World War II in real time

Day 1920 of World War II, December 13th 1944

Eastern Front

Forward elements of the Red Army's Second Ukrainian Front thrust to within 6 miles (9,7 kilometers) northeast and 8 miles (13 kilometers) east of Budapest.

Western Front (1944) - Liberation of France

Map: HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map, December 13th 1944



The U.S. Third Army III Corps accepts the surrender of last of the Metz forts--Jeanne d'Arc. In the XII Corps area, the 35th Infantry Division strengthens its hold across the Blies River; the 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, undergoes German counterattacks in Habkirchen, beginning early in morning, and is forced back toward the river; the 3d Battalion joins in the battle for Habkirchen; a battalion of the 320th Infantry Regiment crosses the Blies River at Bliesbruck and takes Hill 321; a small force from the 137th Infantry Regiment crosses north of Habkirchen but is pinned down.

In the U.S. Seventh Army's XV Corps area, the 44th Infantry Division begins a struggle for Fort Simershof, near Hottviller, which is barring the forward movement. In the VI Corps area, the 14th Armored Division attacks between the 103d and 79th Infantry Divisions, Combat Command A taking Soultz-sous- Forets. The 79th Infantry Division completes the capture of Seltz and overruns Niederroedern.

Western Front (1944) - Liberation of the Netherlands

The British Second Army starts regrouping for an offensive to clear the region between the Maas and the Rhine Rivers. XXX Corps, which will at first be employed, turns over its sector and troops to XII Corps.

During the day, 13 RAF aircraft attack the German E-boat pens at Ijmuiden.

Western Front (1944) - Siegfried Line campaign

In the U.S. Ninth Army's XIX Corps, area, the 30th Infantry Division, in limited attacks, clears most of region between Inde and Roer Rivers.

In the U.S. First Army's VII Corps area, the 104th Infantry Division reaches the Roer River on a 4-mile (6,4 kilometer) front. The 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, finishes clearing Derichsweiler. This virtually ends the current mission of the corps. The V Corps opens an offensive for the Roer and Urft dams, employing the 78th Infantry Division (untried as yet in combat), 2d Infantry Division, and 99th Infantry Division. The 78th Infantry Division is held up near Kesternich. the 2d Infantry Division is slowed by obstacles and German fire in the center of corps. The 99th Infantry Division attacks in Monschau Forest and gains preliminary objectives.

The U.S. Third Army draws up plans for an air-ground assault on the West Wall. In the XX Corps area, the 90th Infantry Division prepares for an all-out effort to take the rest of Dillingen on 15 December, regrouping and building up supplies. The 95th Infantry Division makes very slight progress in the Saarlautern bridgehead, although elements of the 2d Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, are committed with the 377th Infantry Regiment to guard the bridge.

Air War over Europe

In the Kattegat, the broad arm of the North Sea between Sweden and Denmark, ten RAF Bomber Command lay mines during the night of 13/14 December.

Two hundred fifty USAAF Ninth Air Force A-20 Havocs, A-26 Invaders, and B-26s hit a supply dump at Schleiden, plus defended positions in several villages and marshalling yard at Euskirchen. Fighters escort the 9th Bombardment Division, fly night bombing missions, attack targets in the Cologne area, and support the XX Corps in the Dillengen-Saarlaute rn bridgehead area, and the XII Corps in the Habkirchen-Bliesbru ck area along the Blies River on France.

In the U.S. Fifth Army's British XIII Corps area, the 61st Brigade of the 6th Armoured Division gets additional elements into Tossignano. The 36th Brigade of the 78th Division begins an attack for Parocchia di Mt. Maggiore, during the night of 13/14 December, but is unable to reach the top and withdraws at dawn.

Italian campaign

In the British Eighth Army's Canadian I Corps area, the 1st Division maintains a bridgehead across the Naviglio Canal against severe German counterattacks.

Weather again hampers operations. USAAF Twelfth Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers attack mainly occupied areas and buildings in the battle area south of Bologna, communications throughout the central Po River Valley, and coastal defense and antiaircraft guns south of La Spezia.

Arctic naval operations

In the Norwegian Sea, German submarine U-365 is sunk about 247 nautical miles (457 kilometers) north-northwest of Bodø, Norway, in position 70.43N, 08.07E, by depth charges from two British Swordfish Mk. IIIs, aircraft "L" and "Q" of No. 813 Squadron in the British escort aircraft carrier HMS Campania (D 48); all 50 crewmen on the submarine are lost.

German occupied Norway

During the night of 13/14 December, RAF Bomber Command dispatches 52 Lancasters and seven Mosquitos to attack the German cruiser Koln berthed in Oslo Fjord but, when the bombers reach the fjord, the Koln has been moved to another location. Other ships are bombed by 47 aircraft instead but the results are not observed.

Greece

In Liberated Greece... Communist rebels continue their offensive. Fighting is reported in Athens and British reinforcements are engaged against the ELAS forces during the morning.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Bennington (CV-20) painted in Camouflage Measure 32, Design 17A (No. 2), 13 December 1944, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard before going into combat. The new camouflage Design 17A (2) used three colours, the previous scheme Design 17A (1) used six colours



Pacific War

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s severely damage the warehouse area at Hsenwi, Burma. 2 bomb the town of Wuming, China. 24 P-51s and P-38s hit the town of Bac Ninh and the rail yards at Phu Lang Thuong, French Indochina, and damage a bridge at Chiengmai, Thailand. HQ 341st Bombardment Group (Medium) moves from Kunming to Yangkai, China.

BURMA

In the Northern Combat Area Command, the 114th Regiment, Chinese 38th Division, breaks through the northern defenses of Bhamo and is pushing into the central part. In the Tonk-wa area, the U.S. 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special) quickly repels a Japanese attack.

INDIA

Photo: Republic Thunderbolt Mk.II aircraft of No. 261 Squadron RAF lined up at Wangjing airstrip, Manipur, Assam, India, 13 December 1944



INDIA-BURMA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s bomb the storage and personnel area at Mongmit; 7 P-47s damage the approach to the Hay-ti road bridge while 4 support US infantry forces near Tonkwa; supply areas, personnel, Japanese-held buildings, vehicles, and general targets of opportunity are hit by 60+ fighter-bombers at several places including Hosi, Longkin, Kyauktaing, Tigyaing, Kantha, Man Pwe, and Konnyaung. 260+ transport sorties carry men and supplies to forward areas.

SAIPAN

(Seventh Air Force): With most of its personnel aboard the SS Sea Flasher and its equipment aboard the SS Cape Catoche, HQ Seventh AF arrives at Tanapag from Hawaii; the remainder of HQ arrives by air, 14-19 Dec. 15 Guam based B-24s bomb Iwo Jima; 3 from Saipan, on an armed reconnaissance mission, bomb Marcus. During the night of 13/14 Dec, 6 B-24s make individual harassment raids against Iwo Jima from Saipan and Guam.

MARIANA ISLANDS

(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 12: 90 B-29s from the Mariana Islands are dispatched to attack the Mitsubishi aircraft engine plant at Nagoya, Japan; 71 hit the primary target causing considerable damage as bombing accuracy is improved; 9 others hit alternate targets; they claim 4-1-0 Japanese aircraft; 4 B-29s are lost.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

[Far East Air Force]: The 2d Photographic Charting Squadron, 311th Photographic Wing (attached to FEAF), moves from Hollandia, New Guinea to Morotai with F-7s.

JAPANESE OCCUPIED NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES

In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s bomb Haroekoe Drome on Haroekoe Island off Ambon Island; Amahai Airfield on Amahai Island south of Ceram; Old Namlea Airfield on Buru Island; and Liang Airfield on Ambon Island. B-25s, P-38s, and P-47s on small raids hit shore positions at Galela Bay on Galela Island, while covering an attempted rescue of a downed pilot by a PT boat, and bomb the Goeroea supply area in the Moluccas Islands.

PHILIPPINE CAMPAIGN (1944)

In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 32d Infantry Division makes limited progress southward; the southern-most elements are isolated from the main body and out of food. A Japanese counterattack, during the night of 13/14 December, penetrates the command post of the 126th Infantry Regiment. The Japanese are driven back before dawn. The 2d Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, again attempts to take the ridge southeast of Limon but cannot advance. In the XXIV Corps area, the 305th Infantry Regiment, making the main effort of the 77th Infantry Division, is held up in the Cogon area, north of the Antilao River on Highway 2 just north of Ormoc, where the Japanese are strongly entrenched and hold a blockhouse strongpoint.

