World War II in real time

new

World War II real time

lordroel
Administrator

Posts: 68,066

Likes: 49,466

World War II in real time Dec 2, 2022 7:13:09 GMT stevep and Max Sinister like this

Post by lordroel on Dec 2, 2022 7:13:09 GMT

Day 1542 of World War II, December 2nd 1943

Air War over Europe

RAF No. 139 Squadron RAF began operations with the Mk XX Mosquito. These aircraft were built in Canada.

The American P-51D made its first combat mission, flying a fighter sweep over Belgium.

The Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) authorized AEAF to attack "sky sites" in the Pas de Calais area and on the Cherbourg Peninsula in France, which RAF photography and British intelligence have virtually identified as missile-launching sites.

458 RAF aircraft - 425 Lancasters, 18 Mosquitos, 15 Halifaxes - continued the Battle of Berlin. There were no major diversions and the bombers took an absolutely direct route across the North Sea and Holland and then on to Berlin. The Germans identified Berlin as the target 19 minutes before Zero Hour and many fighters were waiting there. Incorrectly forecast winds scattered the bomber stream, particularly on the return flight, and German fighters scored further victories here. A total of 40 bombers - 37 Lancasters, 2 Halifaxes, 1 Mosquito - were lost, 8.7 per cent of the force. 460 (Australian) Squadron lost 5 of its 25 Lancasters on this raid, including the aircraft in which two newspaper reporters were flying. These were Captain Grieg of the Daily Mail and Norman Stockton of the Sydney Sun. The inaccurate wind forecast caused great difficulties for the Pathfinders, who were not able to establish their positions correctly. The bombing photographs of the Main Force suggested that the attack was scattered over a wide area of southern Berlin and the countryside south of the city. The Berlin report confirms this but adds that some useful damage was caused in industrial areas of the eastern and western districts, with two more of the Siemens factories, a ball-bearing factory and several railway installations being badly hit. Damage elsewhere was light, only 136 buildings being destroyed.

US VIII Bomber Command Mission 146: 1 B-17 flew an Oboe test over Huls, Germany dropping two 2,000 pound (907 kg) GP bombs and 1 photoflash bomb. 4 B-17s dropped 2.09 million leaflets on Bremen, Oldenburg and Hamburg, Germany. No casualties on either mission.

Photo: Short Stirling Mk III of the Empire Central Flying School about to land at Hullavington in Wiltshire, 2 December 1943

Italian Campaign

Allied Operation Bluecoat began in Italy. A massive artillery bombardment preceded this attack. Over 900 guns opened fire on Monte Sammucro. On the left was British X Corps, with objective Camino. On the right was the US II Corps, with objective La Difensa. Over two days, 200,000 shells were fired. The US 5th Army attacked with units of the British X Corps and the US II Corps on Monte Camino. Two battalions of the 2nd Regiment of the American/Canadian First Special Service Force began climbing the north-east face of Monte la Difensa. Their objective was to clear German positions there and on Mount Remetanea.

Air raid on Bari: German planes bomb Allied shipping at Bari, Italy, sinking and damaging a number of U.S. freighters moored there. John M. Schofield and Grace Abbott are damaged by flying fragments (the latter also by a dud bomb); the former suffers no casualties among the 44-man merchant complement, 28-man Armed Guard and an indeterminate number of British Army stevedores on board to work cargo while the latter has only one merchant seaman wounded from among her 41-man civilian and 28-man Armed Guard complement. Samuel J. Tilden is hit by two bombs and catches fire; 17 of the 209 embarked troops perish as the soldiers abandon ship. The 41-man merchant crew and the 28-man Armed Guard remain at their posts to battle the blaze that eventually burns out of control and forces her crew off the ship. Ten of the ship's civilian complement die in the conflagration (see 3 December 1943). John L. Motley, carrying a cargo of ammunition, is hit by at least three bombs; direct hits and near-misses set nearby John Bascom afire; four of 44 merchant seamen perish as do 10 of 28 Armed Guard sailors. The survivors, in addition to one passenger, abandon ship as the flames burn out of control. Her mooring lines burnt through, John Bascom drifts near the burning John L. Motley, which explodes, killing all on board (42 of the 46-man merchant complement and 22 of the 29-man Armed Guard) (the only survivors are on shore at the time of the attack and thus escape the fate of their shipmates). Debris from John L. Motley damages gasoline tanker Aroostook (AOG-14), 41°06'N, 16°52'E, and sets fire to Lyman Abbott. John Harvey, moored originally between John L. Motley and Joseph Wheeler, is showered by burning debris, and catches fire herself, drifting into the harbor where she explodes, showering debris on the unfortunate Lyman Abbott. Tragically, John Harvey's cargo includes mustard gas which subsequently kills and injures many of the local inhabitants, in addition to harming many among the 42 merchant seamen and 29 Armed Guards on board Lyman Abbott. Consequently, 2 of the ship's civilian crew and one Armed Guard sailor, in addition to the ship's sole passenger, succumb to shrapnel wounds or mustard gas burns. Joseph Wheeler is hit by one bomb that touches off her ammunition cargo and the ship disintegrates, killing all on board: 15 of 41 merchant seamen and 13 of the 28-man Armed Guard, in addition to the single passenger, perish in the cataclysmic blast. Fifteen Armed Guard sailors and 26 merchant sailors escape the fate of their shipmates only because they were away from the ship, on shore, when she explodes.

YouTube (Allied ships sunk during Bari air raid - 1943)

Photo: Allied ships burn during the raid

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy submarine USS Tang (SS-306) off the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, California (USA), 2 December 1943

Pacific War

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 18 Japanese bombers and 30 Zekes attack Suichwan airfield; 9 P-40's intercept, shooting down 1 Japanese airplane; 2 P-40's are lost; 6 P-40's on armed reconnaissance bomb villages between Sha Nyao and Chiao Tou Chieh; 16 others bomb Japanese positions NE of Changte.

BURMA

Eight B-25s, with 7 fighters as escort attack river steamer and cement plant at Thayetmyo, damaging both with direct hits. Four P-51's achieve good results at Prome cement factory.
Twelve A-36's possibly damage bridge 6 mi. NW of Manywet with 8 near misses. Myitkyina runway hit by 6 P-40's with 4 others as cover. Three successful raids are made on enemy arty positions at Ningbyen by total of 10 A36's.
Fifteen RAF Wellingtons start 3 large fires at Bassein.

Japanese positions in Fort White and Buthedaung areas hit by total of 17 Vengeances and 6 Hurricanes.

JAPANESE OCCUPIED INDOCHINA

Four Allied fighters raid Nguyen Bing mines and on return flight strafe Ha Gianag airfield.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): 20+ B-25's hit Malai and attack positions on the Porror River and Rigu Mission at Kieta; 20+ B-24's bomb Korovo; fighter patrols strafe Chabai area.

SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

Allied patrol in NE sector of Empress Augusta Bay area loses contact with Japanese.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): In New Guinea, 50+ B-25's pound the Borgen Bay area; 20 B-25's and B-26's hit enemy forces in the Finschhafen area; and the Sio area is bombed by 2 B-24's.

New Guinea: With tank support, Allied troops reduce Japanese strongpoint along trail from Bonga to Wareo. Excellent results achieved by 10 B-25's and 10 B-26's bombing supply dumps 2 mi. N of Bonga.

JAPANESE OCCUPIED NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES

During early morning raid on Toeal, Kei Is., 4 RAF. PBY's cause fires and explosions in waterfront area.

JAPANESE OCCUPIED PHILIPPINE ISLANDS

USN submarine USS Narwhal lands ammunition and stores, and evacuates certain people from Mindanao.

PACIFIC

USAAF B-24 damages Japanese cargo ship Shinyu Maru off New Hanover.

RAAF Beaufighters damage Japanese paddle steamer Assam in Irrawaddy River.

Japanese cargo vessel Koki Maru is sunk by mine, laid by USAAF B-24 on 16 November, off Macao.

Last Edit: Dec 2, 2022 15:18:53 GMT by lordroel

This is my mod color, when its this color, you know

lordroel
Administrator

Posts: 68,066

Likes: 49,466

World War II in real time Dec 3, 2022 15:01:36 GMT stevep and gillan1220 like this

Post by lordroel on Dec 3, 2022 15:01:36 GMT

Day 1543 of World War II, December 3rd 1943

YouTube (Operation Overlord Confirmed at Teheran)

Eastern Front

South of Gomel, Dovsk was captured by the Soviet Army. Further south they drove west of Cherkassy. German positions in the Gomel area crumbled as Red Army forces moved toward Rogachev.

Air War over Europe

527 RAF aircraft - 307 Lancasters, 220 Halifaxes - were sent to Leipzig and 9 Mosquitos in a feint attack on Berlin. Despite the loss of two pressmen on the previous night, the well-known American broadcaster, Ed Murrow, flew on the raid with a 619 Squadron Lancaster crew. He returned safely. The bomber force took another direct route towards Berlin before turning off to bomb Leipzig. German fighters were in the bomber stream and scoring successes before the turn was made but most of them were then directed to Berlin when the Mosquito diversion opened there. There were few fighters over Leipzig and only 3 bombers were believed to have been lost in the target area, 2 of them being shot down by flak. A relatively successful raid, from the point of view of bomber casualties, was spoiled when many aircraft flew by mistake into the Frankfurt defended area on the long southern withdrawal route and more than half of the bombers shot down on this night were lost there. 24 aircraft - 15 Halifaxes, 9 Lancasters - were lost, 4.6 per cent of the force. The Pathfinders found and marked this distant inland target accurately and the bombing was very effective; this was the most successful raid on Leipzig during the war. A large area of housing and many industrial premises were severely damaged. One place which was hit by a large number of bombs was the former World Fair exhibition site, whose spacious buildings had been converted to become war factories, the largest buildings being taken over by the Junkers aircraft company.

In one of the first night battles between the new Ju 88G-1 night-fighter and RAF Mosquitoes, 3 Ju 88s are shot down along with 2 Mosquitoes.

A note from Air Chief Marshall Sir Charles F Portal, RAF, to the CCS stated that OPERATION POINTBLANK, the Combined Bomber Offensive (CBO) of the USAAF and RAF against the Luftwaffe and the German aircraft industry, was 3 months behind in relationship to the tentative date for OPERATION OVERLORD, the overall plan for the invasion of Europe, which had been set for 1 May 44. This brought more pressure on the US Eighth Air Force to destroy industrial plants of importance to aircraft production.

The 365th and 366th Fighter Squadrons, 358th Fighter Group, transferred from Goxhill, England to Leiston, England with P-47Ds. They will fly their first mission on 20 Dec.

Italian Campaign

The British X Corps was almost at the summit of Monte Camino. The US II Corps took the summit of nearby Monte Maggiore. The British 8th Army captured San Vito. Heavy fighting was reported around Orsogna as the German 26th Panzer Grenadiers attacked the New Zealand 2nd Division. The Grenadiers succeeded in the fierce counterattack and the New Zealand Division fell back. The US First Special Service Force last night took the strongly held German position at Monte La Difensa and Monte La Rementanea. Several previous assaults had failed so instead the Force's 2nd Regiment scaled the 200-foot cliff on the rear of Monte La Difensa during the night. This took the defenders by surprise. They then took Monte La Rementanea. This first action by the force cost it more than 500 casualties.

