Air Operations, Bonin Islands11 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Chichi Jima. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, Carolines17 of 20 73rd Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s dispatched from the Marianas attack submarine pens at Truk. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, CBIBURMA
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, East IndiesDuring the night, FEAF B-24s attack the port area at Makassar, Celebes. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, EuropeThere is a great air battle over the Leuna synthetic oil plant at Merseburg. The 8th Air Force claims 183 fighters including 4 jets for a loss of 40 bombers and 28 fighters which includes losses due to flak. During the night the RAF sends 992 bombers to Düsseldorf and small forces to other targets. 20 planes are lost in all operations. RAF BOMBER COMMANDDaylight Ops:
GERMANY:
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AUSTRIA:
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, Japan
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, PacificOver the next 2 days the Japanese attempt to reduce enemy airpower by attacking US airstrips at Tacloban, Leyte, and at Saipan and Tinian in the Mariana Islands. The attacks are extremely costly for the Japanese, many of the aircraft being brought down by accurate anti-aircraft fire. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Air Operations, Philippines
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() BurmaIn the northwest, the 5th Indian Div of the British XXXIII Corps eliminates a Japanese strongpoint known as 'Vital Corner', south of Tiddim. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Eastern FrontTito's Partisan forces take Zadar. the 2nd Panzer Army consolidates its position along the Drina River west of Belgrade. Russian tanks reach the outskirts of Budapest, but they pull back. SOUTHERN SECTOROn the Dalmatian coast Tito's partisans take Zadar. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Indian OceanThe US tanker Fort Lee (10,198t) is torpedoed and sunk by U-181 in the middle of the Indian Ocean losing 10 of the 26-man Armed Guard. Survivors are rescued by 3 different vessels over the next 2 weeks. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ItalyThe headquarters of the US 5th Army issues directives, in confirmation of verbal orders given on October 30, for future operations during the unavoidable winter lull, reminding formations of the necessity of consolidating the Bologna salient. Casseta south of Bologna is taken in the Allied advance. In the British 8th Army sector the 128th Bde of the 46th Div replaces the 10th Indian Div, which is sent into reserve. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Pacific
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Palau IslandsAs weather conditions improve, the Americans renew their attacks to eliminate the Japanese pocket on Mount Umurbrogol, Peleliu, but without success. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() PhilippinesWith the occupation of the whole of Leyte Valley in the northeast of the island, the Americans complete the second phase of their campaign. To the north, in the X Corps sector, the 1st Cav Div and 24th Inf Div converge on Carigara, on the north coast, near the northern entrance to the valley leading to the big Japanese base of Ormoc on the west coast. In the central northern sector, where the XXIV Corps is operating, the 382nd Inf of 96th Div is engaged with the Japanese in lively actions west of Dagami; units of the 7th Inf Div reach Baybay, on the west coast, late in the evening. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() United States, Home FrontRoosevelt sends Donald M. Nelson, former chief of the War Production Board, to reorganize Chinese war production. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Western FrontThe fighting on Walcheren continues to be most intense. The British 157th Bde of the 52nd Div relieves the units of the Canadian 2nd Div of II Corps. Flushing falls to the attacking troops of 52nd Div after an intense preparatory bombardment. The 104th Div establishes a bridgehead in the area of Standdaarbuiten. The British 7th Arm Div from 2nd Army renews the activity on that front with a short advance intended to drive the enemy from the Canal du Nord. On the entire front the forces are getting ready for the great offensive planned for the coming days. Gen Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, commanding the French 1st Army, prepares to carry out Operation INDEPENDENCE against Belfort. There is also an attack on the US 3rd Army front and on the Channel coast, in the rear of the main attacks, Zeebrugge and Heyst are cleared. Gen Omar Bradley give Lt-Gen Hodge's 1st Army the task of attack toward Cologne to establish a bridgehead over the Rhine, in accordance with Eisenhower's plan laid out on October 28. 1st Army, in turn, give Maj-Gen Collins's VII Corps the task of making the main attack. However, Hodges requires the Hürtgen Forest to be cleared out to protect the VII Corps flank. The V Corps, commanded by Maj-Gen Leonard T. Gerow, is ordered to clear Hürtgen. The VII Corps offensive is intended to begin on November 5, but poor weather prevents air supprt and the attack is delayed. The battle for Hürtgen begins with an advance by the 28th Infantry Division to capture the town of Schmidt. The division attack stalls before minefields and German fortifications. No gains are made. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Images from November 2, 1944
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[November 1st - November 3rd] |