado who was captured by the Germans near Alta Villa, Italy on Sept. 13, 1943 after he wiped out three German machine gun positions that had held up his company. ============================================================================= On 17-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US 9th Division (VII Corps) advances rapidly along the Periers-St Lo road. The XIX Corps penetrates the German lines along the Vire river, near Rampan. The XXX Corps is advancing slowly towards Noyers; while the XII Corps units fail to reach Evrecy. Field-Marshal Rommel is severely wounded in the head during an air attack near Vimontiers. Rommel is temporarily replaced by Field-Marshal von Kluge, who also continues as Commander in Chief. Italian Front - The US 34th Division makes little progress towards Leghorn. The 91st Division takes Prusacco and head on for Pontedera. In the British sector, the XIII Corps pursue the Germans as they withdraw towards Florence. The Polish II Corps attack Ancona. Arctic - The British carriers Furious, Indefatigable and Formidable escorted by the battleship Duke of York attack the Tirpitz at anchorage at Kaafiord. The attacks are detected by the Germans who successfully conceal the Tirpitz with smoke. New Guinea - In the Aitape beachhead area, the Americans succeed in making a continuous line along the Driniumor river; but the line is again broken by the Japanese during an attack at night. Naval Dispatches ---------------- Japanese minesweeper sunk by submarine GABILAN (SS-252), off Honshu, Japan. Japanese Politics ----------------- Tokyo - Admiral Nomura replaces Shimada as Navy minister. Tojo resigns as Prime Minister and as Chief of Staff. General Kuniaki Koiso and Admiral Yonai are picked to form the new Cabinet. General Umezu becomes Chief of Staff. These changes are part of a growing desire by the Japanese to end the war. The Homefront ------------- Roosevelt Leaves Choice Of VP To Delegates - President Roosevelt has declined to dictate the renomination of Vice President Henry A. Wallace. Instead he chooses to leave the nomination of a Vice President up to the delegates themselves. ============================================================================= On 18-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The XIX Corps enters St Lo. The Canadian II Corps crosses the Orne river southwest of Caen and captures Colombelles and Giberville. The British VII Corps attacks in force from the west and reach the line Hubert-Folie-La Hogne-Cagny, south of Caen. Eastern Front - The 1st Ukraine Front captures Bordy, east of Lvov, in Poland. Armoured columns of the 1st Belorussian Front advance from Kovel towards Lublin. The 3rd Baltic Front threaten Ostrov and Pskov, advanced German strongpoints which until now the German have maintained at a high cost. West of Grodno the Russian nearly reach the East Prussian border, but are halted by a violent counter-attack by the Germans near Augustow. Italian Front - The US 34th Division opens its final attack on Leghorn. The 9th Division reaches the Arno at Pontedera. In the British sector, the South African 6th Armoured Division reaches and passes Radda in Chianti. The 4th Division and British 6th Armoured Division are almost brought to a halt in the Arno valley. The 4th Division reaches Montevarchi. The Germans are defending Citta di Castello strongly against attacks by the X Corps. The Polish II Corps takes Ancona. New Guinea - The Americans capture the west bank of the Driniumor from the mouth to the village of Afua. Naval Dispatches ---------------- Japanese submarine chaser sunk by submarine PLAICE (SS-390), south of Honshu, Japan. The Homefront ------------- New Books - "Little Coquette" by Renee McCormick, "Onwards To Victory" by Winston Churchill, "Artist At War" by George Biddle. Huge Death Toll In Munitions Blast - At least 319 people, most of them Navy, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine personnel are reported killed or missing following the explosion last night of two munitions ships at a Navy loading pier at Port Chicago, California, 40 miles northeast of San Franciso. Property damage is estimated at $7,000,000. ============================================================================= On 19-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US XIX Corps continues pushing southward after capturing St Lo. In the British sector, the Canadian 2nd Division captures Louvigny and Fleury. East of Caen the British I Corps and German LXXXVI Corps are engaged in heavy combat. Large numbers of tanks are engaged from both sides. The Germans have the advantage of better position as well as better armament. Eastern Front - The 1st Ukraine Front surrounds five German divisions west of Brody. Further north, just east of Dvinsk, Russian units enter Latvia. Italian Front - The US 34th Division takes Leghorn. The 4th Moutain Division of the French Expeditionary Corps reaches Certaldo. The South African 6th Armoured Division is advancing between the Chianti hills. Units of the British 6th Armoured Division secure a new crossing over the Arno river near Laterina. New Guinea - In the Aitape area, fighting continues near