Chronology of World War II

December 1944

Air Operations, Europe

The US heavy-bomber forces concentrate on two target systems this month. Communications centers are attacked including Coblenz and Bingen. The effort on December 11 is particularly great with the targets being Giessen, Hanau and Frankfurt. The other range of targets is in the oil industry. Plants in Silesia and near Vienna are hit as are Harburg and Meiderich. On December 24 8th Air Force sends 2,000 bombers on missions. The Allied Air Forces based in Italy contribute to these attacks as well as hitting targets on their own front and harrying the German retreat in Yugoslavia with bombing and arms drops to resistance forces. RAF Bomber Command drops 48,700 tons during the month. One third of the operations are made during the days and targets are throughout Germany. Transport and oil systems are again favored targets. Hagen, Essen, Trier, Leuna and Poolitz are all hit.

Light and heavy forces of both British and American Air Forces also attack transport centers and troop concentrations during the German Ardennes attacks when weather permits. Altogether 35,500 tons are dropped in these operations.

Air Operations, Pacific

US Superfortress bombers continue and extend their strategic bombing campaign from their bases in China and Saipan. Tokyo is attacked on 4 occasions during the month, Nagoya 3 times and Omura, Yokohama and Yokosuka once. Outside Japan targets include Mukden, Shanghai and Nanking.


Pacific, Naval War

The American submarine fleet and mining campaign has now reduced the carrying capacity of the Japanese merchant fleet. The carrying capacity is now less than half the total possible at the beginning of the war. Food and oil imports from the East Indies are now down to a trickle.


(Allied Ships Lost to U-boats this month)

Friday, December 1

Air Operations, CBI

BURMA
  • More than 30 10th Air Force P-47s support Allied ground forces around Bhamo.
  • More than 30 P-47s attack troops, dumps, warehouses, and occupied towns at 5 locations.
  • 17 P-47s atttack bridges across northern Burma.
  • 8 P-47s attack a landing ground at Hsenwi.
  • 8 14th Air Force B-25s attack stores at Wanling.
CHINA
  • 6 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack shipping targets of opportunity in the South China Sea.
  • A small number of 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack various targets.
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Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-25s and fighter-bombers attack airfields and targets of opportunity on Halmahera.
  • Fighter-bombers attack various targets of opportunity elsewhere in the region.
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Air Operations, Europe

RAF BOMBER COMMAND
Evening Ops:
Minor Ops:
  • 71 Mosquitos are sent to Karlsruhe, 6 to Hallendorf and 4 to Duisburg, and there are 22 Mosquito patrols and 24 RCM sorties.
    • There are no losses.
US 9th AIR FORCE
GERMANY:
  • 132 9th Air Force Bomb Division bombers attack three defended towns in western Germany.
  • 9th Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers support US Army ground forces.
  • 9th Air Force fighter pilots down 4 Luftwaffe fighters during the afternoon.
US 12th AIR FORCE
ITALY:
  • 12th Air Force B-25s attack four rail bridges in the Po River valley.
  • XXII TAC P-47s attack road and rail targets.
  • During the night, XXII TAC A-20s attack the Ghedi Airdrome, rail lines, and targets of opportunity.
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Air Operations, Volcano Islands

26 30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based at Guam attack Iwo Jima.

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Air Operations, Philippines

  • FEAF B-24s attack the Bacolod and Fabrica airfields on Negros.
  • V Bomber Command B-25s and V Fighter Command P-47s attack the Lahug airfield on Cebu.
  • B-25s attack the Cagayan airfield on Mindanao.
  • fighter-bombers attack numerous targets.
  • 18th Fighter Group P-38s down 5 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over the Fabrica airfield on Negros between noon and 1215 hours.
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Burma-China

On the Salween front, the Chinese Y Force (also known as the Chinese Expeditionary Force) units take Chefang.

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Eastern Front

In eastern Czechoslovakia, troops of the 4th Ukraine Front force the crossing of the Ondava River near Humenné and Trebišov.

In the attacks south of Budapest most of the Russian forces are held except around Pécs where the 57th Army is operating. Northeast of Budapest the 4th Ukraine Front attack the positions of the 1st Panzer Army along the Ondava River.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

The 46th Army is held up around Budapest but the 57th Army continues to make progress near Pecsx. Elements of the 4th Ukrainian Front attack the 1st Panzer Army along the Ondava River.

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Italy

The British 8th Army continues its preparations for the attack fixed for December 4.

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Occupied Crete

The Germans on Crete abandon all areas except large towns and move to Suda Bay and other coastal embarkation points.


Philippines

On Leyte the offensive capacity of the Japanese is already severely limited by the lack of supplies and ammunition. However, there is still hard fighting on Kilay Ridge and on a line of hills southeast of Limon, west of Carigara.

Due to limitations on logistics support and limited air cover available from the airfields on Leyte, Gen MacArthur delays the landing operation on Mindoro for 10 days. The new date is December 15. Lt-Gen Walter Krueger has formed the Western Visayan Task Force under command of Brig-Gen William C. Dunkel, composed of the 19th RCT of the 24th Infantry Division and the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, along with air and naval assets, to conduct the mission. The ground element of the task force is to seize airfields in support of the Luzon amphibious assault.

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Western Front

In the 9th Army area the advance northeast of Aachen reaches Linnich which is taken by 102nd Division.

The US VII Corps, 1st Army, is in difficulties in the Hürtgen Forest area. The 4th Division still cannot push clear of the Hürtgen Forest, gaining only 1,000 yards in 3 days of heavy fighting.

The XX Corps, US 3rd Army, continues to advance west of the Saar in readiness for the crossing of the river. The 90th Division is engaged in the sector south of Merzig, the 95th in the direction of Saarlautern and the 5th, brought up from Metz, is preparing an attack in the Warndt salient.

In Alsace, while the 79th Division, XV Corps, US 7th Army, liberates Schweigenhause, a few miles west of Haguenau, the 44th and 45th Divisions further north are engaged in severe fighting with Gen Friedrich Wiese's German 19th Army near Tieffenbach and Zinswiller.

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Images from December 1, 1944

M3 Half-track Mounting a 75-mm Gun


M3 Half-track Mounting a 75-mm Gun

East of Suez with the Indefatigable


East of Suez with the <i>Indefatigable</i>

Rolling Through Grosshau


Rolling Through Grosshau

Action In Grosshau


Action In Grosshau

Saturday, December 2

Air Operations, CBI

BURMA
  • 10 10th Air Force B-25s attack rail and road bridges at 3 locations.
  • 60 10th Air Force fighter-bombers attack troops, tanks, defended areas, and dumps at 8 locations.
  • 40 fighter-bombers support Allied ground forces in the Bhamo area.
  • 16 P-47s attack a supply train at Pangkyawng and sweep the rail lines between Hsipaw and Lashio.
  • 14th Air Force B-25s attack Hsenwi.
  • 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack various targets in eastern Burma.
CHINA
  • A small number of 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack various targets around Chiuchiang and between Paoching and Yungfengshih.
  • A 311th Fighter Group P-51 downs a twin-engine bomber near Pengpu at 1215 hours.
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Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s and B-25s attack the Boroboro and Kendari airfields on Celebes.
  • B-25s attack the Namlea airfield on Boeroe and shipping near Ceram.
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Air Operations, Europe

RAF BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:
  • 93 Lancasters of No. 3 Group attack the Hansa benzol plant at Dortmund through thick cloud. The bombing is believed to have been accurate.
    • There are no losses.
Minor Ops:
  • 1 Hudson makes a Resistance flight.
Evening Ops:
  • 504 aircraft including 394 Halifaxes, 87 Lancasters and 23 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups are sent to bomb Hagen. The town of Hagen was not too heavily bombed before this raid. The effect upon industrial production is serious. Many firms are recorded as having lost up to 3 months' production. In addition, it was found by the Allies after the war that a factory making U-boat accumulator batteries - of which large numbers are needed by the new types of U-boats - is completely destroyed in this raid.
    • 1 Halifax and 1 Lancaster crash in France.
Minor Ops:
  • 66 Mosquitos are sent to Giessen, 10 Stirlings are on Resistance operations, and there are 62 Mosquito patrols and 44 RCM sorties.
    • 1 Stirling on a Resistance flight and 1 Mosquito Intruder are lost.
US 8th AIR FORCE
GERMANY:
  • 129 1st Bomb Division B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Oberlahnstein.
  • 135 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Bingen.
  • 160 3rd Bomb Division B-17s abort due to bad weather.
    • 11 B-24s are downed by Luftwaffe fighters west of the Rhine River; no losses among the 436 VIII Fighter Command escorts.
  • 133 VIII Fighter Command fighters sweep areas of western Germany.
    • 4 fighters are lost.
  • 8th and 9th Air Force fighter pilots down 36 Luftwaffe aircraft over Germany between 1135 and 1525 hours.
US 9th AIR FORCE
GERMANY:
  • 210 9th Bomb Division bombers attack three defended towns is western Germany.
  • 9th Air force fighters and fighter-bombers attack marshalling yards and bridges, and support US Army ground forces, especially the US 1st Army units battling in the Huertgen Forest area.
US 12th AIR FORCE
ITALY:
  • 12th Air Force medium bombers attack at least six bridges.
  • XXII TAC P-47s support US Army ground forces.
  • During the night, XXII TAC A-20s attack light sources throughout the Po River valley.
US 15th AIR FORCE
AUSTRIA:
  • 15th Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack an oil refinery at Vienna and an oil refinery at Strasshof.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA:
  • 15th Air Force heavy bombers attack a highway bridge.
GERMANY:
  • 15th Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack oil-industry targets at Odertal and Blechhammer.
HUNGARY:
  • 15th Air Force heavy bombers attack a marshalling yard at Celldomolk.
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Air Operations, Philippines

  • FEAF B-24s attack the Cagayan and Matina airfields on Mindanao and the Dumagueta airfield on Negros.
  • 7 V Fighter Command P-40 fighter-bombers support US Army ground forces on Leyte.
  • V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack various targets in the central Philippines and southern Luzon.
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Air Operations, Volcano Islands

23 30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based on Guam attack Iwo Jima.

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Burma

In the British XXXIII Corps sector, the 11th East African Division reaches the Chindwin River at Kalewa.

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China

A Japanese column advancing on Kweiyang reaches and occupies Tu-shan.

The Americans suggest to Chiang Kai-shek that he should arm 3 Communist regiments in Shen-si province, the first region to be administered by the Communists. The 3 regiments would be employed in Nationalist territory under American officers. The Generalissimo refuses.

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Diplomatic Relations

De Gaulle arrives in Moscow for meetings with Stalin.

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Eastern Front

In Czechoslovakia, the 4th Ukraine Front extends its bridgehead over the Ondava.

In Hungary, the 2nd Ukraine Front attacks the strong enemy fortifications in the Miskolc area, while the 3rd Ukraine Front and formations of partisans force the Germans back on a broad front between the Danube and the Drava, south of Lake Balaton.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

With the threat of a Soviet breakthrough in Hungary the Germans bring the 2nd Panzer Army back into the line, deploying it south of Lake Balaton. The main objective for the army is the protection of the Hungarian oilfields at Nagykanitza.

North of the lake Army Group South deploys Gen Maximilian Fretter-Pico's 6th Army between the lake and the Hatvan with the III Panzer, LXXII and LVII Panzer Corps, while the 8th Army under Gen Otto Wohler is around Miskolc.

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Italy

Filippo Marinetti, founder of the 'Futurist' art movement in 1909 and a leading Fascist author, dies at the age of 67.

British 8th Army units begin probing actions before an all-out offensive.

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Pacific

  • The Japanese coast defense vessel No. 64 is sunk by the US submarine Pipefish (SS-388) in the South China Sea.
  • The US submarine Sea Devil (SS-400) attacks a Japanese convoy in the East China Sea sinking the merchant tanker Akigawa Maru (6859t) and passenger/cargo ship Hawaii Maru (9467t) about 80 miles south-southwest of Kyushu.
  • The British submarine Sturdy sinks the Japanese Communication Ship No.142 in Makassar Strait.
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Philippines

On Leyte the 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, and the 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, capture the Japanese defensive line at Kilay Ridge. The Japanese lose 900 killed.

Groups of American destroyers shell the Japanese positions at Palompon, on the west coast of Leyte, and in Ormoc Bay. 4 destroyers which entered Ormoc Bay by night are engaged by Japanese aircraft, destroyers and coast defense batteries. The American destroyer Cooper (DD-695) is sunk and the destroyers Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) and Moale (DD-693) are damaged. The Japanese destroyer Kuwa is sunk.

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Western Front

The Germans blow up a dyke on the lower Rhine near Arnhem, flooding the region southwest of Armhem and forcing the Canadian II Corps, 1st Army, to withdraw from their bridgeheads over the Waal.

With the fall of Dreisbach, Gen Patton's 3rd Army has completed the capture of its sector west of the Saar; during the night, in the XX Corps sector, the 90th Division crosses the river in the area of Dillingen and the 95th opposite Saarlautern, where there is bitter house-to-house fighting, and the 5th Division crosses the western border of the Houve forest. The XII Corps crosses the Saar near Saar-Union. Gen Jacob Devers, Commander of the 6th Army Group, orders the US 7th Army to concentrate and re-group by December 5, the date for which an important attack to the north is planned. The Colmar sector is entrusted to the only French troops in the 1st Army, joined by the French 2nd Armored Division, detached from the US 7th Army. The 44th and 45th Divisions, XV Corps, US 7th Army, capture Waldhambach, Engwiller and Meitesheim.

The French 1st Army is reinforced by the US 76th Division; its commander, Gen Jean de Lattre de Tassigny, orders his troops to converge on the Colmar pocket from north and south simultaneously, to reach the Rhine in the area of Neuf-Brisach, about 6 miles southeast of Colmar.

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Images from December 2, 1944

A 25-pdr of 266 Battery, 67th Field Regiment


A 25-pdr of 266 Battery, 67th Field Regiment

Brazilians Reading Mail from Home


Brazilians Reading Mail from Home

A Long Bailey Bridge in Burma


A Long Bailey Bridge in Burma

US Battleships en route to Ulithi


US Battleships en route to Ulithi

Removing Bulldozer Stuck in Mud


Removing Bulldozer Stuck in Mud

M4 Sherman Medium Tanks


M4 Sherman Medium Tanks

Sunday, December 3

Air Operation, Bonin and Volcano Islands

17 30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based on Guam attack Iwo Jima and 7 30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Haha Jima and Iwo Jima while escorting photo-reconnaissance aircraft over the area.

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Air Operation, CBI

BURMA
  • 32 10th Air Force P-47s support Allied ground forces in the Bhamo area.
  • More than 30 fighter-bombers attack troops, ammunition and fuel dumps, supplies, and heavy equipment at or near Hopaw, Indaw, Loipao, Man Kat, and Namhpai.
  • 18 P-47s attack two road bridges.
  • 9 P-47s sweep the rail line between Shwebo and Wuntho.
  • 6 P-47s attack several rail bridges.
  • 4 P-47s attack a ferry landing at Myitson with delay-fuse bombs.
  • During the night, 4 10th Air Force B-25s attack a rail bridge at Tangon.
CHINA
  • 5 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack a bridge at Pengpu with delay-fuse bombs.
  • 4 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 10 14th Air Force P-51s attack stores at Sintsiang.
  • 67 fighter-bombers attack warehouses, rail targets, and shipping in southern China and eastern Burma.
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Air Operation, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s mount strong attacks against Mandai and Malimpoeng, Celebes.
  • B-25s attack 4 airfields on Halmahera.
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Air Operation, Europe

RAF BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:
  • 183 Lancasters and 4 Mosquitos of Nos. 1 and 8 Groups are sent to bomb the small town of Heimbach in the Eifel region. This raid is probably in support of an American ground attack in this area. The Master Bomber and the Pathfinders can not identify the target and the Lancasters are ordered to abandon the raid.
    • There are no losses.
  • 1 Hudson is involved in a Resistance operations.
Evening Ops:
Minor Ops:
  • 11 Oboe Mosquitos bomb a steelwork in Hallendorf without a loss.
US 9th AIR FORCE
GERMANY:
  • 9th Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers support US Army ground forces in western Germany.
US 12th AIR FORCE
ITALY:
  • 12th Air Force medium bombers are able to attack a bridge near Mantua.
  • 350th Fighter Group mounts 60 effective sorties in support of the US 5th Army.
US 15th AIR FORCE
AUSTRIA:
  • A total of 85 15th Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack an industrial area in Linz, marshalling yards at Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, and Villach, and a goods depot at Vienna.
YUGOSLAVIA:
  • 14 15th Air Force heavy bombers drop supplies to partisan forces.
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Air Operation, Japan

73 of 86 73rd Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s dispatched attack an aircraft factory and targets of opportunity in Tokyo. 6 B-29s are lost to defending fighters.

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Air Operation, New Guinea

V Bomber Command A-20s attack Point Noejaw.

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Air Operation, Philippines

V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack Palompon and airfields in the Masbate area. A 475th Fighter Group P-38 owns a D3A 'Val' dive bomber near Ormoc, Leyte, at 1707 hours.

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Atlantic

The US freighter Francis Asbury is mined in the Schelde River losing 9 of her 41-man crew and 6 of her 28 Armed Guard sailors. There are also 46 injured in the 2 groups. The ship drifts aground off Ostend, Belgium, where she is sunk by gunfire as a menace to navigation.

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Britain, Home Front

The volunteer defense force, the Home Guard, is 'stood down' from service since it is not now needed to watch for a German invasion.

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Burma

In the British XXXIII Corps sector, the 11th East African Division establishes a bridgehead over the Chindwin near Kalewa, and the 20th Indian Division also crosses the Chindwin in the area of Mawlaik.

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China

The Japanese 11th Army, short of reinforcements, breaks off its unauthorized advance towards Kweiyang, in Kweichow province, south of Chungking.

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Eastern Front

In Hungary, Miskolc, northeast of Budapest and a key position in the German defensive line and an important industrial center, is taken by troops from 2nd Ukraine Front.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

Miskolc falls after heavy fighting.

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Greece

Police open fire on demonstrations in Athens sponsored by the communist EAM party and the situation degenerates into open fighting. On December 4 martial law is declared as the fighting continues. On Churchill's orders, Gen Ronald Scobie crushes the revolt. During December 5 British tanks are used in the fighting and British warships shell EAM positions near Piraeus. The fighting goes on for most of the month but the former guerillas are no match for the British troops in an open battle. Stalin keeps his agreement with Churchill and does not send any help to the communists.

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Italy

8th Army begins a new offensive in the direction of Bologna on a 3 corps frontage with the right flank of the advance resting on the Adriatic coast. The Polish II Corps is on the left, the V Corps is in the center making for Santerno along Highway 9 and the Canadian I Corps is on the Adriatic coast.

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Pacific

  • The US destroyer Cooper (DD-695) is sunk, possibly by torpedo from escort destroyer Kuwa, but not before Cooper and destroyers Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) and Moale (DD-693) sink Kuwa and damage her sistership Take. PBYs pick up Cooper's survivors that night and the next day.
  • The US submarines Pampanito (SS-383), Pipefish (SS-388), Sea Cat (SS-399) and Searaven (SS-196) attack a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea off the coast of French Indochina in heavy seas and poor visibility. Pipefish probably torpedoes and sinks Coast Defense Vessel No.64; Pampanito torpedoes army cargo ship Seishin Maru; Sea cat or Searaven torpedoes the tanker Harima Maru.
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Philippines

On Leyte the 1st Cavalry Division attacking south from Carigara clears Japanese defenses and links with the 32n Infantry Division near Highway 2. Logistics problems are limiting the X Corps advance. Roads are nonexistent or marginal and cease to exist when the rains come, which is often. Supplies reaching the front-line soldiers have to be removed by individuals and small groups over treacherous paths and steep jungle mountainsides.

The 128th Infantry Regiment of the 32nd Infantry Division passes through the 34th Infantry Regiment of the 24th Infantry Division and attacks to clear Japanese positions south of the ridge.

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United States, Planning

Adm Nimitz requests that the JCS delays the attack on Iwo Jima (Operation DETACHMENT) to February 19 and Okinawa (Operation ICEBER) tp April 1.

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Western Front

In the British 2nd Army sector, with the capture of Blerick, on the west bank of the Maas opposite Venlo, by the XII Corps, the whole region west of the river has been cleared of Germans.

The XIII Corps of the American 9th Army reaches the Rur River capturing Flossdorf, while in the US 1st Army sector Task Force 'Hamberg' of the 5th Armored Division reaches Brandenberg. Units of the 95th Division, XX Corps, US 3rd Army, capture the last bridge over the Saar and a large part of the town of Saarlautern, while other elements of the division head for the Saar River. Since the bridge was captured intact, permitting the 379th Regiment to break across the river. The unit goes on to capture the first bunkers of the Siegfried Line. As a result Hitler dismisses Gen Otto von Knobelsdorff, commander of the 1st Army, blaming him for the penetration of the West Wall.

While the 44th Division, XV Corps, US 7th Army, is held up near Raaswiller(?) by fire from units of the German 19th Army, the 45th Division takes Zinswiller.

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Images from December 3, 1944

Bodies of Unarmed Protestors


Bodies of Unarmed Protestors

Kangaroo Armored Personnel Carrier


Kangaroo Armored Personnel Carrier

Dead or Wounded Unarmed Protesters


Dead or Wounded Unarmed Protesters

Preparing Artillery Barrage


Preparing Artillery Barrage

Monday, December 4

Air Operations, CBI

BURMA
  • More than 60 10th Air Force fighter-bombers attack troops, stores, and targets of opportunity at 10 locations.
  • 28 P-47s attack bridges at 6 locations.
  • 8 P-47s support Allied ground forces near Bhamo.
  • 14th Air Force B-25s attack bridges at Kutkai, Lashio, and Namhkai.
CHINA
  • 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack bridges and road, river, and rail traffic at Hsiangcheng, Kweilin, Lingling, Saiping, and in several other areas.
  • More than 90 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity in southern China, northern Burma, and northern French Indochina.
  • 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron P-51s down 4 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over Ehr Tao Kow airfield at Chiuchiang during an afternoon engagement.
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Air Operations, Europe

Air raids against V-2 launch sites destroy only 2 rockets, but prompt the Germans to limit launches to the night hours.

RAF BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:
  • 160 Lancasters of No. 3 Group carry out a G-H raid on Oberhausen, but results are unknown because of cloud.
    • 1 Lancaster is lost.
  • 27 Lancasters and 3 Mosquitos of No. 8 Group carry out the first of several raids on the large reservoir dam at Urft in the Eifel. The destruction of which is required so that the Germans can not release water to flood areas through which American troops wish to advance. The series of raids did blast 13ft off the top of the dam but no large breach is ever made and the Germans are able to release large quantities of water whenever they wish to interfere with American advances being attempted further downstream.
    • No aircraft are lost on this raid.
Evening Ops:
  • 369 Lancasters, 154 Halifaxes and 12 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 6 and 8 Groups are sent to attack Karlsruhe. The marking and bombing are accurate and severe damage is caused, particularly in the southern and western districts of the city. Among individual buildings destroyed are the important Durlacher machine-tool factory, the main Protestant church and the concert hall.
    • 1 Lancaster and 1 Mosquito are lost.
  • 282 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group are sent to attack Heilbronn east of Karlsruhe. This is a crushing blow on Heilbronn which stands on a main north-south railway line but is otherwise of little importance. It is the first and only major raid by Bomber Command on this target. 1,254 tons of bombs fall in a few minutes and the post-war British Bombing Survey Unit estimates that 351 acres, 82 per cent of the town's built-u6p area, are destroyed, mainly by fire. Much investigation by various people result in the reliable estimate that just over 7,000 people died. Most of these victims die in fires so intense that there was probably a genuine firestorm. For the bombers, there are numerous battles with German night fighters.
    • 12 Lancasters are lost on the raid.
Minor Ops:
  • 54 Mosquitos are sent to Hagen, 12 to Bielefeld and Hamm, and there are 60 Mosquito patrols and 47 RCM sorties.
    • There are no losses.
US 8th AIR FORCE
GERMANY:
  • 188 of 419 1st Bomb Division B-17s dispatched attack marshalling yards at Kassel and Soest.
  • 199 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Bebra.
  • 99 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack marshalling yards at Giessen and Koblenz (targets of opportunity).
  • 221 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Mainz.
  • 62 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Giessen.
  • 119 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Friedburg (target of opportunity.
  • 41 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack various targets of opportunity.
    • 3 heavy bombers and 3 of 939 VIII Fighter Command escorts are lost.
US 9th AIR FORCE
GERMANY:
  • 9th Air Fokrce fighters support US Army ground forces in western Germany.
US 12th AIR FORCE
ITALY:
  • 12th Air Force B-24s attak an ammo dump and two defended towns.
  • XXII TAC P-47s support the US 5th Army and attack lines of communication.
US 15th AIR FORCE
YUGOSLAVIA:
  • 26 15th Air Force P-38s bomb a rail bridge.
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Burma

Gen William Slim, commander of the British 14th Army, begins the destruction of Japanese forces in Burma. The British IV and XXXIII Corps begin the offensive, heading for the Japanese airfields at Yeu and Shwebo. The Japanese 15th Army, commanded by Gen Shihachi Katamura, is in a weakened state following its reverses during the fighting at Kohima and Imphal. The British establish 3 bridgeheads on the Chindwin River as part of Operation EXTENDED CAPITAL. XXXIII Coprps will drive southeast toward Schewbo and Mandalay in a two-pronged attack. In the south, IV Corps will push down the Kabbaw Valley aiming toward Tilin and Pakokku, roughly 100 miles southwest of Mandalay itself. In the far north, the 19th Indian Division begins a decoy offensive out from Sittaung toward Indaw.

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China

Gen Albert C. Wedemeyer requests that all B-29s be removed form their China bases because of the difficulty of supplying them by air over the hump.

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Eastern Front

Fighting continues northeast and southwest of Budapest. Mitrovica falls to the Russians.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

The 2nd Ukrainian Front begins an attack with its 47th Army aimed at crossing the Danube at Ercsi. Attacking just before midnight the Soviet force meets overwhelming German counter-fire and is repulsed with massive losses.

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Italy

In the British 8th Army sector the Polish II Corps takes Montecchio, while units of the Canadian I Corps enter Ravenna.

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Pacific

  • The US destroyer Drayton (DD-366) is damaged by a Japanese bomber in the Leyte area of the Philippine Islands.
  • The US submarine Flasher (SS-249) sinks two Japanese destroyers, the Kishinami and the Iwanami, in the South China Sea.
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Philippines

The US 7th Air Force begins a series of night raids against Japanese airfields on the island of Luzon. On Leyte, in the US X Corps sector, the 112th Cavalry renews its attacks on Japanese positions southeast of Limon, but without success. Other units, from the 24th Division, withdraw from Kilay Ridge toward Pinamopoan. The XXIV Corps prepares for the offensive against Ormoc; the 7th Division will advance along the coast and the 77th Division will carry out an amphibious operation, landing in Ormoc Bay.

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Western Front

The XIII Corps, US 9th Army, breaks off its offensive after taking all its objectives west of the Rur except the villages of Wurm and Müllendorf.

In the American 1st Army sector the 104th Division reinforces its bridgehead over the Inden River. To take advantage of the capture of the bridge over the Saar at Saarlautern, northwest of Saarbrücken, the 95th Division of the XX Corps, 3rd Army, quickly regroups and sends several units across the river, where they begin a hard struggle for the capture of the outskirts of Fraulautern, which forms part of the Siegfried Line, the West Wall.

The XII Corps opens the final assault on the Saar and the Siegfried Line with its 4 divisions, the 80th, 6th Armored, 35th and 26th; the 104th Regiment of this latter division eliminates the last centers of resistance at Saar-Union.

The British 2nd Army eliminates the last German bridgehead west of the Maas.

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Images from December 4, 1944

De Havilland Mosquito


De Havilland Mosquito

OS2N-1 Kingfisher Floatplane Launches


OS2N-1 Kingfisher Floatplane Launches

A Trackless Panther


A Trackless Panther

Waiting for Road to Clear


Waiting for Road to Clear

Tuesday, December 5

Air Operations, CBI

As part of Operation GRUBWORM, 10th Air Force transports begin airlifting a reinforced Chinese Army infantry corps from Burma to China, where it is to help stop the Japanese Army advance toward Kunming. Throughout the operation, USAAF transport aircraft will make use of 1 airfield in Assam (the Ledo airfield) and 5 airfields in Burma, including 4 that have been constructed within only the previous two months. The airfields are Myitkyina North, Myitkyina South, Nansin, Sahmaw, and Warazup.

BURMA
  • 10 10th Air Force B-25s attack the Mogok area.
  • 31 10th Air Force P-48s support Allied ground forces near Bhamo.
  • 25 P-47s attack 5 road bridges.
  • More than 20 P-47s attack troops and stores at 4 locations.
  • 8 P-47s attack the rail line between Shwebo and Wuntho.
CHINA
  • 7 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Fort Bayard and the port area at Kowloon while sweeping the South China Sea, Gulf of Tonkin, and Formosa Strait.
  • 6 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack targets of opportunity between Liuchow and Liuchenghsien.
  • 61 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack lines of communication and targets of opportunity across southern China.
  • 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron P-51s down 3 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters in a morning engagement near Chiuchiang.
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Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s attack targets of opportunity on northern Borneo and the airfield at Djailolo, the Galela airfield on Halmahera, and the Hate Tobako airfield.
  • B-25s attack Langoan, Celebes.
  • B-25s and A-20s attack the Kaoe and Miti airfields on Halmahera.
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Air Operations, Europe

558 8th Air Force planes escorted by 800 fighters attack the Tegel tank works in Berlin and the Münster marshalling yards. 12 bombers and 9 fighters are lost. 91 German fighters are shot down over Berlin. The RAF makes day and night raids on Soest.

