Air Operations, Bismarcks
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, CBICHINA
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, East IndiesV Bomber Command B-25s attack 2 freighters near Timor. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, EuropeUS 12th AIR FORCEITALY:
AUSTRIA:
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, Marshalls20 VII Bomber Command B-24s based at Nanomea attack the Maloelap Atoll. 10 B-24s based at Canton Island pass through the Baker Island airfield to attack the Wotje Atoll. 1 B-24 is downed by a Japanese Navy over Maloelap. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, Solomons
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Allied PlanningThe Combined Chiefs of Staff estimates availability of forces in ETO by May 1, 1944, the date planned for the cross-Channel invasion (Operation OVERLORD). The Allies would have 31-2/3 divisions in Britain., 3,783 heavy bombers, 1,000 medium bombers, and 4,200 fighter aircraft. Four divisions per month would enter France. In the Mediterranean, the Allies had 31 division and would allocate 10 divisions to participate in ANVIL, the landing in southern France supporting OVERLORD. The US troop strength in the ETO by May 31, 1944, is estimated to be 1.4 million. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Eastern FrontOver the next 4 days Bagramyan's 1st Baltic Front attacks south of Nevel and quickly punches a hole 80 km wide and 30 deep through strong defenses. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ItalyA new phase of 5th Army attacks begins as all units hit the 'Bernhard' line. There is a particularly fierce battle for San Pietro, where the II Corps is engaged. In the US 45th Div sector, the attack begins on the left against the hills overlooking the stream called La Rava and on the right against Lagone. On the north sie of the VI Corps, units of the Moroccan 2nd Div take Monte Castelnuovo and the San Michele Pass. The Germans resist forcefully. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() New BritainGen Cunningham's 112th Cav Regt lands at Arawe off New Britain. This is a diversionary operation for the main landings on the island (see December 26). The naval units in support are from Rear-Adm Daniel E. Barbey's Task Force 76. An air attack on the Japanese airfield at Cape Gloucester provides further cover. The landing is carried out at 7:00a.m. and the thin Japanese defense is overcome with no difficulty. A surprise landing is attempted, but with no success, on the east coast of the Peninsula at Umtingalu, and also on the islet of Pilelo. This latter is captured during the day. The Japanese oppose the operation with fighters and bombers, attacking the American troops and ships, but to no great effect. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() New GuineaThe Australians take Lakona, 15 miles north of Finschafen. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() SolomonsA US naval operating base is established in the Treasury Islands. The Solomon Islands are now effectively within US control, and US commanders are planning the final operations to encircle Rabaul. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Soviet Union, Home FrontA public trial of 4 German war criminials has openen in Kharkov. The Germans tell the court of the methods used form mass killings of Soviet citizens such as the use of 'gas vans'. The 4 are executed publicly on December 19. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() United States, PlanningChief of Staff George C. Marshall arrives on Goodenough Island to meet with Gen MacArther and Lt-Gen Walter Krueger. Marshall provides MacArthur with the outcomes of the recent Cairo-Teheran meetings and listens to MacArthur's plea for more aircraft and more ground troops. The CARTWHEEL campaign is moving slowly, and it seems to have no real purpose now, at the end of 1943. At the Sextant Conference at Cairo, Marshall was persuaded by the other members of the JCS that the Central Pacific offensive was the quickest way to win the war. MacArthur's SWPA can continue its offensive in New Guinea, but only as a holding action for the main effort by Nimitz.[MORE] [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Images from December 15, 1943
|
||||||||||||||||||
[December 14th - December 16th] |