A special Task Force under Colonel Paul L. Freeman, consisting of Companies E and L, is unable to take the blockhouse by storm. The 306th Infantry Regiment assists the 305th with fire. The 307th Infantry Regiment, on the left flank, drives west along the Ormoc-Linao road and takes Linao. Japanese positions in the Cogon area are shelled during the night of 13/14 December. The 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, starts northeast from Ormoc Bay in an effort to make contact with the 11th Airborne Division moving west.

USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Carolina and Talisay Airfields on Negros Island and B-25s bomb San Roque Airfield on Mindanao Island. Other B-25s and B-24s on reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity in the Sulu Archipelago.

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS Haraden (DD-585) after being hit by a Kamikaze in the Sulu Sea on 13 December 1944, while enroute to the Mindoro invasion. USS Twiggs (DD-591) is alongside rendering assistance. Haraden is painted in Camouflage Measure 31, Design 3D



ALASKA

(Eleventh Air Force): 4 B-25s weather abort a shipping search.

PACIFIC

Japanese suicide planes damage light cruiser Nashville (CL-43), 08°57'N, 123°28'E, and destroyer Haraden (DD-585), 08°40'N, 122°33'E, Mindanao-Negros area.

Submarine Bergall (SS-320) battles Japanese heavy cruiser Myoko off Royalist Bank, South China Sea, 08°09'N, 105°40'E; both ships emerge from the encounter damaged. Although Bergall damages her heavier adversary in that battle off French Indochina, she is hit by a dud 8-inch shell from Myoko and is forced to terminate her patrol.

Submarine Pintado (SS-387) sinks Japanese fast transport T.12 and landing ship T.104 in South China Sea, 19°30'N, 118°40'E. Although Pintado claims her destruction, the third ship in the convoy, landing ship T.106, continues on to Manila.

Day 1922 of World War II, December 15th 1944

Western Front (1944) - Liberation of France

Map: HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map, December 15th 1944



In the U.S. Seventh Army's VI Corps area, Combat Command A of the 14th Armored Division, seizes Riedseltz; Combat Command B takes Salmbach and Schlerthal. One 79th Infantry Division column clears Lauterbourg and another reaches the Lauter River at the village of Schiebenhardt.

The French First Army begins an offensive against the Germans west of the Rhine River in the Colmar area. The II Corps, making the main effort, penetrates to Orbey.

Western Front (1944) - Liberation of the Netherlands

Photo: Mobile Bofors gun of 89th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment at Elst in Holland, 15 December 1944



Western Front (1944) - Siegfried Line campaign

In the U.S. First Army area, V Corps continues to gain ground slowly. The 78th Infantry Division secures Kesternich but the Germans infiltrate in some strength and isolates elements.

Map: Situation on the Western Front as of 15 December 1944



In the U.S. Third Army's XX Corps area, the 90th Infantry Division opens an assault for the rest of Dillingen and the Prims River bridge on the Dillingen-Saarlaute rn road under a smoke screen with the 359th Infantry Regiment on the left and the 358th Infantry Regiment on the right; the attack penetrates the German main line of resistance in the Dillingen sector and gets well into the town. A lull develops after this and the 90th Infantry Division suspends the attack. The 95th Infantry Division continues a slow advance in the Saarlautern bridgehead. In the XII Corps area, the 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, assisted by tanks and tank destroyers, takes Habkirchen; to the left, the 137th Infantry Regiment is driven out of Breiterwald with very heavy losses in a German counterattack. The 87th Infantry Division is also bitterly opposed but the 347th Infantry Regiment takes Obergailbach and the heights overlooking the Blies River.

Air War over Europe

The USAAF Eighth Air Force flies Mission 751: Two B-17s drop leaflets in France and Germany during the night.

During the day, 33 RAF bombers of No. 205 (Heavy Bomber) Group attack tactical targets near Klopat.

During the night of 15/16 December, 13 RAF Bomber Command Lancasters lay mines in the Baltic Sea off Gdynia; one aircraft is lost.

During the day, RAF Bomber Command sends 17 Lancasters to attack the E-boat pens at Ijmuiden with 12,000 pound (5 443 kilogram) "Tallboy" bombs but a smoke-screen hinders the bombing and no results are seen.

The USAAF Eighth Air Force flies Mission 750: 674 B-17s and 434 fighters are dispatched to attack rail targets and a locomotive factory using H2X; one bomber and two fighters are lost: 328 bomb the Hainholz marshalling yard at Hannover with the loss of one B-17; 304 bomb the Henschel locomotive works at Kassel; and 23 bombers hit targets of opportunity.

Over 300 USAAF Ninth Air Force A-20 Havocs, A-26 Invaders, and B-26s hit defended positions, camp area, and oil storage at Heimbach, Wollseifen, Harperscheid, Schonau, Ruthen, and Dorsel; fighters escort the 9th Bombardment Division, hit supply and ammunition dumps and other targets during bombing attacks and armed reconnaissance, and support the U.S. 2d and 99th Infantry Divisions in the area of Westwall fortifications, the 78th Infantry Division at Kesternich, and the 8th Infantry and 5th Armored Divisions north of Kesternich. Fighters also support the XX and XII Corps in the Dillingen-Saarlaute rn area and at Habkirchen and heights along the Blies River.

The USAAF Fifteenth Air Force hits three marshalling yards (M/Ys): 56 bomb the Amstetten M/Y, 47 attack the Main M/Y at Rosenheim and 21 hit the Main M/Y at Salzburg.

During the day, RAF Bomber Command dispatches 138 Lancasters to bomb Siegen but the are recalled because bad weather prevents their fighter escorts from taking off.

During the night 15/16 December, RAF Bomber Command sends 327 Lancasters and 14 Mosquitos to attack Ludwigshafen; 319 bomb the target with the loss of one Lancaster. The target area for this raid is the northern part of Ludwigshafen and the small town of Oppau in which two important I.G. Farben chemical factories were situated. Severe damage is caused and fierce fires are started. The Oppau factory ceases production completely. Five other industrial firms are also badly hit. Some damage is also caused to housing areas around the various factories but this is not serious. Damage is also caused to installations and ships at the nearby Rhine quays. Mosquitoes also hit three other targets: 57 bomb Hannover, 11 hit Osnabruck and three attack the Bruckhausen benzine oil refinery at Duisburg.

Italian campaign

In the British Eighth Army area, the Polish II Corps pushes forward on l the eft flank of the army across the Sintria River toward the Senio River. In the British V Corps area, the Germans struggle to prevent the encirclement of Faenza, exerting strong pressure on New Zealand forces in the Colic area and bringing the Indian 10th Division to a halt short of Pergola during the day but withdrawing, during the night of 15/16 December. The Canadian I Corps joins and consolidates bridgeheads across the Naviglio Canal north of Faenza and spends the next few days improving the bridgehead.

USAAF Twelfth Air Force B-25s, attack ammunition dumps at Cremona, Bologna, and Pavia, a fuel dump at Castellar Guidobono, and severely damage railway bridges south of Asti and at Voghera. Fighters and fighter-bombers again hit targets in the U.S. Fifth Army battle area south of Bologna and communications in the central Po River Valley and make numerous rail cuts throughout the area (especially on the vital Brenner Line) destroying many vehicles and train cars. Several bridges are hit, three being left impassable.

Battle of the Atlantic

Command designated Naval Forces Germany (Admiral Robert L. Ghormley) is established with headquarters at Rosneath, Scotland.

United Kingdom

Major Alton Glenn Miller, s/n 0505273, Director of the USAAF band, aboard a Noorduyn UC-64A Norseman aircraft, disappears. Miller, age 40, Is en route from RAF Twinwood Farm, Bedfordshire, England, to Paris, France, to arrange a Christmas show for the troops in France. It Is raining and the temperature is 34 degrees F (1.1 degrees C) when the aircraft takes off with three people aboard, the pilot, Flight Officer Johnny Morgan, Miller and Lieutenant Colonel Norman F. Baesell who is flying to Paris in General Goodrich's private plane so that Baesell can pick up some champagne for the holidays. The UC-64A, a single engine, high-wing monoplane that could carry nine people, does not have deicing equipment. Although overage, and therefore draft exempt, Glenn Miller joined the Army in late 1942, was transferred to the USAAF, and went on to lead one of the greatest bands of the swing era.