RAF BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:
  • 94 Lancasters of No. 3 Group carry out a G-H raid on Hamm through cloud. The British Bombing Survey Unit estimates that 140 acres, 39 per cent of Hamm's built-up area, are destroyed by this attack.
    • There are no losses.
  • 56 Lancasters of No. 3 Group attempt to bomb the Schwammenauel Dam on the River Roer (sometimes called the River Rur) to help the American Army, but the target is covered by cloud and only 2 aircraft bomb.
    • There are no losses.
Minor Ops:
  • 1 Hudson makes a Resistance flight.
Evening Ops:
  • 497 aircraft including 385 Halifaxes, 100 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups are sent to Soest. This ias a successful raid, with the local report confirming that most of the bombing ias in the northern part of the town where the railway installations are situated.
    • 2 Halifaxes are lost.
Minor Ops:
  • 53 Mosquitos are sent to Ludwigshafen, 32 to Nuremberg and 4 to Duisburg, 1 Stirling is on a Resistance operation, and there are 40 Mosquito patrols and 36 RCM sorties.
    • There are no losses.
US 8th AIR FORCE
GERMANY:
  • 187 1st Bomb Division B-17s and 217 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack the Berlin/Tegel tank factory and munitions works.
  • 114 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Munster.
  • 23 heavy bombers attack targets of opportunity.
    • 12 heavy bombers and 17 of 796 VIII Fighter Command escorts are lost.
US 9th AIR FORCE
GERMANY:
    172 9th Bomb Division bombers attack eight defended positions, a fuel dump, a road junction, and a marshalling yard.
  • 9th Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers support US Army ground forces.
  • Beginning with the downing of an He-111 bya 422nd Night Fighter Squadron crew at 0040, USAAF pilots down 91 Luftwaffe aircraft over Germany through 1350 hours.
US 12th AIR FORCE
ITALY:
  • XXII TAC P-47s are able to support the US 5th Army south of Bologna and attack rail targets in the Po River valley.
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Air Operations, Marianas

A 318th Fighter Group P-47 downs a C6N 'Myrt' reconnaissance plane near Saipan at 1030 hours.

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Air Operations, Philippines

  • V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack Japanese Army ground troops, communications targets, and barges in the central Philippines.
  • A VMF(N)-541 F6F downs a Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter near Leyte at 0630 hours. This is the first victory credited to a USMC fighter pilot in the Philippines Campaign.
  • A VMF-115 F4U downs an A6M Zero later in the day.
  • 49th Fighter Group P-38s down 2 D3A 'Val' dive bombers and 2 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over Ormoc Bay at 1115 hours.
  • 49th and 475th Fighter group P-38s down 2 D3A 'Val' dive bombers, 1 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter, and 1 A6M Zero over Cebu between 1710 and 1725 hours.
  • 2 USMC F4Us are lost in operational accidents at the Tacloban airfield on Leyte, and one of the pilots is killed.
  • During the night, Japanese bombers destroy 3 Marine Air Group 12 F4Us on the ground at the Tacloban airfield on Leyte.
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Balkans

British troops intervene in fighting between Greek Royalists and Communists.

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Burma

The Japanese send a big contingent, 3,000 men, to Bhamo to relieve the garrison, which has been besieged for some time. The Chinese 30th Division advances in the same area, moving south toward Namhkam, harassed by small Japanese detachments hidden in the hills.

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Eastern Front

Units of the 3rd Ukraine Front operating in southwest Hungary, reach the south bank of Lake Balaton. Other units advancing along the Drava take Szigetvar. German headquarters announce that the Russians have crossed the Danube near Vukovar.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

Malinovsky continues to attack at Ercsi and also unleashes a new attack north of the city. Preceded by arty and air strikes, the 7th Guards Army launching a ferocious attack into the Ipoly Valley, supported by the 6th Guards Tank Army and Group Pliev. Bitter fighting ensues prompting Malinovsky to commit the 6th Guards Tank to support the attack. The armored forces suffer heavy losses in the close quarters fighting but manage to push their way forward toward Vac. To the south the 46th Army continues to suffer heavy losses before Ercsi but do establish some minor bridgeheads.

As these battles rage the 57th Army of the 3rd Ukrainian Front advances against the weaker southern wing of Army Group South, taking Szigetvar. The 37th Army takes Vukovar as it crosses the Danube in Yugoslavia.

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Germany, Home Front

Women over 18 are asked to volunteer for the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe to free men to fight.

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Greece

Athens is placed under martial law by Lt-Gen Ronald Scobie.

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Italy

Troops from I Canadian Corps take Ravenna as 8th Army's attacks go on.
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Mediterranean

British and Greek warships bombard ELAS positions at Piraeus and Salamis.

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Philippines

On Leyte the US 6th Army begins the offensive agains Ormoc. As part of the X Corps attack south of the Ormoc Valley, the 126th and 127th Infantry Regiments of the 32nd Infantry Division meet strong resistance. The 12th Cavalry Regiment captures Hill 2348.

The 7th Infantry Division breaks Japanese defenses at the Palanas Rivr, The 11th Airborne Division attacks from the east.

Japanese suicide aircraft seriously damage two US destroyers, the Drayton (DD-366) and the Mugford (DD-389), off Leyte. However, the Japanese are quite unable to break the American air and naval blockade around the island.

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Western Front

Units of the 95th Division, XX Corps, US 3rd Army, continue their attacks against Saarlautern and Fraulautern. On the southern flank of the attack, the 5th Division enters Lauterbach. Patrols from the 35th Division reach the Saar.

The US 7th Army opens a general attack northward toward the Maginot Line and the Siegfried Line with 2 corps along a 30-mile front. The 45th Division reaches Mertzwiller where it faces determined German resistance.

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Images from December 5, 1944

A Vickers Machine-gun in Action


A Vickers Machine-gun in Action

Marching Through Geilenkirchen


Marching Through Geilenkirchen

Operations Near Geilenkirchen


Operations Near Geilenkirchen

Captured German Officer


Captured German Officer

A Stinson L-5 Sentinel


A Stinson L-5 Sentinel

Searching Wrecked Buildings


Searching Wrecked Buildings

A Sinking LSM


A Sinking LSM

A Sinking LSM


A Sinking LSM

Wednesday, December 6

Air Operations, CBI

BURMA
  • 10 10th Air Force B-25s attack the main bridge and a bypass bridge at Bawgyo.
  • 15 10th Air Force P-47s support Allied ground troops around Bhamo.
  • 12 P-47s attack troops, artillery positions, and supplies at Banmauk, Namhkam, and on the shore of Indawgyi Lake.
  • 9 P-47s attack bridges at Mongmit and Namhkai.
  • 8 P-47s strafe anti-aircraft batteries at Bawgyo.
  • 8 14th Air Force P-51s attack road traffic between Hsenwi and Wanling.
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Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s attack the Boroboro and Kendari airfields on Celebes.
  • B-25s and A-20s attack the Namlea airfield on Boeroe.
  • B-25s and fighter-bombers attack airfields on Halmahera.
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Air Operations, Europe

There is 'round-the-clock' bombing of the Leuna oil plant.

RAF BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:
Minor Ops:
  • 1 Hudson makes a Resistance flight.
Evening Ops:
  • 475 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 3 and 8 Groups are sent to Leuna. This is the first major attack on an oil target in Eastern Germany. Leuna, near the town of Merseburg, just west of Leipzig, is 250 miles from the German frontier and 500 miles from the bombers' bases in England. There is considerable cloud in the target area but post-raid photographs show that considerable damage had been caused to the synthetic-oil plant.
    • 5 Lancasters are lost.
  • 453 aircraft including 363 Halifaxes, 72 Lancasters and 18 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 4, 6 and 8 Groups are sent to hit Osnabrück. This is the first major raid on Osnabrück since August 1942. The raid is only a partial success. The railway yards are only slightly damaged, but 4 factories are hit, including the Teuto-Metallwerke munitions factory. 203 houses are also destroyed.
    • 7 Halifaxes and 1 Lancaster are lost.
  • 255 Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group are sent to bomb Giessen. There are two aiming points for this raid. 168 aircraft are allocated to the town center and 87 to the railway yards. Severe damage is caused at both places.
    • 8 Lancasters are lost.
Minor Ops:
  • 42 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin, 10 to Schwerte and 2 to Hanau, and there are 47 Mosquito patrols and 37 RCM sorties.
    • 2 Mosquitos are lost, 1 from the Berlin raid and 1 Intruder which crashes in France.
US 8th AIR FORCE
GERMANY:
  • 244 1st Bomb Division B-17s and 202 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack the Leuna synthetic-oil plant at Merseberg.
  • 112 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Bielefeld.
  • 140 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack an aqueduct at Minden.
  • 64 heavy bombers attack various targets of opportunity.
    • 4 B-17s and 1 of 747 VIII Fighter Command escorts are lost.
US 9th AIR FORCE
GERMANY:
  • 154 9th Bomb Division bombers attack four towns.
  • 9th Air Force fighter-bombers attack gun emplacements and bridges, and support US Army ground forces.
US 12th AIR FORCE
ITALY:
  • In spite of bad weather, XXII TAC P-47s are able to mount nearly 100 effective sorties against communications targets.
US 15th AIR FORCE
AUSTRIA:
  • 15th Air Force B-24s attack the Graz Airdrome.
HUNGARY:
  • 15th Air Force B-24s attack marshalling yards at Sopron and Szombathely.
YUGOSLAVIA:
  • 15th Air Force B-17s attack a rail bridge at Brod and the marshalling yard at Zagreb.
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Air Operations, Japan

  • 4 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s attack the airfield at Suribachi. A B-24 weather-reconnaissance plane force-lands in the USSR after it experiences mechanical problems over the Kurile Islands.
  • During the night, 3 73d Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s mount the first in a series of so-called weather strike missions. The aircraft, usually 2 or 3 at a time, gather vital weather information while dropping incendiary bombs on populated areas to lower civilian morale.
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Air Operations, Pacific

A US B-29 Superfortress is destroyed and 2 others damaged during an early morning air raid on the Marianas by 10 Japanese Betty bombers. 6 of the attackers are shot down by anti-aircraft fire.

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Air Operations, Philippines

  • Japanese Army paratroopers are dropped over several US airfields on Leyte as part of an ambitious counter-offensive aimed at regaining control of the bases. Flying from the Angeles airfield on Luzon, the transports and paratroops are only partially successful in even landing. 2 Ki-57 'Topsy' transport planes are shot down with all aboard by anti-aircraft fire over the Tacloban airfield on Leyte. 2 Ki-57 'Topsys' crash land at the Dulag airfield on Leyte, where all of only 5 survivors are rapidly killed. A large force is dropped at the recently abandoned San Pablo airfield on Leyte. An estimated 80 paratroopers land at the recently abandoned Buri airfield on Leyte, where they are later joined by a small Japanese Army infantry force that fights its way in. A handful of paratroopers destroy a C-45 and 5 L-5s at the Bayug airfield on Leyte. US Army ground forces immediately surround and seal off the occupied bases, and begin clearing operations.
  • FEAF B-24s attack the Bacolod airfield on Negros.
  • V Bomber Command B-25s and V Fighter Command P-47s attack the Cagayan and Del Monte airfields on Mindanao and the airfield at Jacgol.
  • P-38s attack a convoy off southern Leyte.
  • A 49th Fighter Group P-38 downs a Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance plane near Siargao Island at 0730 hours.
  • 475th Fighter Group P-38s down 4 J2M 'Jack' fighters near Ponson Island at 0845 hours.
  • A 348th Fighter Group P-47 downs a Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance plane over Negros at 0945 hours.
  • A 35th Fighter Group P-47 downs a B6N 'Jill' torpedo bomber over the Del Monte airfield on Mindanao at 1100 hours.
  • 475th Fighter Group P-38 downs a J2M 'Jack' fighter over the Tanza airfield on Negros at 1355 hours.
  • 475th Fighter Group P-38s down 2 Ki-48 'Lily' bombers over Negros at 1415 hours.
  • A 475th Fighter Group P-38 downs a Ki-45 'Nick' fighter over Cebu at 1630 hours.
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Battle of the Atlantic

On this day U-775 torpedoes and sinks the British frigate Bullen. The search for the culprit finds U-297 instead. The British frigates Loch Irish and Goodall carry out a series of attacks which bring wooden wreckage and oil to the surface. Aircraft are ordered to search the area. Later in the afternoon, Sunderland 'Y' of No 201 Squadron sight a periscope and attacks with depth charges sinking the U-boat.

U-297

ClassType VIIC/41
CO Oberleutnant zur See Wolfgang Andegannan
Location Atlantic, NE of Cape Wrath
Cause Depth charge
Casualties 50
Survivors None
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Burma

The Japanese contingent sent to reinforce the troops besieged at Bhamo crosses the Shweli River and advances on Tonk-wa, where part of the Chinese 22nd Division is in position and toward which the US 475th Regiment is making its way.

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CBI

The 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 475th Infantry Regiment of Mars Task Force relieve Chinese forces at Tonkwa. The units of the Chinese 22nd Division begin a redeployment back to China by air at the insistence of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. The 209th and 236th Engineers begin extending the Ledo Road to Bhamo and complete a 1,200-foot pontoon bridge over the Irrawaddy River. The bridge, with a 25-ton capacity, is the third-longest bridge ever built by US Army engineers.

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Eastern Front

The Russian offensive against Hungary is intensified. Against the advancing Russians the Germans have deployed the Army Group South under Otto Wöhler, supported on the right flank, in Yugoslavia, by Army Group F under Maximilian von Weichs. The Army Group South, actually defending Hungarian soil, comprises the German 6th and 8th Armies, the Hungarian 3rd Army and the German 2nd Panzer Army, south of Lake Balaton, the Hungarian 9th Cavalry Army, north of Debrecen, and the Hungarian 1st Army.

Against these forces the Russians deploy, from northeast to southwest, the 4th Ukraine Front under Petrov, with 3 armies, the 2nd Ukraine Front under Rodion Malinovsky, with 5 armies plus a group of mechanized cavalry and the Romanian 1st Army, the 3rd Ukraine Front under Fedor Tolbukhin with 3 armies and a group of mechanized cavalry, plus the Bulgarian 1st Army and the Yugoslav 1st and 3rd Armies.

The German Army Group South, the direct descendant of the South Ukraine Army Group, has 550 aircraft, while the Russians have more than 2,000.

On this day the German High Command announces that the 2nd and 3rd Ukraine Fronts have attacked in force both east and west of Budapest, and that some of their units have succeeded in crossing from Csepel Island to the west bank of the Danube, south of Budapest. Romanian forces are engaged with the Russians in the capture of northeast Hungary, while Bulgarians and Yugoslavs, with part ot the 3rd Ukraine Front are mopping up the region between the Danube and the Sava, in northern Yugoslavia, driving back Army Group F under von Weichs, to the northeast. The Russians take the road and rail junction of Sid.

Germany, Home Front

The He-162 Volksjäger ('People's Fighter') is flight-tested over Vienna.

(5th-7th?)The Nazi women's leader, Gertrud Scholtz-Klink, appeals for all women over 18 to volunteer for service in the army and air force to release men for the front.

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Pacific

The US submarines Segundo (SS-398), Trepang (SS-412) and Razorback (SS-394) attack a Japanese convoy west of Dalupiri Island, Philippines, en route from Takao to Manila. Trepang damages the army cargo ship Fukuyo Maru (5463t) and merchant cargo ships Jinyo Maru (6862t) and Yasakuni Maru (5794t); Segundo damages merchant cargo ships Kenjo Maru (6933t), Yasukuni Maru (5794t) and Shinfuku Maru (2205t).

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Philippines

On Leyte in the north, the renewed efforts by the US 112th Cavalry to drive the Japanese from the line of hills southeast of Limon are still unsuccessful. In the south, the 7th Division pushes on toward Ormoc, taking Balogo and Kang Dakit. The 77th Division, protected by huge air and naval forces, sails for the landing in Ormoc Bay.

The Japanese make a surprise attack on Buri airfield. 350 paratroopers are dropped near the San Pablo airfield, causing a great deal of confusion and disruption. The intent of the Japanese commander is to use the paratroopers to regain the initiative by eminating the airfields under American control. The Japanese hold out for four days against an emergency force of rear area troops.

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Western Front

Assault craft of the 90th Division, XX Corps, US 3rd Army, cross the Saar between Rehlingen and Wallerfangen and establish a small bridgehead in the area of Patchen-Dillingen.

The battalions of the 95th Division which have already crossed the Saar continue to battle for Saarlautern and Roden, Fraulautern and Ensdorf, on the Siegfried Line. On the corps' southern flank the 5th Division continues to advance across the river, accepting the surrender of the St Quentin forts.

2 divisions of the XII Corps, the 6th Armored and the 35th Infantry, reach the west bank of the Saar between Grosbliederstraff and Wittrin.

The 2nd Army is held up southwest of Arnhem by the German demolition of dykes and the consequent flooding.

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Images from December 6, 1944

Railway Yards at Giessen


Railway Yards at Giessen

Railway Yards at Giessen


Railway Yards at Giessen

ELAS Communists Disarmed


ELAS Communists Disarmed

Paratroops Taking Cover


Paratroops Taking Cover

Liberated Toscane/Aresso


Liberated Toscane/Aresso

Loading for an Attack


Loading for an Attack

Recording U-boat Kills


Recording U-boat Kills

Preparing for an Attack


Preparing for an Attack

Preparing for an Attack


Preparing for an Attack

Martin B-26C Marauders


Martin B-26C Marauders

Thursday, December 7

Air Operations, CBI

BURMA
  • 9 10th Air Force B-25s attack a bridge at Tonbo.
  • 63 10th Air Force P-47s attack Japanese Army troops and supplies at Male.
  • 21 P-47s support Allied ground forces around Bhamo.
  • 17 P-47s attack Nawnghkio and nearby supply dumps.
  • 14 P-47s attack 4 bridges at Mansam, Mongmit, and Namyao.
  • 4 P-47s attack suplies at Myauk-le.
  • 8 14th Air Force B-25s attack stores at Lashio.
CHINA
  • 2 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack cargo ships in the South China Sea.
  • 4 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 9 14th Air Force P-40s attack Sankiao.
  • 4 B-25s mount individual attacks against motor vehicles and targets of opportunity in the Hengyang area.
  • 15 P-51s attack a Japanese destroyer and other shipping at Hong Kong.
  • 65 fighter-bombers attack numerous targets in southern China.
  • 80 of 108 58th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s dispatched from Chengtu attack an airplane factory and arsenal at Mukden, Manchuria; 11 B-29s attack a rail yard; and several B-29s attack targets of opportunity.
    • 7 B-29s are lost.
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Air Operations, East Indies

FEAF B-25s attack the airfields at Galela, Kaoe, Lolobata, and Miti on Halmahera.

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Air Operations, Europe

RAF BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:
Minor Ops:
  • 1 Hudson makes a Resistance flight.
Evening Ops:
Minor Ops:
  • 53 Mosquitos are sent to Cologne and 7 to Hanau, and there are 3 RCM sorties.
    • There are no losses.
US 12th AIR FORCE
ITALY:
  • 12th Air Force medium bombers are grounded by bad weather, but XXII TAC P-47s attack numerous road and rail targets.
US 15th AIR FORCE
AUSTRIA:
  • Before dawn, small numbers of 15th Air Force B-24s attack an industrial area at Klagenfurt, and marshalling yards at Innsbruck and Salzburg.
  • 15th Airce B-17s attack marshalling yards at Kagenfurt and Salzburg.
GERMANY:
  • Before dawn, several 15th Air Force B-17s attack a benzol plant at Spittal.
GREECE:
  • 15th Air Force B-17s conduct a resupply mission to Athens.
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Air Operations, Marianas

  • At 0404 hours, several G4M 'Betty' bombers based on Iwo Jima strafe airfields on Saipan.
  • 13 G4M 'Betty' bombers bomb the Saipan bases at about 1435 hours. 6 of the latter bombers are downed by anti-aircraft fire, but 3 B-29s are destroyed, 3 are severely damaged, and approximately 20 are lightly damaged.
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Air Operations, Philippines

  • Beginning at 0600 hours, US 6th Army ground forces land against light opposition at Ormoc Bay, Leyte, to cut the Japanese Army lines of supply and retreat. A total of 45-50 Japanese aircraft mount 16 separate attacks against the Ormoc Bay invasion fleet, but 36 are downed. In the first organized suicide (kamikaze) air attacks of the war, however, 5 ships are damaged, of which 2 must be scuttled.
  • FEAF B-24s attack the Legaspi airfield on Luzon, the Malogo airfield on Negros, and Masbate.
  • During the morning, VMF-211 F4U fighter-bombers patrolling Ormoc Bay, Leyte, locate and attack 7 Japanese ships attempting to land reinforcements. 8 F4Us take on Japanese escort fighters and 4 F4Us attack the ships. 1 Japanese destroyer is set on fire, and it runs aground.
    • 3 VMF-211 F4Us and their pilots are lost.
  • During the afternoon, Marine Air Group 12 F4U fighter-bombers escorted by V Fighter Command P-38s attack the Japanese convoy at Ormoc Bay once again. 3 cargo ships, a destroyer, and a troop transport are sunk.
  • In all, throughout the day, the Japanese convoy is attacked by 86 P-47s, 43 P-40s, and 24 F4Us.
  • VMF(N)-541 F6Fs down a twin-engine airplane over Ormoc Bay at 0145 hours and a Ki-48 'Lily' bomber near the Camotes Islands at 0610 hours.
  • A 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron P-40 downs a D3A 'Val' dive bomber at sea at 0715 hours.
  • A 49th Fighter Group P-38 downs a Ki-45 'Nick' fighter at 0835 hours.
  • 348th Fighter Group P-47s and 475th Fighter Group P-38s down 2 Ki-21 'Sally' bombers, 1 Ki-45 'Nick' fighter, and 1 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter near Ponson Island between 0940 and 0950 hours.
  • V Fighter Command and 49th Fighter Group P-38s down 4 Ki-49 'Helen' bombers, 1 Ki-45 'Nick' fighter, and 3 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over Cebu and Ormoc Bay at 1000 hours. 49th and 475th Fighter group P-38s down 1 Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance plane, 1 Ki-21 'Sally' bomber, and 9 fighters over Ormoc Bay and Cebu between 1115 hours and noon.
  • 348th Fighter Group P-47s and 475th and 49th Fighter group P-38s down 1 Ki-21 'Sally' bomber, 1 Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance plane, 1 Ki-48 'Lily' bomber, 1 Ki-49 'Helen' bomber, 1 B5N 'Kate' torpedo bomber, and 35 fighters over Cebu and Ormoc Bay in a steady stream of engagements between 1400 and 1810 hours.
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Allied Planning

Gen Eisenhower holds a meeting with his senior commanders to establish missions for 1945. Both Montgomery's 21st Army Group and Bradley's 12th Army Group have been struggling in the difficult terrain before the Rhine. After several weeks of fighting, the armies have gained only a few miles. At the small-unit level, gains are measured in yards. The Allied advantage in air power and tanks has been neutralized by both bad weather, which has prevented effective air support to ground forces, and by the nature of the wooded terrain, which limits the use of tanks. Nevertheless, it is agreed that the goal for future operations will be to clear out German forces west of the Rhine River. The Roer River dams are recognized as a priority for the Americans. The Allies plan to launch a new offensive on January 12. In the meantime, Allied forces will make limited attacks, but the majority of the divisions will rest and refit. Field Marshal Montgomery's 21st Army Group will have the priority of effort in the upcoming offensive. Montgomery believes the broadfront strategy Eisenhower continues to promote is wasteful. He argues for a single main thrust (under Montgomery's command) to create a breakthrough.

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Britain, Home Front

Beginning December 9, premises need not be blacked out when alerts are sounded.

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Eastern Front

In Hungary the 3rd Ukraine Front reaches the south bank of Lake Balaton. As part of the plan to free the area between the lake and the Danube, Adony, about 25 miles south of Budapest, is occupied and also Eyning, some 20 miles from Szekesfehervar. The Russian left wing, operating between Lake Balaton and the Drava, takes Barcs. Moscow announces that the Germans are drawing reinforcements from Italy and the Western Front to defend Budapest, which has become the southern pillar of their Eastern Front.

Yugoslav troops cross the Danube at various points near Vukovar in Slovenia. The German High Command announces that German troops are evacuating Montenegro and western Serbia in accordance with prearranged plans. Actually Montenegro was evacuated some time ago.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

Adony falls to the 46th Army. Barcs also falls as the Soviets close up to the Drava. Hitler declares Budapest a 'Fortified Place' and orders it be held at all costs.

Units of the 4th Guards Army reaches Lake Balaton, having broken through the 2nd Panzer Army.

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Greece

An uprising by the Communists (ELAS) in Athens bring British troops and tanks onto the streets.

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Japan, Home Front

An earthquake rocks the Tokai area, disrupting rail communications and temporarily halting production at the Mitsubishi aircraft works in Nagoya.

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Philippines

On Leyte aircraft of the US 5th Air Force, together with army and Marines aircraft, attack a Japanese convoy of 6 transports and 6 escort vessels heading for Leyte with reinforcements and provisions. The pilots report that they have sunk all the enemy ships.

At 7:07am, after an intensive preparation by naval gunfire, the US 77th Division under Gen Andrew Bruce, XXIV Corps, begins the laniding at Deposito, in Ormoc Bay. It is exactly 3 years since Pearl Harbor. The Japanese put up very little resistance, and the landing force is able to penetrate into the interior very quickly. Some 50 Japanese aircraft carry out 16 raids on the landing zone; 36 aircraft are brought down, but not before kamikaze have damaged the American destroyer Mahan (DD-364) and the fast transport Ward (APD-16). Both ships are later sunk by US forces. Another US destroyer, the Lamson (DD-367), the fast transport Liddle (APD-60) and LST-737 are all damaged by kamikazes. US Army aircraft sink the Japanese transport No. 11 in the day's action.

Meanwhile the US 7th Division continues its advance on Ormoc from the south. Fighting goes on in the Buri airfield area.

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Romania, Politics

A new government takes office. Led by Gen Nicolae Radescu they are pledged to implement fully the terms of the armistice, to help the Allies and to purge all pro-Nazis.

[rarrrarr]

Western Front

The US 90th and 95th Divisions continues the battle to consolidate their positions, the first in the Patchen-Dilligen sector, the second in the Saarlautern bridgehead. The XII Corps re-groups in readiness for the attack on the Siegfried Line by the 35th and 26th Divisions, between Saarbrücken and Zweibrücken.

On the southern flank of the front, while the I Corps of the French 1st Army opens the attack on the Colmar pocket, the II Corps is engaged in holding the very strong counterattacks of the German 19th Army in the Ostheim, Guemar and Mittelwihr sectors.

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Images from December 7, 1944

Warning Sign near Ravenna


Warning Sign near Ravenna

Firing a Vickers Machine-gun


Firing a Vickers Machine-gun

Damage to Railroad Yard


Damage to Railroad Yard

Giant Crane In Action


Giant Crane In Action

St Nicholas Day Party


St Nicholas Day Party

Lamson on fire in Ormoc Bay


<i>Lamson</i> on fire in Ormoc Bay

Clearing the Streets


Clearing the Streets

Ward (APD-16) Burning in Ormoc Bay


<i>Ward</i> (APD-16) Burning in Ormoc Bay

Friday, December 8

Air Operations, CBI

BURMA
  • More than 30 10th Air Force P-47s support Allied ground forces in the Bhamo area.
  • 28 P-47s attack supply dumps at 3 locations.
  • 16 fighter-bombers attack a motor pool and radio station at Shwebo.
  • 12 P-47s attack troops at Namti.
  • 8 fighter-bombers attack rail targets at Nawnghkio and Sedaw.
  • 7 P-47s attack a bypass bridge at Namhkai.
  • 6 P-47s attack a ferry landng at Namun.
  • 4 fighter-bombers attack an occupied village.
CHINA
  • 4 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Japanese Army horses at Nan Tan.
  • 25 14th Air Force P-51s attack Hochih and an ammunition dump, motor vehicles, troops, and warehouses in the Hochih area.
  • 15 P-40s attack rail targets between Nan Tan and Liuchow.
  • 14 P-51s attack aircraft on the ground at the Tai Chiao Chan airfield at Nanking.
  • More than 20 fighter-bombers attack various targets of opportunity in southern China.
  • P-512 from the 23rd Fighter Group’s 74th Fighter Squadron down 6 Japanese fighters over or near Nanking's Tai Chiao Chan airfield at 1330 hours.
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Air Operations, Europe

RAF BOMBER COMMAND
Daylight Ops:
  • 205 Lancasters of No. 5 Group are sent to hit the Urft Dam. The bombing was affected by 9/10ths cloud and no results are seen.
    • 1 Lancaster is lost.
  • 163 Lancasters of No. 3 Group carry out a G-H raid through cloud on the railway yards at Duisburg. At the same time, 30 Mosquitos of No. 8 Group attack the Meiderich oil plant near Duisburg, probably using the Oboe-leader technique.
    • There are no losses.
Minor Ops:
  • 1 Hudson is on a Resistance flight.
US 9th AIR FORCE
GERMANY:
  • 29 9th Bomb Division A-26s attack a rail bridge at Sinzig.
  • 9th Air Force fighters support US Army ground forces.
US 12th AIR FORCE
ITALY:
  • 4 XXII TAC P-47s on a weather-recon mission destroy 4 locomotives and an estimated 100 rail cars.
US 15th AIR FORCE
AUSTRIA:
  • Before dawn, small numbers of 15th Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack rail targets around Graz, Klagenfurt, Villach, and Volkermarkt, and an oil-industry target near Vienna.
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Air Operations, East Indies

FEAF B-25s and fighter-bombers, with RAAF aircraft, attack airfields and targets of opportunity on Halmahera.

