Air Operations, Carolines

FEAF B-24s attack the Yap Atoll in two waves.

Air Operations, CBI

• 9 10th Air Force B-25s attack Myitkyina.
• More than 30 10th Air Force P-51s and P-40s attack targets in the Myitkyina area and support Allied ground forces near Kaimang.

• More than 80 14th Air Force P-40s attack shipping on Tungting Lake, shipping at Changsha, the airfield at Siangtan, and Japanese Army ground troops, supply dumps, and other targets around Hengyang.
• 31 P-51s and P-40s attack port facilities and the town area at Sanshui, and Japanese Army ground troops near Lienchiangkou.
• 5th CACW Fighter Group P-40s down 6 Japanese fighters near Sinshih at 0800 hours.
• A 76th Fighter Squadron P-51 downs a Ki-44 'Tojo' fighter in a late-morning engagement over Sanshui.

• 4 14th Air Force P-40s strafe many junks along the northeastern coast.

Air Operations, Europe

• 132 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitos of Nos. 5 and 8 Groups attack 2 flying bomb launch sites and a supply dump. All targets are partially covered in cloud, but it is believed that all are hit.
• There are no losses.

• 36 Mosquitos are sent to Bremen, 6 Halifaxes lay mines off Heligoland, there are 29 Mosquito patrols and 9 RCM and 8 OTU sorties.
• There are no losses.

• 1,082 8th Air Force heavy bombers attack a broad array of industrial targets, a river dam, marshalling yards at six locations, and four airdromes throughout western and southwestern Germany, and even into Austria.
• 14 B-17s and 3 B-24s are lost, 3 B-17s are interned in Switzerland
• Escort for the various bomber formations is provided by a total of 670 VIII Fighter Command fighters. Many fighters strafe ground targets following their release from escort duty. VIII Fighter Command pilots down 15 Luftwaffe fighters over Germany between 0945 and 1020 hours.
• 7 fighters are lost with their pilots

• IX TAC fighter-bombers attack transportation targets in western Belgium, the farthest-ranging tactical strikes since D-day.

• During the afternoon, a total of 262 IX Bomber Command B-26s and A-20s attack bridges spanning the Loire and Seine Rivers, and a fuel dump.
• Although hampered by bad weather, 9th Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers attack tactical targets, rail lines, and troop concentratins and positions.

• 12th Air Force bomber operations are restricted by bad weather, but B-26s are able to mount a late-afternoon attack against bridges at two locations, and B-25s attack a third bridge.
• Fighter-bombers manage several attacks on rail targets.

• Following by 90 minutes the 8th Air Force heavy-bombers attacks in the same area, more that 400 15th Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack a aircraft factory, a motor factory, and an ordnance depot in and around Munich.
• 16 aircraft are downed by heavy flak and weak fighter opposition
• 14th Fighter Group P-38 escort pilots down 7 Bf-109s in the Munich area

Air Operations, Marianas

318th Fighter Group P-47s attack Tinian.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Fighter Command fighter-bombers support Allied ground forces in the Sarmi area and attack numerous targets of opportunity elsewhere.

Eastern Front

In their advance to Lvov 1st Ukraine Front surround 5 German divs west of Brody. Farther north, just east of Dvinsk, Russian units enter Latvia.

The XIII Corps is hit by a series of concentric attacks, Soviet troops capturing Koltow during the fighting. As the advance upon Lvov develops, the 4th Tank Army launches flanking attacks in an effort to encircle the Germans inside the city. However, the 1st Panzer Army puts up strong resistance and deflects the Russian attacks.

Italy

The US 34th Div takes Leghorn, but the Germans have destroyed much of the town and port facilities with demolitions before withdrawing. In the sector where the French Expeditionary Corps is advancing the 4th Mountain Div reaches Certaldo, northwest of Castellina. The South African 6th Arm Div begins to advance between the Chianti hills but is greatly slowed down by German fire. Units of the British 6th Arm Div secure a new crossing of the Arno near Laterina.

New Guinea

Fighting continues near Afua, in the Aitape beachhead area.

Pacific

• The Japanese light cruiser Oi is sunk by the US submarine Flasher (SS-249) in the South China Sea.
• The Japanses submarine RO-48 is sunk by the US destroyer escort Wyman (DE-38) in the Central Pacific area.
• The US submarine Guardfish (SS-217) attacks the Japanese army cargo ship Teiryu Maru (6550t) in the South China Sea southwest of Formosa.
• The US submarine Tautog (SS-199) sinks the Japanese guardboat No.1 Hokuriku Maru northeast of Tori Jima.

United States, Politics

Over the next 3 days the Democratic Party convention meets in Chicago. Roosevelt is selected by an overwhelming majority as the presidential candidate. He receives 1086 votes, Sen Byrd 89 and James Farley 1. Harry Truman is chosen as running mate by 1031 votes to Wallace's 105.

Western Front

After capturing St Lô the US XIX Corps pushes on southward. In the British sector the Canadian 2nd Div of II Corps captures Louvigny and Fleury, on the north and south banks of the Orne River. East of Caen the GOODWOOD battles continue with large numbers of tanks being engaged from both sides. The Germans usually have the advantage of better positions and this, combined with their armament, tips the balance in their favor despite the disparity of numbers. The Caen suburb of Vaucelles, however, is cleared by Canadian units.

Images from July 19, 1944

B-24 (41-29542) 'Rough House Kate'

USS Tennessee (BB-43) Bombarding Guam

Passing a Burnt-out German Half-track

The Welsh Guards In Action

Towing a German PzKpfw IV Tank

Canadian Soldiers Watch

Camouflaged Churchill Tanks

The Steelworks at Colombelles, July 19, 1944

A Knocked-out Universal Carrier

Watching for Enemy Snipers

Cromwell Tanks of 2nd (Armored) Welsh Guards

'Chalking Up' Three Kills