United States

Admiral William D. Leahy, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), is promoted to the (five star) rank of Fleet Admiral.

The newly created five start rank of "General of the Army" is awarded to General MacArthur, Eisenhower, Arnold and Marshall.

The USAAF activates Headquarters, Continental Air Force (CAF) at Bolling Field, Washington, D.C., to coordinate the work of the four domestic air forces (First, Second, Third and Fourth) and the I Troop Carrier Command but will not assume jurisdiction until 8 May 1945. On 21 March 1946, CAF is redesignated Strategic Air Command (SAC).

Pacific War

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): 6 B-25s blast a storage building at Kunlong, China. 5 P-51s hit and damage a bridge and a building S of Huizan, Thailand. 4 P-38s knock out a bridge at Hawng Luk, Burma.

INDIA-BURMA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 10 B-25s destroy the Hsipaw railroad bridge and a bypass bridge at Namhkai and damage other bridges at Namhkai; 4 P-47s severely damage 2 bridges at Ho-hko; 7 P-47s fly close support strikes along the Namh-Kam-Bhamo road.

13 P-47s hit Lashio Airfield; town areas, troop concentrations, and supply areas are attacked at Panglong, Nanponpon, Panghkam, Kinu, Man Hpai, and Namhkam; a steady air movement of men and supplies to forward bases and frontline areas continues. The 2d Fighter Squadron (Commando), 2d Air Commando Group, arrives at Kalaikunda, India from the US with P-51s (first mission is 14 Feb 45).

BURMA

In the Northern Combat Area Command area, the Japanese garrison of Bhamo escapes through Chinese lines early in morning and the relief force south of the town begins to disengage. The Chinese 38th Division moves into Bhamo. The Chinese Army in India (CAI) and Yunnan Force (Y-Force) are only 50 air miles apart. The 112th Regiment, Chinese 38th Division, which was recently withdrawn from the Bhamo battle, is driving on Namhkam. Elements of the U.S. 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special) move from the Mo-hlaing to the Tonk-wa area.

In the British Fourteenth Army area, XV Corps makes rapid strides on the Arakan front. The West African 82d Division takes Buthidaung and establishes a bridgehead across the Kalapanzin River.
AAFPOA (Seventh Air Force): 13 B-24s from Guam bomb Iwo Jima. During the night of 15/16 Dec, a B-24 on a snooper raid from Guam hits Iwo Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

HQ 310th Bombardment Wing (Medium) moves from Leyte Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island, Philippine Islands; the 36th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, Fifth AF, arrives are Hollandia, New Guinea from the US with F-5s (first mission is 25 Mar 45); the 341st Fighter Squadron, 348th FG, moves from Tacloban to Tanauan, with P-47s; the ground echelon of the 418th Night Fighter Squadron, Thirteenth AF, arrives at San Jose from Dulag (air echelon is on Morotai with P-61s.)

JAPANESE OCIPIED NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES

USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25 Mitchells hit airfields on Ceram and Ambon Islands. Miscellaneous armed reconnaissance and light raids by fighters and bombers are flown against airfields on Boeroe and Halmahera Islands. Shipping and other targets of opportunity are attacked at several points throughout the Netherlands East Indies.

PHILIPPINE CAMPAIGN (1944)

The Western Visayan Task Force invades Mindoro Island at 0735 hours local after a preparatory bombardment. The 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, lands between Caminawit Point and San Agustin; the reinforced 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, less Company C, on the beach fronting San Agustin; Company, 503d, across the river mouth from San Agustin. From San Agustin, the 3d Battalion, 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment drives inland about 8 miles to final the beachhead line, securing the airstrip, sugar plant, and village of San Jose without opposition. The 19th Infantry Regiment also drives inland to the final beachhead line, the only contact with the Japanese being made at Caminawit Point. The Western Visayan Task Force suffers no casualties.

Photo: USS LST-919 USS LST-922 and USS LST-990 beached at Mindoro Island, P.I., 15 December 1944, unloading supplies and equipment



In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte Island, the 1st Squadron ( ) of 12th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) starts west toward Highway 2, reaching previously a selected drop area, a banana plantation about 1,800 yards E of Lonoy; the rest of the regiment joins the 1st Squadron there by 17 December. In the XXIV Corps area, with the port of Ormoc sealed off, the 77th Infantry Division pauses to consolidate. The 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, makes contact with the 11th Airborne Division's 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Company G of which enters its lines. Company G has been isolated for four days. It is decided to withdraw the 1st and 3d Battalions of the 32d Infantry Regiment to clear pockets in the Ormoc area and let the 2d Battalion continue eastward to establish contact with the rest of 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment force.

In major strikes of the day, USAAF Far East Air Forces fighter-bombers hit a fuel dump at San Fernando on Negros Island; B-24 Liberators and B-25 Mitchells bomb Sasa and San Roque Airfields on Mindanao Island; and B-24 Liberators bomb Puerto Princesa on Palawan Island.

Photo: Aerial photo of the former U.S. Naval station, Olongapo, taken from a USS Hancock (CV-19) plane on 15 December 1944. The large ship is the Oryoku Maru, sunk in Subic Bay by U.S. Third Fleet planes on 16 December



TG 78.3 (Rear Admiral Arthur D. Struble) lands Army forces on southwest coast of Mindoro under cover of carrier-based aircraft (Rear Admiral Felix B. Stump). Mindoro operation, conceived and undertaken to secure an all-weather airfield to support large-scale landings on Luzon, is regarded as a hazardous venture deep into Japanese-controlled waters. Tank landing ships LST-472 and LST-738, damaged by kamikazes off southern tip of Mindoro, 12°19'N, 121°05'E, are scuttled by destroyer Hall (DD-583). Elsewhere off Mindoro, suiciders damage escort carrier Marcus Island (CVE-77); destroyers Paul Hamilton (DD-590) and Howorth (DD-592), 12°19'N, 121°02'E; and motor torpedo boat PT-223, 12°19'N, 121°05'E.

Photo: The U.S. Navy destroyer USS La Vallette (DD-448) looses a salvo against the "White Beach" landing area on Mindoro, Philippines, in December 1944



Photo: The U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Portland (CA-33) moves into position off Mindoro, just prior to the opening of the D-Day barrage, 15 December 1944. Note her camouflage scheme: Measure 32, Design 7d



TF 38 planes sink Japanese landing ship T.106, which had escaped destruction by submarine Pintado (SS-387) on 12 December 1944, in South China Sea off Luzon, 15°30'N, 119°50'E, and damage Coast Defense Vessel No.54 north of Calayan Island, Luzon Channel, 19°25'N, 121°25'E.

Photo: USS Hancock (CV-19) underway on 15 December 1944, during operations in the Philippines area



AUSTRALIA

Sir Frederick Geoffrey Shedden, Australian Secretary of the Department of Defence, writes to U.S. General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacific, asking why Australian troops are not being used in the Philippines and claiming that "Australian opinion considered it a point of honour for their troops to be used in such operations."

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

The USN's Battleships Pacific Fleet command is divided into two battleship squadrons. Battleship Squadron ONE is commanded by Vice Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf and Battleship Squadron TWO Vice Admiral Willis A. "Ching" Lee.

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 205, DECEMBER 15, 1944

Aircraft from carriers of the United States Pacific Fleet destroyed 133 Japanese airplanes on and over Luzon in strikes against air installations on that island on December V and 14 (West Longitude Date). These planes are in addition to those reported in communiqué 204. In addition 90 more enemy aircraft were strafed and bombed on the ground.

Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed in­stallations on the airstrips of Iwo Jima in the Volcanos on December 12. This attack is in addition to the attack reported in communiqué 204.

On the following day Strategic Air Force bombers struck at the same targets. A single enemy fighter attacked our aircraft and was shot down.

PACIFIC

Miscellaneous auxiliary Argonne (AG-31) is damaged by explosion of depth charge accidentally dropped by submarine chaser SC-702, Kossol Roads, Palaus.