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Air Operations, Philippines

  • More than 60 FEAF B-24s attack the La Carlota airfield on Negros, the Lahug airfield on Cebug, and the airfield at Mandurriao.
  • V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack the San Isidro area on Leyte.
  • VMF-313 F4Us down 2 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters near the Alicante airfield on Negros at 1610 hours.
  • US Army ground forces recapture the San Pablo airfield on Leyte, where the bodies of 124 Japanese Army paratroopers are counted.
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Air Operations, Volcano Islands

To stop air attacks against B-29 bases at the source, US Navy surface warships join 61 73rd Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s (of 82 dispatched) and 102 VII Bomber Command B-24s in the largest bombardment to date of all 3 airfields in Iwo Jima. Escort is provided by 28 318th Fighter Group P-38s, which open the day’s attack at 0945 hours with a sweep of the island. The bombers alone drop nearly 800 tons of bombs on the island. This brutal bombardment opens a pre-invasion bombardment effort that will continue for 74 consecutive days. Most of these attacks will be undertaken by VII Bomber Command B-24s and VMB-612 PBJs based in the Mariana Islands. A 318th Fighter Group P-47 downs an A6M Zero over Iwo Jima at 1000 hours.

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Burma

The American 475th Infantry occupies positions as the 22nd Division is redeployed to China. The 1st Tank Battalion of the 1st Provisional Tank Group supports Chinese forces from the 38th Division attacking Japanese defenses at Bhamo. The 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 475th Infantry Regiment defend Tonkwa against Japanese counterattacks.

To the west, the British IV Corps prepares to advance to the Irrawaddy in the area of Pokokku, with the intention of crossing to the east of the great river and advancing on Meiktila and Thazi.

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China

The Japanese of the 11th Army join up with units coming up from Indo-China.

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Eastern Front

In Hungary the Russians widen the breach opened north of Budapest by the 2nd Ukraine Front. South of the city, advance units of the 3rd Ukraine Front are only 10 miles from Szekesfehervar. The Germans repel enemy efforts to break through between Lake Balaton and the Drava.

SOUTHERN SECTOR

The 4th Guards Army attacks the Hungarian 3rd Army north of Lake Balaton, moving to within 10 miles of Szekesfehervar. The 57th Army establishes firm positions between the lake and the Danube.

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Italy

8th Army troops cross the Lamone River south of Faenza.

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Pacific

The US submarines Paddle (SS-263) and Hammerhead (SS-364), attacking from opposite sides of a Japanese Singaport-to-Manila convoy, sink the merchant tanker Shoei Maru (2854t).

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Philippines

On Leyte in the north, in the US X Corps sector, the Americans try to cut the Japanese supply lines beyond the hills southeast of Limon. In the XXIV Corps sector, a regiment of the 77th Division, with a battalion of tanks and a flamethrower unit, comes within less than a mile of Ormoc. The Japanese 26th Division attacks on Buri airfield are repelled.

Elements of the 1st Cavalry Division capture Wright, the end of the Taft-Wright Highway on Samar. American troops work with Philippine guerillas to clear the entire highway.

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Volcano Islands

3 American heavy cruisers and their destroyer escorts under Rear-Adm A. E. Smith bombard Iwo Jima along with B-24 and B-29 bombers. The airfields and coast defenses are the targets. This operation is repeated twice more during December.

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Western Front

Plans are prepared for an attack by the VII Corps, US 1st Army, in the region between the Inde and Rur rivers, and on the town of Düren, the final objective of the offensive.

In the sector of Dillingen and Saarlautern, the 90th and 95th Divisions have to face a heavy German counterattack.

The 35th Division of XII Corps also crosses the Saar.

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Images from December 8, 1944

Third Fleet Aircraft Carriers


Third Fleet Aircraft Carriers

Re-arming Fighter-bombers


Re-arming Fighter-bombers

Ticonderoga Entering Ulithi Lagoon


<i>Ticonderoga</i> Entering Ulithi Lagoon

Writing a Christmas Card


Writing a Christmas Card

Home on the Side of a Cliff


Home on the Side of a Cliff

Bringing Firewood


Bringing Firewood

Loading Firewood


Loading Firewood

In the Mud and Mountains


In the Mud and Mountains

Saturday, December 9

Air Operations, CBI

BURMA
  • 10th Air Force P-47s attack troops, dumps, bridges, and targers of opportunity across northern Burma.
CHINA
  • 12 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Hochih, Lipo, and Tuhshan.
  • 65 14th Air Force P-40s and P-51s attack rail, river, and road traffic, and targets of opportunity in the Chuchou, Hengyang, Kweilin, Lingling, Liuchow, and Tuhshan areas.
  • 19 P-40s and P-51s attack rail, river, and road traffic, and targets of opportunity between Kweiyi and Siangtan.
  • 50 fighter-bombers attack various targets of opportunity across southern China.
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Air Operations, East Indies

  • FEAF B-24s attack a bridge spanning the Dondang River (Borneo), oil stores at Lingkas (Borneo), oil facilities at Sanga Sanga Island ((Tawi Tawi Islands), and 3 airfields in the Molucca Islands.
  • B-25s attack the Wasile Bay (Molucca Islands) area.
  • P-38s attack an airfield in the Molucca Islands.
  • A 418th Night Fighter Squadron P-61 downs a twin-float seaplane near the Wama airfield on Morotai at 0315 hours.
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Air Operations, Europe

Stuttgart is raided by the 8th Air Force.

RAF BOMBER COMMAND
Evening Ops:
Minor Ops:
  • 60 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin, 8 to Koblenz and 4 to the Meiderich oil plant at Duisburg, and there are 28 Mosquito patrols and 36 RCM sorties.
ul>
  • 381 1st Bomb Division B-17s, escorted by 247 VIII Fighter Command escorts, attack three marshalling yards at Stuttgart.
    • 1 B-17 is lost.
  • VIII Fighter Command escort fighters strafe communications targets of opportunity.
  • US 9th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 254 9th Bomb Division bombers attack a barracks, several defended towns, depots, and several marshalling yards.
    • 9th Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers support US Army ground forces.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • 12th Air Force medium bombers are grounded by bad weathers, but XII TAC P-47s are able to attack lines of communication in the Po River valley.
    US 15th AIR FORCE
    AUSTRIA:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s attack an industrial area at Linz, a marshalling yard at Villach, and oil-industry targets near Vienna.
    CZECHOSLOVAKIA:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s attack an armaments plant at Pilsen.
    GERMANY:
    • 15th Air Force B-17s attack marshalling yards and oil-industry targets at Regensburg.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Arctic

    In an effort to protect Convoy RA-62, escort ships are sent ahead to clear the waters around the Kola Inlet. The British frigate Bainborough Castle obtains a U-boat contact and destroys it with a depth-charge attack. The victim is later determined to be U-387.

    U-387

    ClassType VIIC
    CO Kapitänleutnant Rudolf Buchler
    Location Arctic, off the Kola Inlet
    Cause Depth charge
    Casualties 51
    Survivors None
    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Britain, Home Front

    The black-out regulations are relaxed. There is as yet no question of restoring street lights but the rules for houses and other premises are not now so strict.
    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Burma

    Chinese attacks continue on Bhamo, which the Japanese defend with courage and tenacity.

    The 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 475th Infantry Regiment counterattack Japanese forces at Tonkwa and Mo-hlaing.

    [larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

    China

    The Chinese 5th and 53rd Armies, which should have concentrated in defense of Kunming, have not yet carried out the necessary movements. Gen Albert C. Wedemeyer protests to Chiang Kai-shek.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Eastern Front

    Moscow announces that the 2nd Ukraine Front has reached the bend of the Danube north of Budapest, at Vac, and has made contact south of the city with the 3rd Ukraine Front on Lake Velencei, between the Danube and Lake Balaton. On the right of these attacks Balassabyarmat on the Slovak border is taken. Budapest is thus two-thirds surrounded. The Bulgarian government announces that the Bulgarian and Yugoslav armies, with the support of the Russian air force, have completed the occupation of Serbia and Macedonia, expelling the last units of German Army Group E.

    SOUTHERN SECTOR

    Following a fierce battle Ercsi falls to the 46th Army. Leading elements of the 46th link up with the 4th Guards near Lake Velencze. Along the Slovak-Hungarian border Balassagyarmat falls to the 7th Guards Army, while elements of the 6th Guards Tank Army rech the Danube at Vac. German counterattacks by the Feldherrnhalle and 13th Panzer Divisions at Vac are repulsed after heavy fighting.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Italy

    The British 8th Army suspends its Italian offensive, too weakened even to exploit the advantages of fighting off counterattacks which have been extremely costly to the Germans.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Pacific

    The US attack transport Cavalier (APA-37) is damaged by a submarine torpedo in the Luzon area of the Philippine Islands.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    On Leyte the Japanese succeed in landing a small group of reinforcements at Palompon on the west coast of Leyte northwest of Ormoc. In the north, the Americans are still held up on the hills southeast of Limon. In the west south of Ormoc the US 77th Division expands its beachhead near Ormoc. The Japanese carry out night counterattacks against Buri airfield.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    In the US 3rd Army sector fighting continues around the bridgeheads at Dillingen where the 90th Division is operating and Saarlautern by the 95th Division. The US 7th Army continues its offensive, attempting to reach the Maginot Line and the Siegfried Line; on the left of its front units of the XV Corps take Singling, by the 12th Armored Division, Enchenberg by the 44th Division and Lemberg by the 100th Division. On the right, the 45th Division reaches Niederbronn.

    The II Corps of the French 1st Army overcomes strong German resistance to capture Mittelwihr.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 9, 1944

    In the Village of Neer


    In the Village of Neer

    Sharing with Children


    Sharing with Children

    Attacking Enemy Shipping off Norway


    Attacking Enemy Shipping off Norway

    Attacking Enemy Shipping off Norway


    Attacking Enemy Shipping off Norway

    Self-propelled Howitzer M7 Priest


    Self-propelled Howitzer M7 Priest

    P-51 Mustang


    P-51 Mustang

    F4U Corsair 50 Strikes the Barricade


    F4U Corsair 50 Strikes the Barricade

    Convoy of Allied Trucks


    Convoy of Allied Trucks

    Sunday, December 10

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 12 10th Air Force B-25s attack stores at Kungmong, Meza, and Namun.
    • More than 50 10th Air Force P-47s attack troops and stores at 8 locations.
    • 20 P-47s support Allied ground troops in the Bhamo area.
    • 8 P-47s attack a road bridge.
    • 8 14th Air Force B-25s attack Kutkai.
    CHINA
    • 25 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Hankow.
    • 3 B-24s attack port facilities at Samah Bay, Hainan.
    • 118 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack numerous targets in southern China.
    • After 8 months of offensive effort, Japanese Army ground forces succeed in opening a continuous land route from Peking to Hanoi in French Indochina. 14th Air Force bases in eastern China are completely cut off, and bases at Chungking, Kunming, and Kweiyang are threatened.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    • FEAF B-24s attack oil stores at Lingkas and Pamoesian, Borneo, an oil refinery at Lutong, Borneo, and port facilities at Labuan Island, Borneo.
    • B-25s attack the Sidate airfield on Celebes, the Namlea airfield on Boeroe, and airfields on Amboina.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    The Americans bomb rail targets at Coblenz and Bingen.

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Daylight Ops:
    Minor Ops:
    • 1 Hudson flies a Resistance operation.
    US 8th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 173 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Bingen.
    • 277 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Koblenz.
      • 1 of 535 VIII Fighter Command escorts is lost.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • Nearly 130 9th Bomb Division B-26s attack two defended towns.
    • 9th Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers attack numerous ground targets and support US Army ground forces.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • 12th Air Force B-25s attack rail targets and a barracks, as well as defended positions in support of the British 8th Army.
    • XXII TAC P-47s attack communicatins targets in the battle area.
    • During the night, XXII TAC A-20s attack rail lines, roads, and pontoon bridges in the Po River valley.
    US 15th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • More than 350 15th Air Force heavy bombers on their way to attack oil-industry targets in Germany are recalled due to bad weather.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • V Fighter Command P-38s attack the port area at Misamis.
    • Fighter-bombers attack stores and targets of opportunity in the central Philippines.
    • A Japanese Army ground attack on Leyte forces 5th Air Force personnel at the Burauen airfield on Leyte to abandon the bases, but the situation is restored by a US Army counterattack, and the airbase is reoccupied.
    • Marine Air Group 12 F4U fighter-bombers mount their first ground-support missions of the Philippines Campaign when they attack Japanese Army ground troops and facilities at Ormoc Bay and San Isidro, Leyte.
    • 348th Fighter Group P-47s down 1 Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance plane, 4 Ki-21 'Sally' bombers, and 5 Ki-61 'Tony' fighters in several enagements over the central Philippines between 0820 and 1700 hours.
    • 2 VMF-115 F4Us down 1 Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance plane near Leyte at 1640 hours.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Battle of the Atlantic

    The US freighter Dan Beard is torpedoed and sun by U-1202 off the coast of Wales losing 17 of her 40-man crew and 12 of the 22 Armed Guard sailors in the attack.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Burma

    British 36th Division patrols advance into Indaw and Katha in Burma.

    The Japanese prepare to defend along a line about 400 miles north of Rangoon, from Aykab to Mandalay and along the Irrawaddy River to Lashio.

    [larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

    China

    Gen Albert C. Wedemeyer asks Chiang Kai-shek to order the Yunnan Force to capture Wanting, northeast of the Shweli valley, where the new Burma Road coming from Ledo is to link up with the route of the old Burma Road.

    The ICHI-GO offensive brings the Japanese victories not experienced elsewhere in the Far East. Throughout November, Japanese forces have occupied southern China up to the borders of French Indochina. When Japanese forces in China link up with their garrisons in Indo-China, Japan reaches the highest point of its expansion into the continent of Asia. It also provides a new supply route for the offensive through the Indochina to China rail link, which stretches across the entire length of China up into Mongolia.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Diplomatic Relations

    Following the recent visit of Gen de Gaulle, Georges Bidault, the Foreign Minister and Gen Alphonse Juin to Moscow, a 20-year treaty of alliance is signed by French and Soviet representatives.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Occupied Norway

    Norwegian paratroops, flown from Britain, destroy hundreds of rails and the Koppand Bridge, to prevent the withdrawal of German troops from northern Norway. This operation will last until January 5, 1945.

    [larrlarr | rarr2]

    Philippines

    On Leyte the US 77th Division, with support from naval gunfire, clears Japanese defenders from Camp Downes and enters Ormoc City. Ormoc has been the main Japanese base on the island of Leyte. Over 1,500 Japanese are killed. US casualties are 136 killed, wounded, and missing.

    Japanese units attack Burauen airfield, temporarily forcing the garrison from the US 5th Air Force to withdraw. A counterattack restores the position. In the waters off Leyte kamikazes damage the American destroyer Hughes (DD-410) and sink the motor torpedo-boat PT-323.

    The US action on Leyte has followed three broad lines of advance: through the north of Leyte up the Leyte Valley; across the center toward Ormoc then northwest up the Ormoc Valley; and directly southward following the coastlines. Fighting is heavy, but the US soldiers are making steady progress. The plight of Gen Sosaku Suzuki's 35th Army on Leyte is desperate, especially now the fall of Ormoc has cut his troops off from naval supply.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    The VII Corps, US 1st Army, mounts a co-ordinated offensive to liberate the west bank of the Rur River and the town of Düren, using 3 divisions of infantry, the 9th, 83rd and 104th, and 1 armored division, the 3rd.

    A powerful German counteroffensive aims at destroying the Dillingen bridgehead, and is held only with great difficulty.

    In the Saarlautern sector units of the 95th Division try to step up their attacks to get through to Fraulautern, but a surprise enemy counterattack frustrates their efforts.

    The 2nd Moroccan Division, I Corps, French 1st Army, completes the capture of Thann, and the 9th Colonial Division eliminates the last German bridgehead west of the Rhine between Kembs and the Swiss frontier.

    The VII Corps from 1st Army starts a powerful attack west of Aachen in an attempt to take Düren. 3rd Army's battles on the Saar continue.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 10, 1944

    V-mail Greeting Home


    V-mail Greeting Home

    Soldiers of the Maori Battalion


    Soldiers of the Maori Battalion

    Japanese POW Quarters


    Japanese POW Quarters

    Seeking Shelter from the Weather


    Seeking Shelter from the Weather

    Lt-Gen Truscott Arriving


    Lt-Gen Truscott Arriving

    Christmas Dinner


    Christmas Dinner

    German Prisoners


    German Prisoners

    German Prisoners


    German Prisoners

    Monday, December 11

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 12 10th Air Force B-25s attack stores at Hpaklon.
    • 21 P-47s attack bridges at 4 locations.
    • 16 P-47s support Allied ground forces in the Bhamo area.
    • 7 P-47s attack a ferry at Hsipaw.
    • 12 14th Air Force B-25s attack Kutkai.
    • Fighter-bombers attak Lashio and Wan Lai-Kam.
    CHINA
    • A small number of 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack Kengtung and the Tienho airfield at Canton.
    FRENCH INDOCHINA
    • 6 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s, 6 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s, and 51st Fighter Group P-51s attack the Hai Duong area. For the 341st Medium Bomb Group, this attack opens a three-month campaign aimed specifically at destroying bridges, especially rail bridges, in northern French Indochina.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    FEAF B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers attack Goeroea (Molucca Islands) in force and mount small attacks against oil targets and shipping in and around northern Borneo.

    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    Some 1,600(2,000?) US Fortresses and Liberators, the biggest American force yet sent over Germany, bomb rail targets in Frankfurt, Hanau and Giessen and oil plant and ordnance depots near Vienna.

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Daylight Ops:
    • 233 Lancasters of No. 5 Group and 5 Mosquitos of No. 8 Group are sent to hit the Urft Dam. Hits are scored, but no breach is made.
      • 1 Lancaster is lost.
    • 150 Lancasters of No. 3 Group are sent on G-H raids through cloud to the railway yards (98 aircraft) and to the benzol plant (52 aircraft) at Osterfeld. The bombing appears to have been accurate.
      • 1 Lancaster is lost.
    • 80 Mosquitos of No. 8 Group are on Oboe-leader raids to a coking plant (48 aircraft) and to the Meiderich benzol plant at Duisburg. Most of the bombing on the benzol plant and approximately half on the coking plant appear to be accurate.
      • There are no losses.
    Evening Ops:
    Minor Ops:
    • 38 Mosquitos are sent to Hannover, 28 to Hamburg, 9 to Schwerte, 8 to Bielefeld and 6 to Duisburg.
      • 1 Mosquito is lost on the Hamburg raid.
    US 8th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 319 1st Bomb Division B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Frankfurt am Main.
    • 171 1st Bomb Division B-17s attac bridges in the Mannheim area.
    • 297 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Hanau.
    • 154 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack a bridge.
    • 353 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Giessen (primary).
    • 135 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Giessen (secondary).
    • 38 heavy bombers attack secondary targets and targets of opportunity.
      • 5 heavy bombers and 2 of 777 VIII Fighter Command escorts are lost.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 9th Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers attack several German cities and support US Army ground forces.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • 12th Air Force medium bombers attack a bridge.
    • XXII TAC P-47s attack rail targets, defensive positions, towns, and gun emplacements.
    US 15th AIR FORCE
    AUSTRIA:
    • 15th Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack oil-industry targets and a goods depot near Vienna.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Atlantic

    The US submarine chaser SC-1059 sinks after running aground near the Bahamas.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Battle of the Atlantic

    U-365 and torpedo planes attack Convoy RA-62. The destroyer Cassandra is damaged and a U-boat is sunk.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • FEAF B-24s attack the Mandurriao airfield.
    • V Bomber Command B-25s an V Fighter Command P-47s attack the Padada airfield on Mindanao.
    • During the morning, 27 Marine Air Group 12 F4U fighter-bombers attack a Japanese reinforcement convoy off northeastern Panay with 1,000-pound bombs. 4 of the 10 ships encountered are sunk. When engaged by Japanese fighters during their attack on the ships, many VMF-211 and VMF-218 F4Us become embroiled in a dogfight. 9 Japanese fighters are downed and 1 is probably downed over the Visayan Sea between 1100 and 1130 hours.
    • During the afternoon, 30 Marine Air Group 12 F4U fighter-bombers, escorted by V Fighter Command P-40s, return to attack the Japanese convoy near Panay at masthead height. 2 troop transports, 3 destroyers, and 1 cargo vessel are sunk, 2 freighters and 2 destroyers are set on fire, and 2 cargo vessels and 1 troop transport are severely damaged. 5 F4Us are downed by intense anti-aircraft fire.
    • A VMF-218 F4U downs a D3A 'Val' dive bomber over Ormoc Bay at 0745 hours.
    • 49th Fighter Group P-38s down 2 fighters over Panay at 0900 hours.
    • 475th Fighter Group P-38s down 5 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters near Bantayan Island between 0900 and 0920 hours.
    • A 49th Fighter Group P-38 downs an A6M Zero near Leyte at 1110 hours.
    • 348th Fighter Group P-47s and 49th and 475th Fighter group P-38s down 11 Japanese fighters over the central Philippines throughout the afternoon.
    • A VMF-218 F4U downs an A6M Zero over the Visayan Sea at 1530 hours.
    • At 1716 hours, 4 VMF-313 F4Us patrolling over a US Navy convoy in Surigao Strait encounter 16 bomb-carrying A6M Zeros. The F4Us down 5 Zeros and drive away 9 others, but 2 Zeros intentionally crash into a US destroyer, which sinks. Many of the F4Us are damaged by friendly anti-aircraft fire.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations, Volcano Islands

    28 30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Iwo Jima.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Burma

    In the British IV Corps sector units of the 268th Brigade capture Indaw.

    [larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

    Italy

    British troops cross the Lamone River but tanks are unable to make it to the bridgehead.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Pacific

    The US submarine Sea Owl (SS-405) sinks the Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser CHA-76 in the East China Sea.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    On Leyte bombers of the US 5th Air Force, despatched from the island, begin the pre-invasion hammering of Mindoro Island.

    The Americans succeed in outflanking the Japanese positions southeast of Limon and in splitting the enemy forces, isolating those in the Limon area from the main body concentrated northwest of Ormoc. Ormoc yields vas stockpiles of munitions which were the supply mainstays of the Japanese 35th Army. The Japanese try to land reinforcements in Ormoc Bay during the night, but their effort is mostly frustrated.

    Troops of the 11th Airborne Division and the 149th Infantry Regiment of the 38th Infantry Division are able to eliminate the Japanese paratroopers at San Pablo airfield. Although the Japanese have destroyed several logistics storage sites and a number of aircraft, they have had no appreciable effect on 6th Army's operations.

    Another American destroyer, the Reid (DD-369), is sunk off Leyte by a Japanese suicide aircraft.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    At Dillingen the US 90th Division, XX Corps, US 3rd Army, re-groups in order to resume the offensive and expand the Saarlautern bridgehead, and the 95th Division succeeds in reaching the center of Fraulautern.

    The 35th Division, XII Corps, takes Sarreguemines and pushes on toward the Blies River.

    The US 7th Army enters Haguenau in Alsace.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 11, 1944

    Visit to the 32nd Field Hospital


    Visit to the 32nd Field Hospital

    GIs of C Company


    GIs of C Company

    American War Correspondent with Brazilian Soldiers


    American War Correspondent with Brazilian Soldiers

    Motorcycle Despatch Rider


    Motorcycle Despatch Rider

    A Sniper with 'C' Company


    A Sniper with 'C' Company

    M4A1 Sherman Tank Tows Tank Destroyer


    M4A1 Sherman Tank Tows Tank Destroyer

    Lt-Gen Truscott on a Muddy Road in Italy


    Lt-Gen Truscott on a Muddy Road in Italy

    Tuesday, December 12

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 10th Air Force B-25s attack stores near Lashio.
    • More than 40 10th Air Force fighter-bombers attack a Japanese Army headquarters, troops, motor vehicles, town areas, and supplies at 7 locations.
    • More than 20 P-47s attack bridges at 6 locations.
    • 6 14th Air Force B-25s attack Kutkai.
    • Fighter-bombers attack Wan Pa-Hsa.
    CHINA
    • Several 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack the Yangtong airfield with napalm.
    • Several dozen fighter-bombers attack various targets at Changsha, Hengyang, Hochih, Kweilin, and several other locations.
    THAILAND
    • 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack Chiengmai.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    • FEAF B-24s attack the Kendari airfield on Celebes.
    • B-25s attack 3 airfields in the Molucca Islands.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Daylight Ops:
    • 140 Lancasters of No. 3 Group are sent on a G-H raid to the Ruhrstahl steelworks at Witten. It is the town's first major raid of the war. The steelworks are not hit and bombs fall all over the town, destroying 126 houses and 5 industrial premises.
      • German fighters intercept the force in the target area and 8 Lancasters are lost.
    Evening Ops:
    • 349 Lancasters, 163 Halifaxes and 28 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 4 and 8 Groups are sent to Essen. This is the last heavy night raid by Bomber Command on Essen. During the post-war interrogations of Albert Speer, Hitler's Armaments Minister, he was asked which forms of attack were most effective in weakening the German war effort. After referring to the effectiveness of daylight raids and to some of the Oboe Mosquito attacks, Speer paid a compliment to the accuracy of this raid on Essen: "The last night attack upon the Krupp works, which was carried out by a large number of 4-engined bombers, caused surprise on account of the accuracy of the bomb pattern. We assumed that this attack was the first large-scale operation based on Oboe or some other new navigational system."
      • 6 Lancasters are lost.
    Minor Ops:
    • 49 Mosquitos are sent to Osnabrück, and there are 43 Mosquito patrols and 43 RCM sorties.
    • A V-2 hits the Rex Cinema in Antwerp killing 492 people and seriously injuring about 500 others.
    US 8th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 337 1st Bomb Division B-17s attack the Leuna synthetic-oil plant at Merseburg.
    • 270 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Hanau.
    • 69 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Aschaffenburg.
    • 461 3rd Bomb Division attack a marshalling yard at Darmstadt.
    • 60 heavy bombers attack various secondary targets and targets of last resort.
      • 4 heavy bombers and 7 of 831 VIII Fighter Command escorts are lost.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 90 9th Bomb Division B-26s and A-20s attack nine defended villages and towns.
    • 9th Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers support US Army ground forces.
    • 9th Air Force fighter pilots down 13 Luftwaffe fighters over western Germany between 1445 and 1600 hours.
    US 15th AIR FORCE
    CZECHOSLOVAKIA:
    • 15th Air Force heavy bombers attack Moravska-Ostrava.
    GERMANY:
    • 15th Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack oil-industry targets around Blechhammer.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, New Guinea

    V Bomber Command A-20s attack the airfield at Efman.

    [larr2larr2 | rarr1]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • FEAF B-24s attack the Bacolod airfield on Negros.
    • V Bomber Command B-25s attack the San Roque airfield on Mindanao.
    • VMF(N)-541 F6F night-fighters intercept 33 Japanese aircraft attempting to attack a US Navy convoy in Ormoc Bay at 0720 hours. The Marine pilots down 11 Japanese aircraft without loss to themselves, and the remaining Japanese aircraft are unable to hit any of the American ships.
    • Marine Air Group 12 F4Us and USAAF P-40s continue to attack a Japanese reinforcement convoy off northeastern Panay. 1 destroyer is sunk and 1 ship is set on fire.
    • 49th and 475th Fighter group P-38s down 3 G4M 'Betty' bombers and 2 A6M Zeros in the Leyte area between 1400 and 1710 hours.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations, Volcano Islands

    24 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Iwo Jima.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Baltic Sea

    • Following mine damage in April 1943, U-416 was in service as a training submarine. She sinks on this day after colliding with German minesweeper M-203.
    • U-416

      ClassType VIIC
      CO Oberleutnant zur See Eberhard Reiger
      Location Baltic, off Pillau
      Cause Collision
      Casualties 36
      Survivors 5

      U-479

      ClassType VIIC
      CO Oberleutnant zur See Friedrich Sons
      Location Baltic, Gulf of Finland
      Cause Mine
      Casualties 51
      Survivors None
    • U-479 sinks after striking a mine in the Gulf of Finland.
    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Burma

    A British offensive begins in the Arakan. The attacking unit is XV Corps attempting to free the coastal sector of the Arakan, where bases will be set up for the recapture of Burma. The 25th Indian Division advances in the Mayu peninsula toward Akyab, the 82nd West African Division penetrates into the Kalapanzin valley near Buthidaung, the 81st attacks near Kyauktaw.

    [larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

    Eastern Front

    SOUTHERN SECTOR

    The Stavka orders the 3rd Ukrainian Front to support the attacks by the 2nd Ukrainian fRont upon Budapest. It transfers command of the 46th Army to the 3rd Ukrainian Front. While Malinovsky pins the Germans north of the city, Tolbukhin is to slice through the weaker defenses between Lake Balaton and Budapest, then swing north to envelop the German and Hungarian forces inside the city. The 2nd Ukrainian Front is also to push its 40th and 27th Armies and 4th Romanian Army from the Hungarian border into Slovakia to threaten the 8th Army.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Greece

    After taking heavy setbacks in the recent fighting the Greek communists ask for terms for a cease fire. It is demanded that the communists surrender their arms. On December 16 Gen Ronald Scobie publishes the text of the Caserta agreement in which the guerrillas had promised to work with the established government (then in exile). (See September 26, 1944) On December 20 Scobie warns civilians to stay away from areas occupied by the ELAS troops because he may find it necessary to bomb them. On December 25, as the fighting begins to die down with the British very much in control, Churchill and Eden arrive for talks with the Greek leaders. It is decided to establish a regency.