Afua. Naval Dispatches ---------------- Japanese light cruiser OI sunk by submarine FLASHER (SS-249), South China Sea. Japanese submarine RO-48 sunk by destroyer escort WYMAN (DE-38), central Pacific area. The Homefront ------------- Democratic Convention Opens - The Democratic National Convention has opened in Chicago with a keynote speech given by Governor Robert S. Kerr of Oklahoma. Governor Kerr asks for "continued support of the Commander in Chief" and ridicules hints by Gov. Thomas E. Dewey that President Roosevelt and his aides are "tired old men". He points out that President Roosevelt at 62 is younger than Stalin, Churchill, Gens. Marshall and MacArthur and Adms. Nimitz and Halsey. Congressional Medal Of Honor Awarded - Marine Pvt. Richard Keith Sorenson has received the Medal of Honor for saving five companions by throwing himself on a Japanese grenade during the Marshall Islands invasion. Sorenson received the medal in Seattle where he is convalescing from serious injuries. Most Popular Songs - Variety reports that the most popular songs based on sales and broadcasts are: "I'll Be Seeing You", "Long Ago and Far Away", "Amor", "I'll Get By" and "Swingin' On A Star". ============================================================================= On 20-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - In the Caen sector, the Canadian 2nd Division captures St Andres-sur-Orne after some very hard fighting. Eastern Front - The 1st Belorussian Front reaches the river Bug on a 40 mile wide front. Italian Front - The 34th Division succeeds in establishing an advance post along Highway 67 southeast of Pisa. The French 4th Mountain Division reaches the line Santo Stefano-Castelfiorentino-Certaldo. The South African 6th Armoured Division captures Monte San Michele and Monte Querciabella. Marianas - As the American fleet approaches Guam, the air and naval bombardment which has been almost ceaseless since July 7 is stepped up to an unprecedented pitch. The bombing of Tinian is only slightly less intensive. German Resistance ----------------- East Prussia - Shortly after midday a bomb explodes in Hitler's headquarters at Rastenburg. Hitler is badly shaken but only slightly hurt. The bomb was planted by Colonel Count von Stauffenberg who is acting as part of a wide-ranging conspiracy of senior officers. After the bomb denotes, the conpirators act on the assumption that Hitler is dead. Not all of the plan is carried out and once it is clear that Hitler is alive the plot falls apart. Several of the leading participants, including Stauffenberg, are shot in Berlin. Eventually the Nazi vengeance will encompass several thousand executions. The effect of the incident on Hitler is to increase his pathological distrust of the generals. The Homefront ------------- Roosevelt Renominated - President Roosevelt is renominated by the Democratic National Convention by a vote of 1,086 to 90. ============================================================================= On 21-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Eastern Front - The 3rd Baltic Front takes Ostrov. After crossing the river Bug, the 1st Belorussian Front splits into two columns. One column advances towards Brest-Litovsk; while the other advances towards Lublin. Italian Front - In the British sector, the New Zealand 2nd Division and the South African 6th Armoured Division replaces units of the French Expeditionary Corps, which is being withdrawn from the line. New Guinea - The Americans reinforce their positions on the river Driniumor. In a violent attack, the Japanese succeed in surrounding units of the US 112th Cavalry near Afua. Marianas - The 3rd Marine Division and parts of the 77th Infantry Division land on the west coast of Guam. The Marines go ashore near Asan and Agat and after overcoming moderate Japanese resistance establish a beachhead more than two miles wide and one mile deep. The infantry land near Agat to reinforce the southern beachhead. The Japanese garrison on Guam is some 12,000 strong. The Homefront ------------- Truman Nominated - Senator Harry S. Truman from Missouri gets the Vice Presidential nomination at the Democratic National Convention. Truman is nominated on the second ballot by a vote of 1,031 to 105 over Vice President Henry A. Wallace who led on the first ballot. Truman is serving his tenth year in the Senate. ============================================================================= On 22-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US 90th Division, which is advancing towards St-Germain-sur-Seves, is halted by strong German resistance. Eastern Front - The Leningrad Front and the Karelia Front reach the 1940 Russo-Finnish frontier. The 1st Belorussian Front takes Chelm in Poland. Italian Front - The 10th Indian Division enters Citta di Castello. The New Zealand 2nd Division takes Tavernelle. The South African 6th Armoured Division captures the summits of Monte Domini and Monte Fili. Marianas - On Guam, the Marines repulse several Japanese counter-attacks against the beachhead and advance inland for about three-quarters of a mile towards Mount Chachao. In the southern sector, the Marines and infantry