Photo: Mules being led past a blazing lorry hit by strafing German Me 109 aircraft minutes earlier, 3 December 1943

Abandoned U.S. freighter 'Samuel J. Tilden', damaged in the German air raid on Bari, Italy, the night before, was scuttled by two torpedoes from British warships.

B-24s, with fighter escort, hit the Rome/Casale airfield in Italy; B-26s and escorting P-38s wererecalled due to weather. Other P-38s escorted a supply mission to Yugoslavia. B-25s bombed the harbor and marshalling yard at Sibenik, Yugoslavia. In Italy, fighter-bombers, along with RAF Desert Air Force (DAF) airplanes, hit tanks and trucks in the Guardiagrele-Lanciano areas. Other fighter-bombers attacked a vessel at Sibenik, Yugoslavia and vehicles and trains N of Rome. Anzio and Nettuno, Italy were also bombed.

The Twelfth Air Force transferred its entire II Air Service Area Command with all of its subordinate units to the Fifteenth Air Force, where it shortly became the XV Air Force Service Command. This was a major step toward making the Fifteenth a separate, self-sufficient air force.

Battle of the Atlantic

The unescorted 'Touchet' (Master Jesse Field Bird) was hit on the port side by a torpedo from 'U-193' in the Gulf of Mexico while steaming at 16.5 knots. The torpedo struck the bow ten feet aft of the stem and opened a 20 feet long hole. The tanker was equipped with a torpedo indicator that warned the crew but the turn to port was too late, after the hit the engine was first secured while turning to the opposite direction and then ordered full ahead in an attempt to escape. Due to the flooding the bow settled and forced the ship to stop, when another torpedo warning sounded but this was apparently a dud hitting the port side amidships. The most of the ten officers, 40 crewmen and 30 armed guards (the ship was armed with one 5in, one 3in and eight 20mm guns) abandoned ship in six lifeboats, only the armed guard officer and ten of his men remained behind and manned the 5in stern gun. At 08.22 hours, a coup de grâce hit the engine room on the starboard side and caused the ship to sink stern first at 11.00 hours. The men still on board had to jump overboard and swam to a raft but the suction of the sinking ship was so strong that all except one armed guard drowned. On 5 December, the 43 survivors in four boats were picked up by the Norwegian steam merchant 'Lillemor' (Master Bernt Belland) and landed them the next day at Pensacola, Florida. The same day, USS 'Falgout' (DE 324) picked up eleven survivors from another boat and on 6 December, the remaining 16 survivors in the last boat were picked up by USS 'Raven' (AM 55) and landed in Galveston on 8 December.

Pacific War

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): 8 P-40's attack barracks and other buildings at Wanling, China.
Chang-te, in the Tung-ting Lake area, falls to the Japanese, climaxing a local offensive the by Japanese 11th Army designed to disrupt Chinese troop concentrations and divert the Chinese from Yunnan. Having accomplished their mission and taken the rice center of Chang-te, the Japanese soon begin a withdrawal.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): 3 B-25's bomb Kieta Harbor and nearby supply and bivouac areas; 6 others hit Aitara Mission; 21 B-24's pound Bonis; fighter aircraft, USAAF and USN on patrol, hit targets of opportunity in areas from Numa Numa to Koromira, at Mosiga and Chabai, and W of Rlutupina Point; B-24's on armed reconnaissance hit a variety of targets, including Kieta, Green, Greenwich, and Korovo. The 372d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 307th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based on Espiritu Santo with B-24's, ceases operating from Guadalcanal in the Solomon.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

Some improvement reported in Allied positions in Torokina area; Japanese positions near Mavavia (E of Torokina R.) shelled by Allied arty with excellent results; uneventful patrolling continues.

Throughout the day, total, of 36 TBF's and 58 SBD's operate against Japanese supply areas in S Bougainville from Buin to Empress Augusta Bay; raids are made at 45-minute intervals by groups of 6 planes each; bridge and 30-40 buildings destroyed and numerous fires started; 1 TBF lost.

Night of 3/4, formation of 15-25 enemy torpedo and dive bombers attacks 9th echelon en route to Torokina; attack occurs about 3.5 mi. SW of Empress Augusta Bay; near misses cause minor damage, and casualties; 3 enemy planes shot down and several others probably destroyed by AA fire from ships, while Allied fighter downs another and is then destroyed.

Stubbornly resisting Japanese slow Allied advance along trail 900 Yds. S of Wareo.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): 60+ B-24's and B-25's bomb Cape Gloucester Airfield; 1 B-24 sinks several barges in Johann Albrecht Harbor while another bombs a large transport near New Hanover. A-20's attack villages around Finschhafen; P-47's shoot down several airplanes over Wewak. B-24D 42-40475 is lost on a reconnaissance mission.
NEI: Twenty-four B-24s attack Waingapoe, Soemba I. when weather prevents raid on Koepeng; 29 tons of bombs cause large fires.

PACIFIC

Submarine Guardfish (SS-217) is damaged in collision with unidentified tanker.

Submarine Tinosa (SS-283) sinks Palau-bound Japanese fleet tanker Azuma Maru northwest of Sonserol, 06°34'N, 131°35'E.

USAAF B-24s bomb Japanese fishing boats off Garove, sinking No.13 Sansei Maru.

USAAF B-25s sink Japanese paddle steamer Assam, immobilized the day before by RAAF Beaufighters in Irrawaddy River.

This is my mod color, when its this color, you know

lordroel
Administrator

Posts: 68,066

Likes: 49,466

World War II in real time Dec 4, 2022 8:34:22 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Dec 4, 2022 8:34:22 GMT

Day 1544 of World War II, December 4th 1943

Eastern Front

The German 17.Armee, isolated on the Crimean peninsula, launched desperate attacks against Soviet beachheads around Kerch.

Air War over Europe

Hawker Typhoons of Nos. 198 and 609 Squadrons RAF shot down 11 Do-217s near Eindhoven in one sweep. This was the last pure fighter operation of the Typhoon.

The 'Libertad' in convoy KN-280 was hit by two of four torpedoes from 'U-129' and sank quickly. The U-boat observed how the escort of three destroyers rescued survivors instead of hunting the attacker.

The Staffelkapitaen of 9./JG 3, Lt. Wilhelm Lemke (131 kills) was killed in combat. Lemke was shot down and killed in aerial combat with P-47s of 487th Fighter Squadron, 352nd Fighter Group, USAAF. His Bf 109 G-6 (W.Nr. 410 558 ) “Black << + -“ crashed at Dodewaard, 18km west Nijmegen. He recorded 125 victories over the Eastern Front, including 28 Il-2 Sturmovik ground attack aircraft. Of his six Western front victories, three were four-engine bombers.

US VIII Bomber Command Mission 147: 4 B-17s dropped 800,000 leaflets on Rouen, Lille and Paris, France. US VIII Bomber Command Mission 148: 4 B-17s dropped 800,000 leaflets on Le Mans, Orleans, Tours and Laval, France. 203 B-26s dispatched to attack the airfields at Chievres, Belgium and Lille/Vendeville, France aborted the mission due to bad weather.

A Ninth Air Force directive established Operation CROSSBOW (operations against German missile launching sites) for the US IX Bomber Command and provided a list of targets to be attacked immediately. In the words of the directive, Operation CROSSBOW was;

"...to designate Anglo-American operations against all phases of the German long-range weapons programme -- operations against German research, experimentation, manufacture, construction of launching sites, and the transportation and firing of finished missiles, and also against missiles in flight, once they had been fired."

Crossbow bombing included use of Tallboy bombs and Operation Aphrodite drones, particularly against the "Heavy Crossbow" installations Watten, Wizernes, Mimoyecques, Siracourt, Söttevast, Martinvast. After developing bombing techniques at the Air Corps Proving Ground in the United States, Operation Crossbow extensively bombed the launching sites and storage depots for the V-1 flying bomb.

Battle of the Atlantic

Naval Air Facility, Sao Luiz, Brazil is established.

U.S. tanker Touchet is torpedoed twice (the second torpedo is a dud) by German submarine U-193 at 25°15'N, 86°15'W, and abandoned by most of the 50-man merchant complement and 30-man Armed Guard. The latter's commander and nine men, however, stay with the ship, manning the 5-inch gun aft. U-193's third torpedo finishes off the tanker, though, and she sinks, taking nine of the ten Armed Guards who manage to reach a raft (they are swept off as the ship goes under), as well as the detachment commander, down with her.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Abandoned U.S. freighter Samuel J. Tilden, damaged in the German air raid on Bari, Italy, the night before, is scuttled by two torpedoes from British warships.

Egypt

Making his first journey outside Russia since the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, Stalin came to Tehran to hear Churchill and Roosevelt explain their plans for a cross-Channel invasion of France in the spring or summer of next year. A communiqué from the conference, which ended on 1st December, says that the three leaders;

"...have concerted plans for the destruction of the German forces. We have reached complete agreement as to the scope and timing of the operations which will be undertaken from the east, west and south."

This makes it clear that the Italian campaign will continue, though resources may be diverted to the French campaign. Stalin was not too pleased when Churchill said a landing in France depended upon Germany being prevented from bringing up substantial reinforcements during the first two months after the assault. The Soviet leader wondered aloud whether an invasion would ever happen. Roosevelt was gratified to hear Stalin promise that;

"...the moment Germany is defeated..."

...the Soviet Union would join the war against Japan. This promise is judged to be so sensitive that the three leaders decided not to enter it in the record of the Tehran talks.

Pacific War

ALASKA

(Eleventh Air Force): 3 bombers return early from an armed sea search, due to weather.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Seventh Air Force): 34 B-24's from the Ellice and Canton bomb Mille Atoll 20+ others abort due to bad weather. 8 B-24's from Funafuti attack Nauru.

GILBERT ISLANDS

On Tarawa Atoll, Captain Jackson R. Tate, USN, Commander, Advanced Base, Tarawa, takes command, relieving Major General Julian Smith, USMC. During December and January, air bases are constructed in the Gilberts.
Nine enemy bombers hit Tarawa with 36 100lb. bombs, destroying 1 PV and 1 F6F and damaging 2 PV's and 6 F6F's; small gasoline dump set on fire.

US CARRIER RAID ON KWAJALIEN AND WOTJE ATOLLS

Task Force 50 (Rear Admiral Charles A. Pownall) attacks Japanese installations on Kwajalein and Wotje Atolls. Planes from the aircraft carrier USS Lexington sink a collier, a cargo ship, an auxiliary submarine chaser, and a guardboat and damage light cruisers Nagara and Isuzu, a stores ship, an auxiliary vessel, and three transports. Other aircraft carriers involved in the attacks are Bunker Hill, Enterprise, Essex and Yorktown and small aircraft carrier USS Cowpens.