    [larr1larr1 | rarrrarr2]

    Italy

    During the night, the 6th Armored Division, XIII Corps, US 5th Army, begins the second stage of its offensive, throwing in the units of the 61st Brigade against Tossignano. In the 8th Army sector, the 5th Armored Division and 1st Division of infantry, Canadian I Corps, advance from Fosso Vecchio to the Canale Naviglio; the 1st Division establishes a bridgehead north of Bagnacavallo.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Pacific

    US motor torpedo boats PT-490 and PT-492 sink the Japanese destroyer Uzuki off Canaguayan Point, Luzon.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    On Leyte during the night 2 task groups from the US 7th Fleet sail from Leyte for Mindoro. The American destroyer Caldwell (DD-605) is damaged off Leyte by a Japanese suicide aircraft. Two Japanese ships are sunk in the day's action, the destroyer Uzuki by surface craft and the transport No. 159 by Army and Marine aircraft.

    Fighting continues south of Limon and in other areas in the northwest of the island. After two days of heavy fighting the 17th and 184th Infantry Regiments of the 7th Infantry Division clear Japanese forces from Hill 918 protecting Ormoc Bay.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    In the US 1st Army sector, the 104th Division takes the village of Pier, forcing the 5th Panzerarmee to withdraw over the Rur, while units of the 9th Division and 3rd Armored Division complete the occupation of a good deal of the region west of the Rur, and of the town of Düren.

    The advance of the XV Corps of the US 7th Army is halted at Hottvillers-Bitche on the Maginot Line.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 12, 1944

    Volkssturm Members Arrive in Moselle


    <i>Volkssturm</i> Members Arrive in Moselle

    A Pak Gun Position in Budapest


    A Pak Gun Position in Budapest

    Guarding German Veterans


    Guarding German Veterans

    US Soldier Speaking to German POW


    US Soldier Speaking to German POW

    9th Infantry Div Soldiers near Jungersdorf


    9th Infantry Div Soldiers near Jungersdorf

    North Carolina


    <i>North Carolina</i>

    F6F Getting a Wave Off


    F6F Getting a Wave Off

    British Sherman 'Firefly' Tank


    British Sherman 'Firefly' Tank

    Wednesday, December 13

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 12 10th Air Force B-25s attack troops and stores at Mongmit.
    • More than 60 10th Air Force fighter-bombers attack various targets at 7 locations.
    • 7 P-47s attack a bridge.
    • 4 P-47s support US Army ground troops near Tonkwa.
    • 6 14th Air Force B-25s attack warehouses at Hsenwi.
    CHINA
    • 2 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack an occupied town.
    FRENCH INDOCHINA
    • 51st Fighter Group P-38s and P-51s attack Bac Ninh and rail targets at Phu Lang Thuong.
    THAILAND
    • 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack a bridge near Kanchanaburi.
    • 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack a bridge at Chiengmai.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    • FEAF B-25s attack the Amahai and Haroekoe airfields on Ceram, the Liang airfield on Amboina, and the Namlea airfield on Boeroe.
    • B-25s, P-47s, and P-38s attack supplies at Goeroea (Molucca Islands) and targets of opportunity while covering a downed pilot off Galela, Halmahahera.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Evening Ops:
    • 52 Lancasters and 7 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group are sent to attack the German cruiser Koln berthed in Oslo Fjord but, when the bombers reach Oslo Fjord, the Koln had moved to another location. Other ships are bombed instead, but the results are not observed.
      • There are no losses.
    Minor Ops:
    • 10 Lancasters and 9 Halifaxes lay mines in the Kattegat without a loss.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 250 9th Bomb Division bombers attack villages and towns, a dump, and a marshalling yard.
    • 9th Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers attack targets around Cologne and support US Army ground forces.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • XXII TAC P-47s are able to attack flak batteries and coastal batteries near La Spezia, communcations targets in the Po River valley, and buildings in the battle area.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Japan

    71 of 90 73rd Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s dispatched from the Marianas attack an aircraft-engine factory at Nagoya. 4 B-29s are lost with 44 crewmen.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Air Operations, Pacific

    B-29s seriously damage the Mitsubishi works at Nagoya.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • FEAF B-24s attack the Carolina and Talisay airfields on Negros.
    • B-24s and B-25s attack targets of opportunity while reconnoitering the Sulu Archipelago.
    • V Bomber Command B-25s attack the San Roque airfield on Mindanao.
    • Aircraft from US 7th Fleet escort carriers mount pre-invasion attacks against Mindoro while flights of 12 escort-based FMs and 35 Marine Air Group 12 F4Us cover the invasion fleet in rotations throughout the day.
    • Japanese kamikazes based in the Visayan Islands attack the invasion fleet beginning at about 1500 hours. and a D3A 'Val' dive bomber damages the invasion convoy flagship, USS Nashville, on which several senior air, ground, and naval officers are among the 129 US personnel killed. Among those lost is Col John T. Murtha, commanding officer of the 5th Air Force’s 310th Bomb Wing.
    • FMs down the bulk of Japanese aircraft involved in a second kamikaze attack that begins at about 1745 hours, but a US destroyer is severely damaged. A somewhat later—and final—kamikaze attack against a slow supply convoy is beaten down by anti-aircraft fire from escorting destroyers.
    • US escort-carrier fighters down 5 bombers and 13 fighters over the central Philippines between 1445 and 1820 hours.
    • 475th Fighter Group P-38s down 1 J2M 'Jack' fighter and 1 Ki-21 'Sally' bomber over Negros between 1710 and 1745 hours.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations, Volcano Islands

    15 30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Iwo Jima.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Arctic

    U-365 is sunk during operations in support of Convoy RA-62, homeward-bound from the Kola Inlet. She is caught on the surface by Swordfish 'L' and 'Q' of No 813 NAS from the British escort carrier Campania.

    U-365

    ClassType VIIC
    CO Oberleutnant zur See Dieter Todenhagen
    Location Arctic, NW of Lofoten Islands
    Cause Air attack
    Casualties 51
    Survivors None
    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Burma

    While the 114th Regiment of the Chinese 38th Division finally succeeds in breaking the northern defenses of Bhamo, in the Tonk-wa area the US 475th Infantry repels an attack by the Japanese contingent sent to the help of the forces besieged in Bhamo.

    [larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

    Eastern Front

    Advanced elements of the 2nd Ukraine Front are only 6 miles from Budapest to the northest and 8 miles to the east.

    SOUTHERN SECTOR

    Leading units of the 7th Guards Army are just 6 miles north and 8 miles east of Budapest, having drawn the 6th Army north to protect the approaches to Budapest. Hitler orders Gen Johannes Friessner to throw the Soviet armies back but Friessner refuses to counterattack, arguing that he will not attack before the heavily waterlogged ground north of Lake Balaton has frozen.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Italy

    In the 5th Army sector units of British XIII Corps including the 6th Armored Division make strong attacks on Tossignano. German counterattacks are launched against the British bridgehead across the Naviglio Canal.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Pacific

    The Japanese transports Nos. 12 and 104 are sunk in the South China Sea by the US submarine Pintado (SS-387).

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    In the Mindanao Sea the squadrons of the US 7th Fleet en route for the landing on Mindoro are attacked by Japanese aircraft, including many piloted by kamikazes. The cruiser Nashville (CL-43) and the destroyer Haraden (DD-585), badly damaged, have to abandon the formation. Nashville (CL-43) is the flagship of the force on which there are 131 men killed and 158 wounded with many casualties among the senior officers.

    On Leyte there are Japanese counterattacks in the US X Corps sector. In the XXIV Corps sector, the 77th Division is held up in front of a strong Japanese fortified line a little north of Ormoc.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    Much of the region between the Inde and the Rur is taken by the 30th Division, XIX Corps, 9th Army, and Derichsweiller is captured by the 9th Division. The operation of the VII Corps, US 1st Army, are concluded. Meanwhile the 104th Division has reached the Rur River on a front of some 4-1/2 miles.

    The 90th Division of the XX Corps, US 3rd Army, prepares for the general offensive for the capture of Dillingen. In the Saarlautern bridgehead, the 95th Division is halted on the previous day's positions. Fort Jeanne d'Arc, the last German stronghold at Metz, is captured.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 13, 1944

    US Destroyer Haraden Hit By Kamikaze


    US Destroyer <i>Haraden</i> Hit By <i>Kamikaze</i>

    Gen Clark's Farewell Visit


    Gen Clark's Farewell Visit

    Passing On Ammo


    Passing On Ammo

    Dead German on a Tank


    Dead German on a Tank

    Thursday, December 14

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA

    • 12 10th Air Force B-25s attack troops and supplies at Mongmit.
    • 48 10th Air Force P-47s attack numerous targets at 7 locations.
    • 4 P-47s attack a rail bridge.
    • 4 P-47s support US Army round troops near Tonkwa.
    • 6 14th Air Force B-25s attack Loi Mwe.
    • 10 P-38s and P-51s attack Kentung.
    THAILAND
    • 33 of 48 58th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s dispatched from Calcutta attack a rail bridge in Bangkok.
    • 14 B-29s attack various alternate targets and targets of opportunity. 4 B-29s are lost when a full load of bombs detonates aboard one of the airplanes.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    • FEAF B-25s attack the Old Namlea airfield on Boeroe.
    • Fighter-bombers attack various targets on Halmahera and northern Borneo.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Evening Ops:
    Minor Ops:
    • 30 Lancasters and 9 Halifaxes lay mines in the Kattegat.
      • There are no losses.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 9th Air Force fighters are able to support US Army ground forces.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • 12th Air Force medium bombers attack rail bridges.
    • XXII TAC P-47s attack rail lines and gun emplacements.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • To interdict kamikaze attacks at their sources, TBMs and FM fighter-bombers from the Task Unit 77.12.7 escort carriers sweep the San Jose airfield on Panay and the Dos Hermanos airfield on Negros. Task Force 38 carrier aircraft open continuous day and night attacks against Japanese airfields on Luzon. FEAF B-24s attack airfields on Negros. V Bomber Command B-25s attack the Zettlefield airfield on Jolo in the Sulu Archipelago. V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack numerous targets in the central Philippines, Luzon, Mindanao, Palawan, and the Sulu Archipelago. 10 Marine Air Group 12 F4U fighter-bombers attack the Masbate airfield. 12 Marine Air Group 12 F4U fighter-bombers attack the Naga airfield on Luzon.
    • Task Force 38’s campaign against Luzon airfields introduces a new concept to carrier-based warfare. With enough fighters on hand to accomplish the mission, around-the-clock fighter patrols are instituted over every Luzon airfield—a tactic known as the Big Blue Blanket. The objective is to keep the main source of Japanese air power down during the approach of the Mindoro invasion flotilla on its objective. Whenever the carrier fighters are changing over, carrier bombers directly attack the airfields.
    • Despite all manner of US Navy and USAAF air interdiction over Japanese airfields in range of the Mindoro invasion force, 29 Japanese Army aircraft and 40 Japanese Navy aircraft (including 16 and 33 kamikazes, respectively) are able to take off from Clark Field on Luzon at 0715 hours. This force is intercepted by fighters from Task Force 38, which down two-thirds of them. The balance of the strike force aborts and makes for the airfields at Cebu City and Davao on Mindanao.
    • During the afternoon, several Japanese aircraft are downed as they attack US battleships and cruisers, and another effort against the Mindoro troop convoys, this time mounted from airfields in the Visayan Group, fails.
    • A VF(N)-41 F6F downs an H8K 'Emily' flying boat at sea at 0415 hours.
    • Task Force 38 fighters down 40 Japanese fighters and bombers over the Luzon area throughout the day.
    • Escort-carrier FMs down 17 aircraft over the central Philippines and the Mindoro invasion flotilla throughout the day.
    • During the afternoon, Japanese aircraft, including kamikazes, attack Task Unit 77.12.7 escort carriers and surface warships conducting the preinvasion bombardment of Mindoro, but no hits are scored.
    • 348th Fighter Group P-47s down 2 Ki-21 'Emily' flying boats at 0705 hours.
    • A 475th Fighter Group P-38 downs a Ki-44 'Tojo' fighter over Negros at 0925 hours.
    • 35th Fighter Group P-47s down 13 Ki-49 'Helen' bombers, 1 Ki-21 'Emily' flying boat, and 1 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter over Soledad, Negros, at 0940 hours.
    • 18th Fighter Group P-38s down 6 fighters over the Binalbagan airfield at 0945 hours.
    • 35th and 348th Fighter group P-47s down 4 Ki-61 'Tony' fighters over Negros between 1030 and 1115 hours.
    • During the night, VPB-54 Black Cat PBYs based at Leyte patrol 20 to 30 miles ahead of the Mindoro invasion flotilla as it makes its final approach on the Mindoro invasion beaches. One PBY finds and attacks a small inter-island steamer, which is set on fire and later sunk by US destroyers.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations, Volcano Islands

    24 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Iwo Jima.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    CBI

    The Chinese 38th Division captures Bhamo.

    [larrlarr | rarrrarr2]

    Eastern Front

    SOUTHERN SECTOR

    Ipolysag falls to the 6th Guards Tank Army as it supports the right wing of the 7th Guards.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Italy

    In the XIII Corps, US 5th Army, sector, the 6th Armored Division loses contact with the patrols that have reached Tossignano.

    During the night the Polish II Corps resumes its offensive on the left of the Canadian V Corps, and the 5th Armored Division establishes a bridgehead over the Canale Naviglio. 8th Army is attacking to widen the bridgehead already established over the Lamone.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Mediterranean

    The British destroyer Aldenham sinks on a mine in the Adriatic 45 miles southeast of Pola, Yugoslavia with the loss of 121 of her crew. 63 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Atherstone.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Pacific

    • Japanese transport No. 109 is sunk by carrier-based aircraft in the Philippine Islands area.
    • The US submarine Blenny (SS-324) sinks Coast Defense Vessel No.28 off Dasol Bay, Luzon, and the guardboat No.5 Taisho Maru about 100 miles northwest of Manila.
    • The British submarine Shalimar sinks the auxiliary minesweeper No.7 Choun Maru off Belawan, Sumatra.
    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    Over the next couple of days, to cover the landings on Mindoro there are intensive attacks on airfields throughout Luzon by planes of TF-38. Adm John S. McCain now commands this force and it includes 13 carriers and 8 battleships as well as the usual complement of cruisers and destroyers. Of the 1,670 missions flown all but 250 are by fighters. The Americans lose 65 planes, the Japanese 170.

    On Leyte, The 305th Infantry Regiment of the 77th Infantry Division assaults the last Japanese strongpoint in the Ormoc Valley. Supported by several artillery battalions, tanks, armored bulldozers, and flamethrowers, the infantrymen capture the enemy position. The 32nd Infantry Division advances down Highway 2 from the north in the X Corps area and is met by determined resistance. The infantrymen advance only a short distance past Kilay Ridge.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    The capture of the region between the Inde and Rur Rivers by the 30th Division, XIX Corps, US 9th Army, is concluded. Units of the 1st and 3rd Armies are virtually at a standstill on the previous day's positions.

    The Germans counterattack at Colmar in Alsace.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 14, 1944

    British Patrol Takes Quick Cover


    British Patrol Takes Quick Cover

    British Patrol Takes Quick Cover


    British Patrol Takes Quick Cover

    US Aircraft Attack Japanese Ship


    US Aircraft Attack Japanese Ship

    Members of the 1st Recon Troop


    Members of the 1st Recon Troop

    Flamethrower Training


    Flamethrower Training

    Use of Australian Troops


    Use of Australian Troops

    Returning J.D. Keller to the Rudyerd Bay


    Returning J.D. Keller to the <i>Rudyerd Bay</i>

    Men of the 103rd Infantry Division


    Men of the 103rd Infantry Division

    Friday, December 15

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 10 10th Air Force B-25s attack bridges at Hsipaw and Namhkai.
    • 13 10th Air Force P-47s attack the airfield at Lashio.
    • 7 P-47s support Allied ground forces in the Bhamo area.
    • 4 P-47s attack 2 bridges at Ho-hko.
    • Fighter-bombers attack troops, supplies, and town areas at 6 locations.
    • 4 14th Air Force P-38s attack a bridge at Hawng Luk.
    CHINA
    • 6 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack stores at Kunlong.
    THAILAND
    • 5 14th Air Force P-51s attack a bridge and buildings near Huizan.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    • FEAF B-25s attack airfields in the Molucca Islands.
    • Various FEAF aircraft mount light attacks against airfields on Boeroe and Halmahera, and shipping throughout the region.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Daylight Ops:
    • 138 Lancasters of No. 3 Group set out on a raid to Siegen, but are recalled because bad weather prevents their fighter escorts from taking off.
    • 17 Lancasters of No. 617 Squadron attack the E-boat pens at Ijmuiden with 12,000-lb Tallboys, but a smoke-screen hinders the bombing and no results are seen.
      • There are no losses.
    Evening Ops:
    • 327 Lancasters and 14 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 6 and 8 Groups are sent to Ludwigshafen. The target area for this raid is the northern part of Ludwigshafen and the small town of Oppau in which two important I. G. Farben chemical factories are located. Severe damage is caused and fierce fires are started. The Oppau factory ceases production completely. 5 other industrial firms are also badly hit. Some damage is also caused to housing areas around the various factories, but this is not serious. Damage is also caused to installations and ships at the nearby Rhine quays.
      • 1 Lancaster is lost.
    Minor Ops:
    • 62 Mosquitos are sent to Hannover, 11 to Osnabrück and 3 to Duisburg, 15 Lancasters and 8 Halifaxes lay mines off northeastern Denmark, and there are 38 Mosquito patrols and 31 RCM sorties.
      • 1 mine-laying Lancaster is lost.
    US 8th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 318 1st Bomb Division B-17s attack a marshalling yard and a tank factory at Kassel.
    • 327 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Hannover.
      • 1 B-17 and 2 of 528 VIII Fighter Command escorts are lost.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • More than 300 9th Bomb Division bombers attack oil stores, a military camp, and six defended areas.
    • 9th Air Force fighters support US Army ground forces and attack ammo and supply dumps.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • 12th Air Force B-25s attack rail bridges and fuel and ammo dumps.
    • XXII TAC P-47s support the US 5th Army and attack lines of commumnication.
    US 15th AIR FORCE
    AUSTRIA:
    • 15th Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack various marshalling yards around the country.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • Covered by 5th Air Force bombers and fighter-bombers, Task Group 77.12 TBMs and FMs, and Marine Air Group 12 F4Us, elements of the US 6th Army land near San Jose, Mindoro, without opposition. An airstrip at San Jose (renamed Hill Field) is captured. Airfield construction is begun at once at San Jose and at a new site (Elmore Field) by two USAAF engineer aviation battalions and an RAAF airfield construction squadron.
    • Task Group 77.12 TBMs and FM fighter-bombers attack airfields in the central Philippines and provide support for US 6th Army ground forces on Mindoro.
    • FEAF B-24s attack the Puerto Princesa airfield on Palawan.
    • B-24s and V Bomber Command B-25s attack the San Roque and Sasa airfields on Mindanao.
    • V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack a fuel dump at San Fernando, Luzon.
    • Japanese aircraft based on Luzon and Mindanao mount several attacks against the Mindoro invasion fleet, beginning at 0812 hours. Despite the best efforts of escort-carrier FM pilots and V Fighter command pilots, 2 LSTs are mortally damaged and several other vessels are damaged, including the escort carrier USS Marcus Island. The 2 LSTs, which sink during the day, are carrying the equipment of the 8th Fighter Group and 418th Night Fighter Squadron to Mindoro.
    • A VF(N)-41 F6F downs a Ki-45 'Nick' fighter over Luzon at 0615 hours.
    • A VC-21 FM downs an A6M Zero within 10 miles of a friendly convoy at 0710 hours.
    • The V Fighter Command’s Maj Richard I. Bong downs a Ki-43 'Oscar' figther over Panubulon Island at 0811 hours.
    • VMF(N)-541 F6Fs down 1 D3A 'Val' dive bomber, 2 D4Y 'Judy' dive bombers, and 1 A6M Zero near Negros between 0805 and 0840 hours.
    • VMF-211 F4Us down 4 A6M Zeros over San Jose, Mindoro, at 0900 hours.
    • Escort-carrier FMs down 3 fighters over friendly ships between 0900 and 0915 hours.
    • 49th and 475th Fighter group P-38s down 8 A6M Zeros in several engagements over Mindoro and Panay between 0850 and 1015 hours.
    • Fighters from Task Force 38 carriers down 1 E13A 'Jake' reconnaissance plane, 3 A6M Zeros, 1 Ki-61 'Tony' fighter, and 1 D4Y 'Judy' dive bomber over Luzon between 0800 and 1045 hours.
    • A VC-21 FM downs a D3A 'Val' dive bomber over the Silay airfield on Negros at 1310 hours.
    • When bad weather fouls airfields and prevents the planned relief of Task Group 77.12 by 5th Air Force aircraft based on Leyte, the escort carriers are ordered to remain on station off Mindoro for an extra day.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations, Volcano Islands

    13 30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Iwo Jima.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Burma

    During the night, the Japanese garrison of Bhamo manages to filter across the Chinese lines and move south to Lashio. The Chinese 38th Division occupies the town. Gen Sultan looks to the Mars Task Force (the 5332nd Brigade [Provisional]) to cut the Burma Road and threaten the rear of the Japanese forces holding against the Chinese 30th and 38th Divisions.

    The British 19th and 36th Divisions meet at Indaw, and set up a continuous front against the Japanese in northern Burma.

    In the Arakan, the 82nd West African Division captures Buthidaung.

    [larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

    Eastern Front

    Units of the Red Army cross the Ipel River, north of Budapest, and establish a bridgehead in Czechoslovakian territory at Sahy.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Pacific

    The US submarine Hawkbill (SS-366) sinks the Japanese destroyer Momo west of Luzon.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    On Mindoro after the usual barrage from naval guns, the US 24th Division, reinforced by a parachute battalion, lands on Mindoro at 7:35am. Gen William C. Dunckel is in command. The landing is carried out on the southwest coast of the island, which is immediately south of Luzon, in the area of San Augustin. The Americans advance 8 miles inland without meeting any resistance and they man the perimeter of their beachhead and start at once to construct an airfield.

    Japanese aircraft attack the transports and escort ships, sinking two landing ships, LST-472 and LST-738, and damaging the escort carrier Marcus Island (CVE-77), two destroyers, the Paul Hamilton (DD-590) and the Howarth (DD-592) and the motor torpedo-boat PT-223, kamikazes being responsible in every case.

    In the waters of the Philippines, American aircraft sink a transport, No. 106, and the coast defense vessel No. 54. A Japanese destroyer, the Momo, is sunk by the submarine Hawkbill (SS-366).

    On Leyte the Americans begin liquidating some pockets of resistance in the Ormoc area, but do not pursue their operations against the main body of the enemy, now concentrated north and northwest of Ormoc.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    The 90th Division, XX Corps, 3rd Army, moves in to capture Dillingen and the bridge over the Prims River on the road linking Dillingen with Saarlautern. There is then a lull in operations in the sector, and the 90th Division suspends its attack. The 95th Division continues to advance in the Saarlautern bridgehead. Units of the 35th Division capture Habkirchen.

    In the southern sector of the front, the French 1st Army attacks the positions of the German 19th Army west of the Rhine in the Colmar area. 7th Army enters Germany from Alsace.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 15, 1944

    Maginot Line Bunker


    Maginot Line Bunker

    German Soldiers at the Battle of the Bulge


    German Soldiers at the Battle of the Bulge

    Another Attack on the Oryoku Maru


    Another Attack on the <i>Oryoku Maru</i>

    POWs Swimming to Shore


    POWs Swimming to Shore

    Gen Stopford Being Knighted


    Gen Stopford Being Knighted

    Captured Germans


    Captured Germans

    Captured Tiger II


    Captured Tiger II

    Rocket Attack on Beach Defenses


    Rocket Attack on Beach Defenses

    LSTs Hit by Kamikazes


    LSTs Hit by <i>Kamikazes</i>

    Moving with Mules through La Quercia


    Moving with Mules through La Quercia

    Members of the Coldstream Guards after Battle for Monte Sole


    Members of the Coldstream Guards after Battle for Monte Sole

    USS LST-472 Burning after the Attack


    <i>USS LST-472</i> Burning after the Attack

    Saturday, December 16

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 10th Air Force fighter-bombers attack troops, rail facilities, and occupied towns.
    • 4 P-47s support US Army ground troops near Tonkwa.
    CHINA
    • 14th Air Force transports airlift Chinese Army ground troops to Kunming to help defend the key city against an ongoing Japanese Army ground offensive.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    • FEAF B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers attack airfields and shipping in the Molucca Islands and targets of opportunity in northern Borneo.
    • 18th Fighter Group P-38s down 2 Ki-48 'Lily' bombers and a Ki-45 'Nick' fighter near the Jesselton airfield on North Borneo at 1100 hours.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    The main weight of the V-weapon offensive is switched from London to Antwerp. A V-2 kills 271(? - when?) in the Rex Cinema.

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Daylight Ops:
    • The great German offensive in the Ardennes started on this day, with the object of capturing Brussels and the port of Antwerp and splitting the Allied armies into two parts. The attack was launched under cover of poor weather conditions, with low cloud and mist, and it would be several days before the RAF and American bomber forces could intervene in the battle.
    • 108 Lancasters of No. 3 Group are on a G-H raid to the railway yards at Siegen. The bombing is accurate enough to hit Siegen and the neighbouring town of Weidenau, but not to destroy the railway yards which are hit by only a few bombs. Many public buildings and houses are destroyed in Siegen, which has not been bombed seriously before.
      • 1 Lancaster is lost.
    Minor Ops:
    • 1 Hudson makes a Resistance flight.
    Evening Ops:
    Minor Ops:
    • 1 Mosquito attempts to bomb Wiesbaden, but does not reach the target, and 2 Wellingtons make RCM sorties.
      • There are no losses.
    US 8th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • Of 236 3rd Bomb Division B-17s dispatched, 81 attack a marshalling yard at Stuttgart and 33 attack the town of Bietingheim. The rest abort due to bad weather.
    • 1 B-17s is lost; no losses among the 116 VIII Fighter Command escorts.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    ETO:
    • 9th Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers support the US 1st Army in the Ardennes region along the German-Belgian frontier.
    • During the night, despite horrendous weather conditions, P-61 crews of the IX TAC's 422nd Night Fighter Squadron dwon 5 Luftwaffe aircraft over eastern Belgium and western Germany.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • XXII TAC P-47s attack rail lines in Brenner Pass, gun emplacements, defended buildings, three vessels at La Spezia, and several rail bridges.
    US 15th AIR FORCE
    AUSTRIA:
    • 15th Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack a benzol plant at Linz and marshalling yards at Innsbruck and Villach.
    CZECHOSLOVAKIA:
    • 15th Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack an armaments factory at Pilsen and a synthetic-oil plant at Brux.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, New Guinea

    FEAF aircraft attack targets of opportunity in bypassed areas of the Vogelkop Peninsula.

    [larr2larr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • Task Force 38 carrier aircraft mount intense attacks against airfields and other military targets on Luzon and continue around-the-clock patrols over all the island’s airfields; Task Group 77.12 TBMs and FM fighter-bombers sweep Japanese airfields on Mindanao, Negros, Palawan, and Panay, cover the Mindoro invasion flotilla, and provide support for US Army ground forces on Mindoro. FEAF B-24s attack the Padada airfield on Mindanao and the Puerto Princess airfield on Palawan. Various 4th Air Force aircraft attack targets in the central Philippines.
    • In 3 days of continuous patrols over Luzon airfields, Task Force 38 carrier aircraft have destroyed an estimated 208 Japanese aircraft on the ground and 72 in the air. The Big Blue Blanket is withdrawn from over the Luzon airfields when it is determined that no flyable Japanese aircraft remain to use them. In all during the 3-day operation, carrier fighters have undertaken 1,427 sorties and carrier bombers have mounted 244 sorties and dropped 336 tons of bombs. Task Force 38 losses are 27 aircraft in combat and 38 in operational accidents. Carrier aircraft are also credited with sinking as many as 4 freighters and a large Japanese Navy landing ship in Manila Bay.
    • A VF(N)-41 F6F downs an E13A 'Jake' reconnaissance plane and a fighter over Cavite Point, Luzon, at 0145 and 0150 hours, respectively.
    • A VF(N)-41 F6F downs a Ki-57 'Topsy' transport plane over Luzon at 0450 hours.
    • A VC-81 FM downs a J1N 'Irving' fighter over Mindoro at 0715 hours. VF-7, VF-11, and VF-20 F6Fs down 5 A6M Zeross, 1 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter, 1 Ki-61 'Tony' fighter, 1 Ki-44 'Tojo' fighter, 2 P1Ys 'Galaxy' bomber, and 3 G4M 'Betty' bombers near Baler Light, Luzon, between 0735 and 0745 hours.
    • 2 VC-75 FMs down an E13A 'Jake' reconnaissance plane 20 miles from a US convoy at 0804 hours.
    • 2 VC-27 FMs down an E13A 'Jake' reconnaissance plane at sea at 1010 hours.
    • A VF-11 F6F downs a Ki-21 'Sally' bomber near San Fernando, Luzon, at 1500 hours.
    • A VC-81 FM downs a D3A 'Val' dive bomber over a friendly convoy off Negros at 1715 hours.
    • A VC-80 FM downs an A6M Zero over the Mindanao Sea at 1745 hours.
    • Task Group 77.12 escort carriers retire to the Palau Islands to replenish. In four days off Mindoro, the escort-carriers have mounted 94 TBM sorties and 770 FM sorties. 8 aircraft have been lost in operational accidents and 1 FM and its pilot have been lost in combat.
    • In the evening, Task Force 38 interrupts its pre-invasion attacks against Luzon in order to sail eastward to refuel.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Burma

    In the British IV Corps sector, the 19th Indian Division occupies Pinlebu and Banmauk. Some units reach Indaw, making contact with the British 36th Division coming from the north.

