Air Operations, BismarcksV Bomber Command B-17s and B-25s attack shipping from Arawe to the northern Solomon Islands. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, CBIIn their unit's first combat mission since switching from B-17s, 6 B-24s of the 7th Heavy Bomb Group's 9th Heavy Bomb Squadron attack the marshaling yards at Mandalay, Burma. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, EuropeBOMBER COMMANDEvening Ops:
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, New Guinea
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Britain, Home FrontSir Stafford Cripps becomes Minister of Aircraft Production. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Eastern FrontThe two branches of the Soviet pincer close at Kalach, trapping the German 6th Army and part of the 4th Panzer Army along with some smaller formations. Included in the encirclement are 250,000 men, 100 tanks, 1,800 guns and over 10,000 vehicles.
Advancing rapidly, Rodin's XXVI Tank Corps closes upon Kalach. The lead tanks audaciously gain control of the bridge over the Don, but an attack upon the town is repulsed by elements of the 71th Infantry Division. Later in the day the main body of the XXVI Tank Corps captures Kalach after the IV Tank Corps has moved up to provide support. The 24th Army launches new attacks against the XI Corps, aiming to isolate the Germans between itself and the 65th Army. Volskii's IV Mechanized Corps takes Sovetski as it pushes up from the southeast. The 6th Army is in imminent danger of isolation in Stalingrad. Paulus, having only just moved his headquarters to Nizhne Chirskaya, is ordered back to Gumrak. Hitler is suspicous that Paulus will order a retreat from the Volga on his own initiative. Paulus believes that the only viable course of action is the abandonment of Stalingrad and, informing Army Group B, stresses the urgent need for supplies. Weichs forwards the request, and an assessment of the situation, to Hitler, who does not respond until after hsi journey from Berchtesgaden to Rastenburg. Hoth's 4th Panzer Army is under heavy attack following the collapse of the 4th Rumanian Army. Left with the few Rumanian soldiers fleeing before the 57th and 51st Armies and the IV Corps, Hoth's army rapidly breaks apart. The IV Corps has become separated, being forced away from the retreating Rumanians. As the pocket is slammed shut on the 6th Army the IV Corps is handed over to Paulus. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() GuadalcanalThe 182nd and 164th Regiments again meet strong resistance while attempting to push west and are unable to advance. The 8th Marines prepares to attack through the 164th Infantry. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() New GuineaWhile the Australian 25th Brigade pushes on in the direction of Gona, the US 126th Regiment attacks in the Sanananda sector. Maj Boerem's detachment (elements of the 1st Battalion) moves along the road as the 3rd Battalion. on its flanks, moves along secondary trails. After nightfall, fresh Japanese forces attack Company L, flanking on the right, to insure the safety of their food supply dump which is the line of advance, but are driven off. From Soputa, the 2nd Battalion of the 126th Infantry moves forward to assist the 2nd Battalion of the 128th, crossing to the east bank of Girua River on rafts during the evening. On the Warren Force front, the 3rd Battalion of the 128th Infantry secretly pulls back to positions just behind the 1st Battalion, though Company I holds the former position astride the trail just west of New Strip. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() North AfricaLIBYAThrusts by strong British columns in the Agedabia area, in Libya, are temporarily checked by the Germans.
The 36th Brigade, 78th Div, British 1st Army, repels an attack at Djebel Abiod. The 11th Brigade of the 78th Div completes its concentration at Bédja. French and US troops occupy Gafsa. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
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[November 21st - November 23rd] |