Air Operations, Bismarcks

• US Navy aircraft from Task Group 37.2 attack several Japanese destroyers at Kavieng, New Ireland, but are unable to score any hits. VF-18 F6Fs and a VT-17 TBF gunner down 2 A6M Zeros and an E13A 'Jake' reconnaissance plane over Kavieng between 0930 and 0945 hours. Also, VF-18 and VF-30 F6Fs down 2 G4M 'Betty' bombers at sea near Task Group 37.2 between 1115 and 1125 hours and VF-30 F6Fs down 1 Ki-21 'Sally' bomber and 6 A6M Zeros at sea at 1437 hours. 1 F6F is lost.
• Task Group 37.2 departs the area after recovery of its aircraft.
• When the XIII Bomber Command B-24s they are to escort to Rabaul are thwarted by bad weather, more than 40 AirSols fighters based at Torokina Field on Bougainville sweep the Rabaul area.
• VMF 211, VMF-214, VMF-223, and VMF-321 F4Us and a VF-30 F6F down 10 A6M Zeros over the Rabaul area between 1205 and 1330 hours.
• V Bomber Command B-25s attack Japanese Army artillery batteries at Cape Gloucester.
• During the night, 21 RAAF Beauforts attack airfields in the Rabaul area.

Air Operations, East Indies

380th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s and V Bomber Command B-25s attack shipping targets at and near Koepang, Timor.

Air Operations, Europe

In preparation for eventual disruptive action behind German lines, American and RAF aircraft start dropping arms and supplies of French, Belgian, Dutch and Italian partisan formations. The operation goes under the name of CARPETBAGGER.

• 80 aircraft, including 57 Stirlings, 12 Mosquitos and 11 Lancasters, are sent to hit two flying bomb sites, one in the Pas de Calais and one at Bristillerie near Cherbourg. Both targets are effectively attacked without any loss of aircraft.

• 13 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin, 3 to Krefeld, 2 to Cologne, there are 4 RCM sorties, 40 aircraft lay mines off Lorient and Brest and there are 8 OTU sorties.
• There are no losses.

Air Operations, Marshalls

During the night, 18 VII Bomber Command B-24s passing through Hawkins Field on Betio sow mines in the shipping channel giving access to Emidj Island in the Jaluit Atoll. This results in the withdrawal of Japanese shipping and all but one seaplane.

Air Operations, New Guinea

More than 100 V Bomber Command B-24s, B-25s, and B-26s attack Alexishafen, Bogadjim, Finschhafen, Madang, and ground targets near Saidor.

Air Operations, Solomons

XIII Bomber Command B-24s attack the seaplane base and supply dumps at Sohano Island. 42nd Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Chabai and Tonolei Harbor. and US Navy PVs and AirSols fighters attack numerous targets on Bougainville.

Atlantic

The last German blockade-runner, Rio Grande, is sunk by the US destroyer Jouett (DD-396) and cruiser Omaha (CL-4) en route to the Far East.

Eastern Front

The Soviet offensive in the Ukraine continues with the capture of Belaya Tserkov, a railway town south of Kiev and then push on in the direction of Uman. The Russians cross the Polish frontier near Olevsk.

After a 4-day battle the 27th Army takes Belaya Tserkov. A rapid advance by the 60th Army pushes the LIX Corps back upon Rovno.

Germany, Home Front

German school children are mobilized for war-related duty.

Italy

During the night units of 5th Army launch attacks on a 10-mile front toward the south end of the 'Gustav' Line. In preparation for the attack on Monte Cedro, the British 46th Div establishes a bridgehead on the north bank of the Peccia River

New Britain

After a powerful artillery preparation the American units succeed in getting their tanks over the Suicide Stream on an improvised dam. They destroy many Japanese positions and advance south from the Cape Gloucester beachhead to reach the line of the Aogiril stream.

New Guinea

Patrol activity by the American units landed on Saidor. The Australians units advancing from Finschhafen reach Cape King William, 15 miles from Sio, where the Japanese survivors from Lae have take refuge.

New Ireland

Sherman's carrier group attacks Japanese shipping in Kavieng harbor yet again. The Japanese destroyer Fumitsuki is damaged.

Occupied Greece

3 quisling P.M.s are deprived of their nationality by the exiled King.

Images from January 4, 1944

US Soldier Adjusts a Rectifier in Caserta, Italy,4 January 1944

German Officers Announcing the Seizure of Italian Artwork, Rome, Italy, 4 January 1944

Engineers (likely Co. A, 114TH Engr. Bn.) attempt to keep a “road” passable near Saidor, New Guinea, ca. January 1944.

Engineers Keeping Road Passable

An Able Company tank fords Suicide Creek in support of 2nd Bn, Seventh Marines. It took a herculean effort to get the tanks through the jungle for this crossing. Co C, 17th Marines, built a corduroy road on the approach to the creek and a bulldozer cut through the 12-foot bank on the friendly side. (USMC Photo)

Cape Gloucester, 4 January 1944

Panzer IVs Carry Infantry, January 1944

Gds. Lt. Colonel Gusakovskiy I.I. (left) and Gds. Major Vorobjev A.I. 1st Gds. Tank Army/4th Ukrainian Front, January 1944

1st Guards Tank Army, 4th Ukrainian Front