    [larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

    China

    The Chinese 57th Division has not yet been transferred to the Kunming area. Gen Albert C. Wedemeyer protests to Chiang Kai-shek, who agrees that a part of the army may be air-lifted.

    The protracted and difficult negotiations between Chinese Nationalists and Communists, represented by Chou En-lai, over increased co-operation in the struggle against the Japanese are finally concluded.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Eastern Front

    THE WESTERN FRONT

    The last German offensive in the west begins as Hitler launches his Ardennes thrust. Bitter fighting until the end of January 1945 will cost Germany valuable soldiers and vehicles and huge stocks of fuel.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Italy

    Gen Harold Alexander, promoted Field-Marshal, is appointed Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean, replacing Gen Maitland Wilson. Gen Mark Clark is appointed Commander-in-Chief of Allied forces in Italy, 15th Army Group, in his place, and command of the US 5th Army passes to Gen Lucian Truscott.

    In the 8th Army sector, Faenza is taken by units of the British V Corps. The New Zealand 2nd Division reaches the Senio River and the 10th Indian Division enters Pergola.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Pacific

    • The US submarine Finback (SS-230) attacks a Japanese convoy about 50 miles northwest of Chichi Jima and sinks the transport Jusa Maru (2111t).
    • The British submarine Stoic sinks the Japanese gunboat Shoei Maru (1986t) west of Sunda Strait.
    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    There is considerable air activity with the Japanese attacking American shipping and the Americans replying with strikes against the Japanese air bases.

    On Mindoro the Americans confine their activity to patrolling their perimeter and fortifying the area around the airfield they are constructing.

    Aircraft of the US 3rd Fleet continue their attacks on military targets on Luzon.

    On Leyte the US 77th Division takes Cogon and San Jose, resuming their advance north of Ormoc. The 2nd Battalion of the 32nd Infantry Regiment begins moving into the mountains from Ormoc Bay to link up with the paratroopers from the 11th Airborne Division making a cross-country advance to clear out the last organized Japanese defenders.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Sumatra

    British carrier aircraft bombard Japanese oil installations at Belawan-Deli.


    V-Weapons

    A German V-2 rocket from Enschede, Netherlands, hita a movie theater in Antwerp, killing 567 people including 296 British servicemen.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]


    Western Front

    Battle of the Bulge


    The Germans begin a major offensive in the Ardennes. The Ardennes battle is often popularly styled the Battle of the Bulge. The attack begins with a short, sharp artillery barrage along the chosen front between Monshau and Trier. Almost complete surprise is achieved. Allied intelligence has received some indications of the attack despite elaborate security on the German side but these signs have not been interpreted properly. Partly because of the enforced shortening of their front the Germans have been able to assemble a considerable reserve of armored divisions. They have chosen to strike here with the immediate aim of retaking Antwerp and splitting the British and American armies in two. In the longer term Hitler hopes to discourage and divide the British and Americans politically so that forces can be switched to the Eastern Front, perhaps even with help from anti-communist leaders who may emerge in Britain and America. Altogether the Germans have assembled 24 divisions, including 10 armored. These forces are distributed largely between Sepp Dietrich's 6th SS Panzer Army and Hasso von Manteuffel's 5th Panzer Army. On the flanks of the attack are 15th and 7th Armies.

    All these forces are part of Walter Model's Army Group B. Gerd von Rundstedt has been brought back to have overall charge of the operation. To oppose the German forces are about 6 American divisions from V and VIII Corps consisting partly of inexperienced troops and partly of resting veterans. The terrain here in the same Ardennes area, as was chosen for the start of the attack in 1940, is fairly rugged with many defiles and much heavily wooded country. Most of whatever movement is attempted must take place on the few major roads so, as will emerge, it is vital to seize the various junctions. The Germans hope to spread confusion in the American rear areas by infiltrating small groups of specially trained English-speaking troops with captured uniforms and equipment to perform sabotage and intelligence missions. This move is very successful at least in causing an atmosphere of suspicion and uncertainty. Many roadblocks and checkpoints are set in the American rear areas and they do something to hinder the movement of reserves.

    The Germans are relying on bad weather to keep the Allied air forces grounded and for the moment this hope is fulfilled.

    In the first day of the attack the Germans succeed in disrupting the Allied front and make good ground in many sectors.

    The 95th Division continues to extend its bridgehead at Saarlautern. During the night its units begin to be relieved by the 5th Division. The area between the XX and XII Corps is allocated to the II Corps. The XII Corps continues its attacks against the outer defenses of the Siegfried Line, but these are suspended when news is received of the German offensive in the Ardennes. In the south, the VI Corps, US 7th Army, sends its divisions forward toward the German frontier.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 16, 1944

    The Battle of the Bulge


    The Battle of the Bulge

    Action Near Berismenit


    Action Near Berismenit

    Germans during the Attack


    Germans during the Attack

    A Scene in Belgium


    A Scene in Belgium

    German Grenadiers in Luxembourg


    German Grenadiers in Luxembourg

    Firing the 88-mm Anti-aircraft Gun


    Firing the 88-mm Anti-aircraft Gun

    American Patrol in Belgium


    American Patrol in Belgium

    M36 90-mm Tank Destroyer


     M36 90-mm Tank Destroyer

    Sunday, December 17

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 50 10th Air Force fighter-bombers attack troops, stores, motor vehicles, and targets of opportunity at 7 locations.
    • 12 fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity along the rail line between Kyaukme and Nampyao.
    • 8 P-47s support Allied ground force near Namhkam.
    • 8 P-47s attack rail targets of opportunity along the Irrawaddy River.
    • 4 P-47s attack river traffic near Tagaung.
    • 5 14th Air Force B-25s attack road traffic at Wan Pa-Hsa.
    • 12 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack a rail bridge at Wan Pa-Hsa.
    FRENCH INDOCHINA
    • 9 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack the Camranh Bay area.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    • FEAF B-24s and fighter-bombers attack the Jesselton airfield on Borneo and the Laha airfield on Ceram.
    • 35th Fighter Group P-47s down 2 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over Tarakan airfield on Borneo at 1220 hours.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Evening Ops:
    • 523 aircraft including 418 Halifaxes, 81 Lancasters and 24 Mosquitos of Nos 4, 6 and 8 Groups are sent to Duisburg. The city suffers major damage agains.
      • 8 Halifaxes are lost.
    • 317 Lancasters and 13 Mosquitos of Nos. 1 and 8 Groups are sent to bomb Ulm. This is Bomber Command's first and only raid on Ulm, an old city but also the home of 2 large truck factories - Magirius-Deutz and Kässbohrer - several other important industries and some military barracks and depots. 1,449 tons of bombs are dropped during the 25-minute raid, starting in the center and then creeping back to the west, across the industrial and railway areas and out into the country. The Gallwitz Barracks and several military hospitals are among 14 Wehrmacht establishments destroyed.
      • 2 Lancasters are lost.
    • 280 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos of No 5. Group are sent to bomb Munich. Bomber Command claims 'severe and widespread damage' in the old center of Munich and at railway targets.
      • 4 Lancasters are lost.
    Minor Ops:
    • 44 Mosquitos are sent to Hamm on a 'spoof' raid, 26 to Münster and 5 to Hallendorf, and there are 50 Mosquito patrols and 44 RCM sorties.
      • There are no losses.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    ETO:
    • IX and XIX TAC fighters and fighter-bombers mount 647 effective sorties, but few of them are over the weathered-in Ardennes battle area.
    GERMANY:
    • While completing a total of 647 sorties throughout the day--as against an estimated 650 Luftwaffe combat sorties--9th Air Force fighter pilots down 80 Luftwaffe aircraft between 0900 and 1555 hours. 9th Air Force fighters also account for several hundred German Army motor vehicles damaged or destroyes.
      • 16 9th Air Force fighters are lost.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • XXII TAC P-47s attack a marshalling yard at Trento and communications targets in the Po River valley.
    US 15th AIR FORCE
    AUSTRIA:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s attack marshalling yards at Saak, Salzburg, Villach, and Wels.
    CZECHOSLOVAKIA:
    • 15th Air Force heavy bombers attack a marshalling yard at Moravska-Ostrava.
    GERMANY:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s attack oil-industry targets at Blechhammer and Odertal and a marshalling yard in southeastern Germany.
    • 15th Air Force B-17s attack several oil refineries at Blechhammer.
    • In the most active day for 15th Air Force fighters during the entire month, 23 Luftwaffe fighters are downed on both sides of the German-Polish frontier between 1145 and 1230 by pilots of the 14th, 31st, and 52nd Fighter Groups.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • FEAF B-24s attack the Bacolod airfield on Negros.
    • B-24s and V Fighter Command P-47s attack the Zettlefield airfield on Jolo.
    • V Bomber Command B-25s attack the Silay airfield on Negros and the Likanan airfield on Mindanao.
    • V Fighter Command P-40s and USMC F4Us attack the Cananga area.
    • 15 V Fighter Command P-40 fighter-bombers directly support US Army ground troops with an attack against Japanese Army defensive positions near Valencia.
    • A VC-75 FM downs a P1Y 'Galaxy' bomber near Bohol at 0715 hours.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations, Volcano Islands

    24 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s and 26 30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Iwo Jima.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Battle of the Atlantic

    U-400 is sunk in a depth-charge attack by the British frigate Nyasaland of EG18.

    U-400

    ClassType VIIC
    CO Kapitänleutnant Horst Creutz
    Location Atlantic, S of Queenstown
    Cause Depth charge
    Casualties 50
    Survivors None
    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Eastern Front

    In Hungary, Rodion Malinovsky's troops are only 5 miles from Budapest.

    SOUTHERN SECTOR

    The 2nd Ukrainian Front comes within 5 miles of Budapest.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Indian Ocean

    The oil and harbor installations at Belawan-Deli in northern Sumatra are attacked by planes from the British carriers Indomitable and Illustrious. Adm Philip Vian is in command.

    [larrlarr | rarrrarr2]

    Italy

    On the Senio, the 5th (Kresowa) Division, Polish II Corps, 8th Army, relieves units of the 3rd (Carpathian) Division. Near Faenza, north and south of Tebano, 10th Indian Division manages to capture crossings over the Senio River.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    The squadrons of the 7th Fleet that escorted the invasion force to Mindoro return to the Gulf of Leyte after more attacks by Japanese aircraft.

    On Leyte, the 32nd Division, US X Corps, advances slowly south of Limon. The 307th Infantry, XXIV Corps, supported by artillery and aircraft, attacks Valencia airfied and reaches the edge of the runway.

    On Mindoro the US forces take San Jose Airfield.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    The Germans capture 9,000 Americans at Echternach, on the extreme left flank of the 'Bulge'. The SS murders 84 captured American soldiers in what becomes known as the 'Malmedy Massacre'.

    The US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, XVIII Corps, Allied 1st Airborne Army, are sent to reinforce the Allied troops in the Ardennes although these paratroops are officially resting after the Arnhem operation. Various other armored and infantry units from several of the Allied armies are being rushed to the threatened sectors.

    In the 3rd Army sector, the 5th Division continues relieving units of the 95th Division, XX Corps, in the Saarlautern bridgehead.

    Units of the US 7th Army, XV and VI Corps, are almost completely halted in front of the outer defenses of the Siegfried Line. Kientzheim in Alsace, near Colmar, is taken by the French 1st Army.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 17, 1944

    Approach Road to Quartermaster Service Center


    Approach Road to Quartermaster Service Center

    7th Cavalry Motor Pool


    7th Cavalry Motor Pool

    Easy Company, 501st PIR


    Easy Company, 501st PIR

    German Prisoner with US Soldier


    German Prisoner with US Soldier

    German Soldiers on a Tank


    German Soldiers on a Tank

    On Deck of a Carrier during a Typhoon


    On Deck of a Carrier during a Typhoon

    Joachim Peiper's SS Troops


    Joachim Peiper's <i>SS</i> Troops

    Malmedy Massacre


    Malmedy Massacre

    US Troops Moving Up Near Büllingen


    US Troops Moving Up Near Büllingen

    Kampfgruppe Peiper in the Belgian Town of Honsfel


    <i>Kampfgruppe</i> Peiper in the Belgian Town of Honsfel

    Serviceman Saluting Lt-Gen Mark Clark


    Serviceman Saluting Lt-Gen Mark Clark

    1st Infantry Division Troops Arrive


    1st Infantry Division Troops Arrive

    Monday, December 18

    Air Operations, Asia

    77 B-29 Superfortress bombers and 200 other aircraft of the US 14th Air Force carry out a heavy raid on Hankow, an industrial town and Japanese supply base.

    [rarrrarr | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 12 10th Air Force B-25s attack a rail bridge at Saye and 2 rail bridges at Wetlet.
    • 17 10th Air Force P-47s attack bypass bridges at Hinlong (China) and Wingkang.
    • 17 P-47s attack troops and supplies at Hseing-hkai and Man Ton.
    • 23 P-47s attack airfields at Anisakan, Hsumhsai, and Nawnghkio.
    • 9 fighter-bombers support Allied ground forces at Namhkam.
    CHINA
    • 84of 94 58th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s dispatched from Chengtu attack the Hankow port area with 511 tons of incendiary bombs (the first B-29 fire raid of the war).
    • 33 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack barracks and headquarters buildings at Hankow.
    • 23 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Wuchang.
    • 7 B-25s attack the airfield at Siaokan and a nearby bridge.
    • 6 B-25s, followed by 20 napalm-armed P-38s and P-51s, attack stores at Kunlong.
    • 28 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack various targets of opportunity in Burma, southwestern China, northern French Indochina.
    • 14th Air Force fighters mount a total of 149 bomber-escort sorties to Hankow, Siaokan, and Wuchang.
    • P-40s and P-51s of the 5th CACW, 23rd, and 311th Fighter groups, and the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron down 24 Japanese fighters and 1 Ki-48 'Lily' bomber in a melee over the Hankow area lasting from 1215 to 1330 hours.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    FEAF fighter-bombers attack the Tarakan airfield on Borneo and nearby targets of opportunity, the Haroekoe airfield on Ceram, and a seaplane base at Sanga Sanga Island in the Tawi Tawi Islands.

    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Evening Ops:
    • 236 Lancasters of No. 5 Group attack the distant port of Gdynia (Gotenhafen) on the Baltic coast and cause damage to shipping, installations and housing in the port area. The bombers sink the Schleswig-Holstein and 8 other ships at Gdynia.
      • 4 Lancasters are lost.
    Minor Ops:
    • 40 Mosquitos are sent to Nuremberg and 16 to Münster, 14 Lancasters of No. 5 Group lay mines in Danzig Bay and there are 11 Mosquito patrols and 34 RCM sorties.
      • 1 Mosquito Intruder is lost.
    US 8th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 32 1st Bomb Division B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Cologne (primary).
    • 102 1st Bomb Division B-17s attack targets at Koblenz (secondary).
    • 74 1st Bomb Division B-17s attack Kaiserlautern (secondary).
    • 11 1st Bomb Division B-17s attack Bonn (target of last resort).
    • 198 1st Bomb Division B-17s abort due to bad weather.
    • 157 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack a marshalling yard at Mainz (primary).
    • 13 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack targets of opportunity.
      • There are no heavy bomber losses, but 2 of 392 VIII Fighter Command escorts are lost.
    • 255 VIII Fighter Command fighters sweep western Germany.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    BELGIUM:
    • Despite total cloud cover and an extremely low ceiling, 2 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Group F-6 pilots locate a key German Army combat column on a road near Stavelot, with the result that four-plane flights from the IX TAC's 365th and 368th Fighter Groups continuously attack the German column until it is too dark to continue. In the course of seven four-plane missions flown between high hills and through heavy gunfire and flak, it is estimated that 32 of 60 tanks are destroyed along with at least 56 of 200 trucks.
    GERMANY:
    • 165 9th Bomb Division bombers attack five defended towns in western Germany.
    • 9th Air force fighters and fighter-bomers complete approximately 500 sorties in support of US Army ground forces in the Ardennes region straddling the German-Belgian frontier.
    • In the face of a Luftwaffe aerial offensive amounting to more than 500 effective sorties, 9th Air Force fighter pilots down 40 Luftwaffe fighters and VIII Fighter Command fighter pilots down 10 Luftwaffe fighters over western Germany between 0930 and 1530 hours.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • XXII TAC P-47s support the US 5th Army south of Bologna and attack lines of communication in the Po River valley.
    US 15th AIR FORCE
    AUSTRIA:
    • 15th Air Force B-17s attakc the Graz Airdrome, an oil refinery near Vienna, a marshalling yard, and an industrial area.
    CZECHOSLOVAKIA:
    • 15th Air Force heavy bombers attack an oil refinery at Moravska-Ostrava.
    GERMANY:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s attack oil-industry targets at Blechhammer.
    • 15th Air Force B-17s attack oil-industry targets at Odertal.
    HUNGARY:
    • 15th Air Force heavy bombers attack a marshalling yard at Sopron.
    POLAND:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s attack oil-industry targets at Oswiecim (Auschwitz).
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Japan

    63 of 89 73rd Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s dispatched from the Marianas attack a cloud-obscured aircraft factory in Nagoya with the aid of radar. 10 of B-29s attack various targets of opportunity and last resort. 4 B-29s are lost.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Air Operations, Pacific

    B-29s bomb the Misubishi aircraft assembly works at Nagoya.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • V Bomber Command B-25s attack the San Roque airfield on Mindanao.
    • V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack a bridge on Leyte, the airfield at Calatagan, and the airfield and port area at Tanao.
    • A VMF-115 F4U downs a Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter over San Jose, Mindoro, at 0920 hours.
    • 348th Fighter Group P-47ss down 1 Ki-21 'Sally' bomber, 1 D4Y 'Judy' dive bomber, and an A6M Zero in the Mindoro area between 1115 and 1230 hours.
    • 475th Fighter Group P-38s down 5 Japanese fighters over Mindoro between 1310 and 1315 hours.
    • A 49th Fighter Group P-38 downs a Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance plane near Mindoro at 1450 hours.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Atlantic

    The US freighter Steel Traveller (7056t) is mined and sunk in the Schelde River. There are no casualties among the 45-man crew or the 26-man Armed Guard. Survivors are rescued by the French destroyer La Combattante.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    CBI

    In Burma, after nearly a week of fighting units of the 475th Infantry Regiment around Tonkwa, the Japanese withdraw to reinforce the defense of Mandalay against Gen Slim's British XIV Corps. During the fighting the 475th has lost 15 killed and 56 wounded. Japanese casualties are estimated at 210.

    [larrlarr | rarrrarr2]

    China

    Hangkow, China, a Japanese major supply base, is attacked by US 14th Air Force planes, including 77 B-29s. Previously Superfortresses were directed against targets in Japan, but the deteriorating ground situation in China demanded an interruption of the Japanese logistical lines.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Eastern Front

    North of Miskolc, in Hungary, the Red Army reaches the Czechoslovakian frontier on a front of more than 60 miles.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    English Channel

    U-1209 is hunted by Escort Group 26 off Land's End. Several promising attacks are delivered by the British frigates Ribble and Montreal. These are later determined to be wrecks and not the U-boat. Shortly afterward the group rescues the survivors of U-1209 who explained the ship had grounded and suffered enough damage to warrant her being abandoned.

    U-1209

    ClassType VIIC
    CO Oberleutnant zur See Ewald Hulsenbeck
    Location English Channel, off Wolf Rock
    Cause Grounding
    Casualties 9
    Survivors 42
    [larrlarr | rarrrarr2]

    Philippine Sea

    TF 38, retiring to refuel and replenish after the recent attacks on Luzon, is caught in a violent typhoon along with the units of the fleet train. 3 destroyers are sunk; the Hull (DD-350), the Monaghan (DD-354) and the Spence (DD-512). Ships damaged in the storm include 4 light carriers: the Cowpens (CVL-25), the Monterey (CVL-26), the Cabot (CVL-28) and the San Jacinto (CVL-30); 4 escort carriers: the Altamaha (CVE-18), the Nehenta Bay, the Cape Esperance (CVE-88) and the Kwajalein (CVE-98); the light cruiser Miami (CL-89); 7 destroyers: the Dewey (DD-349), the Aylwin (DD-355), the Buchanan (DD-484), the Dyson (DD-572, the Hickox (DD-672), the Maddox (DD-731) and the Benham (DD-796); 3 destroyer escorts: the Melvin R. Nawman (DE-416), the Tabberer (DE-418) and the Waterman (DE-740); the oiler Nantahala (AO-60); and the fleet tug Jicarilla (ATF-104). 769 lives are lost and nearly 150 planes are lost off carrier decks or damaged beyond repair. Nature thus inflicts greater losses on the US Navy than they are to suffer in any single battle in the Pacific war. The weather forces the Americans to cancel a planned operation for the bombing of Luzon.


    Philippines

    On Leyte the US 307th Infantry occupies Valencia and its airfield. The south part of the Ormoc Valley, from Ormoc to Valencia, is now firmly in American hands. The 77th Infantry Division moves rapidly north toward a linkup with X Corps.

    The 1st Cavalry Division takes up the attack for the 32nd Division in the X Corps area. Supported by heavy artillery fire, the 12th Cavalry attacks and clears Highway 2.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    In the US 9th Army sector, the 84th Division reaches its final objectives, Wurm and Müllendorf.

    In the Ardennes, the US 1st Army is still being attacked by the Germans. 2 regiments of the US 106th Division near Schönberg fail to break out of their trapped positions. The 7th Armored Division is heavily engaged at St Vith. The 28th Division is badly mauled. German units advance to points outside Bastogne and Houffalize.

    In the Saarlautern bridgehead sector the 5th Division has completed the relief of the US 95th Division.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 18, 1944

    1st SS Panzer Division Troops


    1st <i>SS Panzer</i> Division Troops

    German Troops in a Schutzenpanzerwagen


    German Troops in a <i>Schutzenpanzerwagen</i>

    Langley in Typhoon Cobra


    G<i>Langley</i> in Typhoon Cobra

    Panzergrenadiers from Kampfgruppe Hansen


    <i>Panzergrenadiers</i> from <i>Kampfgruppe</i> Hansen

    Paratrooper from 5th (Scots) Parachute Battalion


    Paratrooper from 5th (Scots) Parachute Battalion

    Guarding the Commander of a Sherman Tank from Snipers


    Guarding the Commander of a Sherman Tank from Snipers

    Germans from Kampfgruppe Hansen


    Germans from <i>Kampfgruppe Hansen</i>

    Out of Action King Tiger


    Out of Action King Tiger

    Tuesday, December 19

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 12 10th Air Force B-25s attack a bridge at Hsenwi, a railroad station at Kyaukme, and road junctions at Mongmit and near Kyaukme.
    • 42 10th Air Force P-47s attack a truck park and troops and supplies at 4 locations.
    • 11 P-47s attack rail targets of opportunity.
    • 7 P-47s attack a bridge at Tonbo.
    • 4 14th Air Force P-38s attack road traffic between Wanling and Mongyu.
    CHINA
    • 16 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s, escorted by 24 14th Air Force P-40s, attack Pengpu.
    • 4 14th Air Force P-51s attack 2 freighters off Hong Kong.
    • 2 P-40s attack 2 locomotives at Siyang.
    • 13 58th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s unable to attack their primary target in Japan attack Shanghai (a secondary target), and 2 B-29s attack other alternate targets in China.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    FEAF B-25s, A-20s, and fighter-bombers attack the Kairatoe area on Ceram and targets of opportunity elsewhere in the region.

    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Daylight Ops:
    • 32 Lancasters of No. 3 Group carry out a G-H raid on the railway yards in Trier behind the front on which the Germans are attacking in the Ardennes.
      • There are no losses.
    Evening Ops:
    • 12 Lancasters of No. 3 Group minelaying in the Kadet Channel off Denmark.
      • There are no losses.
    US 8th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • Unable to attack their assigned targets in Luxembourg, 24 1st Bomb Division B-1s divert against a marshalling yard at Koblenz.
    • 82 2nd Bomb Division B-24s divert against a marshalling yard at Ehrgang.
    • 8th and 9th Air Force fighter pilots down 15 Luftwaffe fighters over western Germany and eastern Belgium between 1508 and 1535 hours.
    LUXEMBOURG:
    • 144 1st Bomb Division B-17s and 62 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack tactical targets using GH blind-bombing equipment. These attacks are in support of US Army ground forces involved in the Battle of the Bulge.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    ETO:
    • A small number of 9th Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers are able to support US Army ground forces in Belgium, France, and Germany.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • XXII TAC P-47s attack communications targets near the battle area and gun emplacements around La Spezia.
    • During the night, XXII TAC A-20s attack light sources in the Po River valley.
    US 15th AIR FORCE
    AUSTRIA:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s and B-17s attack various marshalling yards throughout the country.
    CZECHOSLOVAKIA:
    • 15th Air Force heavy bombers attack an oil refinery at Moravska-Ostrava.
    GERMANY:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s attack various marshalling yards throughouth the country.
    • B-17s attack oil-industry targets at Blechhammer.
    HUNGARY:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s attack a marshalling yard at Sopron.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Japan

    Due to bad weather, only 17 of 36 58th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s dispatched from Chengtu, China, are able to attack their primary target, an aircraft factory at Omura. 2 B-29s are lost in accidents.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • The planned renewal of Task Force 38’s pre-invasion bombardment of Luzon is thwarted by bad weather, but FEAF B-24s attack the Legaspi on Luzon.
    • V Bomber Command B-25s attack the Fabrica airfield on Negros.
    • V Fighter Command P-38s attack the Batangas airfield on Luzon.
    • Fighter-bombers attack the Alicante, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Fabrica, and Silay airfields on Negros, the town area at Palompon, and targets of opportunity throughout the central Philippines.
    • 2 VMF-218 F4Us down an A6M Zero over the Silay airfield on Negros at 1725 hours.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations, Volcano Islands

    • 27 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s and 25 30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Iwo Jima.
    • 14 318th Fighter Group P-38s guided by 3 XXI Bomber Command B-29s strafe Iwo Jima airfields.
    • 2 318th Fighter Group P-38s down an A6M Zero over Iwo Jima at 1110 hours.
    • During the night, 4 41st Medium Bomb Group B-25s mount snooper raids against Iwo Jima. These are the first such missions by VII Bomber Command B-25s, but B-24s have been conducting such harrassment attacks almost every night of the month.
    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    East China Sea

    The American submarine Redfish (SS-395) sinks the Japanese carrier Unryu.


    Eastern Front

    SOUTHERN SECTOR

    The III Panzer Corps is ordered to leave its panzers south of Budapest and march its infantry to Hatvan to reinforce this threatened sector.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Italy

    During the night the V Corps, British 8th Army, resumes its offensive, liberating the Faenza sector.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Norwegian Sea

    U-737 sinks after colliding with the German minesweeper MRS-25.

    U-737

    ClassType VIIC
    CO Oberleutnant zur See Friedrich-August Greus
    Location Norwegian coastal waters, Vestfjord
    Cause Collision
    Casualties 31
    Survivors Unknown
    [larr2 | rarr]

    Pacific

    The US submarine Redfish (SS-395), despite the presence of escorting destroyers, sinks the Japanese carrier Unryu about 200 miles southeast of Shanghai, China. Redfish is damaged in the resultant depth charge attacks and is force to terminate her patrol.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    The Japanese decide that they can do no more to send reinforcements or supplies to 35th Army on Leyte. Gen Tomoyuki Yamashita is told by his headquarters that from now on he will have to rely on local resources. Fighting continues south of Limon. Units of the 1st Cavalry Division capture Lonoy on Highway 2 and flank Japanese positions facing the 32nd Infantry Division. The 77th Division advances toward Libongao and Palompon and meet cavalry patrols near Cananga. Valencia has to be defended from a Japanese counterattack. The fighting continues north of Ormoc and throughout the northwest of the island.

    On Mindoro the Americans, together with Filipino guerrillas, begin a series of patrol actions in several parts of the island.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    At a meeting of the senior Allied commanders at Verdun Eisenhower decides to appoint a single leader each for the areas north and south of the Bulge which is being created. Montgomery is appointed for the northern units and Bradley for the southern. This arrangement will not be made public until January 5, 1945.