Photo: Strike photograph taken from a U.S. Navy Grumman TBF-1 Avenger of Torpedo Squadron 5 (VT-5) showing an attack against Japanese shipping at Kwajalein Atoll on 4 December 1943. VT-5 was assigned to Carrier Air Group 5 (CVG-5) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10)

Photo: Japanese transport Asakaze Maru blows up in Kwajalein lagoon after being hit by U.S. Navy carrier planes. Namur Island is in the foreground. Smoking ship in center left distance is probably the Japanese light cruiser Isuzu

Photo: Japanese ships under attack in Kwajalein lagoon as seen from a U.S. Navy Consolidated PB4Y-1 Liberator, circa December 1943

Between 0705 and 0940 hours, USN fighters shoot down 34 Zero fighters and four "Betty" bombers over Kwajalein Atoll. Around 1200 hours, eight "Kate" torpedo bombers are shot down by antiaircraft fire over the fleet. Beginning at about 2000 hours, an estimated 30 to 50 "Betty" bombers and "Kate" torpedo bombers organized into 14 flights or individually attempt to sink the U.S. ships.

At 2323 hours, a "Betty" bomber launches an aerial torpedo which strikes the aircraft carrier USS Lexington on the starboard side about 360 nautical miles NE of Kwajalein Atoll. The torpedo knocks out her steering gear. Settling 5 feet by the stern, the carrier begins circling to port amidst dense clouds of smoke pouring from ruptured tanks aft. An emergency hand-operated steering unit is quickly devised, and Lexington makes for Pearl Harbor for emergency repairs. Two other ships are damaged, light cruiser USS Mobile when one of her 5-inch mounts accidentally fires into one of her own 40-millimeter mounts, and destroyer USS Taylor by friendly fire from light cruiser USS Oakland.

Photo: A Japanese Nakajima B6N Tenzan torpedo bomber explodes in the air after direct hit by 5-inch (127mm) shell from the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-10) as it attempted an unsuccessful attack on the carrier off Kwajalein Atoll, 4 December 1943

Photo: The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Oakland (CL-95), at right, and a destroyer firing on Japanese planes attacking Task Force 50 near the Marshall Islands, 4 December 1943. Two of the planes are visible, one in the photo's center and the other near the top

Strikes scheduled for tomorrow are cancelled and TF 50 returns to Pearl Harbor. This retirement costs the cautions Admiral Pownall his command.

BURMA

Japanese attack on Ningbyen in the Hukawng Valley is repulsed.

One B-25 and 7 P-40's' attack Bhamo town and airfield, scoring a number of hits in'both areas. Town and airfield at. Myitkyina hit by 1 B-25, 6 A-36's, and 14 P-40's with considerable success. Twenty-four B-25 sorties flown against Japanese troop concentrations in Kaungkasi area;, results reported excellent, and an ammunition dump is destroyed.
In S Burra, 18 B-24's participate in mining of, Loulmein Channel and Rangoon estuary.
Three RAF Liberators effectively bomb Liandalay Riti yards.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 11 B-25's and 12 P-40's bomb Changte, which was taken by the Japanese earlier in the day; 11 more B-25's and 24 P-40's follow with 2 more attacks on Changte; other P-40's drop ammunition to Chinese troops on Tehshan Mountain.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): 21 B-24's attack Chabai; 17 B-25's follow with a strike on the same target.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): On New Britain in the Bismarck Archipelago, nearly 50 bombers hit Cape Gloucester Airfield and attack shore targets from Rottock Bay to Rein Bay. 12 A-20's hit villages and supply dumps in the Finshaffen area. 30+ P40's sink an oil laden lugger and 2 barges off Bogia and bomb bridge near Bogadjim. Lost in a training excercise is P-38H "Japanese Sandman II" 42-66905

SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

On Bougainville, the 1st Marine Parachute Regiment arrives and is soon committed to help advance the outpost line.

PACIFIC

USN submarine USS Sailfish torpedoes and sinks Yokosuka, Japan-bound Japanese escort aircraft carrier HIJMS Chuyo about 280 nautical miles SE of Tokyo, Honshu, Japan, in position 32.27N, 143.49E. There are about 1,250 Japanese crewmen aboard and only 160 survive. Unbeknown to Sailfish, Chuyo is carrying 20 survivors from her sistership USS Sculpin which was damaged and scuttled about 154 miles north of Truk Atoll, Caroline Islands, on 19 November. Only one of the USN sailors survives.

Submarine Apogon (SS-308) sinks Japanese gunboat Daido Maru northeast of Ponape, 08°22'N, 159°02'E.

Submarine Gunnel (SS-253) sinks Japanese transport Hiyoshi Maru northeast of Haha Jima, 29°436'N, 145°54'E, and eludes counterattacks by destroyer Inazuma.

Japanese seaplane carrier Sanuki Maru is damaged by mine, Pomelaa, as she sails for Singapore.

This is my mod color, when its this color, you know

lordroel
Administrator

Posts: 68,066

Likes: 49,466

World War II in real time Dec 5, 2022 3:48:22 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Dec 5, 2022 3:48:22 GMT

Day 1545 of World War II, December 5th 1943

Air War over Europe

Operation Crossbow, the effort to bomb the V-1 launch sites along the French coast, began. 52 B-26s bombed Ligescourt, Campagne-les-Hesdin, and Saint-Josse, France. 200 others were forced to abandon the mission because of heavy cloud cover over the targets, including V-weapon sites which the Ninth had scheduled to attack for the first time. Ninth Air Force P-51s from the 354th Fighter Group flew their first escort mission, accompanying Eighth Air Force heavy bombers in a raid against targets in the area near Amiens, France.

US VIII Bomber Command Mission 149. Airfields in France were targetted; 8 B-17s and 1 B-24 were lost. 216 B-17s were dispatched to La Rochelle/Laleu, St Jean D'Angely, Paris/Ivry, Paris/Bois and D'Colombes airfields; none hit the target due to weather; 1 B-17 was damaged beyond repair and 1 damaged. 96 B-24s were dispatched to Cognac/Chateaubernard Airfield; 2 hit St Nazaire; 1 B-24 was lost and 7 damaged. 236 B-17s were dispatched to the Bordeaux/Merignac air depot; 1 hit the target and they claimed 12-5-5 Luftwaffe aircraft; 8 B-17s were lost and 19 damaged. These missions were escorted by 34 P-38s and 266 P-47s plus 36 Ninth Air Force P-51s; 1 P-47 was lost and the pilot was MIA.

Italian Campaign

Attacks and counterattacks marked the continued fight for possession of the summit of Monte Camino. The Indian 8th Division crossed the river Moro, pushing towards the supply port of Ortona.

Battle of the Atlantic

Norwegian freighter 'Lillemor' rescued 43 survivors from tanker 'Touchet', torpedoed and sunk by German submarine 'U-193' on 3 December 1943; shortly thereafter, destroyer escort 'Falgout' (DE-324) picks up 11 more men from the lost ship.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Weather hampered medium bomber operations, but B-25s managed to bomb a bridge at Pescara, Italy and marshalling yard and shipyards at Split, Yugoslavia. In Italy, US fighter-bombers and fighters (and a number of other Allied airplanes) hit gun positions S of Chieti, Italy, a vessel in Poljud, Yugoslavia harbor (near Split), trains and trucks W of Aquino, bridges near Mignano and Ladispoli, the town of Arezzo, airfields at Piombino and Aviano, and building S of Garda Lake.

Battle of the Indian Ocean

Japanese planes bomb Calcutta, India; U.S. freighter William Whipple is straddled and holed with fragments. There are no casualties among the 42-man merchant crew, but one man of the 28-man Armed Guard is injured.

Egypt

At the Cairo Conference, President Roosevelt decided on General Dwight D Eisenhower as the Supreme Allied Commander for Operation OVERLORD, the invasion of W Europe.

Pacific War

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma during the night of 5/6 Dec, B-24's mine waters in the Moulmein area while 5 others lay mines in the Rangoon River.

INDIA

Japanese bombers make their first strategic daylight raid on Calcutta damaging dock area; 500 people are killed or injured in the attack.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): 16 P-40's over the Changte area damage several large supply sampans near Ansiang and strafe various targets of opportunity in the Tehshan and Hsutu Lake areas; 20+ P-40's on patrols over the Changte area attack numerous boats and other targets throughout the nearby lake region.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

In Northeast New Guinea, the Japanese rearguard has orders stating "while avoiding any decisive engagement" to "carry out successive resistance to try to delay enemy advance." The rearguard is positioned at any natural obstacle while the main body of the Japanese 20th Division hurries north from Wateo.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville in the Solomon , 23 B-25's and 20+ USN dive bombers hit the Monoitu, Aitara Mission, and Mosigetta area; fighter patrols hit several areas on Bougainville and on Shortland, including Chabai, Numa Numa, Mosigetta, Monoitu, and Faisi.

SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

USN destroyers bombard the Choiseul Bay area on Choiseul Island.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): 40 B-24'a bomb Cape Gloucester on New Britain in the Bismarck Archipelago; A-20's destroy small craft off New Britain. In New Guinea, A-20's hit enemy forces in the Finschhafen area; B-25's, B-26's, and P-40's attack targets along the Bogadjim Road. The 110th Reconnaissance Squadron (Fighter), 71st Reconnaissance Group, arrives at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia from the US with P-39Q's. The 531st Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), (Heavy), transfers from Manbulloo to Long Strip with B-24's. The group is attached to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

PACIFIC

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) sinks Japanese cargo ship Himeno Maru (ex-U.S. Dos Hermanos) off Camiquin Island, 09°09'N, 124°29'E.

Last Edit: Dec 5, 2022 10:26:35 GMT by lordroel

This is my mod color, when its this color, you know

lordroel
Administrator

Posts: 68,066

Likes: 49,466

World War II in real time Dec 6, 2022 3:57:53 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Dec 6, 2022 3:57:53 GMT

Day 1546 of World War II, December 6th 1943

Eastern Front

Konev’s forces continued to advance in the Ukraine as the Red Army took Znamenka, cutting the rail line to Smela.

Italian Campaign

Monte Camino, fell to the British 56th Division after a fierce struggle. The First Special Service Force captured Hill 907 below Monte Camino. The British 8th Army continued their advance up the Moro River. Canadian forces began an assault across the Moro River on three fronts. The main force was centered across from San Leonardo, with two smaller diversionary assaults near Villa Rogatti, and near the coast of the Adriatic sea.

Photo: View of Monte Camino during the early stages of the first assault by the British 10th Corps

Battle of the Atlantic

Minesweeper 'Raven' (AM-55) rescued 16 survivors from tanker 'Touchet', torpedoed and sunk by German submarine 'U-193' on 3 December 1943. All told, the entire merchant complement of 50 men survives 'Touchet's' loss, but ten of the 30-man Armed Guard were lost with the ship.

Battle of the Mediterranean

In Greece, 45 B-24s bombed Eleusis Airfield while 56 B-17s hit Kalamaki Airfield; other B-17s returned to base with bombs because of a heavy overcast; the heavy bombers and escorting P-38s claimed several enemy fighters shot down; 1 B-24 was lost to flak.

Photo: The Greek destroyer, RHNS Adrias (L67), enters Alexandria harbour after striking a mine off the Dodecanese Islands, she travelled nearly one thousand miles to reach harbour, with her bows completely blown off

Arctic naval operations

Polar Fleet and White Sea Flotilla: Submarine "S-55" sunk supposedly mined or by surface ASW ships, close to cape Nordcap.

United States

General Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA, is named commander of Allied Expeditionary Force for invasion of Europe.

