Air Operations, Bismarcks

• In an operation covered by US carrier aircraft from elements of Task Force 36, a US Marine infantry regiment lands without opposition on Emirau Island in the St. Mathias Islands. 868th Heavy Bomb Squadron SB-24s also participate in covering the landings. To help cover the Emirau landings, US carrier aircraft from Task Group 36.3 attack Kavieng, New Ireland.
• 2 VC-63 fighters down a Ki-61 'Tony' fighter at sea at 1700 hours.

Air Operations, CBI

• 6 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Moulmein-Martaban area. More than 20 490th Medium Bomb Squadron B-25s and P-51s attack transportation and communications targets around Katha. 12 10th Air Force A-31s attack Japanese Army ground positions in the Arakan coastal region. 6 459th Fighter Squadron P-38 fighter-bombers attack a bridge at Lamu. More than 100 P-51, P-40, and A-36 fighter-bombers attack dumps and other targets in the Mogaung Valley, Myitkyina, Sahmaw, and Sumprabum.

Air Operations, Europe

• 27 Mosquitos are sent to Cologne, 6 to Aachen and 3 to Oberhausen, 18 aircraft lay mines of the Channel and Biscay coasts, There is 1 RCM sortie, 3 Serrate patrols and 4 OTU sorties.
• There are no losses.

• Of 353 8th Air Force B-17s dispatched, high cloud cover force all but 146 to abort. The day's secondary target, Frankfurt am Main, and several targets of opportunity are attacked. Only 1 of 92 B-24s dispatched drops its bombs on a target of opportunity.
• 5 B-17s and 2 B-24s are lost, 165 heavy bombers are damaged
• Escort for the heavy bombers is provided by 594 fighters, including 79 from the 9th Air Force.
• 8 escorts are lost with their pilots

• IX Bomber Command B-26s and A-20s attack a marshalling yard, locomotive works, and a rail bridge at Creil, and four V-weapons sites.
• 85 IX Fighter Command P-47s dive-bombers and escorts attack the Abbeville/Drucat, Conches, and Poix Airdromes. 2 Bf-109s are downed near Charleville at 1130 hours.

• 12th Air Force B-25s attack marshalling yards at two locations and the port area of San Stefano al Mare.

• 12th Air Force B-26s attack Port Ercole, rail bridges at two locations, and ships and port facilities at Piombino.
• XII Air Support Command A-20s attack a factory.
• XII Air Support Command A-36s attack a rail kine and drop food parcels to Allied ground troops around Cassino.
• XII Air Support Command P-40s attack fuel dumps, gun emplacements, and troop concentrations in the Cassino area.
• XII Air Support Comand P-47s attack fuel dumps.

Air Operations, New Guinea

More than 30 V Bomber Command B-24s attack the airfield at Aitape. B-25s and V Fighter Command P-39s attack the Burui airfield, Erima, and other targets. More than 20 A-20s and P-39s attack a Japanese Army headquarters and other targets on the Bogadjim road. P-40s attack barges and villages around Bangula Bay.

Air Operations, Solomons

During the day, US Marine Corps SBDs and TBFs begin moving through Piva Uncle Airfield on Bougainville to mount the first attacks against Rabaul in 16 days. From this point forward, despite light but incessant incoming artillery and sniper fire, AirSols aircraft return to Bougainville to resume a regular schedule of target-suppression attacks against Rabaul.

Bismarcks

Gen A. H. Noble's 4th Marines are landed on Emirau Island in the St Matthias group north of New Ireland. There is no Japanese resistance. They occupy the island to turn it into a base for aircraft and small ships. This completes the series of operations called CARTWHEEL, directed toward the capture of Rabaul. Adm R. M. Griffin leads 4 battleships and 2 carriers in attacks on Kavieng as a covering operation. 4 more carriers and 7 cruisers are in direct support of the landings.

Burma

The first bde of 5th Div has arrived at Imphal by air. A battalion is sent to Kohima. The Chinese and Americans secure the Hukawng Valley.

CBI

The Chinese 38th Division is ordered to trap Japanese forces near Kamaing.

Eastern Front

The Russians capture Mogilev Podolsky and Vinnitsa both important communications centers. The Russian advance in all sectors of the Ukraine is in considerable strength on a very wide front giving the Germans little opportunity for concentrated resistance. Having crossed the Dniestr north of Kishinev they push on toward Prut. The 1st Ukraine Front capture Vinnitsa on the Bug River.

The 1st Tank Army, having redeployed over the last few days from the left wing to the center of the 1st Ukrainian Front, attacks in conjunction with the 4th Tank Army between Proskurov and Tarnopol. These new attacks hit the junction of the 4th and 1st Panzer Armies. After a brief struggle the German line is broken again. Vinnitsa falls to Soviet troops.

The 2nd Ukrainian Front's 6th Tank Army captures Mogilev Podolsky. The 5th Guards Tank Army also closes up to the Dniestr to the left of the 2nd Tank Army. Hollidt's 6th Army makes a stand on the Bug but is struck all along its line by the 3rd Ukrainian Front.

English Channel

British coastal batteries sink the German tanker Rekum off Boulogne.

Hungary

The Germans complete their occupation of the country.

Italy

Gen Alexander agrees with Gen Freyberg that the losses in the battle for Cassino are growing too heavy and that it must be halted unless there are good gains in the next 2 days. The Germans are managing to bring their reserves into the battle while the Allies must move theirs over difficult ground under German artillery fire.

New Ireland

In support of the occupation of Emira Task Force 37 commanded by Rear-Adm Griffin and comprising 4 battleships, 2 escort carriers and destroyers brings heavy air and naval bombardment to bear on the Japanese basse at Kavieng.

Navy Task Group 31.2 under command of Cmdr Lawrence E. Reifsnider lands the 4th Marine Division on undefended Emirau Island, Bismarck Archipelago, completing the strategic encirclement of Rabaul.

Pacific

• US Army aircraft sink the Japanese auxiliary submarine chasers Nos. 47 and 49 north of New Guinea.
• The US submarine Picuda (SS-382) sinks the Japanese stores ship Hoko Maru (1504t) about 40 miles north of Yap, Carolines.
• The US submarine Pollack (SS-180) sinks the Japanese auxiliary netlayer Hakuyo Maru (1327t) about 30 miles northeast of Torishima.

Images from March 20, 1944

Patients Being Loaded in Ambulance Plane

5th Army, Mignano Area, Italy

Vinnytsia Residents Welcome Soviet Soldiers-Liberators

Orvieto Railroad Bridge North