    On the ground the Germans have reached the Stavelot and Houffalize areas but between these advances some of the US forces are holding their ground around Gouvy and St Vith. Houffalize itself will be defended a little longer by 82nd Airborne Division while 10 miles to the south 101st Airborne is among the force which is preparing to hold the important road junction at Bastogne. All Allied offensive actions against the Rhine are halted because of the German Ardennes offensive. Montgomery is given command of all Allied forces north of the Bulge, Bradley all forces to the south. On both sides of the German breakthrough the US 1st and 3rd Armies re-group in readiness for a coordinated attack, cutting at the base of the salient formed by the advance of the German armies.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 19, 1944

    American Soldiers Taken Prisoner


    American Soldiers Taken Prisoner

    Americans in Bastogne


    Americans in Bastogne

    On the Lookout for Germans


    On the Lookout for Germans

    US 82nd Airborne Division Arrives


    US 82nd Airborne Division Arrives

    US 101st Airborne Infantry Division Moves through Bastogne


    US 101st Airborne Infantry Division Moves through Bastogne

    Moving an Anti-tank Gun


    Moving Anti-tank Gun

    German Air Raid on Eupen, Belgium


    German Air Raid on Eupen, Belgium

    Members of 1st Infantry Division


    Members of 1st Infantry Division

    Wednesday, December 20

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 9 10th Air Force B-25s attack 6 road bridges and several bypass bridges.
    • 3 B-25s attack a ferry.
    • 13 10th Air Force P-47s support Allied ground forces around Namhkam.
    • 12 P-47s attack 2 bridges.
    • 12 P-47s sweep a long stretch of the Irrawaddy River.
    • Fighter-bombers attack troops, supplies, and various targets of opportunity.
    CHINA
    • 118 14th Air Force P-40s and P-51s attack numerous targets across southern China and eastern Burma.
    • A 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron P-51 downs a Ki-44 'Tojo' fighter over the Kaitak airfield at Hong Kong at 0515 hours.
    • A 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron P-51 downs a Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter over the Tienho airfield at Canton at 1100 hours.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    • FEAF B-24s attack the Malang airfield on Java.
    • B-25s attack Haroekoe, Ceram.
    • Fighter-bombers attack many targets of opportinity.
    • In their first operational mission of the war under the control of the US Pacific Fleet, 27 Royal Navy Avenger light bombers, escorted by 28 Royal Navy Hellcats and Corsairs, dispatched from the British Pacific Fleet carriers HMS Indomitable and HMS Illustrious, (RAdm Sir Philip L. Vian, RN, Commander, 1st Aircraft Carrier Squadron) are forced by bad weather to divert from a refinery in northwestern Sumatra against port facilities at Belawan Deli. The British carrier fighters also strafe port facilities at Kota Raja and the Sabang airfield on Sumatra. Following their attack, the British carriers retire to Ceylon.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • XXII TAC P-47s mount limited attacks against targets of opportunity in the Po River valley and rail lines in Brenner Pass and around Trento.
    • During the night, XXII TAC A-20s attack roads and targets of opportunity in the Po River valley.
    US 15th AIR FORCE
    AUSTRIA:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s attack marshalling yards at Salzburg and Villach.
    • 15th Air Force B-17s attack marshalling yards at Salzburg and Linz.
    CZECHOSLOVAKIA:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s attack the Skoda arms complex at Pilsen.
    • 15th Air Force B-17s attack oil-industry targets at Brux.
    GERMANY:
    • 15th Air Force B-17s attack oil-industry targets at Regensburg.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Japan

    Several 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s attack targets in the Kurile Islands.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • FEAF B-24s, V Bomber Command B-25s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack 3 airfields on Mindanao and 10 airfields across the central Philippines.
    • Fighter-bombers attack many targets of opportunity.
    • 35th and 348th Fighter group P-47s down a Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance plane and 17 fighters over the Mindoro area between 1115 and 1155 hours.
    • 49th Fighter Group P-38s down 3 A6M Zeros over Mindoro between noon and 1210 hours.
    • A 49th Fighter Group P-38 downs an A6M Zero near Samar at 1825 hours.
    • 3 P-47s are lost over Mindoro.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations, Volcano Islands

    23 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based on Saipan attack Iwo Jima.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Battle of the Atlantic

    In the eastern Atlantic the US landing ship LST-359 is sunk by torpedo and the US destroyer escort Fogg (DE-57) is damaged by one, both from U-870.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Burma

    In the British IV Corps sector, the 19th Indian Division takes Kawlin.

    [larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

    Eastern Front

    SOUTHERN SECTOR

    The 6th Guards Tank Army smashes its way through to the Hron Rover while the 7th Guards Army reaches the Ipel valley and begins to push upon Esztergom. German counterattacks halt the Russian advance. Heavy fighting rages on these positions for nearly a week.

    South of Budapest the 3rd Ukrainian Front begins its new offensive. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Germans launch continuous armored counterattacks, slowing the Soviet advance to a crawl.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Greece

    British tanks and armored cars have lifted the seige of Kafissia RAF base by ELAS rebels (the National Liberation Army - the military wing of the country's communist party).

    [larr1larr1 | rarrrarr2]

    Italy

    In the British 8th Army sector, the 56th Division, V Corps, starts on the capture of the area between the Canale Naviglio and the Lamone River, north of Faenza. During the night the Canadian 1st Division and 5th Armored Division, Canadian I Corps, force the Germans to withdraw across the Senio.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    On Leyte US artillery brings heavy fire to bear on the Japanese pockets west of Palompon and south of Limon.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    On the northern flank of their Ardennes offensive the German forces attack northward from around Stavelot but, although they quickly make some gains, they are soon forced to retire. The units on the right of these in the German drive have not made much ground toward their objectives around Malmedy and to the north. The two vital junctions at St Vith and Bastogne are still being held despite deeper penetrations all around these towns. If the Germans are to develop their offensive much farther they must do so quickly before the weather clears and before the Allied reserves arrive in force. To maintain the momentum of the attack they must take the road junctions so they can easily speed their main forces and their supports forward.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 20, 1944

    Approaching Bastogne


    Approaching Bastogne

    A Little Dutch Boy Helps Refueling


    A Little Dutch Boy Helps Refueling

    American M36 Tank Destroyers


    American M36 Tank Destroyers

    Soldiers of the 28th Infantry Division


    Soldiers of the 28th Infantry Division

    M4 Sherman Tanks


    M4 Sherman Tanks

    Tank Repairs


    Tank Repairs

    GIs Resting in St Vith


    GIs Resting in St Vith

    Finding German Parachutes


    Finding German Parachutes

    Thursday, December 21

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 12 10th Air Force B-25s attack troops and supplies at Magyidon.
    • More than 20 10th Air Force fighter-bombers attack troops and other targets near the Shweli River.
    • 13 P-47s attack bridges at 3 locations.
    • 12 P-47s attack rail targets of opportunity between Hsipaw and Hsumhsai.
    • 12 P-47s attack the Lashio area.
    CHINA
    • 19 of 49 58th Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s dispatched from Chengtu attack an aircraft factory and arsenal at Mukden, Manchuria, 8 B-29s attack several alternates and targets of opportunity around Mukden.
    • 9 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Kunlong and Minkiang.
    • 145 14th Air Force P-40s and P-51s attack numerous targets across southern China, northern French Indochina, and eastern Burma.
    • 2 530th Fighter Squadron P-51s down a total of 5 Ki-27 'Nate' fighters over or near the airfield at Tsinan Airdrome at noon.
    • A 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron P-51 downs a Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter and a Ki-44 'Tojo' fighter over Hong Kong's Kaitak airfield at 1525 hours.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    FEAF B-25s attack Anggai and Goeroea in the Molucca Islands, and Lolobata on Halmahera.

    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Daylight Ops:
    • 113 Lancasters of No. 3 Group again attempt to bomb the railway yards at Trier in 2 waves. The bomber crews are unable to observe results because of the cloud, although a large column of smoke eventually appears.
      • There are no losses.
    Minor Ops:
    • 1 Hudson flies a Resistance operation.
    Evening Ops:
    • 207 Lancasters and 1 Mosquito of No. 5 Group attack the synthetic oil refinery at Politz, near Stettin. Post-raid reconnaissance shows that the power station chimneys have collapsed and that other parts of the plant are damaged.
      • 3 Lancasters are lost and 5 more crash in England.
    • 136 aircraft including 67 Lancasters, 54 Halifaxes and 15 Mosquitos of Nos. 4, 6 and 8 Groups attack the important Cologne/Nippes marshalling yards which are being used to serve the German offensive in the Ardennes. The target is cloud-covered and only a few bombs hit the railway yards but these cause the destruction of 40 wagons, a repair workshop and several railway lines.
      • There are no losses.
    • 97 Lancasters and 17 Mosquitos of Nos. 1 and 8 Groups attempt to attack railway areas in Bonn but thick cloud cover prevents an accurate raid and later reconnaissance shows that the railway target was not hit. No other details are available.
      • There are no losses.
    Minor Ops:
    • 4 Lancasters of No. 5 Group are sent to Schneidmühl as a diversion for the Politz raid, 30 Lancasters and 23 Halifaxes lay mines in the Kattegat, and there are 12 Mosquito patrols and 15 RCM sorties.
      • There are no losses.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • XXII TAC P-47s are able to mount a limited number of effective sorties against rail targets, the Ghedi Airdrome, gun emplacements, and defended buildings.
    • During the night, XXII TAC A-20s attack targets in the Po River valley.
    US 15th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 84 15th Air Force B-24s attack marshalling yards at Rosenheim.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • At dawn, Japanese aircraft attacking a US Navy re-supply convoy bound for Mindoro mortally damage 2 LSTs and damage other vessels. 107 soldiers and sailors are killed aboard the 2.
    • FEAF B-24s attack the Likanan airfield on Mindanao.
    • B-24s, V Bomber Command B-25s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack 10 airfields in the central Philippines, mainly on Negros.
    • V Fighter Command fighter-bombers based on Leyte complete more than 100 sorties against various targets.
    • V Fighter Command and Marine Air Group 12 fighters cover the Mindoro invasion flotilla and re-supply convoys bound for Mindoro.
    • 35th Fighter Group P-47s down 3 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters off Panay at 0905 hours.
    • An 8th Fighter Group P-38 downs a J2M 'Jack' fighter over San Jose, Mindoro, at 1630 hours.
    • An 8th Fighter Group P-38 downs an A6M Zero over Marcano Island at 1730 hours.
    • 49th Fighter Group P-38s down 5 fighters over Hill Field on Mindoro at 1730 hours.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations, Volcano Islands

    23 30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Iwo Jima.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Atlantic

    A German convoy runs into a minefield laid off Norway by the Free French submarine Rubis bringing her total number of sinkings to 23.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Burma

    The British advance in the Arakan is so fast that Adm Mountbatten calls the senior commanders in Calcutta to discuss the best way of exploiting this unexpected success.

    [larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

    Eastern Front

    While the Germans proceed with the evacuation of the Balkans, violent fighting rages between the German Army Group South and the 3rd Ukraine Front southwest of Budapest, between the Danube and Lake Balaton.

    SOUTHERN SECTOR

    The attacks by the 3rd Ukrainian Front between Lake Balaton and Budapest compels Gen Maximilian Fretter-Pico to commit the last reserve available to the 6th Army. Hitler once again resorts to sacking generals for defeats at the front. Gen Johannes Friessner and Fretter-Pico are both dismissed, Gen Otto Wohler being appointed to Army Group South and Gen Hermann Balck the 6th Army.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Hungary

    A provisional Hungarian government is formed at Debrecen.

    [rarrrarr | rarr]

    Italy

    The 5th (Kresowa) Division, Polish II Corps, 8th Army, completes the capture of the east bank of the Senio, and the Canadian I Corps reaches the river in the Cotignola-Alfonsine sector.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Pacific

    • Two US submarines, the Albacore (SS-218) and the Scamp (SS-277) are reported as presumed lost in the Pacific Ocean area.
    • The US submarine Sealion (SS-315) carries out a second attack on the Japanese supply ship Mamiya (7000t) and sinks her in the South China Sea.
    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    On Leyte, the 12th Cavalry Regiment from the 1st Cavalry Division, X Corps, advancing from the north, meet patrols from the 360th Infantry Regiment of the 77th Infantry Division, XXIV Corps coming up from Ormoc. At the same time, elements of the 11th Airborne Division link up with the 2nd Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, having spent several weeks clearing Japanese strongholds in the mountains. The whole Ormoc Valley is now cleared of Japanese. There are still various groups of Japanese holding isolated positions in this area.

    On Mindoro the Japanese receive reinforcements from Luzon by air. Japanese aircraft attack an American supply convoy, sinking 2 tank landing craft, LST-460 and LST-749 and damaging several other ships including the destroyer Foote (DD-511).

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Switzerland

    The death of Abbas Hilmi Pasha, the last Khedive (Turkish Viceroy) of Egypt 1892-1914, at age 70 is reported.

    [larr2larr]

    Western Front

    While American armies not directly concerned with the Ardennes break-through detach what formations they can to reinforce the 1st Army sector, the Germans advance in a wedge west of Bastogne. 2nd Armored Division, XIX Corps, 9th Army and 75th Division, XVI Corps, are both sent to help.

    Bastogne is now almost completely surrounded. The 82nd Airborne Division has been driven out of Houffalize in the continuing German advance between and behind Bastogne and St Vith. On the north flank of the advance American forces retake Stavelot and from here to Monschau and German LXVII Corps has been brought to a halt.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 21, 1944

    Disguising a Panzer


    Disguising a <i>Panzer</i>

    Resting on the Rails


    Resting on the Rails

    Knocking Out King Tiger Tanks


    Knocking Out King Tiger Tanks

    Disbled Tiger


    Disbled Tiger

    P-38L of the 432nd Ftr Sq


    P-38L of the 432nd Ftr Sq

    101st Airborne Surrounded at Bastogne


    101st Airborne Surrounded at Bastogne

    Knocked Out Panther


    Knocked Out Panther

    Clearing Snow from Machine Gun


    Clearing Snow from Machine Gun

    Friday, December 22

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 12 10th Air Force B-25s attack Magyidon.
    • 16 10th Air Force P-47s attack targets along the Irrawaddy River.
    • 12 P-47s attack troops at Onbauk and a bridge at Na-lang.
    • 8 P-47s attack 2 bridges at Kinu and a bypass bridge at Namhkai.
    • 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack Wanling.
    CHINA
    • 2 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Yungning.
    • 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack numerous targets across southern China.
    FRENCH INDOCHINA
    • 4 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack a bridge at Song Hoa.
    • 51st Fighter Group fighter-bombers attack the Gia Lam airfield at Hanoi.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    • FEAF B-24s and B-25s, and FEAF and RAAF fighter-bombers attack the Goeroea area in the Molucca Islands and Hate Tobako airfield and the Lolobata airfield on Halmahera.
    • Fighter-bombers attack Wasile Bay in the Molucca Islands.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Evening Ops:
    • 166 Lancasters and 2 Mosquitos, mostly from No. 1 Group but with some Pathfinders are sent to Koblenz. The aiming point is the Mosel railway yards. There is some cloud in the target area and the local report says that the main weight of the attack falls in farming areas between 2 and 4 kilometres to the west where the villages of Güls and Rübenach are badly hit. The fringes of the bombing, however, do fall on the railway yards, several main lines and 2 important road bridges.
      • There are no losses.
    • 106 aircraft including 90 Halifaxes of No. 4 Group and 14 Lancasters and 2 Mosquitos of No. 8 Group are sent to Bingen. The railway yards are again the objective of the raid. The attack is extremely accurate and all the bombs fall into the yards or into the nearby Rhine, where 2 barges are sunk. All movement of supplies by rail through Bingen to the Ardennes battle front stops.
      • 2 Halifaxes and 1 Lancaster are lost.
    • 44 aircraft of No. 100 Group fly Mosquito patrols and RCM sorties without a loss.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    ETO:
    • Bad weather grounds the 9th Bomb Division and only a few 9th Air Force fighters are able to undertake some strafing missions in support of US Army ground forces.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • 12th Air Force medium bombers attack bridges at three locations.
    • XXII TAC P-47s attack numerous bridges and other rail targets as well as gun emplacements and road traffic.
    • During the night, XXII TAC A-20s attack crossing points and targets of opportunity in the Po River valley.
    US 15th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 2 31st Fighter Group's 308th Fighter Squadron P-51 pilots share in the downing of a Me-262 jet interceptor near Passau at about 1230 hours. This is the first Luftwaffe jet downed by 15th Air Force fighter pilots.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Japan

    48 of 78 73rd Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s dispatched from the Marianas attack an aircraft factory at Nagoya through heavy clouds with incendiary bombs while 14 B-29s attack other targets. 3 B-29s are lost.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • 23 22nd Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based at the Angaur airfield and escorted by V Fighter Command P-47s Clark Field on Luzon.
    • FEAF B-24s attack the Carolina airfield on Negros and troops and stores on Mindanao.
    • V Bomber Command B-25s and V Fighter Command P-47s attack the Fabrica airfield on Negros.
    • B-25s attack port facilities at Zamboanga, Mindanao.
    • P-40s attack the Lipa airfield on Luzon.
    • Fighter-bombers sweep large areas of Mindanao.
    • Numerous Japanese aircraft mount continuous attacks against a re-supply convoy bound for Mindoro. Despite a spirited defense 2 LSTs are sunk.
    • 8th Fighter Group P-38s down 10 fighters over Mindoro between 0830 and 0920 hours.
    • 348th Fighter Group P-47s down 9 fighters over Clark Field on Luzon between 1025 and 1100 hours.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Burma

    The British 36th Division, advancing from the north along the valley of the Irrawaddy, reaches Tigyaing, which the Japanese have evacuated, and prepares to attack Mongmit.

    [larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

    Eastern Front

    SOUTHERN SECTOR

    Under intense pressure the German line between Erd and Lake Velencze begins to crack, enabling the 3rd Ukrainian Front to push its units forward. Elements of the 4th Guards Army strikes Szekesfehervar and becomes involved in bitter fighting.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Hungary

    A Provisional Hungarian Government is established in Soviet-held territory.

    [rarrrarr]

    Indochina

    The Vietnamese Liberation Army under Vo Nguyen Giap is formed.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Italy

    Expecting a German offensive in the western sector of the front, US 5th Army, the 92nd Division, operating in the area of Lucca, is reinforced by units from the 8th Indian Division and 85th Division, and with tanks and guns.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Pacific

    • The Japanese torpedo boat Chidori is sunk by the US submarine Tilefish (SS-307) off Honshu, Japan.
    • The US destroyer Bryant (DD-511) is damaged by a suicide plane in the Mindoro area of the Philippines.
    • The US tank landing ship LST-563 sinks after grounding off Clipperton Island.
    • The US submarine Flasher attacks a Japanese convoy in the South China Sea and sinks the fleet tanker Omurosan Maru (9204t) and the merchant tankers Otowasan Maru (9204t) and Arita Maru (10,238t) about 250 miles north of Cam Ranh Bay, French Indochina.
    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    On Leyte the Americans capture several villages. The problem now is to wipe out the remaining Japanese forces concentrated west of Palompon in two big pockets, and this will be the main American obective for the next few days.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    United States, Home Front

    Harry Langdon, silent screen movie star, dies at the age of 60.

    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Western Front

    German forces launch their final drive to reach the Meuse River. The American forces in Bastogne contemptuously reject a German demand that they surrender. It is said that Gen Anthony McAuliffe's reply to the demand consists of the single word 'Nuts!'. The weather is beginning to change and all the German generals involved in the attack, von Rundstedt, Model and Guderian, the Army Chief of Staff, recommend that the offensive be brought to an end because of the delays that have been imposed by the Allied resistance and the imminent arrival of the mass of the Allied reserves. To the generals it is clear that there is no question of reaching the grand objective of Antwerp. Although St Vith is taken late in the day this does not come close to curing the problems of delay that have been created. The US 3rd Army is now beginning to attack the Germans in the Ardennes salient from the south, having shifted from an offensive across the Saar, a brilliant maneuver by Patton.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 22, 1944

    Setting up a .50 Machine Gun


    Setting up a .50 Machine Gun

    US POWs, 22 December 1944


    US POWs, 22 December 1944

    Refugees Leaving Bastogne


    Refugees Leaving Bastogne

    The Center of Bastogne


    The Center of Bastogne

    Parachute Infantry in Rahier


    Parachute Infantry in Rahier

    A Dead GI


    A Dead GI

    Soviet Artillery near Budapest


    Soviet Artillery near Budapest

    Paratroopers Near Cheneux


    Paratroopers Near Cheneux

    Saturday, December 23

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 12 10th Air Force B-25s attack bridges at 4 locations.
    • More than 40 10th Air Force fighter-bombers attack defended areas, troops, and stores at 5 locations.
    • 15 P-47s attack bridges at 3 locations.
    • 8 14th Air Force B-25s attack targets along the Burma Road.
    • 12 P-51s and P-38s attack the airfield at Heho.
    CHINA
    • 3 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 5 14th Air Force P-40s attack rail cars near the Yellow Sea.
    • 12 P-51s attack Houmachen with napalm and bomb rail shops at Chenghsien.
    • 16 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron P-51s based at the airfield at Suichwan mount a skip-bombing attack against the Wuchang–Hankow ferry terminal.
    • 118th Tactical Reconnaisaance Squadron P-51s down 8 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighters over the Ehr Tao Kow airfield at Chiuchiang and the Wuchow satellite field at 1222 hours.
    • 23rd Fighter Fighter Group P-51s down 1 Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter and 1 E13A 'Jake' reconnaissance plane over Hong Kong at 0800 hours.
    • A 311th Fighter Group P-51 downs a Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter near Chenhsien at 1130 hours.
    FRENCH INDOCHINA
    • 13 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack rail lines, towns, and targets of opportunity at Vinh and on both sides of the China–Indochina frontier.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    FEAF fighter-bombers attack targets on Halmahera.

    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    • The Allied Tactical Air Forces fly 900 sorties against German armor and motor transport in the 'Bulge'.
    • 26 V-2s explode in Antwerp.
    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Daylight Ops:
    • 153 Lancasters of No. 3 Group attempt to attack the Trier railway yards through cloud. The bombing appears to be accurate and concentrated but Trier can only report that it is the town's worst raid of the war.
      • 1 Lancaster is lost.
    • 27 Lancasters and 3 Mosquitos of No. 8 Group are sent to attack the Gremberg railway yards in Cologne. The raid goes very badly. The force is split into 3 formations, each led by an Oboe-equipped Lancaster with an Oboe Mosquito as reserve leader. During the outward flight, 2 Lancasters of No 35 Squadron collide over the French coast and their crews are all killed. On approaching the target, it is found that the cloud which had been forecast has cleared and it is decided to allow the bombers to break formation and bomb visually.

      This move is made because the formations would have been very vulnerable to Cologne's flak defences during the long, straight Oboe approach. Unfortunately the order to abandon the Oboe run does not reach the leading Lancaster, a No 582 Squadron aircraft piloted by Squadron Leader R. A. M. Palmer, DFC (on loan from No 109 Squadron), who continues on with his designated role, even though his aircraft is already damaged by flak. German fighters, which are being directed to intercept an American bomber force, also appear and attack. The bombs from Squadron Leader Palmer's aircraft are eventually released and hit the target, but his plane goes down out of control and only the tail gunner escapes by parachute.

      Squadron Leader Palmer, on his 110th operation, is awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross, the only Oboe VC of the war. The formation suffers further losses when another Lancaster and a Mosquito are shot down by flak and fighters and a further Lancaster has to be abandoned by its crew over Belgium.

      • Total losses for the raid are 6 aircraft out of the 30 sent.
    Evening Ops:
    Minor Ops:
    • 52 Mosquitos are sent to the Limburg railway yards, 40 to Siegburg, and 7 on 'training flights' to Bremen, Hannover, Münster and Osnabrück, 6 aircraft are on Resistance operations, and 62 aircraft of No. 100 Group make Mosquito patrols and RCM sorties. Each of the Mosquitos shown as being on 'training flights' visits all 4 targets and drops 1 bomb on each. These operations later become known as 'siren-sounding tours'.
      • There are no losses.
    US 8th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • Despite bad weather, 148 1st Bomb Division B-17s, 106 2nd Bomb Division B-24s, and 143 3rd Bomb Division B-17s are able to attack communications centers, rail junctions, marshalling yards, and other transportatin targets in western Germany.
    • 163 VIII Fighter Command fighters sweep the Bonn area.
      • 1 heavy bomber and 7 of 592 VIII Fighter Command escorts are lost.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    BELGIUM:
    • 260 IX Troop Carrier Command C-47s, escorted by 3 XIX TAC fighter groups, drop critically needed supplies to the US 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne.
      • 8 C-47s are downed by flak.
    ETO:
    • On the first reasonably good weather day in a week, 9th Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers mount 696 effective combat sorties, the bulk of them in support of US Army ground forces in and around the Bulge battle areas.
      • 19 9th Air Force fighters are lost.
    • 8th and 9th Air Force fighter pilots down 133 Luftwaffe fighters and 1 Ju-88--of an estimated 800 Luftwaffe sorties--between 0915 and 1600 hours.
    GERMANY:
    • During the morning, nearly 400 9th Bomb Division B-26s, A-26s, and A-20s attack communicatiions targets and villages in western Germany, directly to the rear of German Army forces engaged in the Ardennes offensive.
    • During the afternoon, approximately 200 9th Bomb Division bombers return to the area to attack many of the same or similar targets.
      • 35 bombers are lost, the highest one-day bomber loss sustained by the 0th Air Force in the entire war.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • The entire 15th Air Force and all 12th Air Force medium bombers are grounded by bad weather, but XXII TAC P-47s attack rail targets in the Po River valley and an airfield near Milan.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • 494th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based at the airfield at Angaur attack Grace Park Field on Luzon.
    • FEAF B-24s attack the Fabrica and Silay airfields on Negros.
    • V Bomber Command B-25s attack the Davao and Zamboanga areas, and the San Roque airfield on Mindanao.
    • V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack numerous targets across the central Philippines.
    • 12 P-40s directly support a US Army ground force on Leyte.
    • 14 P-40s and 5 P-47s mount pre-invasion strikes against ground targets at Palompon, Leyte. The attacks at Palompon mark the first use of napalm by V Fighter Command aircraft.
    • A VMF-115 F4U and a VMF-211 F4U share in the downing of an A6M Zero over Golo Island at 1110 hours.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations, Volcano Islands

    26 VII Bomber Command B-24s attack Iwo Jima.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Allied Planning

    The JCS, fearing future entanglements in the Balkans, refuses to authorize the CCS to approve any unilateral British military action in Greece.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Burma

    In the British XXXIII Corps sector, the 19th Indian Division occupies Kokoggon. The 74th Brigade of the 25th Indian Division takes Donbaik on the approaches to Akyab Island. Meanwhile, the 81st and 82nd West African Divisions have advanced southeast to Muohaung, isolating Akyab from the bulk of the Japanese 28th Army.

    [larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

    Eastern Front

    The battle of Budapest continues. The city is three-fourths surrounded by the 2nd and 3rd Ukraine Fronts.

    SOUTHERN SECTOR

    The 3rd Ukrainian Front tears a 60-mile hole in the 6th Army. Szekesfehervar and Bicske fall as the 4th Guards and 46th Armies push north toward Esztergom. Fierce counterattacks by the 8th Panzer Division are pushed aside. By dusk the fighting has spread into Esztergom, leaving only a narrow corridor open to the west. The 4th Guards Army, supporting the attacks of the 46th Army, sever roads and railway lines out of the city. Erd falls after serious fighting.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Pacific

    The US submarine Blenny (SS-324), despite the presence of escort vessels, sinks the Japanese merchant tanker Kenzui Maru (4156t) off San Fernanto.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    On Leyte the guns of the US 77th Division and aircraft of the 5th Air Force hammer Palompon, on the west coast, in preparation for an imminent landing. The Japanese launch their usual night counter-attacks, which are repulsed.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    United States, Home Front

    All horse-racing is banned to save labor.

    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    United States, Planning

    The V Amphibious Corps planning staff issues its plan for the invasion of Iwo Jima. The V Amphibious Corps commander, Maj-Gen Harry Schmidt, directs a two-division landing on the southeast side of the island. The 5th Marine Division, commanded by Maj-Gen Keller E. Rockney, will land on the left, and the 4th Marine Division, commanded by Maj-Gen Clifton B. Cates, will land on the right. The 3rd Marine Division, commanded by Maj-Gen Graves B. Erskine, will be in reserve. The two divisions will attack to capture the lower airfield, Mount Suribachi, and gain control of the lower western half of the island before pivoting north and east to capture the rest of the island. Expecting heavy counterattacks on the first night, the marines pland to land as much artillery as possible early to eliminate the threat.

    Adm Raymond A. Spruance commands 5th Fleet. Vice-Adm Richmond Kelly Turner commands the expeditionary forces. Rear-Adm Harry W. Hill commands the Attack Force, and Rear-Adm William H. P. Blandy commands the Amphibious Support Forces (demolitions, prelanding air and naval bombardment). Lt-Gen Holland M. Smith, commander of Fleet Marine Forces Pacific, serves as commander of expeditionary troops.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Western Front

    Although Bastogne still holds out against repeated German attacks they have been able to send forces past the town to advance to the west and northwest. These attacks are now beyond Rochefort and Laroche but have neither the necessary strength nor the logistical backing because of the blocks behind them and the growing effectiveness of the Allies air interdiction.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 23, 1944

    In a Foxhole


    In a Foxhole

    American 3-in M5 Anti-tank Gun


    American 3-in M5 Anti-tank Gun

    American Ambulance near La Gleize


    American Ambulance near La Gleize

    Germans Who Were Tried and Convicted as Spies


    Germans Who Were Tried and Convicted as Spies

    Soldiers Manning a Forward Post


    Soldiers Manning a Forward Post

    Singing Christmas Carols


    Singing Christmas Carols

    Setting Up Radar Equipment


    Setting Up Radar Equipment

    Panzer Fight


    <i>Panzer</i> Fight

    Bastogne Air Supply


    Bastogne Air Supply

    Engagement in Hungary


    Engagement in Hungary

    Parachutes over a Snow Covered Bastogne


    Parachutes over a Snow Covered Bastogne

    Refueling at Sea


    Refueling at Sea

    Sunday, December 24

    Air Operations, Bonin Islands

    23 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Chichi Jima.