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Morris (DD-417) underway at sea on 6 December 1943

Egypt

Second Cairo Conference ends.

Pacific War

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, Changte is pounded throughout the day by 30+ B-25's and numerous fighters; other fighters strafe targets of opportunity in the railway yard at Hsipaw and damage a train at Hopong.

BURMA

During the night of 6/7 December, RAF Wellingtons bomb Moulmein.

Tank landing ships LST-208 and LST-209 unload British tanks at Regu Creek, Burma, in Operation RATCHET.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): 6 B-25's bomb the Monoitu Mission area, and 24 others, with fighter support, pound Tarlena village; P-40's carry out a strafing strike in the Arawa Bay area near Kieta; P-38's strafe W the coast of Buka ; fighter patrols strafe the Chabai, Koromira, and Monoitu areas; the Kieta supply area is bombed by a B-24 on armed reconnaissance. On Buka Island, P-38s strafe the west coast.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): Nearly 100 B-24's and B-25's hit the Cape Gloucester and Borgen Bay areas; P-40's strafe Cape Hoskins. In New Guinea. A-20's and B-25's attack villages and supply dumps around Finschhafen.

JAPANESE OCCUPIED NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES

B-24's bomb the airfield and village on Haroekoe in the Moluccas.

This is my mod color, when its this color, you know

lordroel
Administrator

Posts: 68,066

Likes: 49,466

World War II in real time Dec 7, 2022 3:48:32 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Dec 7, 2022 3:48:32 GMT

Day 1547 of World War II, December 7th 1943

Air War over Europe

RAF Air Marshal Harris claimed that he will win the war over the next several months with new support for the continuing attacks on Berlin and other German targets. His plan was to make 15,000 missions with 40 squadrons of Lancaster heavy bombers which will be operational in the next three months dropping 13,850 tons of bombs a month and;

"...produce in Germany a state of devastation in which surrender is inevitable".

Italian Campaign

The US 5th Army, with II and VI Corps, attacked the towns of Monte Sammucro and San Pietro in the Mignano Gap. The German defenders absorbed the attack well. American artillery fire on San Pietro commenced as the 2nd and 3rd battalions of US 143rd Infantry Division approached San Pietro, but were thrown back by intense German fire. A company of the US 143rd Infantry climbed the east face of Sammucro, reaching the top by first light. The British 8th Army attacked Orsogna. Canadians made it across the Moro river near the Adriatic Sea and commenced south-west toward San Leonardo. The last German defender left the area of Mount La Difensa. The First Special Service Force suffered 511 casualties of a force of about 1500.

B-25s and A-36s bombed the harbor and town of Civitavecchia; B-25s also attacked Pescara, hitting the railroad, road, and town area; A-36s, P-40s, and RAF DAF fighters hit a gun position W of Orsogna, the towns of Viticuso and San Vittoria, and a bridge at Civitella Roveto.

United States

The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Uhlmann (DD-687) underway off New York City (USA) on 7 December 1943

Pacific War

CEYLON

Since British Admiral Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Commander Southeast Asia Command, is ordered to release a large portion of his amphibious resources for use elsewhere, planning is begun for a limited operation (PIGSTICK) on the south Mayu Peninsula in Burma on the Bay of Bengal as a substitute for Operation BUCCANEER (amphibious operation in the Andaman Islands), subject to approval of Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Seventh Air Force): During the night of 7/8 Dec, 14 B-24's, staging through Tarawa Atoll, hit targets on Maloelap and Wotje. 6 B-24's from Nukufetau in the Ellice bomb Maloelap Atoll, and 1 other, failing to reach the primary, drops bombs on Mille Atoll. This date marks the beginning of Operation FLINTLOCK (operations against Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls in the Marshalls).

BURMA

Eight USAAF Fourteenth Air Force P-40s strafe freight cars between Mogaung and Myitkyina.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, Changte is hit twice by a total of 13 B-25's and several escorting fighters. In Burma, 8 P-40's strafe freight cars between Mogaung and Myitkyina. The detachment of the 76th Fighter Squadron, 23d Fighter Group, that has been operating from Suichwan, China since Oct, returns to it's base at Kweilin with P-40's.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): 8 B-25's carry out strikes against Kahili and Kieta Harbor. Torokina is bombed by 2 Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Ventura's on patrol. The 23d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 5th Bombardment Group (Heavy), based on Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides with B-24's, ceases operating from Guadalcanal in the Solomon .

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): On New Britain in the Bismarck Archipelago, 90+ B-24's and B-25's attack the Cape Gloucester and Borgen Bay areas. On New Guinea, A-20's bomb troop encampments and dumps in the Finschhafen area; P-40's strafe boats and barges near Madang. During the night of 7/8 December, 26 Australian Beauforts attack Borpop Aerodrome on New Ireland Island.

PACIFIC

Submarine Pogy (SS-266) sinks Japanese collier Soyo Maru north of Truk, 14°03'N, 152°20'E.

Submarine Sailfish (SS-192) is attacked by Japanese plane off Kyushu, Japan, 31°21'N, 134°10'E, but although damaged by aerial bomb, remains on patrol.

This is my mod color, when its this color, you know

lordroel
Administrator

Posts: 68,066

Likes: 49,466

World War II in real time Dec 8, 2022 3:48:04 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Dec 8, 2022 3:48:04 GMT

Day 1548 of World War II, December 8th 1943

Eastern Front

Russian units cut a 2nd rail line out of Znamenka.

Italian Campaign

The French 2nd Moroccan Infantry Division joined the Allied line. Allied units were being moved. Rather than fighting in Italy, they were transported to Britain for use in Overlord. Canadian artillery began a barrage of the Moro Valley, in preparation for infantry of the 1st Division to assault it in the morning. The 2nd and 3rd battalions of US 143rd Infantry Division approached San Pietro again, but were thrown back again. Over a 36-hour period, losses were 60 percent.

Battle of the Mediterranean

120+ B-24s and B-17s attacked Tatoi and Eleusis airfields in Greece, and railroad bridges near Orbetello Lake and the town of Porto Santo Stefano in Italy. In Italy, B-26s hit Spoleto viaduct, Orte marshalling yard, and Civitavecchia harbor; other B-26s aborted the mission because of weather. B-25s bombed bridges, industrial targets, marshalling yard, and town areas of Pescara, Ancona, and Aquila; A-20s hit gun emplacements and bivouac area near Sant' Elia Fiumerapido; other A-20s, operating with RAF and SAAF aircraft attacked troop concentration and gun positions near Miplinnico; fighter-bombers of the AAF, RAF, RAAF, and SAAF bomb targets in support of ground troops near Orsogna; A-36s and P-40s hit communications targets (roads, railroads, bridges) at Avezzano, Frosinone, Viticuso, Gaeta, and Sant' Elia Fiumerapido.

Germany

Field Marshal Rommel and his staff continued to tour the Danish coast as they began their inspection of the West Wall. They are scheduled to get a permanent headquarters location around December 20th. Rommel's assignment came to him on November 5th when he visited the Fuehrer at the Wolf's Lair in Bavaria. Hitler had a great idea. Citing von Rundstedt's troubling summary of October 25th, stating that the Atlantic Wall was anything but formidable, Hitler told him of his plan: Rommel was to inspect the Western coast and a) Verify or disavow von Rundstedt's troubling report, and b) provide suggestions for improvement. Rommel was to take his displaced army group staff (designated "Heeresgruppe Bz.b.v."-- Army Group B-For Special Purposes) and tour the coast. The idea was originally Gen. Jodl's. Someone had to go and check out von Rundstedt's report, and Rommel figured it would end up being him. This way, Jodl wouldn't have to go, and Rommel would be "gainfully employed" again. Besides, who knew more about fighting the Western Allies (including the Americans) than Rommel? So now the tireless Desert Fox was once more on the move, inspecting and formulating ideas for better defenses.

Pacific War

ALASKA

(Eleventh Air Force): 3 B-24's fly armed reconnaissance. During the night of 8/9 Dec, another B-24 off on a photographic mission over Kasatochi in the Aleutian , turns back because of mechanical trouble.

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Seventh Air Force): 22 B-24's from Nanumea bomb Jaluit Atoll, and 11 from Canton bomb Mille Atoll.

JAPANESE OCCUPIED NAURU

A striking force of two carriers, six battleships, and 12 destroyers bombed and bombarded enemy installations on Nauru.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 9 B-25's, escorted by 16 P-40's, pound Changte; 9 other B-25's bomb Hofuh and the 16 escorting P-40's bomb 2 villages to the N.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): Fighter patrols and aircraft on armed reconnaissance bomb and strafe several targets of opportunity near Kieta, SE of Cape Torokina, at Baniu Plantation, and along the NE coast.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): B-25's attack the Penfoei-Koepanp area on Timor. In New Guinea, B-25's and B-26's pound enemy supply dumps on the Huon Peninsula near Finschhafen; P-39's strafe barges from Saidor to Fortification Point.

This is my mod color, when its this color, you know

lordroel
Administrator

Posts: 68,066

Likes: 49,466

World War II in real time Dec 9, 2022 6:40:13 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Dec 9, 2022 6:40:13 GMT

Day 1549 of World War II, December 9th 1943

Eastern Front

Medorovo fell to the Soviet Army. They then moved on to attack Znamenka itself.

Air War over Europe

3 RAF Wellingtons flew RCM sorties without loss.

Italian Campaign

The Allies further consolidated their lines around Monte Camino after repulsing a series of German counterattacks. The British X Corps took Rocca d'Evandro to complete the capture of Monte Camino. The Canadian 1st Division infantry launched an attack on the Moro Valley, to clear out German forces while engineers built a bridge across the Moro River at San Leonardo.

Map: Action around Monte La Difensa 3–9 December 1943

In Italy, B-25s bombed railway and road bridges at Giulianova, tracks at Pescara and Teramo, and a marshalling yard and ironworks at Terni; A-20s hit gun positions and bivouac area at Sant' Elia Fiumerapido; A-36s and P-40s attacked Orsogna and coastal targets in support of the British Eighth Army, Avezzano marshalling yard and villages along the US Fifth Army front, troops at San Pietro Infine and Viticuso and nearby gun positions, viaduct and railway bridge E of Guidonia airfield, crossing at Furbara, and trains and trucks in the Rome area.

Brigadier General George H Beverley took over as the new Commanding General, US XII Troop Carrier Command (Provisional).

Battle of the Mediterranean

P-38s carried out weather reconnaissance over the Adriatic Sea; B-17s of the 2d and 99th Bombardment Groups (Heavy) were recalled because of weather; all groups of the 47th (B-24) and 42d (B-26) Bombardment Wings cancelled operations.

The SS 'Cap Padaran' (Master Edward Garner) in convoy HA-11 was torpedoed and damaged by 'U-596' northeast of Cape Spartivento, Italy. The vessel was taken in tow, but the line parted and she sank after her back broke. Five crew members were lost. The master, 180 crew members and eleven gunners were picked up by the British armed trawler HMS 'Sheppey' (T 292) (SubLt B.F. Wimbush) and landed at Augusta, Sicily.

German occupied Denmark

Rommel continued his inspection of Atlantic coast defenses, visiting Denmark and Copenhagen. That afternoon, Rommel called on General von Hannecken, the Wermacht commander in Denmark.