Submarine Dragonet (SS-293) is damaged when she runs aground 12,000 yards off Japanese seaplane base, Matsuwa Island, Kurils.

Submarine Hawkbill (SS-366) sinks Japanese destroyer Momo west of Luzon, 16°40'N, 117°42'E.

Day 1924 of World War II, December 17th 1944

Western Front (1944) - Battle of the Bulge

Map: HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map, December 17th 1944



Eisenhower releases the US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions from AEF reserve to reinforce American troops in the Ardennes. Other infantry and armored forces from US 12th Army Group are also being redeployed to meet the German offensive. Meanwhile, German forces capture 9000 Americans at Echternach, on the extreme right flank of the attack. Soldiers of the 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich kill some 71 American POWs near Malmedy.

Photo: Panzergrenadiers of the 1st SS Panzer Division look through abandoned American equipment at Hosfield, Belgium, 17 December 1944



Photo: A German prisoner is marched past a burning Nazi tank on a Belgian road. Sgt. Bernard Cook of Los Angeles, Calif of the 165th Photo Company, 1st US Army, walks behind the captured soldier. "165th Photo Co, FUSA, Krinkelt, Belg." Date: 17 December 1944



Western Front (1944) - Liberation of France

French 1st Army captures Keintzheim.

Air War over Europe

(US Eighth Air Force): Mission 753: 3 B-17s and 7 B-24s are dispatched to drop leaflets on France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night. The 859th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 492d Bombardment Group (Heavy) is detached to Italy and begins a movement to Brindisi today.

(US Ninth Air Force): In Germany, weather prevents bomber operations; 1,000+ fighters fly armed reconnaissance, defensive patrols, and attacks on bridges and gun positions; the IX and XIX Tactical Air Commands also support ground forces (8th, 28th, 78th, 99th, and 106th Infantry Divisions, 5th Armored Division, and V, VII, VIII, XII, and XX Corps) against the counteroffensive in the Ardennes and in a battle to hold the Saarlautern, Germany bridgehead.

(US Fifteenth Air Force):550+ B-17s and B-24s bomb oil refineries at Blechhammer N and S and Odertal, Germany, and Moravska-Ostrava, Czechoslovakia; marshalling yards at Gross Strehlitz, Germany, and Villach, Saak, Salzburg, and Wels, Austria. P-38s and P-51s escort the bombers, fly reconnaissance, strafe the railroad running from Rosenheim, Germany into Austria, and escort photo reconnaissance operations; enemy fighters appear in force for the first time since Aug 44; the AAF claims 55 air victories.

Duisburg: 523 RAF aircraft - 418 Halifaxes, 8, Lancasters, 24 Mosquitos - of Nos 4, 6 and 8 Groups. 8 Halifaxes lost. Duisburg was badly hit again.

Ulm: 317 RAF Lancasters and 13 Mosquitos of Nos 1 and 8 Groups. 2 Lancasters lost. This was Bomber Command's first and only raid on Ulm, an old city but also the home of 2 large lorry factories - Magirius-Deutz and Kässbohrer - several other important industries and some military barracks and depots. 1,449 tons of bombs were dropped during the 25-minute raid, starting in the centre and then creeping back to the west, across the industrial and railway areas and out into the country. The Gallwitz Barracks and several military hospitals were among 14 Wehrmacht establishments destroyed.

Munich: 280 RAF Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos of No 5 Group. 4 Lancasters lost. Bomber Command claimed 'severe and widespread damage' in the old centre of Munich and at railway targets.

44 RAF Mosquitos to Hanau (a 'spoof' raid), 26 to Münster and 5 to Hallendorf, 44 RCM sorties, 50 Mosquito patrols. No aircraft lost.

Italian campaign

In Italy The British 10th Indian Division (an element of British 8th Army), captures crossings over the Senio River, near Faenza.

(US Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, bad weather again cancels medium bomber operations; the XXII Tactical Air Command hits communications in the Po River Valley and attacks the Trento marshalling yard on the rail line running N to the Brenner Pass.

Battle of the Atlantic

German submarine 'U-400' sunk with all hands off Cork. 'U-772' was sunk in the North Atlantic south of Cork, in position 51.16N, 08.05W, by depth charges from the British frigate HMS 'Nyasaland'. 48 dead (all hands lost).

United States

Admiral Ernest J. King, Chief of Naval Operations, is promoted to the (five star) rank of Fleet Admiral.

The USAAF 509th Composite Group, the first group to be organized, equipped and trained for atomic warfare, is activated at Wendover Field, Wendover, Utah. Two squadrons are assigned to the group, the 320th Troop Carrier Squadron, also activated today and initially equipped with C-47 Skytrains and later C-54 Skymasters, and the 393d Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) equipped with B-29 Superfortresses. The 393d had been activated on 11 March 1944 and has been training in Texas, Nebraska and Wendover.

Photo: The U.S. Navy high-speed transport USS Diachenko (APD-123) underway on 17 December 1944, nine days after her commissioning. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 31



Pacific War

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): 9 B-24s pound the Camranh Bay area of French Indochina. 5 B-25s bomb a road at Wan Pa-Hsa, Burma while 12 fighter-bombers hit a nearby railroad bridge, damaging it severely.

INDIA-BURMA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 8 P-47s support ground forces in the Namhkam sector; 8 more P-47s hit rail targets of opportunity between Kyaikthin to Kinu, then E to the Irrawaddy River and up the river to Tigyaing; 4 hit rivercraft at Tagaung; 50+ fighter-bombers attack storage areas, vehicles, bivouacs, personnel areas, and general targets of opportunity at Pang-hsao, Kyaukme, Manai, Kutkai, Ma-ugon, Hpa-ye, and Man Namman; 12 more strafe targets of opportunity during a Kyaukme-Nampyao railroad sweep. 290 transport sorties are flown. The 493d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th BG (Heavy), based at Pandaveswar, India with B-24s, sends a detachment to operate from Luliang, China to transport gasoline to Suichwan, China.

SAIPAN

(Seventh Air Force): 24 B-24s from Saipan and 26 from Guam pound Iwo Jima. 3 B-24s from Saipan on armed reconnaissance, bomb Woleai and Eauriprik Atolls, Caroline Islands. During the night of 17/18 Dec, B-24s from Saipan and Guam fly 3 single-plane harassment strikes against Iwo Jima.

JAPANESE OCCUPIED NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES

USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24 Liberators and fighter-bombers attack Jesselton Airfield, British North Borneo, and Laha Airfield on Ambon Island, Netherlands East Indies.

PHILIPPINE CAMPAIGN (1944)

In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 32d Infantry Division progresses slowly south of Limon. In the XXIV Corps area, the 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division attacks at 1415 hours local, after artillery and air preparation, toward Valencia and reaches the edge of the airfield. The 306th Infantry Regiment stops for the night 500 yards south of its objective, Cabulihan. The 305th Infantry Regiment gains positions along the Tambuco- Dolores road and clears Tambuco.
On Mindoro, patrolling and work on defenses continue.

On Negros Islands, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Bacolod while B-25s hit Silay Airfield and U.S. Marine Corps fighter-bombers in attacking the Cananga area and P-38s destroy several aircraft during sweeps. B-25s bomb Likanan on Mindanao Island while B-24s with P-47 support, hit the airfield on Jolo Island; and fighter-bombers hit positions at Valencia on Mindanao Island.

PACIFIC

U.S. Seventh Fleet Task Groups 77.3, 78.3, and 77.12 safely reach Leyte Gulf from Mindoro.

Motor torpedo boat PT-84 is damaged by suicide plane off Mindoro, 12°19'N, 121°04'E.
Japanese Coast Defense Vessel No.19 is damaged by aircraft south of Cam Ranh, French Indochina.

Day 1926 of World War II, December 19th 1944

Eastern Front

In Czechoslovakia, Soviet troops are closing in on the Slovakian railroad junction of Kosice.

Western Front (1944) - Battle of the Bulge

Map: HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map, December 19th 1944



German columns reach Bastogne. Meanwhile, forces of the German 6.SS Panzerarmee reach Stavelot in the north while elements of 5.Panzerarmee approach Houffalize. Some US forces between these advance continue to defend positions around Gouvy and St. Vith.

