Chronology of World War II
Tuesday, February 1, 1944
In Italy... The forces of US 5th Army continue operations against the German defenses of the Gustav Line. The 34th Division gains some ground north of Cassino, around Monte Maiola.
In the Marshall Islands... American operations against the Kwajalein Atoll continue. On Roi US forces are mopping up. There is heavy fighting on Namur. US Task Force 52 (Admiral Turner) provides naval support for the landing of the 7th Infantry Division (General Corlett) on Kwajalein. Here, the Americans overrun a third of island, despite heavy Japanese resistance.
On the Eastern Front... In the north, Soviet forces capture Kingisepp and continue their advance to within 1 mile of the former Estonian border. Forces of German Army Group North conduct successful local counterattacks between Luga and Utorgosh.
Wednesday, February 2, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In the north, Soviet forces advance beyond the former Estonian border and capture Vanakula. In the south, the Soviet 3rd and 4th Ukrainian Fronts attack the salient around Nikopol, held by forces of the German 6th Army (part of Army Group South).
In the Marshall Islands... Battles continue in the Kwajalein Atoll. American forces complete the conquest of Roi and Namur. Almost all of the 3700 Japanese defenders on these islands have been killed. American casualties number 740 killed and wounded. Japanese forces on Kwajalein continue to resist.
In Italy... Allied attacks around Anzio end. They have suffered high losses without significant success. Defending German forces, however, have had to postpone counterattacks planned to begin today because of their own losses.
Thursday, February 3, 1944
In Italy... At the Anzio beachhead, German forces commanded by General Mackensen begin limited attacks against the British 1st Division salient around Campoleone. To the south, the New Zealand Corps (General Freyberg) joins the US 5th Army order of battle. It is being deployed near Cassino.
In the Marshall Islands... US Task Group 58.4 (Admiral Ginder) raids Eniwetok with its carrier aircraft. In the Kwajalein Atoll, American forces land on Burton Island.
In Moscow... The encirclement of German forces in the Korsun pocket is announced and celebrated.
From Berlin... Hitler orders the troops in the Korsun pocket are not to retreat.
On the Eastern Front... Army Group South (Manstein) assembles an armored force to relieve the Korsun pocket.
Friday, February 4, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In the north, Soviet forces reach the mouth of the Narva River. East of Lake Peipus, Soviet forces occupy Gdov. In the south, forces of Army Group South (Manstein) begin a relieving attack on Soviet forces encircling the Korsun pocket. The relief is spearheaded by the Tigers and Panthers of Heavy Panzer Regiment "Bake".
In Berlin... Hitler orders the 24th Panzer Division (part of the relieving force assembled by Army Group South) to move to Nikopol to assist the defenders of the salient against the Soviet forces attempting to break through there.
In the Marshall Islands... Organized Japanese resistance in the Kwajalein Atoll ends. Most of the 8700 Japanese garrison commanded by Admiral Akiyama Monzo have been killed. Only 265 are captured, many are Korean laborers or wounded. The Americans have deployed 41,000 troops of whom 370 have been killed in action and 1500 wounded.
In Italy... At the Anzio beachhead, German attacks force the British 1st Division to fall back. Meanwhile, to the south, the forces of US 5th Army continue offensive operations. The US 34th Division gains ground near Point 593 and Point 445 as well as attacking Colle Sant'Angelo.
In Burma... Japanese forces launch a major offensive in the Arakan (Operation Ha-Go).
Saturday, February 5, 1944
In Burma... The 16th Long Range Penetration Brigade (a Chindit brigade) leaves Ledo and marches south toward the "Aberdeen" area.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces of the 1st Ukrainian Front capture Rovno and Lutsk in advances against the German 4th Panzer Army. Inside the Korsun pocket, German General Stemmermann, commanding forces within the pocket, withdraws to smaller perimeter. German efforts to supply the trapped forces by air, from airfields around Uman, are successful. Soviet forces mount attacks on the pocket perimeter, as well as attempting to cut the aerial supply line.
Sunday, February 6, 1944
On the Eastern Front... The Soviet 3rd Ukrainian Front captures Manganets, east of Nikopol. To the west of Nikopol, Apostolovo also falls to Soviet forces. German forces defending Nikopol are threatened with a Soviet encirclement.
In Italy... Forces of US 5th Army continue fighting in the hills north of Cassino.
Monday, February 7, 1944
In the Marshall Islands... In the Kwajalein Atoll, American forces complete the elimination of isolated Japanese pockets of resistance.
In Berlin... Hitler agrees to allow the troops trapped in the Korsun pocket to attempt a breakout.
