Chronology of World War II

July 1944

Saturday, July 22


Air Operations, Carolines

FEAF B-24s attack the airfield on Yap.

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Air Operations, CBI

BURMA
  • 7 10th Air Force B-25s attack rail facilities at Mohnyin.
  • 2 B-25s attack stores at Maingna.
  • 14 P-40s attack Japanese Army ground forces near Myitkyina.
CHINA
  • 25 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Changsha.
  • More than 140 14th Air Force P-51s and P-40s attack numerous towns, troops, and transportation targets over a vast area.
  • 31 P-51s and P-40s attack Tsingyun.
FRENCH INDOCHINA
  • 4 14th Air Force P-40s attack junks off the northeastern coast.
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Air Operations, East Indies

V Bomber Command bombers attack Saumlakki.

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Air Operations, Europe

RAF BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:
  • 48 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitos of No. 8 Group carry out 'Oboe leader' bombings of 4 V-weapon sites through 10/10ths cloud.
    • There are no losses.
  • 2 Mosquitos on Ranger patrols shoot up trains in Holland and Germany without a loss.
Evening Ops:
  • 6 Lancasters lay mines in the Kattegat, 10 Halifaxes are on Resistance operations and there are 5 OTU sorties.
    • There are no losses.
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Air Operations, Marianas

  • The preinvasion air, naval, and artillery bombardment of Tinian continues.
  • 318th Fighter Group P-47s make the first use of napalm in the Pacific War in attacks against Pagan and Tinian islands.
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Air Operations, New Guinea

  • V Bomber Command B-24s, B-25s, and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack shipping and port facilities throughout the Vogelkop Peninsula, the airfield at But, and various targets near Wewak.
  • Following an air and artillery preparation, US Army ground forces clear the last organized Japanese Army pocket on Biak Island.
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Eastern Front

The Leningrad Front under Leonid Govorov and the Karelia Front under Kiril Meretskov reach the 1940 Russo-Finnish frontier. In Poland Konstantin Rokossovsky's 1st Belorussian Front take Chelm in their advance on Lublin. German forces in the Brody pocket are annihilated.

NORTHERN SECTOR

The 42nd Army captures most of Pskov, but German rearguards continue to fight in the town. Panevesus falls to the 51st Army as it pushes west toward Siauliai.

CENTRAL SECTOR

The Soviet 2nd Tank Army takes Chelm.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

The isolated XIII Corps is destroyed in heavy fighting. More than 35,000 German soldiers are killed during the fighting and another 17,000 captured, 12,000 escaping rejoin the main combat line. Hauffe is captured during the final battle. To the west the 4th Tank Army fights its way into Lvov from the southeast.

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Italy

In the British X Corps sector the 10th Indian Div enters Città di Castello. The troops of the New Zealand 2nd Div take Tavernelle. The South African 6th Arm Div advances on the heights near Greve capturing the summits of Monte Domini and monte Fili. The 4th Div reaches San Giovanni.

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Marianas

On Guam the Marines from both beachheads launch converging attacks in an attempt to link up. Both advance for about a mile despite heavy resistance. In the southern sector Marines and infantry reach Mount Alifan. Units of the 3rd Marine Div make determined efforts to dislodge the enemy from the Orote peninsula.

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New Guinea

There are minor skirmishes in the area of the Aitape beachhead. The American units surrounded by the Japanese near Afua can still not free themselves.

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Occupied France

The SS destroy the village of St Gingolph.

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Western Front

The advance of the American 90th Div toward St-Germain-sur-Sèves is halted by strong resistance from units of the German 7th Army.

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Images from July 22, 1944

Bevo, a Douglas A-20G Havoc, at the upper right, has been hit by anti-aircraft gunfire and banks right, trailing smoke from the open bomb bay. (U.S. Air Force, 53686 A.C.)

Douglas A-20G Havoc Hit by Anti-aircraft Gunfire


Douglas A-20G Havoc Hit by Anti-aircraft Gunfire

With the smoke increasing, the A-20 continues to roll right and quickly loses altitude. (U.S. Air Force, A-53686 A.C.)

The A-20 Continues to Roll Right


the A-20 continues to roll right

The attack bomber hits the water and begins to disintegrate. (U.S. Air Force, B-53686 A.C.)

The Attack Bomber Hits the Water


he attack bomber hits the water

Wreckage explodes across the surface of Sekar Bay. (U.S. Air Force, C-53686 A.C.)

Wreckage Explodes


Wreckage explodes

Prime Minister Winston Churchill and General Sir Bernard Montgomery gather with troops in Caen on 22 July 1944 who took part in the D-Day landings

Churchill and Montgomery with Troops


Churchill and Montgomery with Troops

Lieutenant General Sir Miles Dempsey, commanding British Second Army, pointing out a section of the front to the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. Also in the picture are the Lieutenant General G G Simonds (left), commanding II Canadian Corps and the 21st Army Group commander General Sir Bernard Montgomery (right), Normandy, 22 July 1944.

Lt-Gen Dempsey Pointing Out a Section of the Front


Lt-Gen Dempsey Pointing Out

The Scene Outside the NAAFI in Caen, 22 July 1944


The scene outside the NAAFI

Forward Elements of the 10th Indian Division Moving Up in Humber Armored Cars, 22 July 1944


elements of the 10th Indian Division

Prime Minister Winston Churchill and General Sir Bernard Montgomery Crossing the River Orne over the Winston Bridge, 22 July 1944


crossing the River Orne

Panther Ausf A in Normandy, 22 july 1944


<i>Panther Ausf A</i> in Normandy

On 22 July 1944 Began the Liberation of Poland from the Nazi Invaders


the liberation of Poland

75mm Pack Howitzer Fires in Support of Marines as They Advance in the Battle of Guam, 22 July 1944


75mm Pack Howitzer fires in support

[July 21st - July 23rd]