Photo: U.S. troops of 10th Armored Division in Bastogne, Belgium, await order to move out, 19 December 1944. Note the refugees in the foreground



Photo: Infantrymen of 1st U.S. Army gather in Bastogne, Belgium, to regroup after being cut away from their regiment by Germans in the enemy drive in this area. 19 December, 1944



At a meeting of senior Allied commanders, Eisenhower decides to appoint Field Marshal Montgomery, commanding British 21st Army Group, to lead all Allied forces to the north of " the Bulge" in the line created by the German attack. General Bradley, commanding US 12th Army Group, is responsible for all Allied forces to the south. The arrangement is not made public at this time.

Map: Situation Map 19 December 1944



Western Front (1944) - Liberation of the Netherlands

Photo: Troops take part in a ballot to see who will be the first to go on UK leave, Holland, 19 December 1944



Air War over Europe

(US Ninth Air Force): All administrative sections and extra operational equipment of the XXIX Tactical Air Command (Provisional) are moved from Maastricht, the Netherlands to Saint-Trond, Belgium to avert transportation problems should the XXIX Tactical Air Command be subsequently forced into a hasty withdrawal. Weather grounds the bombers. Fighters fly armed reconnaissance in W Germany, escort RAF Lancasters, fly patrols from Belgium to the Rhine River, support the US 1st, 2d, 99th, and 106th Infantry Divisions, and 7th Armored Division (N and E of Malmedy and SE and SW of Saint-Vith, Belgium), and fly cover for US Twelfth Army troops and the XII Corps near Verdun and Saint- Avold, France. In Belgium, the 153d Liaison Squadron moves from Spa to Olne (the squadron is operating from Liege with L-5s).

12 RAF Lancasters of No 3 Group minelaying in the Kadet Channel off Denmark without loss.

(US Eighth Air Force): Mission 756: 328 bombers and 45 fighters are dispatched to hit tactical targets (rail and road junctions, rail and road chokepoints and railheads) in the Luxembourg and Ehrang and Koblenz, Germany area to impede the German counteroffensive launched in the Ardennes on 16 Dec using PFF: 1. 144 of 172 B-17s hit 6 tactical targets and 24 hit the secondary target, the Koblenz marshalling yard without loss. 2. 62 of 156 B-24s hit 2 tactical targets and 82 hit the secondary target, the Ehrang marshalling yard; 2 B-24s are damaged beyond repair; 11 airmen are KIA. 3. The missions above are escorted by 37 of 41 P-47s; they claim 7-0-1 Luftwaffe aircraft; 3 P-47s are damaged beyond repair; 1 pilot is WIA.

(US Fifteenth Air Force):400+ B-24s and B-17s attack Blechhammer N and S, Germany and Moravska-Ostrava, Czechoslovakia oil refineries; Rosenheim, Germany rail sidings and marshalling yard; marshalling yards at Strasshof, Villach, Klagenfurt, Graz, and Innsbruck, Austria, and Sopron, Hungary; the town of Sternberk, Czechoslovakia; and several scattered targets of opportunity; P-38s and P-51s fly reconnaissance missions and escort the bombers.

Italian campaign

(US Twelfth Air Force): In Italy, weather grounds the medium bombers; XXII Tactical Air Command fighters and fighter-bombers, unable to reach the primary targets further N, hit communications N of the battle area but concentrate mainly on gun positions in the La Spezia area.

Soviet Union

A Soviet state commission investigating German atrocities in Lithuania reports that more than 300,000 civilians and about 165,000 prisoners of war were killed in the area.

United States

Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander of the Pacific Fleet and Commander of the Pacific Ocean Area, is promoted to the (five-star) rank of Fleet Admiral.

Photo: The U.S. Navy attack cargo ship USS Centaurus (AKA-17) at San Francisco, California (USA), on 19 December 1944. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 32, Design 8T



Photo: The U.S. Navy attack cargo ship USS Caswell (AKA-72) off Charleston, South Carolina (USA), on 19 December 1944. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 32, Design 6AO



Pacific War

BURMA

In the British Fourteenth Army's IV Corps area, the Indian 19th Division takes Wunthe. In the XXXIII Corps area, the British 2nd Division, having moved forward from Kohima, crosses the Chindwin River at Kalewa and is relieving the East African 11th Division.

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): In China, 16 B-25s, escorted by 24 P-40s, attack Pengpu; 4 P-51s claim 2 freighters sunk off Hong Kong; and 2 P-40s destroy 3 locomotives and a truck at Sinyang. In Burma, 4 P-38s bomb the Wanling-Mongyu road causing a traffic block.

HQ AAF (Twentieth Air Force): Mission 22: 36 B-29s, from the Chengtu, China area, are dispatched to hit an aircraft plant at Omura, Japan; 17 hit the primary target and 13 others hit secondary target of Shanghai, China, and another 2 strike other alternates; they claim 5-4-12 Japanese aircraft; 2 B-29s are lost.

INDIA-BURMA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s hit road junctions at Mongmit and S of Kyaukme, the Kyaukme railroad station, and Hsenwi bridge; 7 P-47s severely damage the Tonbo road bridge, and 11 others hit targets of opportunity during a Onmaka-Hsoplong rail sweep; 42 P-47s pound supply and personnel areas and troops at Myadaung, Tantabin, and Twinnge, the village of Nyaugbintha, and a truck park near Humon. 300+ transport sorties are flown to forward areas; the 164th Liaison Squadron (Commando), 1st Air Commando Group, moves from Asansol, India to Inbaung with UC-64s and L-5s (first mission is today) replacing the 166th Liaison Squadron (Commando) which moves from Inbaung to Asansol.

SAIPAN

(Seventh Air Force): HQ Seventh AF is officially opened at Tanapag. 27 B-24s from Saipan and 25 from Guam strike Iwo Jima. 3 B-24s on armed reconnaissance from Guam bomb Marcus. 14 P-38s from Saipan, with 3 B-29s as navigational escort, strafe airfields on Iwo Jima. 4 B-25s from Guam and Saipan carry out 3 snooper strikes against Iwo Jima during the night of 19/20 Dec.

TINIAN

(Twentieth Air Force): HQ 505th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) arrives at North Field from the US.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

Australian Lieutenant General Frank Berryman, Chief of Staff Advanced Headquarter Allied Land Forces South West Pacific, is convinced that U.S. Lieutenant General Richard Sutherland, Chief of Staff South West Pacific Area, is trying to hinder Australian liaison with General Headquarters, and sends a message to U.S. General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, Commander in Chief South West Pacific Area, stating: "General (Thomas) Blamey (Commander in Chief Allied Land Forces South West Pacific and Commander in Chief Australian Military Force) desires direct liaison and would appreciate attachment of Lieutenant General Berryman and small personal staff to Advanced General Headquarters (at Hollandia) as early as convenient to you."

JAPANESE OCCUPIED NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES

In the Netherlands East Indies (NEI), USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s, A-20s, and P-38s attack the Kairatoe area on Celebes Island. Other FEAF aircraft on armed reconnaissance, sweeps, and small strikes hit targets of opportunity at many locations throughout the NEI.

PHILIPPINE CAMPAIGN (1944)

While the fighting on Leyte and Mindoro continues, the Japanese high command decides that no more reinforcements or supplies will be sent to the 35th Army.

In the U.S. Army's X Corps area on Leyte Island, the 127th Infantry Regiment, 32d Infantry Division continues to battle the Japanese south of Limon. The 12th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, attacks toward Lonoy, on Highway 2, and seizes this barrio. In the XXIV Corps area, the 307th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division attacks north astride Highway 2 toward Libongao, gaining nearly 3 miles (4,8 kilometers); the 306th Infantry Regiment to the west pushes toward the Palompon road, which patrols reach. On Mindoro Island, the Western Visayan Task Force, helped by Mindoro guerrillas, begins a series of patrol actions along the south, west and northwest shores of Mindoro and a reconnaissance of small islands offshore.

USAAF Far East Air Forces fighter-supported B-25s bomb Fabrica Airfield on Negros Island. Fighters on a sweep over Ponay, and Leyte Islands hit Fabrica, Bacolod, Silay, Dumaguete and Alicante Airfields, and the town of Palompon on Leyte Island. On Luzon, B-24s bomb Legaspi Airfield while P-38s hit Batangas Airfield.

