Air Operations, Bismarcks
Air Operations, CBIBURMA
Air Operations, EuropeBOMBER COMMANDDaylight Ops:
Air Operations, New Guinea
[ | ] Air Operations, Tunisia
Eastern FrontCENTRAL USSRThe Soviet Rzhev-Vyazma Operation, conducted by the Kalinin and Western Fronts, comes to an end. Red Army losses are 38,862 killed or missing and 99,715 wounded. Total Red Army losses this year on the Eastern Front amount to 726,714 killed and missing and 1,425,692 wounded. Rokossovsky's Central Front abandons Sevsk and takes up defensive positions east of town. [ | ]Japan, PlanningIn response to the disaster in the Bismarck Sea, the Japanese plan to regain air superiority over Guadalcanal and Tulagi and over Papua. A total of 300 aircraft are to be employed in this effort. The Solomons are the target for the first half of April, to be followed by Papua in the second half of April. The Japanese stake inexperienced pilots against an increasingly confident and powerful US air fleet. [ | ]Mediterranean
North AfricaIn the US II Corps area, the 1st Armored Div continues its futile efforts to take Djebel Naemia, where the Germans are build up strength. The 1st Div contains 2 strong enemy thrusts toward El Guettar. There are heavy losses on both sides. The Southeast Algerian Command is meeting strong opposition as it continues to move forward south of the US II Corps.
In the British 8th Army area, the XXX Corps withdraws the Wadi Zigzaou bridgehead during the night under cover of artillery fire. The Indian 4th Div begins operations to clear the Médenine-Hallouf-Bir Soltane road during the night. The X Corps headquarters and the 1st Armored Div move out after dark to join up with the New Zealand Corps in preparation for an assault against the enemy's western flank. The New Zealand Corp is still being held up in a bottleneck between Djebel Tebaga and Djebel Melab. TUNISIAFor the moment the Germans halt the American advance near El Guettar and Djebel Naemia, but 10th Pzr Div loses heavily in trying to exploit early successes. Already the American tactical performance is much improved. Montgomery decides to transfer his main attack to the Tebaga Gap and therefore sends 1st Arm Div and Gen Horrocks over the Matmata Hills to join the New Zealanders. This move is slowed by traffic problems. [ | ]Occupied DenmarkGeneral Election results: National Coalition (anti-Nazi), 143 seats; Danish Nazi Party, 3 seats; Peasant Party (pro-Nazi), 2 seats. [ | ]PacificThe US submarine Whale (SS-239) sinks the Japanese transport Kenyo Maru (6486t) about 130 miles northwest of Saipan. [ | ] |
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[March 22nd - March 24th] |