On the Eastern Front... In the Korsun pocket, General Stemmermann pulls out of Gorodische and Yanovka in order to concentrate the German forces for a breakout attempt.
In Italy... At the Anzio beachhead, there are new attacks on the British 1st Division by German forces. The Germans aim for the village of Aprilia and "The Factory" nearby. Meanwhile, the British 56th Division and the US 45th Division arrive at Anzio.
Tuesday, February 8, 1944
In Italy... At the Anzio beachhead, the British 1st Division continues to battle German forces advancing toward Aprilia and "The Factory".
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces of the 3rd Ukrainian Front capture Nikopol. The German defenders of 6th Army (part of Army Group South) have successfully withdrawn. Nikopol is an important center for the production of manganese.
Wednesday, February 9, 1944
On the Eastern Front... German air forces make renewed efforts to bring supplies to the troops in the Korsun pocket. Large quantities of fuel and ammunition are delivered, while some of the wounded are flown out.
In Italy... At the Anzio beachhead, German forces capture Aprilia from the British 1st Division which continues to hold "The Factory".
Thursday, February 10, 1944
In New Guinea... Australian forces advancing from Sio link up with American forces near Saidor. Allied forces now occupy most of the Huon Peninsula.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces of the 1st Ukrainian Front (Vatutin) capture Shepetovka.
Friday, February 11, 1944
In Italy... At the Anzio beachhead, German forces capture "The Factory" from the British 1st Division. Meanwhile forces of the US 5th Army continue to engage German defenders around Cassino. The US 34th Division makes an unsuccessful attempt to approach the Cassino monastery from the north.
On the Eastern Front... In the morning, the German 3rd Panzer Corps (General Vormann), part of Army Group South, launches its attack to relieve the Korsun pocket. Its forces capture a bridge over the Gniloy Tikich. Late in the day, the trapped German troops begin a breakout attempt.
Saturday, February 12, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In the north, Soviet forces reach Luga, southwest of Leningrad, in the continuing offensive operations against Army Group North. In the south, the battle for the Korsun pocket continues.
In the Bismark Archipelago... On New Britain, US marines capture Gorissi, 25 miles east of Cape Gloucester. Meanwhile, Allied forces land on Rooke Island.
In the Marshall Islands... There are American landings on Arno Atoll.
In Italy... Forces of the US 5th Army are redeployed. The New Zealand Corps replaces the US 2nd Corps opposite Cassino. At Anzio, there is a lull in the battle. The British 1st Division is withdrawn from the line because of heavy losses. American General Lucas, commanding Allied forces on the beachhead, organizes an inner defensive perimeter.
In the United States... Wendell Willkie announces his candidacy for the Republican nomination for president. General MacArthur has also been suggested as a potential candidate. President Roosevelt, a Democrat, has made no formal announcement about running for a third term but his name has been put forward for several of the Democratic primaries.
Sunday, February 13, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In the north, Soviet forces capture Luga, Polna and Lyady in their continuing offensive against forces of the German Army Group North. In the south, the battle for the Korsun pocket continues. The trapped German forces pull out of Korsun-Sevchenkosky late in the day but fail to make significant progress in their breakout attempt.
Monday, February 14, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In the south, Soviet forces occupy Kosun-Sevchenkosky in the ongoing battle. German resistance within the Korsun pocket continues to be strong. A Belgian SS brigade is prominent in the defense. The German 3rd Panzer Corps (part of Army Group South) is unable to break through Soviet forces to relieve the pocket.
In the Solomon Islands... American and New Zealand forces land on the Green Islands.
Tuesday, February 15, 1944
In Italy... Allied aircraft bomb the historic monastery on the crest of Monte Cassino. German forces, which have not occupied the position previously, move into the ruins of the monestary. The New Zealand Corps (part of US 5th Army) follows-up the bombing with an assault which fails.
In the Solomon Islands... The 3rd Amphibious Force (Admiral Wilkinson) lands elements of the New Zealand 3rd Division (General Barrowclough) on the Green Islands, north of Bougainville. US Task Force 39 (Admiral Merrill) provides escort.
Wednesday, February 16, 1944
In Stockholm... A Finnish diplomat arrives to receive terms for an armistice from the Soviet ambassador, Kollontay.
In Italy... German forces begin a new attack on the Allied forces on the Anzio beachhead. The US 45th Division and the British 56th Division are engaged by elements of 5 German divisions. There is no decisive breakthrough. The Luftwaffe provides close air support for the offensive as well as attacking shipping off shore. The ammunition ship Elihu Yale blows up after a German air strike. To the south, around Cassino, forces of New Zealand Corps (part of US 5th Army) continue attacking.