The planned bombardment of Luzon by the large carriers of U.S. Third Fleet is canceled because of weather conditions.

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 560, DECEMBER 19, 1944

Pacific Area.

1. The USS Mississinewa, an auxiliary oiler, was recently lost in the Central Pacific as a result of enemy action.

2. next of kin of all casualties have been notified.

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 208, DECEMBER 19, 1944

Further reports on carrier‑based strikes against shipping in and around Luzon on December 13, 14 and 15 (West Longitude Dates) reveal the follow­ing additional damage to the enemy:

Sunk: Damaged:
One large oiler One large transport
One minelayer One medium oiler
Seven small craft One small oiler
Five small vessels One coastal defense vessel

Revised information shows that cargo ships sunk were nine, cargo vessels damaged were nine, and small cargo vessels damaged were seventeen. These totals were previously reported as ten cargo ships sunk, ten cargo vessels damaged, and twenty‑five small vessels damaged, (communiqué No. 207). Our forces lost 27 planes in combat in the three‑day action.

On December 17, Marine torpedo planes bombed defense installations on Rota 7n the Marianas.

On the same date Navy search aircraft bombed airstrips on Truk in the Carolines, encountering moderate antiaircraft fire. Four enemy fighters at­tacked our planes, but all returned safely.

Marine aircraft bombed and strafed targets on Babelthuap in the Palaus on December 17, setting two aircraft ablaze and destroying a barge, a motor launch and four trucks.

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 692, DECEMBER 19, 1944

A series of conferences is in progress at Pearl Harbor between Fleet Admiral C. W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, and Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, GCB, KBE, Commander in Chief, British Pacific Fleet, and their respective staffs.

PACIFIC

Submarine Redfish (SS-395), despite presence of escorting destroyers, sinks Japanese carrier Unryu 200 nautical miles southeast of Shanghai, China, 28°19'N, 124°40'E. Redfish is damaged in the resultant depth charging, and is forced to terminate her patrol.

PB4Y-1s (VPB 104) attack Japanese convoy in South China Sea, and sink transport Shinfuku Maru, which had survived attack by submarine Segundo (SS-398) on 6 December 1944, 30 miles west of Manila, 13°40'N, 115°50'E.

USAAF P-51s (14th Air Force) attack Japanese shipping at Hong Kong and sink cargo ship Hida Maru, 22°17'N, 114°10'E.

Aircraft sink army cargo ship No.3 Hiroshi Maru in Kurils, 44°56'N, 147°39'E.

Photo: USS Oliver Mitchell (DE-417) port bow closeup during approach to USS Anzio (CVE-57), December 1944, 19 December 1944

Day 1928 of World War II, December 21st 1944

Western Front (1944) - Battle of the Bulge

Map: HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map, December 21st 1944



In the north, US forces recapture Stavelot and bring the advance of the German 67th Corps (part of 6th SS Panzer Army), on the right flank of the German attack, to a halt from here to Monschau. To the south, the German 5th Panzer Army has nearly surrounded Bastogne while Houffalize has been secured.

Air War over Europe

First Tactical Air Force (Provisional): In France, the 405th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group, moves from Tavaux Airfield in Dole to Tantonville with P-47s (the air echelon is operating from Dijon). Ninth Air Force: Operational control of the IX and XXIX Tactical Air Commands is transferred from the Ninth AF to the RAF Second Tactical AF to operate against the N line of the Bulge. The XIX Tactical Air Command flies armed weather and intruder reconnaissance in the Saarbrucken-Trier, Germany area. Weather grounds all operations.

113 RAF Lancasters of No 3 Group again attempted to bomb the railway yards at Trier in 2 waves. No Lancasters lost. The bomber crews were unable to observe results because of the cloud, although a large column of smoke eventually appeared.

207 RAF Lancasters and 1 Mosquito of No 5 Group attacked the synthetic-oil refinery at Politz, near Stettin. 3 Lancasters were lost and 5 more crashed in England. Post-raid reconnaissance showed that the power-station chimneys had collapsed and that other parts of the plant were damaged.

136 RAF aircraft - 67 Lancasters, 54 Halifaxes, 15 Mosquitos - of Nos 4, 6 and 8 Groups attacked the important Cologne/Nippes marshalling yards which were being used to serve the German offensive in the Ardennes. No aircraft lost. The target was cloud-covered and only a few bombs hit the railway yards but these caused the destruction of 40 wagons, a repair workshop and several railway lines.

97 RAF Lancasters and 17 Mosquitos of Nos 1 and 8 Groups attempted to attack railway areas in Bonn but thick cloud cover prevented an accurate raid and later reconnaissance showed that the railway target was not hit. No other details are available. No aircraft lost.

4 RAF Lancasters of No 5 Group to Schneidmühl as a diversion for the Politz raid, 15 RCM sorties, 12 Mosquito patrols, 30 Lancasters and 23 Halifaxes minelaying in the Kattegat. No aircraft lost.

(US Fifteenth Air Force):84 B-24s bomb the main marshalling yard and railroad sidings at Rosenheim, Germany; 40 P-51s provide escort; 40+ P-38s fly photo reconnaissance and reconnaissance escort missions.

Italian campaign

(Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 20/21 Dec, A-20s attack highways, secondary roads, and targets of opportunity in the N and C Po Valley. During the day, bad weather grounds the medium bombers and reduces fighter and fighter-bomber operations of the XXII Tactical Air Command however, aircraft are effective against railroad targets in the Treviso area and damage Ghedi Airfield; trains, vehicles, guns, and buildings are attacked in or near Mantua, Milan, Turin, La Spezia, Padua, and Mestre.

Arctic naval operations

A German convoy runs into a minefield laid by Free French submarine Rubis. This submarine has now sunk a total of 23 ships.

United States

General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold, Commanding General U.S. Army Air Forces, is promoted to the (five star) rank of General of the Army.

Photo: The U.S. Navy attack transport USS Riverside (APA-102) underway in the Atlantic Ocean on 21 December 1944. She is painted in Camouflage Measure 32, Design 4T. Riverside had an added structure behind the stack for communication equipment and accommodations that allow her to function as a command ship



Pacific War

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): 145 P-40s and P-51s fly armed reconnaissance over wide expanses of S China, E Burma and N French Indochina; the fighters attack chiefly troops and river, road, and rail traffic and a variety of targets of opportunity at numerous locations; 9 B-25s bomb Kunlong and Minkiang, China. The 4th Combat Cargo Squadron, 1st Combat Cargo Group, moves from Tulihal, India to Chengkung, China with C-47s.

(Twentieth Air Force): Mission 23: 49 B-29s from Chengtu, China are dispatched to attack Mukden; 19 hit the primary objective (the Manchuria Airplane Manufacturing Company) but it suffers little damage and a nearby arsenal and rail yards are slightly damaged; 8 other B-29s bomb alternate targets and targets of opportunity; they claim 21-6-19 Japanese aircraft; 2 B-29s are lost.

BURMA

In the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC), the Chinese 114th Regiment, 38th Division, with orders to cut the Burma Road in the Ho-si area, is now near the U.S. 5332d Brigade (Provisonal) . The 5332d Brigade is composed of the Chinese 1st Separate Regiment and the U.S. 124th Cavalry Regiment (Special), 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special) and the 612th and 613th Field Artillery Battalions (75mm Pack Howitzer).

In the Allied Land Forces South East Asia (ALFSEA) area, the Indian XV Corps is making such rapid progress on the Arakan front that Admiral Louis Mountbatten, Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Theatre, holds a commanders conference at Calcutta, India, to discuss exploitation and presents alternative plans for assault on Akyab. By this time, river craft have been launched in the Kalapanzin River to assist the Indian 24th Division.

INDIA-BURMA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 12 B-25s bomb a supply and personnel area at Magyidon; 13 P-47s damage bridges at Hay-ti, Mong Long, and Pa-mao; rail targets of opportunity from Hsumhsai to Hsipaw are attacked by 12 P-47s; 20+ fighter-bombers hit troop concentrations at several points including Man Ka-lao and the general area E of the Shweli River; 12 P-47s bomb and strafe the Lashio area. 290+ transport sorties are flown to forward bases and frontline areas. The detachment of the 9th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron, 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Group, operating from Chittagong with F-5s, returns to base at Myitkyina.

