Air Operations, Bismarcks
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, CBICHINA
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, EuropeThe 8th Air Force drops 1,200 tons of bombs on Bremen.
RAF BOMBER COMMAND
GERMANY:
FRANCE:
ITALY:
BULGARIA:
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, Marshalls16 VII Bomber Command B-24s based at Baker Island and Nonomea attack the Maloelap Atoll. 3 B-24s are downed by Japanese Navy fighters. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, New GuineaV Bomber Command B-25s and B-26s attack Alexishafen and bivouacs in the Finschhafen area. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, Solomons
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Allied CommandA unified air command for the Mediterranean is set up under the title of Mediterranean Allied Air Force. It covers the RAF units, including those stationed in the Middle East, all American air formations stationed in North Africa and occupied Italy and the French and Italian air forces operating in the theater and will have operational control over all Allied air forces operating in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations. Commander-in-Chief is Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder, with the American Gen Carl Spaatz as his deputy. The reorganization disbands the Mediterranean Air Command and North African Air Force (NAAF) and creates a subordinate component called US Army Air Forces, North African Theater of Operations (USAAFNATO) under command of Gen Carl Spatz, who has administrative control of the 12th and 15th Air Forces. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Battle of the AtlanticAircraft (VC-19) from the US escort carrier Bogue (CVE-9) sink the German submarine U-850 in the mid-Atlantic area.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() BougainvilleThe Americal Division, commanded by Maj-Gen John R. Hodge, relieves the 3rd Marine Division. XIV Corps commander, Maj-Gen Oscar W. Griswold, officially relieves Maj-Gen Roy S. Geiger and I Marine Amphibious Corps. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() CBIChiang Kai-shek has been pressing President Roosevelt for more money and supplies, but balks at Roosevelt's proposal to join in the Allied offensive against Burma as a means of obtaining additional aid. He tells Roosevelt that unless there is an amphibious operation against Rangoon, Moulmain, or the Andaman Islands, the Chinese divisions in the Yunan (the 'Y' force0 will not participate. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ChinaIn reply to Chiang Kai-shek's message of the 17th, Pres Roosevelt confirms that the US is giving consideration to the grant of a loan to China, and invites his ally to play his part in the struggle for the recapture of Burma. The United States will do everything in its power to reopen the Burma Road, which among other things would give greater security to the American pilots who are at present flying between India and China over enemy territory. ????? ies that the Chinese will go over to the attack only if the British and Americans succeed in recapturing the Andaman Islands, Rangoon or Moulmein. If Mandalay or Lashio can be retaken, the Chinese will take part in the Burma campaign without insisting, as they have previously, that the Allies mount a big combined operation across the Bay of Bengal. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Eastern FrontSOUTHERN SECTORThe lengthy battles in the Ukraine since the end of September has cost the Soviet armies dear. Koniev's 2nd Ukrainian Front has lost 77,400 killed and missing and 226,000 wounded, the 3rd Ukrainian 34,000 and 132,000 respectively, and the 4th Ukrainian 61,000 killed and 222,000 wounded. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ItalyThe plans for a combined operation on the Tyrrhenian coast are cancelled on account of the slow progress being made against the German defenses along the winter line and a shortage of landing craft. Units of the II Corps continue their attacks to clear the western slope of Monte Sammucro. In the British V Corps sector, on the Adriatic coast, the Canadian 1st Div reaches the outskirts of Ortona, where they are engaged in heavy fighting. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Pacific
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Images from December 20, 1943
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[December 19th - December 21st] |