In the Marshall Islands... Carrier aircraft from US Task Group 58.4 (Admiral Ginder) raid Eniwetok. The Japanese airfield on Engebi is no longer operational.
On the Eastern Front... Shortly before midnight, the German forces trapped in the Korsun pocket begin their final breakout attempt.
Thursday, February 17, 1944
On the Eastern Front... The battle of the Korsun pocket ends as the bulk of the surviving German forces reach their own lines. Of the original force of 56,000, commanded by General Stemmerman, 35,000 escape, but without their equipment. Stemmermann is killed in the breakout. The equivalent of 6 German divisions are presently unfit for operations.
In Italy... German forces continue attacks on the Anzio beachhead. The US 45th Division barely contains the German attack. Heavy losses are sustained by both sides. Offshore, the British cruiser Penelope is damaged by a torpedo attack. To the south, near Cassino, German forces recover Point 593 after losing possession briefly to the British 4th Indian Division (part of the US 5th Army).
In the Marshall Islands... US forces land on Eniwetok Atoll. Task Force 51.11 (Admiral Hill) lands small parties on islets near Engebi with artillery to cover later operations. There are 3 battleships and 3 escort carriers providing naval support. The Japanese garrison of the atoll consists of about 3400 troops commanded by General Mushida.
In the Bismark Archipelago... During the night (February 17-18), US destroyers bombard Japanese bases at Rabaul and Kavieng.
In the Caroline Islands... American forces attack the Japanese base at Truk and nearby shipping. Three groups of Task Force 58 (Admiral Mitscher) and one group of Task Forces 50 (Admiral Spruance) engage. The operation is under the command of Spruance. In total 9 carriers and 6 battleships as well as cruisers, destroyers and submarines are involved.
Friday, February 18, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In the north, Soviet forces of 2nd Baltic Front (Popov) capture Staraya-Russa. Volkhov Front (Meretskov) forces take Shimsk.
In the Marshall Islands... In the Eniwetok Atoll, American forces land Engebi and establish a beachhead. The invasion is supported by land-based artillery, as well as naval and air bombardments. Japanese counterattacks are defeated.
In Italy... At Anzio, heavy fighting takes place on the Anzio-Campoleone road (the "Flyover"). German armored reserves (26th Panzer Div. and 29th Panzer Grenadier Div.) are committed to the attack. Allied artillery prevents significant gains. Offshore, the cruiser Penelope is hit again and sinks. Meanwhile, around Cassino, further attacks by Indian, New Zealand forces of the US 5th Army fail to hold the gains made in attacks from the hills north of the monestary and over the Rapido River.
In Washington... President Roosevelt vetoes the Bankhead Bill which proposed to end food subsidies. The veto is upheld by the House of Representatives.
In the Caroline Islands... American forces continue their raid on the Japanese base at Truk. Over the course of the two days, US aircraft log 1250 sorties. The Japanese lose 1 cruiser, 2 destroyers, several other warships and 140,000 tons of shipping to air attack. The battleships Iowa and New Jersey sink 1 cruiser and 2 destroyers. In addition 250 Japanese aircraft are reported destroyed. American submarines sink several more vessels. The US forces lose less than 30 planes and damage is sustained to the carrier Intrepid.
Saturday, February 19, 1944
In Italy... The Anzio beachhead becomes stabilized. Neither sides plans significant attacks at this time. To the south, there is a lull in the fighting along the Gustav Line.
In the Marshall Islands... Fighting continues on Engebi in the Eniwetok Atoll. Americans land on Eniwetok in regimental strength. There is heavy Japanese resistance, in spite of massive preparatory bombardments.
Sunday, February 20, 1944
On the Eastern Front... The Soviet 2nd Baltic Front (Popov) launches a new offensive toward Kholm, spearheaded by the 22nd Army. German 16th Army, part of Army Group North, is unable to contain the assault, in part because of the army group shifting of forces northward in support of German 18th Army in recent weeks.
In the Marshall Islands... American carrier aircraft from Task Group 58.1 (Admiral Reeves) attack Japanese targets in Jaluit Atoll. The fighting on Eniwetok continues. The nearby island of Parry is shelled by US naval forces.
In Occupied Norway... A ferry carrying a stock of heavy water from the Ryukan hydroelectric plant to Germany is sunk by resistance fighters acting on instructions from the British government and the Norwegian government in exile. The cargo is lost. Heavy water is used in atomic research.
Monday, February 21, 1944
In the Solomon Islands... Japanese resistance on the Green Islands, north of Bougainville, ends. The islands are occupied by elements of the New Zealand 3rd Division (Barrowclough).
