Air Operations, Bismarcks43rd Heavy Bomb Group B-17s attack airfields and shipping at Rabaul. [ | ]Air Operations, East Indies1 90th Heavy Bomb Group B-24 attacks a Japanese cruiser in the harbor at Amboina Island in the Molucca Islands. []Air Operations, EuropeBOMBER COMMANDDaylight Ops:
Air Operations, Libya
Air Operations, Mediterranean
Air Operations, New GuineaV Bomber Command B-25s attack supply and ammo dumps. [ | ]Air Operations, SolomonsXIII Bomber Command B-17s and B-26s and 347th Fighter Group P-39s attack the Munda Point airfield on New Georgia and B-17s attack shipping near Kieta. [ | ]
Allied Strategic BombingThe Casablanca Directive is issued to the British and American strategic bombing forces in Europe by the Combined Chiefs of Staff. It sets out the priorities for the continuing Allied attacks. Most of the reasoning is in line with the precision bombing ideas of the American leaders. As yet the US Air Forces have too few resources to carry out the full scheme and RAF Bomber Command is probably not yet able to attack with enough accuracy. The RAF Command will continue its area bombing policy. Air Operations, Tunisia
Eastern FrontThe Soviets recapture Voroshilovsk between Stavropol and Armavir. In Stalingrad the Germans lose Gumrak Airport and are now completely cut off. From now on all supplies must be dropped by parachute. SOUTHERN SECTORThe 28th Army recaptures Salsk, a major supply base for the airlift into Stalingrad.
GuadalcanalThe XIV Corps completes its preparations for the offensive on the 22nd. The 2nd Battalion receives armor support when a tank manned by soldiers from the 25th Division's Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop makes it to the top of Mount Austen. Supported by 16 infantrymen, the tank drives into the northeast part of the Gifu line, on G Company's left flank at 1040. It pulls close to 3 pillboxes destroying them with 37-mm high explosive shells and shoots the Japanese soldiers with canister and machine guns. Turning left (south), the tank breaks through the east end of the Gifu. At 1500 it makes one more attack against the north side of the Gifu and destroys 5 more pillboxes. The infantry then move forward before dark to occupy the gap. E Company, on the west, is again held in place by pillboxes on its front. One platoon attempts to outflank them in the afternoon, but darkness falls before it can complete its move. But the tank, in a few hours, has torn a 200-yard hole in the line which had withstood infantry assaults for a month. The 3rd Battalion, 27th Infantry, moves forward to Snake to follow the 1st Battalion, the main assault force, turning over positions on Hill 57 to the 2nd Battalion. Action against the Gifu is continued by the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry. [ | ]MediterraneanHM Submarine Sahib is returning to Algiers after a successful patrol in the Gulf of Genoa when she surprises U-301 on the surface and sinks her.
New GuineaThe Japanese resistance at Sanananda and Giruwa is now almost completely overcome as the Australians and Americans join up east of Sanananda. Mopping up operations leave 500 Japanese dead. An American column coming from the east penetrates into the village of Giruwa, meeting little Japanese resistance, and joins up with the Australian units west of the village. [ | ]North AfricaLIBYAThe British 8th Army continues to press toward Tripoli. The 51st Div overcomes resistance in the Corradini area. Learning through an Ultra intercept that the enemy has strengthened Tarhuna at the expense of the Homs front, Gen Montgomery changes his plans and orders the drive for Tripoli be directed along the coastal road rather than to the south. TUNISIAGen Eisenhower gives Gen K. A. N. Anderson, commander of the British 1st Army, responsibility for co-ordinating operations of the British, French and US forces. Maj-Gen Laurence S. Kuter, USAAF, is assigned to Gen Anderson's headquarters as executive air commander with the mission of co-ordinating air action. Combat Command B, 1st Armored Div, with strong artillery and air support, begins an attack late in the afternoon to drive the enemy back in the Ousseltia Valley and makes considerable progress until halted by darkness. [ | ]Pacific
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[January 20th - January 22nd] |