reach Mount Alifan. New Guinea - In the Aitape area, minor skirmishes take place. The American units near Afua, which are surrounded by the Japanese, can not free themselves. The Homefront ------------- Navy Needs More Men - Sec. of the Navy, James V. Forrestal, says 194,000 more enlisted men will be needed before Dec. 31 and possibly another 184,000 by June 30, 1945 to meet the accelerated pace of the war against Japan. ============================================================================= On 23-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - General Crerar's 1st Canadian Army becomes operational. Eastern Front - The 3rd Baltic Front captures Pskov, which is a vital German strongpoint south of Lake Peipus. This was the first town within the Soviet borders that was captured by the Germans in 1939. Troops from the 1st Ukraine Front enter Lublin. Field-Marshal Schorner replaces General Hans Friessner as overall commander of the German Army Group North. General Friessner made the mistake of insisting to Hitler that he be given authority to withdraw the German forces in the face of possible encirclement in the Baltic states. Italian Front - Units of the US IV Corps enter the outskirts of Pisa. They are only able to occupy the areas south of the Arno. Marianas - On Guam, the 3rd Marine Division extends its southern beachhead towards the direction of Point Adelup. New Guinea - On Biak, the final mopping up of the remaining Japanese begins in the Ibdi area. On Numfoor, the Americans re-establish contact with the main body of the Japanese defenders near Inasi, on the east coast. Fighting continues in the Aitape beachhead area. Burma/China - The 8th Chinese army makes good progress towards Sung Shan in the Salween river area. China - Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek sends President Roosevelt a message confirming that he is prepared to give General Stilwell overall command of the Chinese forces. His condition is that the Chinese Communist army, before coming under command of General Stilwell, recognize the authority of the Nationalist government. In addition, he demands that the Chinese be given complete right to aid received under the Lend-Lease Act. Naval Dispatches ---------------- US destroyer NORMAN SCOTT (DD-690) damaged by coastal defense gun, Marianas Islands area. Minesweeper CHANDLER (DMS-9) damaged by fire, Marianas Islands area. The Homefront ------------- Nisei Called Draft-Exempt - Indictments against 26 Japanese-American internees in California on charges of draft evasion are dismissed in Federal Court in Eureka, California under a ruling that they "are in custody and are not free agents." ============================================================================= On 24-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US 28th Division lands at Normandy. Allied air bombings begin in preparation for Operation Cobra, west of St Lo. Very bad weather postpones the operation however. Eastern Front - The 1st Belorussian Front captures Lublin, in Poland. The right flank of the 1st Ukraine Front crosses the river San northwest of Lvov. Marianas - On Guam, the 3rd Marine Division are meeting strong Japanese resistance as they attempt to capture the heights overlooking the northern beachhead. The 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions lands on the northwest coast of Tinian Island. The invasion force is composed of about 15,600 men. The Japanese garrison of about 6,200 men, is drawn off to the the southwest corner of the island by a dummy landing opposite the town of Tinian by the 2nd Marine Division. During the afternoon, the Japanese troops try to reach the north of the island, where the landings have been successfully carried out, but suffer severe losses from a hail of napalm bombs dropped by US aircraft. This is the first time that napalm is used in the Pacific. During the night, 600 Japanese attack the beachhead but are wiped out. Additional counter-attacks occur later on during the night. At dawn, the Marines advance and count 1,241 Japanese dead. New Guinea - The Americans repulse yet another attempt by the Japanese to cross the river Driniumor in the Aitape area. Near Afua, about 2,000 Japanese are still surrounding units of the US 112th Cavalry. China - The garrison at the town of Hengyang continue to hold out bravely against the Japanese attacks. The town is cut off and unable to receive any supplies for a week owing to the bad weather conditions. Naval Dispatches ---------------- US battleship COLORADO (BB-45) damaged by coastal defense gun, Marianas Islands area. LST 481 damaged by coastal defense gun, Marianas Islands area. The Homefront ------------- Unions To Favor Vets - Carl J. Schoeninger, commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, says that he has reached an agreement with the AFL and CIO officials pledging preferential treatment be given to war veterans. Seniority credits will be given for the military service period and union dues and membership fees will be set at the Jan. 1, 1940 level. Radios In Need Of Repair - The WPB reports that 15% of the 46,000,000 American radios have been forced out of operation since the