    [larr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 38 10th Air Force P-47s attack troops and supplies at 5 locations.
    • 12 P-47s attack targets of opportunity along the rail line between Nawghkio and Sinlum.
    • 8 P-47s attack the airfield at Lashio.
    • 6 P-47s support Allied ground troops near Si-U.
    CHINA
    • 6 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack the ferry at Kunlong.
    • 3 B-25s attack a tanker in the South China Sea.
    • More than 100 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack troops, buildings, and lines of supply and communication across southern China.
    • A 118th Tactical Fighter Squadron P-51 downs a Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter near the Kaitak airfield on Hong Kong at 1125 hours.
    • A 311th Fighter Group P-51 downs a Ki-48 'Lily' bomber over the Tsinan airfield at noon.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    • FEAF B-24s attack the Kudat airfield on Borneo.
    • FEAF fighter-bombers attack the Goeroea area in the Molucca Islands and targets of opportunity throughout the region.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    • The Allied Tactical Air Forces fly 600 sorties over the Ardennes. 260 planes drop supplies on Bastogne.
    • 50 He-111s, modified to carry and launch V-1s in flight, attack the Manchester area. 1 missile is on target. 17 fall near. 37 are killed and 67 injured. Steps are immediately take to strengthen AA defenses, but there are no more attacks.
    • The first jet bomber operation takes place when twin-engined German Arado 234B bombers raid a factory and marshaling yards. The raid is led by Capt Dieter Lukesch.
    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Daylight Ops:
    • 338 aircraft including 248 Halifaxes, 79 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitos of Nos. 4, 6 and 8 Groups attack the airfields at Lohausen and Mülheim (now Düsseldorf and Essen civil airports). The purpose of the raids is not recorded. It is possible that they are to hinder the movement of supplies by transport aircraft from the Ruhr to the Ardennes battle area. Both attacks take place in conditions of good visibility and the bombing is accurate.
      • 6 aircraft are lost - 2 Lancasters and 1 Halifax from the Lohausen raid and 3 Halifaxes from the Mülheim raid.
    Evening Ops:
    • 104 Lancasters of No. 3 Group carry out an accurate attack on Hangelar airfield near Bonn. The results are unknown.
      • 1 Lancaster is lost.
      • 97 Lancasters and 5 Mosquitos of Nos. 1 and 8 Groups are sent to Cologne/Nippes. The Oboe marking and the resultant bombing are extremely accurate. The railway tracks are severely damaged and an ammunition train is blown up. The nearby Butzweilerhof airfield is also damaged.
        • 5 Lancasters are lost and 2 more crash in England.
      Minor Ops:
      • 2 Mosquitos are sent to Münster, 12 Halifaxes of No. 6 Group lay mines off Oslo, 8 aircraft are on Resistance operations, and there are 42 Mosquito patrols and 42 RCM sorties.
        • There are no losses.
    US 8th AIR FORCE
    FRANCE:
    • 10 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack coastal batteries at La Pallice.
    GERMANY:
    • Thanks to the arrival of a solid high-pressure system that finally clears the skies over northern Europe, a maximum effort by 1,874 8th Air Force heavy bombers and 800 RAF heavy bombers--the largest single heavy-bomber strike of World War II--results in attacks on a wide range of airfields and lines-of-communications centers throughout western Germany.
      • USAAF losses ar 12 heavy bombers and 10 of 813 VIII Fighter Command escorts.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    ETO:
    • As the weather continues to clear, 9th Air Force fighters support US Army ground forces throughout the Bulge battle areas of Luxembourg and eastern Belgium. 1,157 effective 9th Air Force fighter and fighter-bomber sorties through the day result in the destruction of 736 motor vehicles, 167 rail cars, numerous tanks and artillery pieces and the deaths of uncounted German Army soldiers.
    • 8th and 9th Air Force fighter pilots down 95 Luftwaffe aircraft over western Germany and eastern Belgium btween 0148 and 1935 hours.
    GERMANY:
    • 376 9th Bomb Division bombers attack communications centers and rail bridges in western Germany.
      • There are no losses.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • The entire 15th Air Force and all 12th Air Force medium bombers are grounded by bad weather, but XXII TAC P-47s attack the Thiene Airdrome and road and rail traffic.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • 22 22nd Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Clark Field on Luzon.
    • FEAF B-24s attack the Puerto Princesa airfield on Palawan.
    • V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack the Silay airfield on Negros, barracks at San Roque, shipping in Davao Bay, port facilities at Zamboanga, and various targets of opportunity throughout the Philippines.
    • 348th Fighter Group P-47s down 33 Japanese fighters near the Floridablanca airfield on Luzon and over Clark Field, Luzon between 1015 and 1150 hours. 4 P-47s are lost.
    • A VMF(N)-541 F6F downs 2 J2M 'Jack' fighters over the Bulen airfield on Luzon at 1915 hours.
    • During the day, Japanese aircraft sink 2 US tankers bound for Mindoro with aviation gasoline, and during the night, a Japanese Navy bomber destroys a 100,000-gallon aviation-gasoline storage tank at Hill Field on Mindoro. These losses will restrict flight operations from the Mindoro air bases for several weeks.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations, Volcano Islands

    US Navy surface forces, 23 XXI Bomber Command B-29s, 50 VII Bomber Command B-24s, and 17 318th Fighter Group P-38 fighter-bombers attack airfields on Iwo Jima.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Battle of the Atlantic

    U-806 sinks the Canadian minesweeper Clayoquot, escorting Convoy XB-139, near Halifax with the loss of 8 of her crew. 73 survivors are rescued.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Britain, Home Front

    Maj Glenn Miller, Director of the USAAF band, is reported missing over the Channel in a light plane which took off on December 15. He was 35.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Burma

    In the British XXXIII Corps sector, the British 2nd Division and the 20th Indian Division overcome the dogged Japanese resistance in the Pyingaing area.

    [larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

    Eastern Front

    The Soviet Supreme Command announces that in the course of the past 3 days the 3rd Ukraine Front, after breaking through the German lines southwest of Budapest in the area between Lake Velencei and the Danube, has advanced 25 miles and taken 160 towns and villages, including the important strongholds of Szekesfehervar and Bicske. The Germans' escape route from Budapest is now no more than 18 miles wide.

    SOUTHERN SECTOR

    Budapest is on the verge of encirclement. The 6th Guards Tank Army attacks toward Esztergom north of the Danube but meets fierce resistance from the 6th Army. The Germans hurriedly redeploy the 8th SS Cavalry Division to Buda to block the roads into the city from the west. German defenses in this area are extremely weak.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    English Channel

    The transport Leopoldville is sunk by U-486. 819 are drowned.

    [larrlarr | rarrrarr2]

    Greece

    Prime Minister Churchill and Foreign Secretary Eden visit Athens to help resolve the political crisis. The fighting is dying down.

    [larr1larr1 | rarrrarr2]

    Pacific

    The US submarine Barbero (SS-317) sinks the Japanese submarine chaser CH-30 and damages the transport Junpo Maru about 50 miles west of Sarawak.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Sweden, Home Front

    The Swedish newspaper Svenska Dagblader quotes Portuguese travellers from Lonson telling of the huge damage caused by the V-2 rockets. It reports (quite falsely) 3 Thames bridges destroyed and no buildings left standing within a 500-yard radius of Leicester Square.


    United States, Home Front

    All beef products are rationed once more. New quotas are introduced for most other commodities also.

    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Volcano Islands

    On Iwo Jima a US naval squadron commanded by Rear-Adm A. E. Smith bombards the airfields and other installations on the island. Two Japanese transports, Nos. 8 and 157, are sunk by naval gunfire.

    [rarr2rarr2]

    Western Front

    The German offensive in the Ardennes is brought to a halt by the end of the day. The longest advance is by 2nd Panzer Division to just outside Dinant. They form the point of the German wedge and on their flanks they have the 116th Panzer to the north near Hotten and to the south the Panzer Lehr Div west of St Hubert. Opposing the German units, now much weakened when compared with December 16, are the main forces of US 1st and 3rd Armies, the British XXX Corps and, of course, the Bastogne defenders.

    In the French 1st Army sector, the US 3rd Division liberates Bennwihr, thus completing the operations in the Colmar sector.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 24, 1944

    Scouting Patrol in Italy


    Scouting Patrol in Italy

    Manhay, Belgium


    Manhay, Belgium

    Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve


    Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve

    458th Bomb Group


    458th Bomb Group

    British Forces Celebrate Christmas


    British Forces Celebrate Christmas

    Abandoned German Equipment


    Abandoned German Equipment

    US Patrol in Italy


    US Patrol in Italy

    Christmas Eve Service


    Christmas Eve Service

    Monday, December 25

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 8 10th Air Force P-47s attack the airfield at Lashio and targets of opportunity along the Burma Road.
    • 4 P-47s attack troops and supplies at Mabein.
    • 6 14th Air Force B-25s and 6 fighter-bombers attack a bridge at Wan Pa-Hsa.
    • Fighter-bombers attack Man Pong, Mong Long, and Wanling.
    CHINA
    • 22 14th Air Force P-51s attack a tanker, a railroad ferry, and airfields at Nanking.
    • Fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity in the Kiungshan (Hainan), Kunming, Paoching, and Yungning areas.
    • P-51s of the 23rd Fighter Group’s 74th Fighter Squadron down a G4M 'Betty' bomber and 8 Ki-61 'Tony' fighters over Nanking-area airfields at 1300 hours.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    • FEAF B-24s attack the Sandakan and Jesselton airfields on Borneo.
    • B-25s and FEAF and RAAF fighter-bombers attack targets on Halmahera.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    US 8th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 232 2nd Bomb Division B-24s and 156 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack numerous road and rail targets west of the Rhine River.
      • 5 heavy bombers and 9 of 432 VIII Fighter Command escorts are lost.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    ETO:
    • 9th Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers mounting 1,095 effective sorties in support of US Army ground forces throughout the Bulge battle area are credited with destoying 813 motor vehicles and 99 armored vehicles.
      • 24 9th Air Force fighters are lost.
    • 8th and 9th Air Force fighter pilots down 80 Luftwaffe aircraft over western Germany and eastern Belgium between 0115 and 2300 hours.
    GERMANY:
    • 629 9th Bomb Division B-26s, A-26s, and A-20s attack communications centers and road and rail bridges over a wide area of western Germany.
      • 3 bombers are lost.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • 12th Air Force medium bombers are grounded by bad weather, but XXII TAC P-47s are very active against rail lines in the Po River valley and leading to Brenner Pass.
    • During the night, XXII TAC A-20s attack the Vicenza Airdrome and light sources, motor vehicles, and railroads in the Po River valley.
    US 15th AIR FORCE
    AUSTRIA:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s attack flak concentrations at Innsbruck and marshalling yards at Graz, Hall, Innsbruck, Villach, and Wels.
    CZECHOSLOVAKIA:
    • 15th Air Force B-17s attack a synthetic-oil plant at Brux.
    GERMANY:
    • 15th Air Force heavy bombers attack marshalling yards at Plattling and Rosswein.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Marianas

    In what turns out to be the last attack of its kind, 25 G4M 'Betty' bombers based on Iwo Jima bomb and strafe B-29 bases on Saipan during the evening. 2 B-29s are destroyed and 1 is severely damaged. 6th Night Fighter Squadron P-61s down 3 of the 'Bettys' over the Saipan area between 2000 and 2300 hours.

    [larr2larr1 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • As Allied preinvasion air attacks against Luzon are intensified, 494th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based at the airfield at Angaur and escorted by V Fighter Command P-47s attack Clark Field on Luzon. FEAF B-24s attack the Mabalacat airfield on Luzon and the Sasa airfield on Mindanao. V Bomber Command B-25s and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack various targets on Mindanao.
    • 49th and 475th Fighter group P-38s down 42 Japanese fighters over Clark Field, Mabalacat, and nearby areas of Luzon between 1035 and 1125 hours. A 547th Night Fighter Squadron P-61 crew downs a twin-engine airplane over Mindoro at 1945 hours.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations, Volcano Islands

    12 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Iwo Jima.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Eastern Front

    The Russians narrow the enemy escape route from Budapest to a mere 10 miles.

    SOUTHERN SECTOR

    Soviet tanks reach Tatabanya and Czolnok. Forces close upon Esztergom from the south. The 2nd Ukrainian Front begins an offensive against the Pest defenses, pushing the Germans and Hungarians steadily back toward urban Budapest. Under intense pressure the 13th Panzer Division and Feldherrnhalle Panzer Grenadier Division have to give ground, losing considerable numbers of men as they fall back.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Occupied Greece

    Churchill and Eden fly to Athens to mediate in the civil war.

    [rarrrarr]

    Pacific

    • The US submarine Barbero (SS-317) attacks a Japanese convoy and sinks the transport Junpo Maru (4277t) 130 miles west-southwest of Kuching, Borneo.
    • The British submarines Trenchant and Terrapin sink the auxiliary minesweeper Reisui Maru (219t), cargo vessel No.23 Hinode Maru and auxiliary sailing vessel Wakamiya Maru in the Strait of Malacca.
    • The US freighter Robert J. Walker (7176t) is torpedoed by U-862 in the Tasman Sea. Armed Guard 20mm gunfire explodes a second torpedo, but a third hits the ship and causes irreparable damage. 2 of the 42-man crew are lost in the attack. The ship is abandoned and sinks. Survivors are rescued the next day by the Australian destroyer Quickmatch.
    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    Organized Japanese resistance on Leyte finally crumbles, the Japanese having lost 70,000 men while the Americans suffered 15,584 casualties. On Leyte the US 6th Army, which is to carry out the invasion of Luzon, is gradually replaced by the 8th Army.

    The 1st Battalion, 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, supported by engineers and artillery, makes an amphibious landing at Palompon and captures the last coastal town occupied by Japanese forces. The Ormoc Valley is closed, completing the final phase of operations for 6th Army. Gen MacArthur delcares Leyte secure even though units of the 1st Cavalry Divison, the 24th Infantry Division, and the 32nd Infantry Division will continue to encounter resistance as the units clear the last defenders on December 31.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    The XXX Corps, British 2nd Army, takes up positions along the west bank of the Meuse from Givet to Liège. The 51st Division is transferred from the US 9th Army to the 1st Army. Bastogne still holds out, while the German advance slows down and almost comes to a halt through lack of supplies. The Panzers are halted at Celles, 6 km east of the Meuse. They have advanced 80 km in their offensive. The Allies begin their counter-offensive against the German forces in the Ardennes. In this advance the attack of US 4th Armored Division from around Mortelange is to be designed to relieve Bastogne.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 25, 1944

    Aerial Battle over the Ardennes


    Aerial Battle over the Ardennes

    Besieged Troops Re-supply


    Besieged Troops Re-supply

    Christmas Lunch in His Foxhole


    Christmas Lunch in His Foxhole

    Cooks Preparing Christmas Dinner


    Cooks Preparing Christmas Dinner

    Christmas in Italy


    Christmas in Italy

    Crew of a Bofors Anti-aircraft Gun


    Crew of a Bofors Anti-aircraft Gun

    Having Fun at Christmas


    Having Fun at Christmas

    Lt-Gen Holland M. Smith's Christmas Message


     Lt-Gen Holland M. Smith's Christmas Message

    Tuesday, December 26

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 8 10th Air Force B-25s attack bridges at 3 locations.
    • 34 10th Air Force P-47s attack troops at 5 locations.
    • 11 P-47s attack supplies at Pangpao.
    • 8 P-47s attack stores and a distribution facility at Hsenwi.
    • 2 P-47s attack a ferry at Myitson.
    • 6 14th Air Force B-25s attack Wan Lai-Kam.
    • Fighter-bombers attack Man Pong and Mong Long.
    • During the night, 4 10th Air Force B-25s mount offensive reconnaissance sweeps along Japanese Army lines of communication. Such missions will be continued on a frequent basis.
    CHINA
    • 5 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack targets of opportunity at Changsha and the Formosa Strait area.
    • 12 P-51s attack the airfield at Tsinan.
    • Fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity around Anking, Kinkiang, and Ka-chun.
    • During an attack against the airfield at Sinsiang, 530th Fighter Squadron P-51s destroy an estimated 10 fighters and 20 bombers on the ground, and a P-51 downs a Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter.
    THAILAND
    • 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack Lampang.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    FEAF B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers attack Galela and Lolobata on Halmahera, Hate Tobako, and other targets of opportunity on Halmahera, northeastern Celebes, and northern Borneo.

    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Daylight Ops:
    • The weather at last improves and allows Bomber Command to intervene in the Ardennes battle. 294 aircraft including 146 Lancasters, 136 Halifaxes and 12 Mosquitos of all the bomber groups attack German troop positions near St Vith. This is the first time since mid-October that aircraft from all the bomber groups have joined together in one raid. The bombing appears to be concentrated and accurate.
      • 2 Halifaxes are lost.
    Minor Ops:
    • 1 Halifax flies a signals patrol.
    US 8th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • Despite bad weather, 71 2nd Bomb Division B-24s and 67 3rd Bomb Division B-17s, escorted by 249 VIII Fighter Command escorts, attack various rail targets in western Germany.
    • 8th and 9th Air Force fighter pilots down 63 Luftwaffe aircraft over western Germany and eastern Belgium between 0135 and 2253 hours.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    BELGIUM:
    • As the German Army's Ardennes offensive runs out of steam west of the Maas River, 9th Bomb Division bombers attack bridges and other communications and lines-of-supply targets along the Belgian-German frontier.
    • 9th Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers support US Army ground forces throughout the Bulge battle area.
    • Gliders filled with supplies for surrounded elements of the US 101st Airborne Division are released over Bastogne, in the southern Bulge, by IX Troop Carrier Command C-47s.
    • 70 VIII Fighter Command P-51s, temporarily assigned to the 9th Air Force, attack tactical targets in eastern Belgium.
      • 2 of the P-51s are lost.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s and 12th Air Force medium bombers attack lines of communications running through and south from Brenner Pass.
    • 12th Air Force medium bombers also attack two dumps near Bologna.
    • XXII TAC P-47s attack rail lines, shipping at Genoa and La Spezia, and numerous tactical targets in the US 5th Army battle area.
    • During the night, XXII TAC A-20s attack the Turin Airdrome, pontoon bridges, road bridges at three locations and roads in the Po River valley.
    US 15th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 15th Air Force B-17s attack oil-industry targets at Blechhammer at Odertal.
    ITALY:
    • 15th Air Force P-38s bomb a rail bridge at Latisana.
    POLAND:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s attack oil-industry targets at Oswiecim (Auschwitz).
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Marianas

    6th Night Fighter Squadron P-61 crews down 3 G4M 'Betty' bombers north of Saipan between 2030 and 2325 hours.

    [larr2larr1 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • 22nd Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Clark Field on Luzon.
    • FEAF B-24s attack Libby Field on Mindanao.
    • V Bomber Command B-25s attack the Matina airfield on Mindanao, Samal Island, and shipping in the Davao River.
    • 49th and 475th Fighter group P-38s down 14 Japanese fighters in the Clark Field area of Luzon between 1045 and 1100 hours.
    • Following sightings by 7th Fleet PB4Ys at 1600 and 2030 hours of a Japanese Naval surface force approaching Mindoro, the 5th Air Force launches every available fighter and bomber to intercept. Beginning at 2100 hours, the Japanese Navy battle force is attacked piecemeal by a total of 13 17th Reconnaissance Squadron B-25s, 3 7th Fleet PBYs and 5 PBMs based at Leyte, 44 8th Fighter Group P-38s, 20 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron P-40s, and 28 58th Fighter Group P-47s. 3 B-25s, 7 P-38s, 6 P-40s, and 10 P-47s are downed by anti-aircraft fire or lost in crash-landings after dark. Nearly all the Japanese warships sustain damage in the running battle, but despite heroic air and PT-boat attacks, the Japanese force is able to bombard the Mindoro beachhead between 2300 and 2340 hours. 1 USN cargo ship is left in sinking condition, but damage ashore is slight. During the retirement, a brand-new Japanese fleet destroyer is sunk by a PT-boat.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations, Volcano Islands

    13 30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Iwo Jima.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Baltic Sea

    U-2342 sinks after hitting a mine off Swindenmünde.

    U-2342

    ClassType XXIII
    CO Oberleutnant zur See Schad von Mittelbiberach
    Location Baltic, N of Swinemünde
    Cause Mine
    Casualties 7
    Survivors Unknown
    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Burma

    In the coastal Arakan area the 25th Indian Division reaches Foul Point long before it was expected. The Japanese have decided to withdraw to Akyab.

    [larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

    China

    Gen Wedemeyer submits to Chiang Kai-shek his plans for an offensive against Kweilin, Luchow and Canton.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Eastern Front

    Budapest is now almost completely encircled by Tolbukhin's 3rd Ukraine Front as they take the fortified town of Esztergom.[MORE]

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Italy

    The 1st Armored Division is sent to the Lucca sector. Units of the German 14th Army launch a series of counterattacks against the positions of the 92nd Division, IV Corps, along the banks of the Serchio River.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Pacific

    The US freighter James H. Breasted (7176t) seeks safety in Ilin Strait where she comes under fire during the Japanese bombardment. It is believed she is later bombed by a friendly aircraft igniting her cargo of gasoline. There are no casualties among the 33-man crew or 27-man Armed Guard as she is abandoned.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    A Japanese naval force which has come from Indochina undetected by American air and naval surveillance bombards the American beachhead on Mindoro. There are 2 cruisers and 6 destroyers in the attack. The destroyer Kiyoshimo is sunk by an American PT-Boat. This is the last sortie by a Japanese naval force in the Philippines area.[MORE]

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    Bastogne is relieved by units of the 4th Armored Division. Only the tanks are able to penetrate initially as the Germans contested any advance through the corridor. Elsewhere in the Ardennes sector the Allied attacks have not yet really begun to have real effect. Thus ended the Ardennes offensive, a tactical victory for the Germans. But it was so costly that the German army was never able to recover from its staggering losses, including 220,000 men half of which became prisoners, and more than 1,400 tanks and heavy assault guns. The net effect of the final German offensive was to delay the Allies by 6 weeks.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 26, 1944

    St Vith


    St Vith

    Delivering Supplies to Bastogne


    Delivering Supplies to Bastogne

    Inspecting German Vehicles


    Inspecting German Vehicles

    Churchill Attending Conference


    Churchill Attending Conference

    Abandoned German Tanks


    Abandoned German Tanks

    V-2 Damage in Islington, London


    V-2 Damage in Islington, London

    Looking for the Injured


    Looking for the Injured

    German Wearing GI Uniform


    German Wearing GI Uniform

    M2 Crew


    M2 Crew

    Wednesday, December 27

    Air Operations, Bonin Islands

    21 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Chichi Jima.

    [larr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 8 10th Air Force B-25s attack bridges at 2 locations.
    • 28 10th Air Force P-47s attack troops and supplies at 4 locations.
    • 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity in eastern Burma.
    • In the first use of Azon remotely guided bombs in the theater, 3 specially equipped B-24s of the 7th Heavy Bomb Group’s 493d Heavy Bomb Squadron destroy a bridge at Pyinmana in 1 one-bomb pass apiece.
    CHINA
    • 6 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack the Kengtung area.
    • 2 B-25s and 8 14th Air Force P-40s attack the Ishan area.
    • 29 P-40s and P-51s attack the Puchi area.
    • 17 P-40s attack the Tienho and White Cloud airfields at Canton, and the airfield at Whampoa.
    • Fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity in the Kweiyi area.
    • P-51s of the 118th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and the 23rd Fighter Group’s 74th Fighter Squadron down 10 Ki-43 'Oscar' and Ki-44 'Tojo' fighters over the Tienho airfield at Canton between 0910 and 1000 hours.
    FRENCH INDOCHINA
    • 51st Fighter Group fighter-bombers attack Vinh Yen.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    FEAF aircraft mount small strikes against targets on Borneo, Celebes, and the Lesser Sunda Islands. 35th Fighter Group P-47s down 3 Ki-21 'Sally' bombers over the Djailolo airfield at 1730 hours.

    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    The 8th Air Force bombs rail targets at Coblenz, Bonn and Kaiserslautern. The RAF makes night raids on München-Gladbach and Bonn.

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Daylight Ops:
    • 200 Lancasters and 11 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 3, 5 and 8 Groups attack the railway yards at Rheydt.
      • 1 Lancaster is lost and 1 Mosquito crashes behind the Allied lines in Holland.
    Evening Ops:
    • 328 aircraft including 227 Halifaxes, 66 Lancasters and 35 Mosquitos are sent to bomb Opladen. 9 of the Mosquitos bomb 3½ hours before the main raid. The aiming point for the attack is the marshalling yards, but results are not known.
      • 2 Lancasters are lost.
    Minor Ops:
    • 7 Mosquitos are on Oboe trials to Bonn, Eisenach, Frankfurt and Kassel (probably calibrating new Oboe stations in France and Belgium), 7 Mosquitos on 'siren tours' of Hamburg, Hannover, Münster and Osnabrück, and there are 37 Mosquito patrols and 32 RCM sorties.
      • There are no losses.
    US 8th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • Despite freezing fog in England that grounds many 8th Air Force heavy bombers, 201 1st Bomb Division B-17s, 172 2nd Bomb Division B-24s, and 202 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack numerous rail targets in western Germany.
      • 2 heavy bombers and 5 of 193 VIII Fighter Command escorts are lost.
    • 163 VIII Fighter Command fighters mount a sweeping operation over western Germany.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    ETO:
    • 9th Bomb Division bombers attack communications centers, bridges, and targets of opportunity in western Germany and eastern Belgium.
    • 9th Air kForce fighters and fighter-bombers support US Army ground forces in the Bulge battle area.
    • 8th and 9th Air Force fighter pilots down 73 Luftwaffe aircraft over western Germany and eastern Belgium between 0003 and 2115 hours.
      • US 12th AIR FORCE
        ITALY:
        • 12th Air Force medium bombers attack lines of communications in and around Brenner Pass and two supply dumps near Bologna.
        • XXII TAC P-47s help stem German Army counterattacks on the US 5th Army front and attack lines of communications in the Po River valley.12th Air Force C-47s drop supplies to Italian partisans in northern Italy.
        • During the night, XXII TAC A-20s attack motor vehicles and light sources in the Po River valley and Brenner Pass area.
        US 15th AIR FORCE
        AUSTRIA:
        • 15th Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack marshalling yards at Bruck, Graz, Klagenfurt, Villach, and Wiener-Neustadt; an oil refinery near Vienna; a rail junction at Feldbach; and an ordnance depot at Linz.
        • 29 15th Air Force P-51s strafe rail targets between Vienna and Linz.
        • 44 15th Air Force P-38s bomb bridges.
        ITALY:
        • 15th Air Force B-24s attack lines of communication in Brenner Pass and rail bridges in northern Italy.
        YUGOSLAVIA:
        • 15th Air Force B-24s attack marshalling yards at Maribor.
        [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

        Air Operations, Japan

        39 of 72 73rd Very Heavy Bomb Wing B-29s dispatched from the Marianas attack 2 aircraft factories in Tokyo. 13 of the B-29s attack alternates and targets of opportunity. In the heaviest air battles to date over Japan, more than 250 Japanese fighters attack the B-29s, but only 1 B-29 is lost to enemy action. 2 other B-29s are lost to mechanical failures.

        [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

        Air Operations, Pacific

        US B-29s launch their 5th attack on Tokyo.

        [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

        Air Operations, Philippines

        • 494th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Clark Field on Luzon.
        • FEAF B-24s attack airfields at Matina on Mindanao, San Jose on Panay, and talisay on Negros.
        • A 418th Night Fighter Squadron P-61 crew downs a Ki-61 'Tony' fighter near Ambulong Island at 2040 hours.
        • During the night, 345th Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack shipping off San Fernando, Luzon.
        [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

        Air Operations, Volcano Islands

        US Navy warships and 48 VII Bomber Command B-24s bombard Iwo Jima. Also, 318th Fighter Group P-38s strafe the island. A 318th Fighter Group P-38 downs a Ki-45 'Nick' fighter near Iwo Jima at 1015 hours.

        [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Battle of the Atlantic

    U-877 had been deployed on weather-reporting duty south of Ireland in connection with the German Army's Ardennes offensive. She is discovered by the Canadian corvette St Thomas. A Squid bomb is fired to keep the U-boat submerged while the asdic team obtained proper classification. Some thought to contact was fish but the ship's commander was persuaded otherwise and another Squid bomb is fired at it. It exploded directly over U-877's stern. The U-boat was forced to surface and was abandoned.

    U-877

    ClassType IXC/40
    CO Kapitänleutnant Eberhard Findeisen
    Location Atlantic, NW of the Azores
    Cause Squid
    Casualties None
    Survivors 55
    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Eastern Front

    The final stage of the battle for Budapest begins. The city is now completely encircled.

    HUNGARY

    The Soviets capture Gran, encircling German and Hungarian units in the grandly titled 'Fortress Budapest'. The garrison comprises the Hungarian I Corps; 10th Infantry Division, 12th Infantry Division, 1st Armored Division (parts of), Hussar Division (parts of), Group Billnitzer (remnants of 4 assault gun battalions), 1st Parachute Battalion, Budapest Watch Battalion, 5 Royal Gendarmerie battalions, Budapest air defense units, 3 engineer battalions, the Budapest University Assault Battalion, the Royal Life Guard Battalion, an Arrow Cross unit (1,500 troops) and the Budapest police. German units comprise XI SS Mountain Corps, 8th SS Cavalry Division, 22nd SS Cavalry Div, 13th Panzer Division, Feldherrnhalle Division, 271st Infantry Division, Flak Regiment 12, 4th SS Police Regiment and 4 infantry battalions. Altogether this force is 188,000 strong. An impressive number, but many are of dubious combat quality, especially the Hungarian units.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Iwo Jima

    American aircraft and ships bombard the island, which is one of the next invasion targets. Two Japanese transports, Nos. 7 and 132, are sunk in the bombardment.