Senegal

Following the Teheran and Cairo conferences, President Roosevelt reembarked in battleship 'Iowa' (BB-61) at Dakar for the return voyage to the United States.

Pacific War

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Seventh Air Force): 19 B-24's from Funafuti Atoll in the Ellice bomb Mille Atoll. The B-24's claim 5 fighters destroyed.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): 15 B-25's bomb Wuchang and Hankow, and 3 bomb Changte; P-40's strafe sampans above Nanhsien and attack targets of opportunity in the Salween River area, including road traffic S of Hsia Chai, barracks at Tachai, and the town of San Tsun.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): 50 B-25's bomb and strafe the coast of New Britain from Borgen Bay to Rein Bay. In New Guinea, 19 B-25's and A-20's hit barges, coastal installations, and roads in the Fortification Point area; 60+ P-39's hit Bogadjim Road, barges and enemy held villages along the N coast of Huon Peninsula, and enemy positions in the Ramu River valley.

This is my mod color, when its this color, you know

lordroel
Administrator

Posts: 68,066

Likes: 49,466

World War II in real time Dec 10, 2022 14:55:26 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Dec 10, 2022 14:55:26 GMT

Day 1550 of World War II, December 10th 1943

YouTube (An Amphibious Landing to take Rome)

Eastern Front

Znamenka was finally captured by the Red Army. Konev began a new series of attacks to the north of Znamenka.

Air War over Europe

25 RAF Mosquitos flew to Leverkusen and 2 to Krefeld, 4 OTU sorties. No losses.

US VIII Bomber Command Mission 150: 1 B-17 was dispatched on an OBOE test flight but turned back due to an oxygen leak; two 2,000 pound (907 kg) bombs and a Photoflash were jettisoned off the French coast. In the second part of this mission, 6 of 6 B-17s dropped 1.2 million leaflets on Rouen, Paris, Caen and Amiens, France and Ghent,
Belgium at 2026-2102 hours. No losses.

20 German aircraft attacked 4 Ninth Air Force airfields in the UK (Gosfield, Andrews Field, Earls Colne, and Great Dunmow), killing 8 and wounding 20+ men. A Do 217 from 2./KG 2 was destroyed during an attack on Chelmsford. The Dornier had taken off from Eindhoven to attack a ball bearing factory when it was found by a Mosquito from RAF No. 410 Sqdrn. It was shot down and one crewmember survived to become a prisoner of war.

Italian Campaign

Canadian troops joined the attack on Ortona. The Canadians encountered stubborn German defences at "The Gully" crossing of the Old Highway 16 en route to the "Cider" crossroads with Highway 538, south of Ortona. The British 8th Army crossed the Moro River.

Photo: Lieutenant I. Macdonald (with binoculars) of The 48th Highlanders of Canada preparing to give the order to attack to infantrymen of his platoon, San Leonardo di Ortona, Italy. Infantrymen L-R: Sergeant J.T. Cooney, Privates A.R. Downie, O.E. Bernier, G.R. Young, Corporal T. Fereday and Private S.L. Hart, 10 December 1943

Hitler himself reputedly selected the small Italian hill town of San Pietro on the slopes of Monte Sammucro to be the perfect example of a German position, dominating as it did the vital Liri Valley which formed their defensive Gustav Line. For four days the battle raged as US forces struggled to push the Germans from their carefully sited pill boxes. Troops of the 143rd Infantry Regiment managed to reach the barbed-wire defences, but they were cut down by the machine-gun and mortar fire, and sustained 300 casualties before being retired. Tanks were now being called up.

In Italy, P-40s and A-36s attacked oil tanks, warehouses, railroads, and vessel at Civitavecchia, the town of Acquafondata, and with RAF, SAAF, and RAAF airplanes, hit tactical targets along the British Eighth Army front, and later strafed road traffic in the Canosa Sannita-Chieti area. Fighters also bombed a vessel in the harbor at Split, Yugoslavia. B-24s, with fighter escort, bombed a marshalling yard at Sofia, Bulgaria; P-38s flew weather reconnaissance in the Sofia and Zara, Yugoslavia areas. B-26s hit bridge approaches W and E of Ventimiglia, Italy.

Battle of the Mediterranean

German U-boats 'U-223', 'U-593' and 'U-73' attacked convoy KMS 34 in the Mediterranean.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS McGowan (DD-678) after delivery from Federal Shipbuilding & Dry Dock, Kearny, New Jersey (USA), on 10 December 1943

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Pavlic (DE-669) after her launch at the Dravo Corporation, Neville Island, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA), on 10 December 1943

Photo: Broadside view of Naos (AK-105) off San Francisco, 10 December 1943

Pacific War

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): 12 B-25's and 15 P-40's attack the marshalling yard at Hanoi, the warehouse area and railroad station suffer heavy damage. Japanese aircraft bomb Hengyang Airfield in China; 8 P-40's intercept 1 wave of airplanes over the field, shooting down 3 of them; 2 P-40's are lost in the combat.

SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

On Bougainville USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-25s bomb the Kahili supply area and airfield; P-39s bomb the supply area and antiaircraft positions at Tonolai and strafe four barges in the harbor; New Zealand (PV-1) Venturas hit buildings at Arigua Plantation.

Marine Fighting Squadron VMF-216 with 17 F4U Corsairs, flies in to operate from Torokina airstrip, which is within 220 miles of Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): 27 B-24's bomb targets at Cape Gloucester on New Britain and the Huon Peninsula on New Guinea. 40 B-25's and B-26's bomb supply and bivouac areas and bridges along the Bogadjim Road; P-39's strafe barges in the Madang area. HQ 6th Photographic Reconnaissance Group and it's 20th Combat Mapping Squadron transfer from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia to Port Moresby, New Guinea with B-24's and F-7's. HQ 43d Bombardment Group and it's 64th Bombardment Squadron transfer from Port Moresby to Dobodura, New Guinea with B-24's. Force landed is P-40N Piloted by Linder.

GILBERT AND MARSHALL CAMPAIGN

Photo: Japan Navy secret military ship Kinesaki, near the Mili Atoll, 10 December 1943

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

Photo: Mortars from the 2/23rd Battalion, an Australian infantry unit, fire upon Japanese positions along the Wareo-Bonga track, 10 December 1943

This is my mod color, when its this color, you know

lordroel
Administrator

Posts: 68,066

Likes: 49,466

World War II in real time Dec 11, 2022 8:11:09 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Dec 11, 2022 8:11:09 GMT

Day 1551 of World War II, December 11th 1943

Air War over Europe

US VIII Bomber Command Mission 151: 437 of 490 B-17s and 86 of 93 B-24s hit the industrial area at Emden and claimed 86-22-23 Luftwaffe aircraft. 15 B-17s and 2 B-24s were lost, 1 B-17 was damaged beyond repair and 120 B-17s and 18 B-24s were damaged. This mission was escorted by 31 P-38s, 313 P-47s and 44 Ninth Air Force P-51s. They claimed 21-0-7Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 P-47s and 1 P-51 were lost; 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 werre damaged beyond repair and 3 P-47s were damaged. Emden suffered 1000 civilians dead and 12,000 homeless. 18 RAF Mosquitos attacked Duisburg and 1 Wellington flew an RCM sortie without loss.

US VIII Bomber Command Mission 152: 4 of 4 B-17s dropped 800,000 leaflets on Laval, Rennes, Le Mans and Nantes, France; no casualties.

Italian Campaign

Allied momentum began to wane as their attacks in the US 5th Army sector continued with no significant gains.

Map: First Battles in the Sammucro – Lungo Area 8–11 December 1943

In Italy, P-40s and A-36s attacked Anzio, Nettuno, Viticuso, San Vittore del Lazio, Pontecorvo, Acquafondata, the railway siding at Arce, tracks and junction N of Ostia, and railway between Ostia and Lido di Roma. Weather caused abandonment of B-25 operations.

Battle of the Mediterranean

German U-boats 'U-223', 'U-593' and 'U-73' attacked convoy KMS 34 in the Mediterranean. Frigate HMS 'Cuckmere' was torpedoed by a Gnat from 'U-223' while escorting the convoy and has to be towed to Algiers, where she was found to be beyond repair.

German occupied Denmark

Field Marshal Rommel and his staff concluded their tour the Danish coast, their special train ending up in the Silkeborg railroad station. Coastal positions were unimpressive. Although the vital, strategic major ports each have a well-rounded defence plan, a good deal of the defensive positions were either incomplete or not even started. And a port is what the Allies would need as soon as possible, if the landing was to have any hope of success.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy stores ship USS Uranus (AF-14) off the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia (USA), on 11 December 1943

Brazil

Photo: U.S. Navy Martin PBM-3S Mariner of Patrol Bombing Squadron 211 (VPB-211) flying over the Brazilian naval dockyard at Rio de Janeiro, December 1943. Several incomplete destroyers are among the ships at the yard

Pacific War

BURMA

In the British Fourteenth Army's IV Corps area, advance elements of the 268th Brigade reach Indaw.

CEYLON

Admiral Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia Command, issues a directive ordering the integration of the USAAF Tenth Air Force and RAF Bengal Command into the Eastern Air Command (EAC). All Allied air forces in southeast Asia are under command of Air Chief Marshal (USAAF General) Sir Richard Peirse as Allied Air Commander-in-Chief.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 14 B-25's and 10 P-40's attack Shihshow and Ansiang; 3 B-24's bomb Hankow airfield; 9 P-40's intercept about 30 Japanese airplanes over Nanchang shortly after the enemy force bombs Suichwan; the P-40's claim 10 aircraft shot down.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): On Bougainville in the Solomon , 16 B-25's, in 2 waves, attack Kahili; several other B-25's hit Arigua Plantation; 20+ B-24's bomb the village and wharf area at Tsirogei; 8 P-39's bomb Tonolai; several aircraft on armed reconnaissance, operating individually or in small flights, attack targets of opportunity scattered throughout Bougainville and the Shortland area; Allied night fighters carry out a strike on a Japanese bivouac along the Jaba River; others hit Buka and Bonis. A detachment of the 17th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 4th Photographic Group (Reconnaissance), based on Guadalcanal in the Solomon, begins operating from Bougainville with F-5's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): B-25's bomb and strafe the Borgen Bay area. B-25's and B-26's hit bivouacs and other installations near Fortification Point and in the Finschhafen area. The 65th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 43d Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Port Moresby to Dobodura, New Guinea with B-24's. The 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group, transfers from Port Moresby to Dobodura, New Guinea with P-38's.

JAPANESE OCCUPIED NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES

In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Fifth Air Force B- 24s bomb Makassar on Celebes Island and Balikpapan, Borneo.

PACIFIC

Submarine Bonefish (SS-223) damages small Japanese cargo vessel Toyohime Maru, 04°03'N, 118°22'E.

This is my mod color, when its this color, you know

lordroel
Administrator

Posts: 68,066

Likes: 49,466

World War II in real time Dec 12, 2022 4:06:57 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Dec 12, 2022 4:06:57 GMT

Day 1552 of World War II, December 12th 1943

Air War over Europe

US VIII Bomber Command Mission 153: 4 B-17s dropped 800,000 leaflets on Paris, Amiens and Orleans, France; no casualties.