beginning of the war and that an additional 28% need repair. ============================================================================= On 25-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US 1st Army launches Operation Cobra, with the goal of advancing towards Coutances, southwest of St Lo. The attack is made up of the VII Corps in the center, the VIII Corps on their right and the XIII Corps on the left. The attack is preceeded by bombing attacks by 1,500 heavy bombers from the 8th Air Force. Some of the bombers drop their bombs short and kill some American troops. Despite this the VII and VIII Corps make good progress. The British attacks around Caen have drawn away a number of troops and tanks from the area. South of Caen, the Canadian troops are attacking towards Falaise against heavy resistance. Eastern Front - The 2nd Baltic Front cuts the road between Dvinsk and Riga, in Latvia. Lvov is surrounded by the 1st Ukraine Front. Four Russian armoured columns converge on Brest-Litovsk. Italian Front - The British XIII Corps continues to advance towards Florence. Marianas - On Guam, strong Japanese counter-attacks prevent the Marines from joining up their two beachheads. The fighting is fiercest around the northern beachhead where some 3,500 Japanes troops are killed. On Tinian, the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions follow closely after the Japanese who are retiring towards the center part of the island. The Marines occupy two of Tinian's four airfields. Caroline Islands - Two carrier groups from TF 58 attack Palau, while a third sends its planes against Yap, Ulithi, Ngulu, Tais and Sorol. Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher is in command of TF 58. New Guinea - The 112th Cavalary are able to break out of the Japanese encirclement after a vigourous counter-attack by troops of the 127th Infantry. Dutch East Indies - The Japanese naval base at Sabang, an island off the north coast of Sumatra, is bombarded by the ships from the British Far Eastern Fleet. Carrier based aircraft from the fleet bomb airfields in the area. The fleet is commanded by Admiral Somerville and includes the carriers Victorious and Illustrious as well as four battleships. German Homefront ---------------- Berlin - Goebbels is appointed Reich Plenipotentiary for Total War and new decrees are issued cancelling vacations for women involved in war work. The Homefront ------------- End Of War Not Apparent - Sec. of War Henry L. Stimson, who has just returned from inspecting French and Italian battlefields, tells a press conference that the end of the was is not apparent. He disagrees with Churchill who has said that "the war may end earlier than we have a right to say." Stimson says that the Axis armies are shaken but are by no means beaten yet. ============================================================================= On 26-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US 8th Division (VIII Corps) cuts the road linking Lessay with Periers. The 90th Division establishes a bridgehead across the river Seves. The 1st Division (VII Corps) captures Marigny; while the 2nd Armoured Division takes Canisy and St Gilles. The V Corps goes on the offensive east of St Lo. Eastern Front - Some units of the Leningrad Front are detached from the relatively quite Finnish front and are concentrated against the German Army Group North and subsequently take Narva, in Estonia. Troops of the 1st Belorussian Front reach the Vistula. Rumania - Bombers from the US 15th Air Force, on the shuttle run between USSR and Italy, make a successful attack on German installations between Ploesti and Bucharest, in Rumania. Marianas - On Guam, the Marines and Infantry begin mopping up on the Orote Peninsula and advance a mile through very difficult marshy jungle. The 3rd Marine Division repels strong Japanese attack on the northern beachhead. On Tinian, the 2nd and 4th Marine Division advance towards the south of the island against slight resistance. New Guinea - The US troops in the Aitape sector re-group in preparation for future Japanese attacks expected in the Afua area. The Japanese resistance continues on Biak and Numfoor islands. Burma/China - The Chinese forces attack Teng-chung east of the river Salween. They take the Lai-feng, a rocky peak that overlooks the roads leading into the town. Hawaii - President Roosevelt has had a conference with Admiral Halsey and General MacArthur about the strategy of the Pacific War. Halsey maintains that it will be possible to skip the Philippines for a direct attack on Formosa. MacArthur disagrees. The debate is very heated and controversial and this difference of opinion is to last a long time. Naval Dispatches ---------------- US submarine GOLET (SS-361) reported as presumed lost, Pacific Ocean area. Submarine ROBALO (SS-273) sunk due to unknown cause, off western Palawan, P.I. Japanese submarine I-29 sunk by submarine SAWFISH (SS-276), Luzon Strait, P.I. The Homefront ------------- Army Cancel Civilian Leaves - The Army has canceled leaves of Army civilian workers in arsenals and depots and orders 54 hour work weeks to speed up production and transport of munitions. Overtime