    [rarrrarr2]

    Pacific

    The Japanese cargo ship Daicho Maru (1135t) is sunk by an accidental bomb explosion at Batavia, Java.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    On Mindoro Japanese aircraft begin a series of bombardments which go on until the end of December against the American positions on the island and their supply convoys.

    On Leyte some American units land at Taglawigan, on the northwest coast of the island, occupying that village and Daha. Others advance on San Isidro. In the Palompon area the Japanese still resist energetically.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    The German 2nd Panzer Division is driven out of Celles some 3 miles southeast of Dinant by the attacks of British XXX Corps. This division has pushed so far forward and is so isolated that it is bound to suffer severely in the Allied counterstroke. Meanwhile the pressure of the US 1st and 3rd Armies on the flanks of the German salient in the Ardennes is increasing. A secure corridor out of Bastogne is cleared as trucks and ambulances speed in to assist the trapped Americans.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 27, 1944

    Relief for Bastogne


    Relief for Bastogne

    4th Armored Division Troops To Relieve Bastogne


    4th Armored Division Troops To Relieve Bastogne

    US Troops Pinned Down


    US Troops Pinned Down

    Aerial View of Bastogne


    Aerial View of Bastogne

    Refugees Pass Disabled American Vehicle


    Refugees Pass Disabled American Vehicle

    WAC Area, Tacloban, Leyte


    WAC Area, Tacloban, Leyte

    Grandmenil, Wednesday December 27, 1944


    Grandmenil, Wednesday December 27, 1944

    Airborne Personnel Retrieve Supply Container


    Airborne Personnel Retrieve Supply Container

    Thursday, December 28

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 8 10th Air Force B-25s attack bridges at 3 locations, a bypass road at Lashio, and troops, artillery positions, and supplies at 3 locations.
    • 23 10th Air Force P-47s attack bridges at 3 locations.
    CHINA
    • 2 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s and 16 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack artillery positions, rail targets, and town areas around Hengyang and Leiyang.
    • More than 40 fighter-bombers attack targets across southern China and northern French Indochina.
    FRENCH INDOCHINA
    • 20 51st Fighter Group P-40s and P-51s attack Gia Lam airfield at Hanoi.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    • FEAF B-24s attack shipping in the Sunda Islands.
    • B-25s attack the Haroekoe, Kairatoe, Laha airfields on Ceram.
    • Various FEAF aircraft mount light attacks against Borneo, Celebes, Halmahera, Tanimbar, and Timor.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Daylight Ops:
    • 167 Lancasters of No. 3 Group attacked the marshalling yards at Cologne/Gremberg with accurate bombing.
      • There are no losses.
    Minor Ops:
    • 1 Hudson makes a Resistance flight.
    Evening Ops:
    • 129 Lancasters, 46 Halifaxes and 11 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 4 and 8 Groups are sent to hit Münchengladbach. The railway yards aere the aiming point, but little damage is caused there.
      • There are no losses.
    • 162 Lancasters and 16 Mosquitos of Nos. 1 and 8 Groups are sent to hit Bonn. The intention again is to bomb the railway installations. Bomber Command's report states that the main weight of the attack fell on the railway yards, causing 'considerable damage'.
      • 1 Lancaster is lost.
    • 67 Lancasters and 1 Mosquito of No. 5 Group attack a 'large naval unit' and some merchant ships in Oslo Fjord, but no direct hits are claimed.
      • There are no losses.
    Minor Ops:
    • 87 Mosquitos are sent to Frankfurt, 79 to the city and 8 to the railway yards, 16 Halifaxes of No. 6 Group lay mines in the Skagerrak and 11 Lancasters of No. 5 Group off Oslo, 12 aircraft are on Resistance operations, and there are 45 Mosquito patrols and 35 RCM sorties.
      • 1 mine-laying Halifax is lost and 1 Mosquito from the Frankfurt raid crashes in France.
    US 8th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 330 1st Bomb Division B-17s, 284 2nd Bomb Division B-24s, and 510 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack rail bridges and marshalling yards throughout western Germany.
      • 2 B-24s are lost, but there are no losses among the 568 VIII Fighter Command escorts.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    ETO:
    • The entire 9th Air Force is grounded by bad weather.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • 12th Air Force medium bombers attack a supply dump and a troop concentration.
    • XXII TAC P-47s support the US 5th Army and attack roads, bridges, and a motor-vehicle depot.
    • During the night, XXII TAC A-20s attack vehicles, road bridges, rail lines, ferry crossings, and targets of opportunity in the Po River valley.
    US 15th AIR FORCE
    AUSTRIA:
    • 15th Air Force B-17s attack marshalling yards at Salzburg and four other locations.
    CZECHOSLOVAKIA:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s attack oil refineries at Pardubice and two other locations, and an oil storage depot.
    GERMANY:
    • 15th Air Force B-17s attack an oil depot and freight yard at Regensburg.
    ITALY:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s attack lines of communication around Brenner Pass.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • 22nd Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Clark Field on Luzon.
    • Various FEAF aircraft mount light attacks against Mindanao, Mindoro, Palawan, and the Lingayan Gulf area of Luzon.
    • Throughout the day, beginning at 0330 hours, a 99-ship re-supply convoy bound for Mindoro is constantly heckled by individual and small groups of Japanese aircraft. No air cover can be furnished because of bad weather over the airfields in range. An ammunition ship carrying bombs is vaporized with all hands after being hit by a flaming airplane at 1012 hours, and another cargo vessel is severely damaged in the same attack, by 6 bombers based on Cebu. The next large attack, composed of as many as 30 aircraft, occurs between 1830 and 2015 hours, and an LST is mortally damaged.
    • A 418th Night Fighter Squadron P-61 crew downs 2 Ki-61 'Tony' fighters near Mindoro at 0010 and 0025 hours, respectively.
    • During the night, 4 345th Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack Clark Field, Luzon at low level.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations, Volcano Islands

    13 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Iwo Jima.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Italy

    In the US 5th Army sector, the units of the 8th Indian Division advance north along the valley of the Serchio, while the German troops begin to withdraw northward. The projected advance toward Bologna by the US 5th Army is postponed because of the losses sustained in the Serchio valley fighting, but the Germans have already started to with draw from the valley.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Norwegian Sea

    U-735 is sunk during a bombing rais while alongside at Horten.

    U-735

    ClassType VIIC
    CO Oberleutnant zur See Hans Joachim Borner
    Location Norway, Horten
    Cause Air attack
    Casualties 39
    Survivors None
    [larr2]

    Pacific

    • The tank landing craft LST-750 is damaged by an aircraft torpedo and later sunk by US forces.
    • The US submarine Dace (SS-247) attacks a Japanese convoy off Cape Varella, French Indochina, and sinks the supply ship Nozaki (1000t) and damages Chefoo Maru.
    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    Gen Eisenhower has a meeting with Field-Marshal Montgomery at Hasselt, in Belgium, and studies the counter-measures to be taken in the Ardennes. Meanwhile units of Patton's 3rd Army prepare a counteroffensive between the Sauer and Wiltz Rivers, while the XII Corps, which now has the 6th Armored Division under command, is deployed in defensive positions.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 28, 1944

    Soldier with a PIAT


    Soldier with a PIAT

    Medic Tending to Wounded Soldier


    Medic Tending to Wounded Soldier

    South African Tankmen in Italy


    South African Tankmen in Italy

    Shattered German Tank


    Shattered German Tank

    American Soldier Examines Tank


    American Soldier Examines Tank

    Looking For Snipers


    Looking For Snipers

    Bombing of Castelfranco Veneto


    Bombing of Castelfranco Veneto

    Soldiers Unpacking Shell for Tank


    Soldiers Unpacking Shell for Tank

    Friday, December 29

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 9 10th Air Force B-25s attack troops and supplies at Panma.
    • 15 P-47s attack troops at Wetwun and supplies at Twinnge.
    • 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity near Man Pong and Mongyu.
    CHINA
    • 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity in the Hei-Shih Kuan, Shanhsien, and Tsingsinghsien areas.
    FRENCH INDOCHINA
    • 4 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack targets of opportunity between Dong Hoa and Lang Son.
    • 51st Fighter Group P-40s and P-51s attack the Gia Lam airfield at Hanoi.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    • FEAF B-24s attack Limboeng, Celebes.
    • B-25s and fighter-bombers attack Namlea, Boeroe.
    • Fighter-bombers attack airfields in northeastern Celebes.
    • FEAF aircraft mount light attacks against various targets in northern Borneo.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Daylight Ops:
    • Two separate forces bomb railway yards in Koblenz, one of the main centere serving the Ardennes battlefront. 192 aircraft including 162 Halifaxes, 22 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos of Nos. 4 and 8 Groups attack the Mosel yards, near the main city, and 85 Lancasters of No. 3 Group attack the Lützel yards north of the city. At least part of the bombing of each raid hits the railway areas. The Koblenz-Lützel railway bridge is put out of action for the rest of the war and the cranes of the Mosel Harbor are also put out of action.
      • No aircraft are lost from either operation.
    Minor Ops:
    • 16 Lancasters of No. 617 Squadron attack the E-boat pens at Rotterdam, scoring several hits and 1 Hudson flies a Resistance operation.
      • There are no losses.
    Evening Ops:
    • 324 Lancasters and 22 Mosquitos of Nos. 1, 6 and 8 Groups are sent to Scholven/Buer. The raid takes place in difficult conditions. There is thick cloud over the target but Oboe skymarkers are accurately placed and the oil refinery is badly hit. The local report says that 300 high-explosive bombs fall within the oil plant area. There are 2 large and 10 small fires and much damage to piping and storage tanks.
      • 4 Lancasters are lost.
      • 197 aircraft including 159 Halifaxes, 24 Lancasters and 14 Mosquitos of Nos. 6 and 8 Groups attempt to bomb the railway yards at Troisdorf, but most of the attack misses the target. No other details are available.
        • No aircraft are lost.
      Minor Ops:
      • 16 aircraft of No. 6 Group lay mines in the Elbe River, 8 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group lay mines off Oslo, and there are 28 Mosquito patrols and 28 RCM sorties.
        • There are no losses.
    US 8th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 293 1st Bomb Division B-17s, 241 2nd Bomb Division B-24s, and 36 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack bridges, marshalling yards, and communications cneters en western Germany and eastern Belgium.
      • 4 heavy bombers and 3 of 587 VIII Fighter Command escorts are lost.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    BELGIUM:
    • Only 7 of more than 100 9th Bomb Division bombers complete a mission against targets in the Bulge due to bad weather.
    ETO:
    • Despite deteriorating weather conditions, 9th Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers complete several hundred sorties in support of US Army ground forces in the Bulge.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • 12th Air Force medium bombers attack bridges and viaducts.
    • XXII TAC P-47s attack bridges, communications targets, motor vehicles, and trains.
    • During the night, XXII TAC A-20s attack the Ghedi Airdrome and targets of opportunity.
    US 15th AIR FORCE
    AUSTRIA:
    • 15th Air Force B-17s and B-24s attack marshalling yards throughout Austria.
    GERMANY:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s attack various marshalling yards throughout southern Germany.
    • 14 15th Air Force P-38s attack a road bridge near Rosenheim>
    ITALY:
    • 15th Air Force B-24s attack lines of communication around Brenner Pass.
    • 15th Air Force B-17s attack the locomotive repair facilites at Castelfranco and Udine.
      • [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

        Air Operations, Japan

        1 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24 attacks Kataoka while 2 of 3 B-25s dispatched on a fighter-decoy mission fail to return to base when the mission is aborted due to bad weather.

        [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

        Air Operations, Philippines

        • The Mindoro-bound convoy that was under attack throughout December 28 is covered continuously through December 29 by V Fighter Command fighters and Marine Air Group 12 F4Us, which help fend off numerous small Japanese air attacks. However, a cargo ship is sunk as it unloads steel airfield matting and other aviation supplies desperately needed at the Mindoro airfields.
        • 494th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Clark Field on Luzon.
        • FEAF B-24s attack the Sasa airfield on Mindanao.
        • V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack targets across the central Philippines and southern Luzon.
        • A VMF-218 F4U downs a Ki-43 'Oscar' fighter over Negros at 0720 hours.
        • An 8th Fighter Group P-38 downs a Ki-46 'Dinah' reconnaissance plane near the Hammer airfield on Mindoro at 0900 hours.
    • 110th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron P-40s down 3 A6M Zeros at sea at 1615 hours.
    • VMF-218 F4Us down 2 D4Y 'Judy' dive bombers over the Sulu Sea at 1705 hours.
    • P-47s and P-38s from various groups down 1 Ki-45 'Nick' fighter over Celebes at 1715 hours, 2 A6Ms Zeros, 1 Ki-49 'Helen' bomber, and 2 Ki-51 'Sonia' bombers over a friendly convoy near Mindoro between 1715 and 1730 hours.
    • A 418th Night Fighter Squadron P-61 crew downs 2 J1N 'Irving' fighters over a friendly convoy near Mindoro between 1900 and 1923 hours.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations, Volcano Islands

    26 30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s based on Guam attack Iwo Jima.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Eastern Front

    There is bitter street fighting in Budapest where the Germans have prepared a large number of fortified positions. The Russians attempt to start negotiations with the garrison but there is a misunderstanding and some of the Russian emissaries are killed in the course of their mission, probably by mistake, in front of the German trenches.

    HUNGARY

    The battle for Budapest is raging as the Soviets batter the Pest and Buda districts of the city. The Soviets off surrender terms to Axis troops in both districts, an offer that results in the Pest emissary being shot by the Germans and the Buda emissary being killed by Red Army artillery fire while making his way back to friendly lines.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    English Channel

    U-772 attacks Convoy TBC-21 in the English Channel and torpedoes the US freighter Arthur Sewall (7176t) which loses 1 of her crew in the explosion. She is towed to Weymouth, England where she is written off as a total loss. The US freigher Black Hawk (7191t) is also a victim of U-772. There are 4 crewmen wounded in the blast, but the ship is abandoned with survivors being taken up by the British corvette Dahlia. The abandoned ship is towed to Warboro Bay, England and is also written off a a total loss.

    [larrlarr | rarrrarr2]

    Greece

    It is announced that a regency is to be established and that Prime Minister Papendreou will resign when a regent has been chosen. On December 31 Archbishop Damaskinos of Athens is sworn in and Papandreou resigns.

    [larr1larr1 | rarrrarr2]

    Pacific

    The US submarine Hawkbill (SS-366) sinks the Japanese merchant Lighter No.130 in the Java Sea.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    There is something of a lull in the Ardennes battle. The Allies are busy preparing to extend their counterattacks.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 29, 1944

    Battle of Budapest Begins


    Battle of Budapest Begins

    British Soldiers Inspecting German Equipment


    British Soldiers Inspecting German Equipment

    Inspecting German Panthers


    Inspecting German Panthers

    Vehicle Damage


    Vehicle Damage

    Vehicle Damage


    Vehicle Damage

    A German Sturmgeschütz Assault Gun


    A German <i>Sturmgeschütz</i> Assault Gun

    Soviets Battle Hungarians and Germans


    Soviets Battle Hungarians and Germans

    Crash of a Beaufort


    Crash of a Beaufort

    Saturday, December 30

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 4 7th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s equipped with a total of 28 Azon guided bombs destroy 2 bridges on the Prome-Taungap road with 16 direct hits, a bridge at Okshitpin with 8 direct Azon hits, and still another bridge with 4 direct hits.
    • 17 10th Air Force B-25s attack troops and supplies at Kyatpyin.
    • 28 10th Air Force P-47s attack troops and supplies at 7 locations.
    • 12 P-47s attack 4 bridges at 3 locations.
    • 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity in eastern Burma.
    CHINA
    • 4 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack a bridge near Kengtung.
    • 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity in the Ka-chun, Ichang, Shanhsien, and Shayang area.
    FRENCH INDOCHINA
    • 2 341st Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack a bridge, rail cars, and tracks near Thanh Moi.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    • FEAF B-25s attack barges and supplies at Haroekoe, Ceram.
    • Fighter-bombers mount punishing attacks against airfields on Celebes and northern Borneo.
    • FEAF bombers and fighter-bombers attack oil installations, shipping, and targets of opportunity across the East Indies.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Daylight Ops:
    • 13 Lancasters of No. 617 Squadron set out to bomb the U-boat pens at Ijmuiden, but the raid is abandoned because of bad weather.
    Evening Ops:
    • 356 Halifaxes, 93 Lancasters and 21 Mosquitos of Nos. 4, 6 and 8 Groups are sent to Cologne to attack the area in which the Kalk-Nord railway yards are located. The presence of cloud causes difficulties for the Pathfinders and the outcome of the raid could not be observed. The local report, however, shows that the Kalk-Nord yards, as well as the 2 passenger stations nearby, are severely damaged. At least 2 ammunition trains blow up. Nearby Autobahns are also badly damaged, all adding to the effect upon the German transportation system.
      • 1 Halifax and 1 Lancaster are lost.
    • 154 Lancasters and 12 Mosquitos of No. 5 Group attack a German supply bottleneck in a narrow valley at Houffalize. The results of the raid are not known.
      • 1 Lancaster crashes in France.
    Minor Ops:
    • 68 Mosquitos are sent to Hannover, 9 to Bochum and to Duisburg, 11 Lancasters lay mines off Heligoland, 21 aircraft are on Resistance operations, and there are 36 Mosquito patrols and 32 RCM sorties.
      • There are no losses.
    US 8th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 393 1st Bomb Division B-17s, 354 2nd Bomb Division B-24s, and 504 3rd Bomb Division B-17s attack rail bridges and marshalling yards throughout western Germany.
      • 4 B-17s and 2 of 528 VIII Fighter Command escorts are lost.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    ETO:
    • All 9th Bomb Division bombers and IX TAC aircraft are grounded due to bad weather, but several hundred XIX TAC and XXIX TAC fighters and fighter-bombers are able to attack ground targets and support US Army ground forces in western Germany, eastern Belgium, eastern France, and Luxembourg.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • 12th Air Force B-25s attack lines of communication in and around Brenner Pass, bridges, and an ammo dump.
    • XII TAC P-47s support the US 5th Army and attack bridges.
    • During the night, XXII TAC A-20s attack numerous targets in the Po River valley.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Philippines

    • The Mindoro-bound convoy that was under attack throughout December 28 and 29 reaches its objective under the protection of numerous V Fighter Command and Marine Air Group 12 fighters. In 72 hours since entering the Surigao Strait, the convoy has been attacked 49 times by individual and groups of Japanese land-based bombers and fighters. Despite the air cover during unloading operations, 5 D3A 'Val' dive bombers mount a successful attack on the ships at 1540 hours. 2 destroyers, an aviation gasoline tanker, and the PT-boat tender serving as the convoy flagship are hit by bombs or 'Vals' themselves. 59 men are killed aboard the tender, which is eventually saved, and 8 are killed aboard the tanker, which burns to the waterline. During the night, another cargo ship is sunk off Mindoro by aerial bombs.
    • 22nd Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Clark Field on Luzon.
    • FEAF B-24s, V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s, and V Fighter Command fighter-bombers attack shipping, airfields, and targets of opportunity throughout the Philippines.
    • 418th and 419th Night Fighter squadron P-61 crews down 1 G4M 'Betty' bomber, 2 A6M2-N 'Rufe' float planes, and 1 Ki-84 'Frank' fighter in the Mindoro area between 0034 and 0707 hours.
    • 8th Fighter Group P-38s down 2 Japanese fighters over Mindoro at 1535 and 1730, respectively.
    • A VMF-211 F4U downs an A6M Zero over Luzon at 1620 hours. During the night, 9 345th Medium Bomb Group B-25s attack the Tuguegarao airfield on Luzon at low level.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations, Volcano Islands

    14 11th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Iwo Jima.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Atomic Research

    Gen Groves, head of the Manhattan Project, reports that the first 2 atomic bombs should be ready by August 1, 1945.

    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Burma

    In the British XXXIII Corps sector, the British and Indian forces take Kaduma.

    [larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

    Eastern Front

    The fighting in and around Budapest continues. Russian units from both 2nd and 3rd Ukraine Fronts are involved.

    HUNGARY

    Red Army artillery (100 guns) commences a massive barrage against Pest, accompanied by infantry assaults of the 2nd Ukrainian Front.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    English Channel

    U-772 was operating in the English Channel and on December 29 she attack Convoy TBC-1 sinking one merchant ship and damaging another. While withdrawing from this attack her periscope and snorkel are spotted by Wellington 'U' of No 407 Squadron RCAF. Six depth charges are dropped after illuminating the U-boat's masts with the Leigh Light. There were no further ASV contacts.

    U-772

    ClassType VIIC
    CO Kapitänleutnant Ewald Rademacher
    Location English Channel, off Portland
    Cause Air attack
    Casualties 48
    Survivors None
    [larrlarr | rarrrarr2]

    Pacific

    The US submarine Razorback (SS-394) attacks a Japanese Manila-to-Takao convoy about 60 miles southeast of Formosa sinking the destroyer Kuretake and damaging cargo ships Brazil Maru and Oi Maru.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    On Mindoro a second American supply convoy reaches the island; it has been heavily attacked on the way by Japanese aircraft, damaging 3 merchant ships, 3 tank landing craft, 2 vehicle landing craft and 2 destroyers including the Pringle (DD-477) and the Gansevoort (DD-608). The auxiliary vessel Porcupine (IX-126) is hit so badly it must be sunk by US forces. Once again, it is the death-defying kamikazes who do the damage.

    On Leyte the Americans attack in force in the Palompon area, and during the night the Japanese withdraw most of their forces from the sector.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Western Front

    The VIII Corps from Patton's 3rd Army begins a new attack northwest from a line between Bastogne and St Hubert. Houffalize, a small Belgian town three miles from the border with Luxembourg, is the objective. Trying to cut the road south from Bastogne to Arlon, the Germans reach Lutrbois and surround Villers-la-Bonne-Eau, cutting off some units of the US 35th Division.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 30, 1944

    Opening Christmas Presents


    Opening Christmas Presents

    The Battle of Pearl Ridge


    The Battle of Pearl Ridge

    Road Repair near Lizzano, Italy


    Road Repair near Lizzano, Italy

    Clearing a Road


    Clearing a Road

    M1917 .30 Cal US Machine Gunners


    M1917 .30 Cal US Machine Gunners

    Japanese Float Plane, the Aichi E13A 'Jake'


    Japanese Float Plane, the Aichi E13A 'Jake'

    Task Group 38.2 underway from Ulithi


    Task Group 38.2 underway from Ulithi

    Scouting Mission in Luxembourg


    Scouting Mission in Luxembourg

    Sunday, December 31

    Air Operations, CBI

    BURMA
    • 65 10th Air Force P-38s and P-47s attack a Japanese Army divisional headquarters at Ongyaw and troops and supplies at 7 other locations.
    • 28 P-47s strafe airfields at Aungban, Heho, Kunlon, Laihka, and Nansang.
    • 4 14th Air Force B-25s attack 2 bridges and several buildings at Mong Ping.
    • Fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity in eastern Burma.
    CHINA
    • 4 308th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack 2 freighters off Hainan Island.
    • 35 14th Air Force fighter-bombers attack troops, horses, rail targets, and town areas in the Hankow, Hengyang, Kweilin, Lingling, Saiping, and Siangtan areas.
    • Fighter-bombers attack targets of opportunity across southern China and northern French Indochina.
    • A 51st Fighter Group P-51 downs a Ki-44 'Tojo' fighter in an engagement over the Wuchang airfield at Hankow at 1300 hours.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, East Indies

    • FEAF B-24s attack the Ambesia airfield on Celebes, Dili on Timor, and airfields and supplies on Halmahera.
    • Fighter-bombers attack shipping, airfields, anti-aircraft batteries, and targets of opportunity on Halmahera and northern Celebes.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations, Europe

    RAF BOMBER COMMAND
    Daylight Ops:
    • 155 Lancasters of No. 3 Group carry out a G-H raid on the railway yards at Vohwinkel, near Solingen. A strong wind carries much of the bombing south of the target.
      • 2 Lancasters are lost.
    • 12 Mosquitos of No. 627 Squadron, No. 5 Group, set out to bomb the Gestapo Headquarters in Oslo. 8 aircraft actually bomb, in 2 waves, and hits are believed to have been scored.
      • There are no losses.
    Evening Ops:
    • 149 Lancasters and 17 Mosquitos of Nos. 1 and 8 Groups are sent to attack the railway yards at Osterfeld. The only details available are Bomber Command's estimates that the railway sidings were 35 per cent damaged and the 'facilities' 20 per cent damaged.
      • 2 Lancasters are lost.
    • 28 Lancasters of No. 5 Group attack cruisers in Oslo Fjord, but no hits are made.
      • 1 Lancaster is lost.
    Minor Ops:
    • 77 Mosquitos are sent to Berlin and 12 to Ludwigshafen, 16 Halifaxes and 10 Lancasters lay mines in the Kattegat, and there are 33 Mosquito patrols and 33 RCM sorties.
      • 1 mine-laying Lancaster is lost.
    • RAF Mosquitos attack the Gestapo headquarters in Oslo.
    US 8th AIR FORCE
    GERMANY:
    • 492 1st Bomb Division B-17s and 254 2nd Bomb Division B-24s attack numerous rail bridges, communications centers, and marshalling yards in western Germany.
    • 501 3rd Bomb Division B-17 attack industrial and oil-industry at six locatins.
      • 27 heavy bombers and 10 of 721 VIII Fighter Command escorts are lost.
    • 8th and 9th Air Force fighter pilots down 64 Luftwaffe fighters and 1 Ar-234 jet bomber over western Germany and eastern Belgium between 1045 and 2350 hours.
    US 9th AIR FORCE
    ETO:
    • The 9th Bomb Division is grounded by bad weather, but several hundred 9th Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers are able to support US Army ground forces en eastern Belgium and western Germany.
    US 12th AIR FORCE
    ITALY:
    • 12th Air Force B-25s attack a dump and several trains.
    • XXII TAC P-47s attack rail bridges, rail lines, and trains.
    • During the night, XXII TAC A-20s attack a marshalling yard at Milan and a motor-vehicle park at Molinella.
    [rarr2rarr2 | rarr2rarr2]

    Air Operations - Philippines

    • 494th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Clark Field, Luzon.
    • FEAF B-25s and V Bomber Command B-25s attack airfields in the central Philippines, Luzon, and Mindanao.
    • During the morning, 2 American cargo ships are damaged by aerial bombs and run aground off Mindoro.
    [rarr1rarr1 | rarr1rarr2]

    Air Operations - Volcano Islands

    • 19 30th Heavy Bomb Group B-24s attack Iwo Jima.
    • During the night, in the strongest showing of its type so far in the almost-nightly campaign, 10 VII Bomber Command B-24s harrass Iwo Jima over a 6-hour period.
    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Battle of the Atlantic

    U-906 is sunk during a large USAAF raid on Hamburg. Several other U-boats are sunk that were in various advanced stages of construction.

    U-906

    ClassType VIIC
    CO None appointed
    Location North Sea, Hamburg
    Cause Air attack
    Casualties Unknown
    Survivors Unknowne
    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr2]

    Burma

    In the British XXXIII Corps sector, the British 2nd Division takes Kabo.

    [larr2larr2 | rarr1rarr2]

    Diplomatic Relations

    The Provisional National Government of Hungary, set up under Soviet control in the city of Drebrecan, declares war on Germany.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]

    Eastern Front

    HUNGARY

    The Germans manage to halt the Soviet advance into Pest, though Budapest continues to be shelled incessantly.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Italy

    In the Serchio valley the American 5th Army has regained the positions held at the end of October.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Pacific

    • The headquarters of the US 5th Fleet issues operational plans for the capture of the island of Iwo Jima. The date of the landing is fixed for February 19, 1945.
    • The British submarine Shakespeareattacks a Japanese convoy and sinks the merchant cargo ship Unryu Maru (2515t) east of Port Blair.
    [larr2larr | rarrrarr]

    Philippines

    On Leyte, there are vicious Japanese counterattacks in several parts of the northwest of the island, but the American forces beat them off with heavy losses. The headquarters of the 77th Division calculates that in the last 10 days the Japanese have lost at least 5,779 men killed in action against them, while American losses have been only 17.

    Elsewhere on the island the Japanese resistance is all but over. In the battle for Leyte Japanese casualties have been around 70,000, almost all killed. The American casualties have been 15,500 dead and wounded. The US 6th Army which has fought the battle is now being prepared to move on Luzon and the 8th Army is taking its place on Leyte.

    On Mindoro more attacks by Japanese suicide aircraft against American supply ships.

    [rarrrarr | rarrrarr]

    Poland, Politics

    The Lublin-based Committee of National Liberation assumes the title of Provisional Government. The London exile government protests unavailingly.

    [larrlarr | rarrrarr2]

    Western Front

    The British XXX Corps takes Rochefort at the western end of the Ardennes salient. Units of the 87th Division, VIII Corps, US 3rd Army, reach Remagen.

    [larr2larr | rarrrarr2]


    Images from December 31, 1944

    Damage from Raid on Oslo


    Damage from Raid on Oslo

    Tram Hit by Bomb


    Tram Hit by Bomb

    Looking Out for German Snipers


    Looking Out for German Snipers

    Germans Surrendering near Bastogne


    Germans Surrendering near Bastogne

    US Troops Attacking Germans near Bastogne


    US Troops Attacking Germans near Bastogne

    Cleaning a 40-mm Anti-aircraft Gun


    Cleaning a 40-mm Anti-aircraft Gun

    US Tanks near Sainlez


    US Tanks near Sainlez

    US Tanks near Sainlez


    US Tanks near Sainlez

    [ November 1944 - January 1945]