RAF Mosquito sorties: 20 to Essen, 9 to Düsseldorf, 1 to Osnabrück, 4 RCM sorties, 4 OTU sorties. 1 Mosquito was lost on the Essen raid, claimed by Hptm. Manfred Meuer of I./NJG 1 to bring his score to 60 kills.

The Luftwaffe got a chance to examine a B-17 up close. During a mission to Rouen, the B-17 'Wulf Hound' of the US 303d BG landed intact in a French field. Restored to flying condition, the bomber was used by KG 200.

Italian Campaign

The US 36th Infantry Division attacked Monte Lungo, making little headway and taking heavy loses.

Weather curtailed operations. In Italy, B-25s bombed the road, railroad, and landing ground at Terracina; P-40 and A-36 fighter-bombers hit trucks along roads in the Chieti-Francavilla area and bombed the town of Itri; fighters fly patrols and reconnaissance over the battle area.

Battle of the Atlantic

Destroyer HMCS 'Athabaskan' departed Loch Ewe as part of the close escort for the 19-ship convoy JW-55A, bound for the Kola Inlet. A RN battleship and several other fleet units formed the distant escort due to the threat of attack by the German battlecruiser 'Scharnhorst'.

Aircraft (VC 19) from escort carrier Bogue (CVE-9) damage German submarine U-172 south-southwest of the Canary Islands; U-219 escapes.

Photo: Photograph of British destroyer HMS Petard underway at speed. As seen from the aircraft carrier HMS Formidable

Battle of the Mediterranean

Destroyer HMS 'Tynedale' sank after being hit by a Zaunkönig fired from 'U-593' off Bougie. A few hours after the 'Tynedale' sinking, 'U-593' made a second attack and sank the destroyer HMS 'Holcombe' with another Zaunkönig. 'U-593'was chased by several escort vessels, being sunk after a 32-hour chase in the western Mediterranean in Bougie Bay, by depth charges from the US destroyer USS 'Wainwright' and the British escort destroyer HMS 'Calpe'. 51 survivors (No casualties).

German occupied France

Erwin Rommel was appointed to command Heeresgruppe B. He was now responsible for organizing the “Atlantic Wall” defenses from Holland to the Bay of Biscay, under the overall command of Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt.

Pacific War

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Seventh Air Force): 25 B-24's flying out of Ellice bases, bomb Emidj in the Marshall .

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 28 B-25's and 13 B-24's carry out a saturation bombing strike against bridge at Myittha, over which a large volume of Japanese goods is flowing to the N. Despite this large air effort only the approach spans suffer effective damage.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 41 Japanese bombers and fighters bomb the W side of Hengyang Airfield, causing considerable damage; 31 P-40's and 6 P-38's intercept the enemy force, claiming 20 airplanes shot down; 2 P-40's are lost. 9 B-24's bomb Hankow airfield.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): 6 B-25's strafe Arigua Plantation; 9 others, with fighter support, bomb the supply area at Bonis; the fighters afterwards strafe Japanese forces between Kieta and the Aropa River; other fighter aircraft strafe Tonolai Harbor and cover USN dive bomber strikes against targets in the Ratsua-Porton-Chabai-Soraken areas and the Kieta Harbor-Tobera Bay area; and 20+ B-24's bomb the Kahili area and Poporang.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): P-40's dive-bomb Bogadjim Road. EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24s make light raids on Ceram Island and in the far western part of the NEI.

NEW HEBRIDES ISLANDS

From the diary of Glen Boren, US Sailor aboard the aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill. Arrived in the morning with our planes flying off for the field. We got to Lugan Field (on Espirito Santo) about 1230, had lunch and headed for the strip for A/C maintenance. Lots of hole patching, fixing oil leaks in the rocker box covers to stop oil from streaking the windshields, etc.

PACIFIC

Submarine Tuna (SS-203) sinks Japanese naval transport Tosei Maru north of Halmahera, 02°44'N, 126°14'E.

This is my mod color, when its this color, you know

lordroel
Administrator

Posts: 68,066

Likes: 49,466

World War II in real time Dec 13, 2022 3:47:14 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Dec 13, 2022 3:47:14 GMT

Day 1553 of World War II, December 13th 1943

Air War over Europe

US VIII Bomber Command Mission 154; the port area at Bremen and Kiel, Germany were hit; 5 aircraft were lost. This was the first mission where more than 600 aircraft were dispatched. 171 of 182 B-17s dispatched to Bremen hit the target and 1 B-17 was damaged beyond repair and 30 damaged. 367 of 403 B-17s, 93 of 107 B-24s, 12 B-17 PFF and 6 B-24 PFF aircraft were dispatched to Kiel. Heavy frosting and poor visibility disrupted the formation and 78 B-17s hit targets of opportunity in Hamburg. The remaining aircraft hit Kiel and 7-3-17 Luftwaffe aircraft were claimed. 4 B-17s and 1 B-24 were lost; 1 B-17 was damaged beyond repair and 136 B-17s and 4 B-24s were lost. These missions were escorted by 31 P-38s, 322 P-47s and 41 Ninth Air Force P-51s that claimed 1-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft. 1 P-47 and 1 P-51 were lost, 1 P-38 and 1 P-47 were damaged beyond repair and 1 P-38 was damaged. P-51s escorting the heavy bombers reached the limit of their escort range for the first time. The torpedo boat T 15 and minesweeper R 306, were sunk, among other shipping at Kiel.

US VIII Bomber Command Mission 155: 5 B-17s dropped 1 million leaflets on Le Mans, Rennes, Tours, Nantes and Chartres, France; no losses.

Nearly 200 B-26s attacked Schiphol Airfield in The Netherlands. Monday, December 13, 1943, 386th Bomb Group Mission Number 55.

16 RAF Mosquitos flew to Düsseldorf, 1 to Bonn, 25 OTU sorties. No losses.

Italian Campaign

Photo: A Universal carrier and mortar team of the Indian 6th Royal Frontier Force, between Lanciano and Osogna on the central sector of Eighth Army's front, 13 December 1943

Battle of the Atlantic

'U-172' was sunk in the mid-Atlantic after a 27 hour fight west of the Canary Islands, by depth charges and Fido homing torpedoes from Avenger and Wildcat aircraft (VC-19) of the American escort carrier USS 'Bogue' and by some 200 depth charges from destroyers USS 'George E Badger', 'Clemson', 'Osmond Ingram' and 'DuPont'. 13 dead and 46 survivors. The Destroyer 'Osmond Ingram' (DD-255) was damaged by gunfire from the German submarine 'U-172'.

'U-391' was sunk in the Bay of Biscay north-west of Cape Ortegal, Spain, by depth charges from a British Liberator aircraft (Sqn 53/B). 51 dead (all hands lost).

Battle of the Mediterranean

In Yugoslavia, B-25s bombed an oil depot, harbor, warehouses, and railway yard at Sibenik and Split. In Italy, P-40 and A-36 fighter-bombers attacked defended points in the Miglionico area; quays, roads, railway yard, and gun emplacements at Terracina; and bridges at Pontecorvo and W of Isolella; town areas and bridges at and near Atina and Acquafondsta were also hit.

German submarine U-593 is sunk by destroyer Wainwright (DD-419) and British frigate HMS Calpe, 150 miles northeast of Algiers, 37°38'N, 05°58'E.

Pacific War

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Seventh Air Force): 10 B-24's, staging through Baker from Canton in the Phoenix , bomb Wotje Atoll in the Marshalls.

BURMA-INDIA

(Tenth Air Force): In India, 20 Japanese bombers, escorted by 25 fighters, hit Dinjan Airfield before US interceptors make contact; however, little damage is done and the US fighters catch the attackers shortly afterward; 12 Japanese bombers and 5 fighters are claimed shot down. The 436th Bombardment Squadron, 7th BG (Heavy), transfers from Panagarh to Madhaiganj, India with B-24's.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 12 B-25's, with fighter escort, bomb Li-Chou and Kungan; 8 B-25's pound Wuchang Airfield; and 16 P-40's on armed reconnaissance strafe targets of opportunity from Changte to Linli to Li-Chou.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): 17 B-25's bomb Porton, and their fighter escorts strafe Tenekow bivouac areas during the return flight; 24 B-24's bomb Bonis; 6 B-25's carry out low-level strikes against concentrations on Numa Numa. The 72d Bombardment Squadron, 5th BG (Heavy), based on Espiritu Santo in the New Hebrides with B-24's, begins operating from Guadalcanal in the Solomon.

D'ENTRECASTEAUX ISLANDS

Task Force DIRECTOR (USN Task Force 76) sails from Goodenough Island for Buna, Papua New Guinea, en route to Arawe, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): 100+ B-24's and B-25's and several P-40's bomb Gasmata. A-20's hit villages along Bogadjim Road; a small flight of P-39's strafe barges along the Huon Peninsula. The 340th Fighter Squadron, 348th Fighter Group, transfers from Port Moresby to Finschhafen with P-47's. The 403d Bombardment Squadron, 43d BG (Heavy), transfers from Port Moresby to Dobodura, New Guinea with B-24's.

GILBERTS ISLANDS

Photo: USAAF P-39Q Airacobra fighters of the 46th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group, on Makin Island in the Gilberts in 13 December 1943, just weeks after U.S. Army forces had seized the island. The first aircraft visble is the P-39Q-1-BE s/n 42-19499

Photo: A U.S. Army Air Forces Bell P-39Q-1-BE Airacobra (s/n 42-19474) of the 46th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter Group, taking off from Makin Island in the Gilberts, 13 December 1943, just weeks after U.S. Army forces had seized the island

PACIFIC

Submarine Pogy (SS-266) damages Japanese army cargo ship Fukkai Maru off Palau Islands, 07°06'N, 134°30'E, but is damaged by depth charges, 07°06'N, 134°31'E, and forced to terminate her patrol.

Submarine Pompon (SS-267) lays mines off Poulo Condore, southwest of French Indochina.

Submarine Puffer (SS-268) unsuccessfully attacks Japanese transport Teiko Maru (ex-Vichy French steamship D'Artagnan), 14°29'N, 119°59'E.

Submarine Sailfish (SS-192) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Totai Maru, 30°15'N, 132°30'E.

PBY sinks Japanese cargo vessel Tokiwa Maru, 03°30'S, 151°30'E.

This is my mod color, when its this color, you know

lordroel
Administrator

Posts: 68,066

Likes: 49,466

World War II in real time Dec 14, 2022 3:48:40 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Dec 14, 2022 3:48:40 GMT

Day 1554 of World War II, December 14th 1943

Eastern Front

The Red Army, pursuing its tactics of keeping the Germans on the wrong foot, launched a major attack on Nevel, in Byelorussia. The Germans abandoned some positions in the face of an assault by six divisions and two tank corps. Meanwhile, south of Kiev, General Konev's men stormed Cherkassy, the German stronghold on the west bank of the Dnieper, and were nearing Smyela, the vital junction 16 miles south-west of Cherkassy. The Germans were in full retreat, being harried from the air by Sturmoviks. One of the reasons for the defeat of the German 8.Armee at Cherkassy was the transfer of many of its tanks to von Manstein's attempt to retake Kiev. At first successful, this attempt inflicted many casualties on General Vatutin's First Ukrainian Front, but was halted by mud and Vatutin's artillery 25 miles from the Ukrainian capital. General Hoth was sacked for his failure to take Kiev. The Germans wre also active attacking and capturing Radomyshl (near Malin). Now, both sides were gathering men and guns for the winter offensive which was bound to follow once the frost has hardened the ground.