will be paid for time worked over 40 hours a week. US Debt Tops $209 Billion - The US public debt had reached $209,002,582,064. ============================================================================= On 27-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - American forces break through west of St Lo. The 79th Division (VIII Corps) overruns Lessay. The 80th Division is pushing southward between Lessay and Periers; while the 90th Division occupies Periers and crosses the river Taute. The VII Corps continues to advance south also. Eastern Front - The 1st Baltic Front takes Siauliai. The 2nd Baltic Front captures Daugavpils on the river Daugava, in southern Latvia. The 2nd Belorussian Front captures Bialystock. Armoured units of the 1st Ukraine Front take Lvov and Stanislav. The German North Ukraine Army Group falls back after sustaining severe losses. Italian Front - The New Zealand 2nd Division captures San Casciano. Marianas - On Guam, the Marines are slowly proceeding with the mopping up of the Orote peninsula. The northern beachhead is extended in some directions, but is held up just past the edge of the plateau that spreads inland from the Chonito bluffs. The 77th Division is ordered to take Mount Tenjo by assault, with the goal of speeding up the linking of the two beachheads. On Tinian, the northern third of Tinian is now in the hands of the Marines. The airfield at Point Ushi is being repaired and reactivated. Burma/China - The airfield north of Myitkyina is captured by the Chinese and Americans. The Japanese garrison at Myitkyina is beginning to show signs of weakening. On the Salween front, the Chinese mop up the area of Lai-feng Peak, counting 400 Japanese dead. The Chinese have lost 1,200 dead. The Homefront ------------- Rudy Vallee Divorced - Betty Jane Greer Valle, 22, third wife of Rudy Vallee has been granted a divorce in Los Angeles. ============================================================================= On 28-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US 4th Armoured Division enters Coutances. East of St Lo, the 39th Division continues advancing south along the west bank of the river Vire. Eastern Front - Brest-Litovsk and Przemysl are captured by the Russians. The 1st Ukraine Front is on the river San. Marianas - On Guam, mopping up continues in the Orote peninsula. The Marines reach the edge of the airfield. The 77th Infantry succeeds in joining up the two beachheads. The Infantry and Marines take Mount Chachao and Mount Aluton. General Takashima, the Japanese garrison commander, is killed during the day. General Obata takes his place. On Tinian, the Marines continue their rapid advance soutwards across the island. New Guinea - All organized resistance on Biak ceases with the liquidation of the Ibdi pocket. In the Aitape sector on the mainland, the Americans withdraw in the Afua area in an attempt to strengthen their line. Naval Dispatches ---------------- Japanese submarine I-55 sunk by destroyer escorts WYMAN (DE-38) and REYNOLDS (DE-42), central Pacific. The Homefront ------------- Alleged Spy's Plea Reduced - Mrs. Velvalee Dickinson, owner of a New York doll shop, who allegedly sent coded letters to Japanese agents in Argentina giving military information, has been permitted to plead quitly to a lessor charge of violating censorship regulations. The original charge of espionage carried a death penalty but the censorship violation carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. Heavy Tire Shortage - The OPA has cancelled ration certificates for heavy duty tires because of shortages. ============================================================================= On 29-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US 4th and 6th Armoured Divisions (VIII Corps) continues advancing south towards Avrances. The VII Corps reaches Percy. The 29th Division (XIX Corps) reaches an area east of Percy. The 30th Division continues to push south along the west bank of the Vire towards Tessy-sur-Vire. The V Corps is approaching Torigny-sur-Vire, southeast of St Lo. Eastern Front - The 3rd Belorussian Front crossed the river Niemen. Italian Front - The British 8th Division (XIII Corps) reachs the Arno, near Empoli. Marianas - On Guam, the Marines take the airfield on the Orote peninsula. The entire peninsula is occupied by the end of the day. On Tinian, the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions are halted by strong Japanese resistance. New Guinea - In the Aitape sector, the Americans are forced back in the Afua area. Naval Dispatches ---------------- US LST 340 damaged by grounding, Marianas Islands area. German submarines U-872 and U-2323 sunk by Army aircraft, Bremen, Germany. The Homefront ------------- Two Hospital Planes Lost - The Army has announced that an Army transport plane carrying 26 persons, including 18 patients, was lost at sea between Iceland and Newfoundland on July 26th. It was also reported that another hospital plan crashed at the Mull of Galloway, Scotland, killing its 22 occupants, including 16 Americans wounded in France. ============================================================================= On 