70 Years Ago Today: Friday, July 7,1944 Washington, D.C. General Marshall informs General Stilwell of the action taken by President Roosevelt and urges Stilwell to maintain friendly relations with Chiang Kai-shek. European Theater, (POINTBLANK) 8th Air Force Mission 458 – 1,129 bombers and 756 fighters are dispatched to attack targets in Germany. In preparation for all-out assault on Caen by the British Second Army, the RAF sends 283 Lancasters, 164 Halifaxes, and 20 Mosquitos to bomb military targets. During the night, the RAF dispatches 208 Lancasters and 13 Mosquitos, with some Pathfinder aircraft, to attack a flying-bomb storage dump, located in a group of tunnels, which had been used for growing mushrooms, at St Leu dEsserent. Meanwhile, 123 Lancasters and five Mosquitos fly an accurate raid on the railway yards at Vaires, 106 aircraft fly a diversionary sweep almost to the coast of Holland, and seven Mosquitos drop “spoof” markers in support of the St Leu dEsserent raid. European Theater, Battle of Normandy The 9th Air Force sends a force of over 100 A-20s and B-26s to bomb a rail bridge near Tours, and targets of opportunity in the Lisieux and Beuzeville areas, of France. Over 500 fighters fly escort and area cover, carry out armed reconnaissance. In US First Army’s VIII Corps area, the 79th and 90th Divisions continue their efforts to break through enemy positions in the La Haye-du-Puits–Mont Castre Forest area and repel several counterattacks. Mediterranean Theater The 15th Air Force sends over 560 bombers to attack targets in Germany, and Yugoslavia. Italian Campaign 12th Air Force A-20s bomb fuel supplies, while B-26s and B-25s score direct hits on railway bridges at Reggio Emilia, and over the Fratta River and possible hits on the Santa Maria di Mugnano bridge and two other bridges in the area. In US Fifth Army’s IV Corps area, the 135th Infantry, of the 34th Division, completes the clearing of Rosignano, but the enemy is holding out just beyond the town. The French Expeditionary Force (FEC) gets forward elements beyond Highway 68. In the British Eighth Army’s XIII Corps area, the South African 6th Armoured Division retains a foothold on the slopes of Monte Lignano, against strong counterthrusts. China – Burma – India Theater (India) During the night, the 20th Air Force dispatches 14 B-29s, operating out of Chengtu, China, to bomb Sasebo, Omura, and Tobata, Japan. Most of the planes hit the Sasebo area, and three attack secondary and last resort targets at Laoyao and in the Hankow area, of China. China – Burma – India Theater (China) In the Tungting Lake area, of China, 14th Air Force B-25s and fighter-bombers hit Yoyang, Siangtan, Liling, and Yungfengshih areas. China – Burma – India Theater (Burma) In Burma, 20 fighter-bombers, from the 10th Air Force, hit targets of opportunity at Okkyin and Namkwin and strafe trucks near Myitkyina. Meanwhile four B-25s attack bridges and railroad tracks at Hopin and Naba. The British 36 Division, which has moved forward to replace the 77th Long Range Penetration (LRP) Brigade, of the Indian 3rd Division, is transferred to the command of General Stilwell. On Salween front, the Chinese 8th Army continues operations to clear Sung Shan with a night attack, by the 246th Regiment, of 82nd Division. Although the peak is seized, the Japanese counterattack and drive the Chinese off, causing 200 casualties. Pacific Theater Admiral Nimitz orders his commanders to prepare for the invasion of the southern Palau Islands (Angaur, Peleliu, Ngesebus) on September 15 and of Yap and Ulithi, northeast of the Palaus, on October 5. Southwest Pacific Area In New Guinea, Far East Air Force (FEAF) B-24s and A-20s bomb the Moemi and Nabire airfields, and supply dumps along the Wiske River. On Biak, a company of the 163rd Infantry attempts to move into the Ibdi Pocket, but finds the enemy repairing old fortifications and building new ones. Central Pacific Area On Saipan, Japanese remnants, estimated at about 3,000, make a last desperate counterattack, which overwhelms most of the 105th Infantry, on the left flank of 27th Division, as well as guns of the 3rd Battalion, of the 10th Marines, before it is stemmed at the 105th Infantry Command Post. The 106th Infantry is committed to relieve the 105th Infantry and recovers most of the lost ground, but stops a little short of 105th, isolated remnants of which are withdrawn by water.
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 12:47:27 +0000