Italian Campaign

In Italy, the Canadian Royal 22nd Regiment began a one-hour artillery barrage of German positions, in preparation for an attack toward Casa Berardi. South of Ortona, C Company of the Canadian Royal 22nd Regiment captured Casa Berardi overlooking The Gully at the south-west end, allowing firing on German positions in The Gully.

Photo: A Sherman tank of 'B' Squadron, Warwickshire Yeomanry, passing Indian infantry in Frisa, 14 December 1943

Photo: Indian troops of 6th Royal Frontier Force Rifles in a Universal carrier in the village of Frisa, 14 December 1943

In Italy, medium bombers hit Orte, concentrating on the marshalling yard; light bombers attacked road bridge SW of Pontecorvo in front of US Fifth Army lines; P-40 fighter-bombers hit bridges S of Roccasecca and E of Atina; A-36s destroyed a bridge at Ceprano and bombed railroad yards, the town area, and highway at Sora, and docks and town area of Civitavecchia.

Battle of the Atlantic

Naval Air Facility, Maceio, Brazil, is established.

Battle of the Mediterranean

150+ B-17s and B-24s, with fighter escorts, bombed Greece. The B-24s hit the Tatoi air depot at Athens; the B-17s hit the Kalamaki and Eleusis air depots at Athens and the docks and shipping at Piraeus. The heavy bombers claimed 10 fighters shot down.

Pacific War

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Seventh Air Force): 16 B-24's, flying out of bases in the Ellice , bomb Maloelap Atoll in the Marshall

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 13 B-25's, with fighter escort, bomb Shasi; 2 P-40's strafe supply trucks S of Tengchung. 6 P-40's on armed reconnaissance strafe Gia Lam Airfield and railroad yard in French Indochina.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): SOLOMON ISLANDS: Eighteen USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-24s, with fighter support, bomb positions on Sohano Island while 18 B-25s and eight fighters hit Manob village east of Buka Passage.

Other Thirteenth Air Force fighters hit gun positions, communications targets, and other targets of opportunity at scattered points in the Bougainville-Shortland areas and cover USN SBDs strikes against antiaircraft positions in Chabai area on Bougainville Island. Sixteen USMC TBFs attack reverse slope targets that cannot be hit by artillery. The TBFs, guided by smoke, attack a 150 yard by 50 yard area from 700 feet. About 180 of the 192 100-pound bombs strike the target area but they do not dislodge the Japanese defenders.

At Lambu Lambu Cove, Vella Lavella Island, a faulty fuel pump ignites a gasoline dump that in turn explodes an ammunition dump. The resultant fire destroys motor torpedo boat PT-239

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): In the heaviest raid to date in the Southwest Pacific Area, 228 B-24's, B-25's, and A-20's bomb Arawe in an almost continuous attack from 0645 to 1548 hours; P-39's strafe barges along the Huon Peninsula. Gasmata is hit by B-25's and B-26's. B-24's on armed reconnaissance hit Saidor, Gasmata and Unea.

AUSTRALIA

Final plans for the operation against Cape Gloucester, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, are made. It is decided not to use airborne troops as planned.

PACIFIC

Submarine Herring (SS-233) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Hakozaki Maru, 33°01'N, 124°01'E.

This is my mod color, when its this color, you know

lordroel
Administrator

Posts: 68,066

Likes: 49,466

World War II in real time Dec 15, 2022 3:50:02 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Dec 15, 2022 3:50:02 GMT

Day 1555 of World War II, December 15th 1943

Air War over Europe

4 RAF Mosquitos flew to Bochum and 4 to Leverkusen, 3 RCM sorties. No losses.

The Ninth Air Force comes under operational control of the AEAF. A new directive for tactical bomber operations lists reduction of enemy fighter forces as the basic objective. A Ninth Air Force planning staff, composed of officers who have had service with the Chief of Staff, Supreme Allied Commander (COSSAC), is set up in London.

Italian Campaign

The US 5th Army advanced toward San Pietro and Nomte Lungo, attacking along the length of the Reinhard Line. Sixteen American tanks attempted to advance into San Pietro. A few hours later, four surviving tanks withdrew. Seven were destroyed, five immobilized. The newly arrived Free French 1st Moroccan Division performed well in its combat debut; the Moroccan troops secured the San Michel Pass, but the Germans put up strong resistance. US II Corps began an attack toward Montte Lungo and San Pietro. Hollywood director John Huston, serving as a US Army lieutenant, filmed the battle. The US VI Corps were also advancing.

Map: Final Allied assault on and through the first segment of the German Winter Line at San Pietro Infine 15 December 1943

Photo: General Montgomery in his staff car with General Sir Harold Alexander and General Sir Alan Brooke, during an inspection of 8th Indian Division HQ, 15 December 1943

B-17s with P-38 and P-47 escorts, bombed marshalling yards at Bolzano, Italy and Innsbruck, Austria. B-24s, with P-38 escort, attack Avisio, Italy viaduct. All targets suffered considerable damage. B-25s and A-20s bombed roads at Pontecorvo and N of Frosinone; fighter-bombers blasted gun positions along the US Fifth Army front.

Photo: 3.7-inch anti-aircraft gun of 242 Battery, 51st (London) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment in action in the field artillery role, 15 December 1943

Battle of the Mediterranean

In Yugoslavia, B-25s bombed the airfield at Mostar and A-36 and P-40 fighter-bombers attacked vessels, vehicles, and parked aircraft N and E of the Peljesac Peninsula, near Mostar, and at the Zemonico landing ground.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer esccort USS Donaldson (DE-44) underway in Puget Sound, Washington (USA), on 15 December 1943

Pacific War

CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Seventh Air Force): 20 B-24's from Nanumea in the Ellice , hit Maloelap Atoll in the Marshalls. 10, staging from Canton in the Phoenix through Baker, bomb Wotje Atoll. 1 B-24 is lost on Maloelap Atoll raid; 2 enemy fighters are claimed destroyed.

INDIA

Eastern Air Command (EAC), a combined US-British air command, is formed under Lieutenant General George E Stratemeyer (USAAF), with Air Vice Marshall Thomas M Williams (RAF) as Assistant Commander. HQ, at New Delhi, will control all operational air units in Assam and Burma which presently make up the USAAF Tenth Air Force and RAF Bengal Air Command. Major components of EAC are to be the Third Tactical Air Force under Air Marshall Sir John E Baldwin (RAF), Strategic Air Force under Brigadier General Howard C Davidson (USAAF), Troop Carrier Command under Brigadier General William D Old (USAAF), and Photo Reconnaissance Force under Group Captain (= USAAF Colonel) Stewart G Wise (RAF). The Strategic Air Force and Troop Carrier Command are activated on this date, the former having headquarters at Belvedere Palace, Calcutta and the latter at Comilla.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

In Northeast New Guinea, Lakona, 15 miles north of Finschhafen, is captured by Australian forces. The road from Lae to Nadzab is completed.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 25 P-40's strafe parked aircraft, trucks, and several buildings at Pailochi; at least 3 enemy airplanes are destroyed; 2 B-25's on a sea sweep over the Gulf of Tonkin claim 1 ocean going tug sunk; 16 P-40's on armed reconnaissance strafe the towns of Owchihkow and Shihshow; 6 others attack the town of Luchiangpa and villages in the area.

BURMA

In the north, the 1st Battalion, of 114th Infantry Regiment, Chinese 38th Infantry Division, tries unsuccessfully to relieve the isolated 1st Battalion, 112th Infantry Regiment. After the attack, the Japanese return to their previous positions, which they proceed to strengthen.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): 21 B-24's strike Sohano ; 6 B-25's hit installations in the Numa Numa-Arigua area; 23 B-25's and 16 fighters attack Buka , causing heavy damage in the Chinatown area; P-40's destroy bridge at Runai. Numerous targets of opportunity are attacked by AAF aircraft, operating individually and in small flights, on armed reconnaissance over Bougainville and other N Solomons areas.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): As a preliminary to the main invasion of New Britain in the Bismarck Archipelago, US forces under command of Brigadier General Julian W Cunningham land on the W coast of the Arawe Peninsula on New Britain about 0700 local following a naval and air bombardment; B-25's pound villages in the Arawe area; B-24's bomb Cape Gloucester while P-39's strafe barges at Reiss Point. B-25's hit 2 freighters on Timor in the Sunda. The 39th Fighter Squadron, 35th Fighter Group, transfers from Port Moresby's 14 Mile Drome to Nadzab, New Guinea with P-47's.

NEW BRITAIN CAMPAIGN

Operation Dexterity opens when, as a preliminary to the main invasion of New Britain Island, USN Task Force 76 (Rear Adm Daniel E. Barbey) lands Task Force DIRECTOR, the 112th Cavalry Regiment (Special) reinforced under command of Brigadier General Julian W. Cunningham, USA, on the coast of Arawe Peninsula about 0700 hours local, after naval gunfire and aerial bombardment. Scattered opposition on the peninsula is overcome without difficulty. Before the main landing, cavalrymen try in vain to make surprise landings at Umtingalu, on the mainland east of the peninsula, and on Pilelo islet.

Map: Map of the Allied landings in the Arawe area of New Britain on 15 December 1943

Despite alerted Japanese forces, Troop B succeeds in landing on Pilelo and quickly clears it. Japanese planes are active against troops and shipping, attacking at frequent intervals during this and the next few days. Plans to use Arawe as a base for light naval forces never materialize, nor is the site used as an air base. The plan for the Cape Gloucester landing is amended to increase the size of initial assault force and limit the objective of the secondary landing.

Photo: Troopers of the 112th Cavalry wade ashore at Arawe as Marine LVTs carry in supplies on 15 December 1943 - Operation Dexterity

SOLOMON ISLANDS CAMPAIGN

Army Major General Oscar Griswold, Commanding General XIV Corps, relieves Marine Major General Roy Geiger, Commanding General I Amphibious Corps, of responsibility for the Bougainville beachhead, where the final defensive perimeter is virtually secure, although the 21st Marine Regiment, 3d Marine Division, is still clearing the heights near the beachhead.

Twenty one USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-24s strike Sohano Island. On Bougainville, six B-25s hit installations in the Numa Numa-Arigua area; 23 B-25s and 16 fighters attack Buka Island, causing heavy damage in the Chinatown area; and P-40s destroy a bridge at Runai. Numerous targets of opportunity are attacked by USAAF aircraft, operating individually and in small flights, on armed reconnaissance over Bougainville and other northern Solomons areas.

PACIFIC

Naval Operating Base, Treasury Island, Solomons, is established.

Destroyer escort Harveson (DE-316) is damaged in collision with U.S. merchantman William T. Barry, 36°47'N, 74°33'W.

USAAF aircraft sink Japanese cargo ship Senko Maru in Gulf of Tonkin, 21°05'N, 108°30'E.

