70 Years Ago Today: Saturday, September 4, 1943 Moscow: The Soviet Union declares war on Bulgaria. European Theater, Strategic (Pointblank): VIII Air Support Command Mission 47 – 144 B-26s are dispatched to four marshalling yards in France (36 B-26s to each target), at Courtrai, Lille/Deliverance, Hazebrouck and St Pol. During the night, the RAF sends eight Mosquitos to Cologne and Duisburg, while 25 Wellingtons and 13 Stirlings lay mines in the Frisians, in the River Gironde and off Lorient and St Nazaire. Russian Front: The Red Army blocks the last rail exit from Kharkov with the capture of the rail junction south of Merefa. Western Mediterranean: 12th Air Force B-17s cannot find their targets (airfields) due to bad weather, while P-38s sent to hit landing grounds at Grazzanise also fail to find targets, but attack targets of opportunity in the general area. Meanwhile, US fighter-bombers and RAF light bombers hit motor transport scattered along the Italian toe, and bomb gun positions northeast of Reggio di Calabria and roads and railroad junction in the Cosenza-Catanzaro-Nicastro area and at Colosimi. On the ground, General Alexander orders the 1st Air Borne Division to be prepared to land elements at Taranto (Operation Slapstick) on the 9th in order to secure the port, airfields, and other installations, as well as establish contact with Italians in the Brindisi area. He also cancels the projected invasion of Crotone area (Operation Goblet) by the British 5 Corps from North Africa, thereby releasing 5 Corps, which is to take command of forces in the heel of Italy and be prepared to advance when needed. Meanwhile, the British 13 Corps moves steadily northward up Calabrian Peninsula, hampered only by the enemy’s skillful demolitions. The 16th and 28th Troop Carrier Squadrons, flying C-47s, and the 57th Bomb Wing transfer from Tunisia to Sicily. China – Burma – India Theater (China): 14th Air Force sends 10 B-25s and 11 P-40s to attack Tien Ho airfield at Canton. Pacific Ocean Area: The V Amphibious Corps (VAC), under the command of Major General Holland Smith, USMC, is created to train and control troops for the amphibious landings in Central Pacific. South Pacific Area: Air Command North Solomons sends 23 B-25s, from the 13th Air Force, to attack the Dulo Cove area on New Georgia Island, while nine B-24s, 15 fighters and over 20 Navy fighters hit the airfield on Ballale Island. Meanwhile, on Arundel, the 2nd Battalion of 172nd Infantry moves by sea to Stima Peninsula, and advances northwest. After the amphibious move from Nauro to Bustling Point, the 1st Battalion begins an advance to secure control of the entrance to Wana Wana Lagoon. Southwest Pacific Theater: In New Guinea, the Allied offensive against Lae begins as forces land at Hopoi and the mouth of the Buso River, with the support of B-24s, from the 5th Air Force, bombing Lae airfield, and B-25s attacking the Hopoi area and bombing the airfield at Cape Gloucester on New Britain Island. Meanwhile, A-20s and RAAF planes hit the airfield on Gasmata Island off New Britain Island, as supporting P-38s intercept over 100 enemy fighters and bombers, which are airborne despite the attacks on airfields, and claim 20 shot down.
Posted on: Wed, 04 Sep 2013 11:11:56 +0000
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