30-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US 4th and 6th Armoured Divisions (VIII Corps) advance towards Avranches and Granville. Units of the 4th reach the outskirts of Avranches and capture the bridges over the river See. The VII Corps is approaching Villedieu-les-Poetes. The XIX Corps is facing violent German counter-attacks near Percy. Further east there are successful British attacks near Caument. Marianas - On Tinian, the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions push southwards against stiff Japanese resistance. The town of Tinian is taken and the Japanese are squeezed into a little strip of land at the extreme south end of the island. On Guam, the Marines and Infantry have largely cleared the southern half of the island. New Guinea - The Americans land an amphibious Army force on the Vogelkop peninsula, near Sansapor on the northwest point of New Guinea. Troops are also landed on the off-shore islands of Amsterdam and Middleburg. The amphibious force is commanded by RADM W.M. Fechteler. A beachhead about a mile and a half wide and half a mile deep is established. In the Aitape sector, the Americans regroup in preparation for a counter-attack. Burma - The Japanese commander in the Myitkyina area orders his troops to withdraw and then commits suicide. Naval Dispatches ---------------- US Minesweepers YMS-304 and YMS-378 sunk by mine, Normandy area. Foreign Affairs --------------- Turkish Break With Reich Forseen - Istanbul reports that the Turkish government has ordered all Turkish ships in Rumanian and Bulgarian ports to return home at once "with or without cargo". This move is being viewed as a preparatory move for a break in relations with Germany. Atocities By Goring Division - Officials in Rome say captured police records show toops of the Hermann Goring Division massacred more than 100 civilians in Stia, Italy on April 11 in reprisal for the shooting of two German civilians. The Homefront ------------- Swim Record Set - Ann Curtis of San Franciso has set a world record for the 880-yard free-style swim with a mark of 11:08.6. Circus Resumes Tour - The Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus, whose main tent was destroyed by fire in Hartford, Connecticut on July 6th has left Sarasoto, Florida to resume its tour in indoor arenas only. ============================================================================= On 31-JUL-1944, the following occurred - World War II - The Battlefronts ------------------------------- Western Front - The US 6th Armoured Division takes Granville and continues to advance southeast towards Avranches. Reaching Avranches the 6th takes over for the 4th Armoured Division which moves on south of the city crossing the Selune near Pontaubault. The VII Corps advance towards Brecey. The XIX Corps is still being held up in the area of Tessy by strong German resistance. Since June 6th, the Allies have lost 122,000 men killed, wounded or missing. The Germans have lost 114,000 killed and wounded plus 40,000 taken prisoner. Eastern Front - The 1st Baltic Front takes Jelgave in Latvia. If they can reach the gulf, they will cut off the German Army Group North. The 3rd Belorussian Front enter Kaunas. The 2nd Belorussian Front is also approaching East Prussia. The 1st Belorussian Front, which is making for Warsaw, captures Siedlce and Otwock which are only 12 miles southeast of the city. Marianas - On Guam, the 3rd Marine Division and the 77th Infantry Division are in pursuit of the Japanese towards the north of the island. The big airport previously built by the Americans is recaptured. On Tinian, the Marines continue their drive in the extreme south of the island. The campaign on Tinian is very close to being over. New Guinea - The Americans extend their beachhead on Cape Sansapor, in the Vogelkop peninsula. In the Aitape sector, four American battalions cross the river Driniumor and reach the Niumen stream. Fighting is also occuring near Afua, where it is beleived that at least 500 Japanese have been killed in the past two weeks. Burma/India - The Japanese are in a retreat along the Tiddim road and are being closely pursued by the British IV Corps. Foreign Affairs --------------- Reich Warns Turkey - Berlin has warned Turkish Premier Sukru Saracoglu that a break with the Axis would have "grave consequences" for Turkey. Anti-Fascist Law Adopted - The Italian cabinet has issued a law governing the trials of prominent Fascists, eliminating all Fascists from public posts and confiscating Fascist property. The Homefront ------------- Outstanding July Films - "Since You Went Away" is a David O. Selznick production featuring Claudette Colbert, Shirley Temple and Lionel Barrymore; how the home folks carry on while the men are away at war. "Dragon Seed" is based on the novel of the same name by Pearl S. Buck and features Katherine Hepburn and Walter Huston. This is the story of the impact of the Japanes invasion on a Chinese family. "And The Angels Sing" is based on a story by Claude Binyon and features Dorothy Lamour, Butty Hutton and Fred MacMurray; four sisters and a band leader. =============================================================================