GUAM

(Seventh Air Force): 23 Guam based B-24s hit Iwo Jima. During the night of 21/22 Dec, 4 B-24s from the Mariana fly 3 harassment strikes against Iwo Jima.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

[Far East Air Force]: The 311th Fighter Squadron, 58th FG, moves from San Roque, Leyte Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island with P-47s.

JAPANESE OCCUPIED NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES

In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s attack Goeroea, Anggai, and Lolobata on Halmahera Island.

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

In Northeast New Guinea, Australian Beaufort fighter bombers attack the Japanese east of the Danmap River. The Japanese withdraw to the south and run into an ambush set up by a platoon of the 2/4th Battalion, 19th Brigade, 6th Division; 28 of 40 Japanese troops are killed.

PHILIPPINE CAMPAIGN (1944)

On Leyte Island, the U.S. Sixth Army effects a junction between the X and XXIV Corps just south of Kananga at 1645 hours, opening Highway 2 from Ormoc to Pinamopoan and gaining complete control of the Ormoc Valley. In the X Corps area, the 12th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) attacks and takes Kananga and makes patrol contact with the 77th Infantry Division to the south. In the XXIV Corps area, the 3d Battalion, 306th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, continues east along the Palompon road to its junction with Highway 2, then north along the highway toward Kananga, making contact with Troop A of the 12th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry) at 1645 hours. The 307th Infantry Regiment reaches the road junction north of Libongao without trouble and assists the 306th Infantry Regiment. On the division’s western flank, the 1st Battalion, 306th Infantry Regiment, after a concentrated artillery preparation, takes the ridge commanding the Togbong River bridge site and outposts it but is driven off. In preparation for the next task of the 77th Infantry Division, a drive west and seizure of Palompon, artillery is emplaced near San Jose within range of Palompon.

On Mindoro Island, the Japanese, having received reinforcements by air for the defense of the island, attack a resupply convoy moving toward that island, destroying two tank landing ships (LSTs) and damaging other shipping. From the Pasugi-Pianag area, a patrol of guerrillas and the 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment sail north to Sabalayan; from there move on foot to Mamburao to reconnoiter toward Palauan and Abra de Ilog.

USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s, B-25s, and fighter-bombers attack ten airfields mostly on Negros Island and elsewhere in the central Philippine Islands. Leyte Island-based fighter-bombers fly over 100 attack sorties. Likanan Airfield on Mindanao Island is also hit by B-24s.

GREEN ISLAND

Photo: Ground staff personnel of No. 30 Servicing Unit, Royal New Zealand Air Force, overhauling a Lockheed PV-1 Ventura patrol bomber on Green Island, 21 December 1944



Photo: Personnel of No. 3 Servicing Unit, Headquarters, Royal New Zealand Air Force, using a truck to tow a newly overhauled Vought F4U-1 "Corsair" aircraft of No. 16 Squadron, RNZAF, from the repair section to the Green Island airstrip on 21 December 1944 (identified personnel are: Sgt. F.R. Furness)




Photo: Ground staff personnel of No. 3 Servicing Unit, Headquarters, Royal New Zealand Air Force, overhauling a Vought F4U-1 Corsair fighter of No. 16 Squadron on Green Island, 21 December 1944



UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 210, DECEMBER 21, 1944

Airstrip Installations in Iwo Jima in the Volcanos were bombed by Liber­ators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, on December 1 (West Longitude Date).

On the same date Avenger torpedo planes of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing bombed Yap In the Western Carolines.

Storage areas on Babelthuap in the Palaus were bombed and strafed by fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing on December 19. A number of boats were destroyed by Marine fighters attacking the Sonsoral Islands, south­west of the Palaus on the same date.

Fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing strafed targets on Rota In the Marianas on December 19.

Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing fighters continued neutralizing attacks on enemy held bases in the Marshalls on the same date.

PACIFIC

Off Mindoro, kamikazes damage destroyer Foote (DD-511), 11°05'N, 121°20'E, and tank landing ships LST-460 and LST-749, 11°13'N, 121°04'E. Off Panay, freighter Juan de Fuca is crashed by a suicide plane; the explosion and resultant fire kills 2 and wounds 14 of the 65 embarked Army troops, as well as wounds 2 of the 27-man Armed Guard. Juan de Fuca, although damaged, continues on to Mindoro (see 31 December).

Submarine Sealion (SS-315) carries out second attack on Japanese supply ship Mamiya, and sinks her in the South China Sea, 17°55'N, 114°11'E.

Mines damage Japanese escort vessel Amakusa 680 miles from Kanameiwa and gunboat No.2 Hiyoshi Maru off Etorofu.

Day 1930 of World War II, December 23rd 1944

YouTube (The Siege of Bastogne Begins)



Eastern Front

The Soviet 4th Guards and 46th Armies are approaching the western outskirts of Budapest, after halting a counter attack by the 8.Panzerdivision.

Western Front (1944) - Battle of the Bulge

Map: HQ Twelfth Army Group situation map, December 23th 1944



Although the American defenders of Bastogne continue to hold out against German attacks, elements of the German 5.Panzerarmee have by-passed the town and are advancing to the west and northwest. These attacks have reached beyond Rochefort and Laroche. However, improved weather conditions allows Allied ground attack aircraft to harass the German columns. A sudden improvement in the weather permits Allied fighter-bombers to conduct about 900 sorties against German forces in "the Bulge". With clear skies returning, Allied fighters and bombers begin attacks on German ground forces. American C47 transport planes begin dropping supplies in Bastogne.

Air War over Europe

(US Eighth Air Force): 2 missions are flown. Mission 757: 423 bombers and 636 fighters are dispatched to hit marshalling yards, communication centers and a rail junction in the rear of the battle area; 75-150 Luftwaffe aircraft are encountered and the AAF claims 75-5-23; 7 fighter are lost: 1. 148 of 153 B-17s hit the marshalling yard at Ehrang; 45 B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is KIA and 1 WIA. Escorting are 54 of 62 P-51s; they claim 20-0-3 aircraft without loss. 2. 113 B-24s are sent to bomb communication centers at Ahrweiler (48 ), Junkerath (31) and Dahlem (27); 74 B-24s are damaged; 3 airmen are WIA. Escort is provided by 243 of 254 P-51s; they claim 1-0-0 aircraft; 1 P-51 is lost (pilot MIA) and 1 damaged beyond repair. 3. 152 B-17s are dispatched to hit marshalling yards at Homburg (58 ) and Kaiserslautern (40) and the rail junction at Homburg; 6 others hit targets of opportunity; they claim 6-4-5 aircraft; 77 B-17s are damaged; 1 airman is WIA and 7 MIA. Escorting are 112 of 117 P-51s; they claim 2-0-0 aircraft without loss. 4. 6 of 6 B-17s fly a screening mission. 5. 163 P-47s and P-51s fly a fighter sweep of the Bonn, Germany area; they claim 46-1-15 aircraft; 3 P-47s and 3 P-51s are lost (all pilots MIA). 6. 20 P-51s fly a scouting mission without loss. Mission 758: 5 B-17s and 7 B-24s are dispatched to drop leaflets in France, the Netherlands and Germany during the night; only 10 aircraft drop leaflets.

Photo: Bombing of Saarburg, Germany, 23 December 1944. Saarburg was attacked by 49 aircraft (9 Douglas A-20 Havoc, 39 Douglas A-26 Invader, 1 Martin B-26 Marauder) of the 416th Bombardment Group




The 374th, 375th and 376th Fighter Squadrons, 361st Fighter Group, based at Little Walden, England with P-51s, begin operating from St Dizier, France; the 486th and 487th Fighter Squadrons, 352d Fighter Group, based at Bodney, England, begin operating from Asch, Belgium with P-51s.

The 405th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group, ceases operating from Dijon, France with P-47s and returns to base at Tantonville. In Belgium, the L-5s of the 153d Liaison Squadron, IX Tactical Air Command (attached to Twelfth Army Group), cease operating from Liege and return to base at Tongres; the 161st Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Group, based at Le Culot begins operating from Conflans, France with F-6s and P-51s.

153 RAF Lancasters of No 3 Group attempted to attack the Trier railway yards through cloud. The bombing appeared to be accurate and concentrated but Trier could only report that it was the town's worst raid of the war. 1 Lancaster lost.