RAAF Beaufighters sink Japanese army cargo ship Wakatsu Maru; and Dutch B-25s sink cargo ship Genmei Maru off Timor.

This is my mod color, when its this color, you know

lordroel
Administrator

Posts: 68,066

Likes: 49,466

World War II in real time Dec 16, 2022 8:08:47 GMT stevep likes this

Post by lordroel on Dec 16, 2022 8:08:47 GMT

Day 1556 of World War II, December 16th 1943

Eastern Front

The Soviet attacks continued as Novoseltsy, southeast of Cherkassy was captured.

Air War over Europe

47 RAF aircraft - 26 Stirlings, 12 Mosquitos, 9 Lancasters - carried out raids on 2 flying-bomb sites near Abbeville. Neither raid was successful. The larger raid, by the Stirlings on the Tilley-le-Haut site, failed because the Oboe Mosquito markers could not get any closer than 450 yards from the small target. The 9 Lancasters of 617 Squadron which attacked the second site, in a wood at Flixecourt, dropped their 12,000lb bombs accurately on the markers placed by the only Oboe Mosquito operating at this target but the markers were 350 yards from the flying-bomb site and none of the 617 Squadron bombs were more than l00 yards from the markers. No aircraft lost.

483 RAF Lancasters and 10 Mosquitos flew on a main raid to Berlin and 5 further Mosquitos dropped decoy fighter flares south of Berlin. The bomber route again led directly to Berlin across Holland and Northern Germany and there were no major diversions. The German controllers plotted the course of the bombers with great accuracy; many German fighters were met at the coast of Holland and further fighters were guided on to the bomber stream throughout the approach to the target. More fighters were waiting at the target and there were many combats. The bombers shook off the opposition on the return flight by taking a northerly route over Denmark. 25 Lancasters, 5.2 per cent of the Lancaster force, were lost. Many further aircraft were lost on returning to England. Berlin was cloud-covered but the Pathfinder skymarking was reasonably accurate and much of the bombing fell in the city. In the city centre, the National Theatre and the building housing Germany's military and political archives were both destroyed. The damage to the Berlin railway system and to rolling stock, and the large numbers of people still leaving the city, were having a cumulative effect upon the transportation of supplies to the Russian Front; 1,000 wagon-loads of war material were held up for 6 days. The sustained bombing had now made more than a quarter of Berlin's total living accommodation unusable. On their return to England, many of the bombers encountered very low cloud at their bases. The squadrons of 1, 6 and No 8 Groups were particularly badly affected. 29 Lancasters (and a Stirling from the minelaying operation) either crashed or were abandoned when their crews parachuted. The group with heaviest losses was No 1 Group with 13 aircraft lost; the squadron with heaviest losses was 97 Squadron, No 8 Group, with 7 aircraft lost. Major Scnaufer of NJG 1 destroyed 4 of the bombers, including the 'Master of Ceremonies' - the lead bomber that guided the bomber streams. Hptm. Manfred Meuer of I./NJG 1 destroyed 2 bombers.

2 Beaufighters and 2 Mosquitos of 141 Squadron, recently transferred from RAF Fighter Command to No 100 Group, inaugurated Bomber Command's Serrate operations in patrols near the routes of the Berlin raid. (Serrate was a device which homed on to the radar emissions of a German night fighter.) 1 Mosquito made contact with an Me110 and damaged it with cannon-fire. The crew of this first successful Bomber Command Serrate patrol was Squadron Leader FF Lambert and Flying Officer K Dear.

US VIII Bomber Command Mission 156: the port area at Bremen, Germany was the target. 402 of 479 B-17s, 133 of 141 B-24s and 10 of 11 PFF aircraft hit the target and claimed 18-11-11 Luftwaffe aircraft; 10 B-17s wer lost; 2 B-17s and 2 B-24s were damaged beyond repair; 128 B-17s, 22 B-24s and 5 PFF aircraft were damaged. The mission was escorted by 31 P-38s, 131 P-47s and 39 Ninth Air Force P-51s; they claimed 2-0-0 Luftwaffe aircraft; 1 P-47 was lost, 1 P-38 was damaged beyond repair and 1 P-38 damaged; casualties were 1 KIA and 1 MIA.

Italian Campaign

Two battalions of the US 142nd Infantry Division captured Monte Lungo, leaving San Pietro exposed; the Germans launched strong counter-attacks to mask their withdrawal.

Photo: Men of the 5th Royal West Kents in an olive grove, 16 December 1943

After having sunk a merchant ship from convoy GUS-24, near Oran, 'U-73' was sunk herself by depth charges and gunfire from destroyers USS 'Woolsey' (DD-437, Gleaves class) and USS 'Trippe' (DD-403, Benham class). There were 34 survivors from the crew of 50, including the commanding officer, Helmut Rosenbaum.

A basic directive for IX Bomber Command training is issued on this date. Since most of IX Bomber Command's combat units have been operational for some time earlier under the VIII Air Support Command, extensive training will not begin until after the first of the year when inexperienced units begin to arrive.

In Italy, B-24s attacked a railroad bridge and tunnel at Dogna and the railroad between Dogna and Chiusaforte; escorting P-38s strafed trains and oil tanks between Portogruaro and Latisana; B-17s, escorted by P-38s and P-47s, bombed the Padua marshalling yard and rail junction; rail lines, rolling stock, and buildings were damaged extensively. A-20s attacked gun positions near Mignano; P-40s and A-36s hit gun batteries and strongpoints along the British Eighth Army front S and E of Chieti, gun emplacements and troop concentrations all along the US Fifth Army front, especially NE and S of Cassino, and also bombed Roccasecca and docks at Civitavecchia. The fighters of JG 27 lost Fw. Ernst Hackl of 12./JG 27 (8 kills) after a flight against the Allies.

Battle of the Atlantic

U.S. freighter Blue Jacket, mistaken for a German blockade runner while proceeding toward her destination of Cardiff, Wales, is engaged in a running surface gunnery action by three British frigates. Armed Guard gunfire keeps the "friendly" ships at bay, saving the American merchantman. Once the mistake is realized, one of the Allied warships provides medical assistance; of the 56 merchant seamen and 33 Armed Guards, only seven men are injured. There are no fatalities.

U.S. tanker McDowell, en route from New York to Aruba, N.W.I., is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-516at 13°08'N, 70°02'W. Later that day, U.S. tanker Fairfax rescues 63 survivors; motor minesweeper YMS-56 picks up eight. Two of the 45-man merchant complement drown in the abandonment; a third dies subsequently of injuries. There are no casualties to the 28-man Armed Guard.

Battle of the Mediterranean

In Yugoslavia, B-25s bombed shipping at Zara and the harbor and marshalling yard at Sibenik; P-40s and P-47s hit a vessel S of Zara and strafed targets of opportunity on the Peljesac Peninsula.

North Africa

Photo: Hundreds of captured enemy armoured vehicles near El Alamein wait to be broken up for scrap metal, 16 December 1943. In the foreground, a line-up of PzKpfw III tanks

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy internal combustion engine repair ship USS Mindanao (ARG-3) at Norfolk, Virginia (USA), on 16 December 1943, wearing Camouflage Measure 32, Design 1F

Photo: Launch of the U.S. Navy escort carrier USS Marcus Island (CVE-77) at Kaiser Shipyards, Vancouver, Washington (USA), on 16 December 1943

Pacific War

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 9 B-25's and 11 P-40's hit the NW part of Owchihkow; 4 B-25's on sweeps over the S China Sea damage freighter S of Nampang , bomb Tunguan docks, and shoot down 1 bomber; 15 P-40's on armed reconnaissance strafe Pailochi Airfield; 11 others strafe boats in channels N of Nanhsien; 6 P-38's strafe a troop train near Changanyi and attack 25 sampans (destroying most of them) on the Yangtze River just above Huangtang Lake.

SOUTH PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Thirteenth Air Force): In the Solomon, 14 B-24's bomb Monoitu on Bougainville . Smaller flights of B-24's bomb Poporang and Sohano , and dispersal areas at Bonis Airfield on Bougainville. 5 B-25's, with fighter cover, hit Sankau. RNZAF Ventura's attack targets on Green and in the Mawareka, Marveiropa, and Mamaregu areas. Fighter aircraft support USN dive bomber strikes on Sohano and gun positions at Bonis and afterwards strafe targets of opportunity at several points on Bougainville. The 67th Fighter Squadron, 347th FG, which has been operating from New Georgia with P-39's since Oct 43, returns to it's base on Woodlark.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS

(Fifth Air Force): Lost on a mission against Gasmata is B-24D 42-41043. B-24's hit Cape Gloucester Airfield. On New Guinea, B-25's hit Sio and Kelana Harbor and P-40's hit Timoeka. HQ 348th FG transfers from Port Moresby to Finschhafen, New Guinea. The 9th Fighter Squadron, 49th FG, transfers from Dobodura to Gusap with P-47's.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

In the Ramu Valley, a patrol of the Australian 2/33rd Battalion, 25th Brigade, 7th Division, finds Japanese troops on the highest pinnacle of the 5800 Feature, 5 miles NE of Kesawai, and withdraw as the artillery fires 120 rounds. By 1700 hours, the Japanese withdraw. In the Huon Peninsula, the Australian 29th/46th Battalion, 4th Brigade, reaches Lakona. The battalion advanced a little over 1 mile in the last six days.

JAPANESE OCCUPIED NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES

Australian Beaufighters sink a Japanese cargo ship at Lautem, Portugese Timor.

NEW BRITAIN CAMPAIGN

Six Ki-49 Helens of the 9th Sentai take off to attack Arawe, but are intercepted over Cape Gloucester. Five are shot down, the last Ki-49 Helen 3297 force lands at Cape Gloucester.

PACIFIC

Submarine Flying Fish (SS-229) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Ginyo Maru southwest of the Ryukyus, 22°18'N, 119°52'E.

USAAF B-24 sinks small Japanese cargo vessel No.6 Heiei Maru 150 miles northeast of Wewak.

This is my mod color, when its this color, you know

Gallery Title:
Image URL:
Image Title:
Comment:
Tick this box if you would like to allow other members to add images to your gallery.Add Image

alternate-timelines.com

title

World War II in real time

Post by lordroel on Dec 2, 2022 7:13:09 GMT

Post by lordroel on Dec 3, 2022 15:01:36 GMT

Post by lordroel on Dec 4, 2022 8:34:22 GMT

Post by lordroel on Dec 5, 2022 3:48:22 GMT

Post by lordroel on Dec 6, 2022 3:57:53 GMT

Post by lordroel on Dec 7, 2022 3:48:32 GMT

Post by lordroel on Dec 8, 2022 3:48:04 GMT

Post by lordroel on Dec 9, 2022 6:40:13 GMT

Post by lordroel on Dec 10, 2022 14:55:26 GMT

Post by lordroel on Dec 11, 2022 8:11:09 GMT

Post by lordroel on Dec 12, 2022 4:06:57 GMT

Post by lordroel on Dec 13, 2022 3:47:14 GMT

Post by lordroel on Dec 14, 2022 3:48:40 GMT

Post by lordroel on Dec 15, 2022 3:50:02 GMT

Post by lordroel on Dec 16, 2022 8:08:47 GMT