Air Operations, Aleutians7 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s, 11 B-25s, 20 343rd Fighter Group P-38s, 27 P-40s, and 2 F-5s mount 9 separate attacks against Kiska and one reconnaissance mission to Attu. | ]Air Operations, Bismarcks
Air Operations, EuropeBOMBER COMMANDDaylight Ops:
Air Operations, Solomons
Eastern FrontRed Army troops halt a German counteroffensive in the Kuban area. [ | ]IcelandLt-Gen Frank M. Andrews, Commanding General of US forces in the ETO, is killed in an air crash over Iceland. He was 59.
North AfricaTUNISIAThe American 1st Div finally fights its way out of 'Mousetrap' Valley and captures Mateur, but the Germans manage to improvise a new defense line and the advance is halted. Meanwhile, there is also activity on the central and southern sectors of the front, scene of what may the final attacked. Gen Alexander outlines his plan for the final attack to Gen Anderson. The IX Corps, with 2 infantry and 2 armored divisions, is to make the main effort, thrusting directly toward Tunis along the road from Medjez el Bab. A lightning attack is planned in order to split and destroy the enemy rather than compress his bridgehead, since the schedule for the invasion of Sicily requires a quick conclusion to North African operations. In the US II Corps area, the 81st Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, followed by other elements of the 1st Armored Div, advances to Mateur as the enemy is withdrawing from it and quickly secures the town. The 34th Div moves eastward toward Chouïgui, making no contact with the enemy. [ | ]United States, CommandGen Frank Andrews, US Gen commanding the European Theater, is killed in an air accident. Gen Jacob L. Devers is selected to replace him. [ | ]United States, PolicyGen George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff of the US Army, sends a message to Gen Joseph Stilwell, Chiang Kai-shek's Chief of Staff, that the President had decided to provide substantial air forces to take part in the Chinese war effort. The President also asks for a revision of the plan code-name ANAKIM, the recapture of Burma. [ | ] |
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[May 2nd - May 4th] |