27 RAF Lancasters and 3 Mosquitos of No 8 Group to attack the Gremberg railway yards, Cologne. The raid went very badly. The force was split into 3 formations, each led by an Oboe-equipped Lancaster with an Oboe Mosquito as reserve leader. During the outward flight, 2 Lancasters of No 35 Squadron collided over the French coast and their crews were all killed. On approaching the target, it was found that the cloud which had been forecast had cleared and it was decided to allow the bombers to break formation and bomb visually; this move was made because the formations would have been very vulnerable to Cologne's flak defences during the long, straight Oboe approach. Unfortunately the order to abandon the Oboe run did not reach the leading Lancaster, a No 582 Squadron aircraft piloted by Squadron Leader RAM Palmer, DFC (on loan from No 109 Squadron), who continued on with his designated role, even though his aircraft was already damaged by flak. German fighters, who were being directed to intercept an American bomber force, also appeared and attacked. The bombs from Squadron Leader Palmer's aircraft were eventually released and hit the target but his plane went down out of control and only the tail gunner escaped, by parachute. Squadron Leader Palmer, on his 110th operation, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross, the only Oboe VC of the war. The formation suffered further losses when another Lancaster and a Mosquito were shot down by flak and fighters and a further Lancaster had to be abandoned by its crew over Belgium. The losses were thus 6 aircraft out of the 30 dispatched.

52 RAF Mosquitos to Limburg railway yards, 40 to Siegburg and 7 on 'training flights' to Bremen, Hannover, Münster and Osnabrück, 62 aircraft of No 100 Group on RCM and Mosquito operations, 6 aircraft on Resistance operations. No aircraft were lost. Each of the Mosquitos shown as being on 'training flights' visited all 4 targets and dropped 1 bomb on each; these operations later became known as 'siren-sounding tours'.

(US Ninth Air Force): In Germany, around 500 B-26s and A-20s attack rail bridges, communications targets, villages, a rail junction and targets of opportunity losing 31 bombers; fighters fly bomber escort, armed reconnaissance, and patrols (claiming 100+ aircraft downed and 3 airfields bombed), and support ground forces between Werbomont, Belgium and Butgenbach, Germany along the N battleline of Bulge and the US III, VIII, and XII Corps forces along the S battleline of the Bulge.

Italian campaign

(US Twelfth Air Force): In Italy during the night of 22/23 Dec, A-20s on intruder patrols hit Po River crossings and targets of opportunity; bad weather during the day grounds the medium bombers; fighter- bombers operate in the W Po Valley, mainly against railway communications; an airfield near Milan is attacked, and several enemy airplanes destroyed.

Belgium

Some 26 German V2 missiles explode in Antwerp.

United States

Photo: The U.S. Navy transport USS Kingsbury (APA-177) underway on 23 December 1944. The photo was taken from a blimp of squadron ZP-33



Pacific War

CHINA

(Fourteenth Air Force): 8 B-25s pound points along the Burma Road. 13 B-25s hit town areas, trains, and other targets of opportunity at Vinh, French Indochina, from Dap Cau, French Indochina to Lungchow, China, and from Lang Son, French Indochina to Yungning, China. In China, 3 B-25s and 5 P-40s damage about 50 railroad cars in the area S of the Yellow River; 16 P-51s over Wuchang and Hankow damage 2 ferry ramps and blast 3 oil dumps. 12 P-51s and P-38s damage 2 hangars at Heho Airfield, Burma, and in China, 12 P-51s pound railroad shops at Chenghsien and bomb Houmachen with napalm.

BURMA

In the British Fourteenth Army’s XXXIII Corps area, the Indian 19th Division takes Kokoggon.

INDIA-BURMA

(Tenth Air Force): In Burma, 15 P-47s knock out and damage bridges at Mong Long, Pa-mao, and Man Pwe; 12 B-25s destroy bridges at Tonbo, Saye, Ketka, and Nampawng, and damage several others; 40+ fighter-bombers attack storage areas, bivouacs, and enemy-held points at Namhkam, Nyaunggyin, Hseing-hkai, Mongyin, and Kutkai. Transport sorties to forward bases and frontline areas total 353.

SAIPAN

(Seventh Air Force): 12 B-24s from Saipan Island and 14 from Guam hit Iwo Jima; 3 others from Guam, flying armed reconnaissance bomb Woleai. During the night 2 B-24s from Guam and Saipan fly harassing strikes against Iwo Jima.

TINIAN

(Twentieth Air Force): HQ 313th Bombardment Wing (Very Heavy) and HQ 504th Bombardment Group (Very Heavy) and the 398th and 421st Bombardment Squadrons (Very Heavy) arrive at North Field from the US with B-29s.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA

[Far East Air Force]: The air echelon of the 17th Reconnaissance Squadron (Bombardment), 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group, moves from Biak Island to San Jose, Mindoro Island with B-25s (the squadron is based at Tacloban).

JAPANESE OCCUPIED NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES

In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25s and fighter-bombers blast Lolobata and Hate Tabako Aerodromes, and the Goeroea area on Halmahara Island.. Numerous FEAF aircraft fly various small strikes, armed reconnaissance, and sweeps over the Netherlands East Indies while fighter-bombers are especially active against targets on Halmahera Island.

PHILIPPINE CAMPAIN (1944)

In Pampanga Province on Luzon, 15 American POWs, who are too sick to work, are taken from their prison cells and driven to the outskirts of San Fernando. There, in a small cemetery, a hole 15 square feet is dug. Guards from the truck then take up positions around the hole. One by one, the POWs are brought to the edge of the hole and ordered to kneel. They are then bayoneted and decapitated. After the war, the guard commander, Lieutenant TOSHINO Junsabura , is tried, sentenced to death and hanged.
In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte Island, the corps begins an advance west toward the coast from Highway 2. The 1st Cavalry Division, on the southern flank, leads off, moving slowly over difficult terrain unopposed by the Japanese. The 32d Infantry Division reconnoiters with the 127th and 128th Infantry Regiments in preparation for a drive westward. In the XXIV Corps area, in preparation for an assault on Palompon by land and sea, 77th Infantry Division artillery and USAAF Fifth Air Force planes pound the town. The reinforced 1st Battalion, 305th Infantry Regiment, which is to make the amphibious assault, moves to Ormoc. The 305th Infantry Regiment (less 1st Battalion) continues an overland drive toward Palompon, pushing through Matagob under heavy fire. Japanese efforts to penetrate U.S. lines, during the night of 23/24 December, fail.

On Mindoro Island, a new airfield, called Ellmore Field, on the south bank of the Bugsanga River, is ready for limited use.

USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24s bomb Fabrica and Silay Airfields on Negros Island while P-38s and P-47s provide cover. B-24s bomb Grace Park Airfield in the suburbs of Manila on Luzon. On Mindanao Island, B-25 Mitchells attack San Roque Airfield and the Davao and Zamboanga areas. Numerous FEAF aircraft fly various small strikes, armed reconnaissance, and sweeps over the Philippine Islands and fighter-bombers are especially active against targets in the central Philippines.

ALASKA

(Eleventh Air Force): The weather mission finds squall conditions and is aborted.

UNITED STATES NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUES, CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 211, DECEMBER 23, 1944

Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed air­strip installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcanoes on December 20 and 21 (West Longitude Dates).

Marine Mitchell Bombers on December 21 carried out rocket attacks on shipping around the Bonins and Volcanoes.

Eleventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed and strafed targets on Onekotan in the Kuriles on December 20. Our aircraft encountered meager antiaircraft fire. All returned safely.

Supply and ammunition dumps on Babelthuap in the Palaus were strafed and bombed by fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing on December 20. Similar attacks were carried out on the following day.

Marine torpedo planes bombed installations on Yap on December 21.

Seventh Army Air Force Thunderbolts made strafing attacks on Pagan in the Marianas on December 20.

An enemy plane was strafed and burned on the ground at Oroluk in the Carolines by Navy Search Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing Two on December 20.

Neutralization attacks against enemy‑held bases in the Marshalls were continued by planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on December 21.

PACIFIC

Submarine Blenny (SS-324), despite proximity of escort vessel, sinks Japanese merchant tanker Kenzui Maru off San Fernando, 16°40'N, 120°16'E.