On the Eastern Front... In the north, Soviet forces capture Soltsy, southwest of Shimsk, as well as Kholm, 60 miles to the south. Meanwhile, in the Ukraine, Soviet forces are attacking towards Krivoi Rog.
In Tokyo... Prime Minister General Tojo takes over the office of Chief of the Army General Staff, in place of Field Marshal Sugiyama. The navy minister, Admiral Shimada, also takes an additional office, replacing Admiral Nagano as Chief of Staff.
Tuesday, February 22, 1944
On the Eastern Front... German forces of Army Group South, facing another large encirclement, withdraw from Krivoi Rog, the iron mining center in the Donbas. Forces of the Soviet 3rd Ukrainian Front occupy the city during the day. From Moscow... Stalin issues two Orders of the Day: the first concerns the capture of Krivoi Rog and the second announces that three-quarters of Soviet territory has now been liberated with the Red Army having advanced as much as 1000 miles. In the Mariana Islands... Japanese bombers and torpedo planes attack the ships of US Task Force 58. Over Holland... In dense cloud and freezing conditions, a B-24 group bombs Nijmegen by mistake, killing 200 civilians. In Occupied Greece... A German troop train is derailed in the Tempe Valley by British-led guerrillas. An estimated 400 soldiers are killed. The Athens-Salonika railroad is blocked for four days. In the Marshall Islands... US forces land on Parry Island, in the Eniwetok Atoll. There is heavy Japanese resistance.Wednesday, February 23, 1944
In the Marshall Islands... Japanese resistance on Parry Island ends. American forces complete the occupation of Eniwetok Atoll. US losses are 300 killed and 750 wounded. The Japanese garrison has been wiped out. Out of 3400 troops, there are 66 prisoners.
On the Eastern Front... In the north, Red Army forces take Strugi Krasnyye, midway between Luga and Pskov. Attacks begin toward Dno as well.
In the Mariana Islands... American aircraft raid Rota, Tinian and Saipan. The US forces are from Task Group 58.3 (Sherman) and Task Group 58.2 (Montgomery). The attack sinks 20,000 tons of Japanese shipping.
In Italy... At Anzio, General Truscott replaces General Lucas as commander of the US 6th Corps.
Thursday, February 24, 1944
In Burma... British forces capture the Nyakyedyauk Pass.
On the Eastern Front... In the north, forces of the Soviet 1st Belorussian Front capture the rail junction of Dno, east of Pskov. Meanwhile, Rogachev falls to forces of the 2nd Belorussian Front.
In New Guinea... American forces reach Biliau near Cape Iris.
Over Britain... The ninth Luftwaffe bombing raid on London is carried out since the beginning of the "Little Blitz" on January 21st. A total of 129 German bombers have been lost since this operation began.
Friday, February 25, 1944
Over Germany... In the climax of the "Big Week" bombing campaign, aircraft of the US 8th Air Force (830 bombers) and the US 15th Air Force (150 bombers), with fighter escorts, conduct a daylight raid of the Messerschmitt works at Regensburg and Augsburg. Losses are reported at 30 and 35 bombers, of the 8th and 15th Air Forces respectively, as well as 8 escort fighters. The Americans claim to shoot down 142 German fighters as well as destroying 1000 German fighters on the assembly lines and 1000 more lost to the disruption of production. During the night, RAF Bomber Command attacks Augsburg in a two waves.Saturday, February 26, 1944
Over Finland... Some 600 Soviet bombers attack Helsinki between 1800 and 0600 the following morning. Fires begun by the raid are visible for 400 km. Only three bombers are lost.
On the Eastern Front... In the north, Soviet forces capture Porkhov, east of Dno.
In the Bismark Archipelago... Allied aircraft raid Rabaul, on New Britain, destroying Japanese munitions dumps.
In British Guiana... The source of the Orinoco River is discovered by the crew of a USAAF plane in a mountainous gorge near the Brazilian-Venezuelan border.
In Occupied France... French resistance members attack the SOMUA armor plate works at Lyons. Over 30 of the plastic explosive charges planted fail to detonate.
Sunday, February 27, 1944
In the Admiralty Islands... There are American air strikes on Momote and Lorengau in preparation for a reconnaissance in force. The troops to be employed in the operation are embarking in Oro Bay.
Monday, February 28, 1944
In Italy... German forces launch a second offensive against the Anzio beachhead held by forces of the US 6th Corps (Truscott). Four German divisions attack on either side of the Cisterna-Anzio road, defended by the US 3rd Division. German forces fail to break through.
Tuesday, February 29, 1944
On the Eastern Front... The commander of the Soviet 1st Ukrainian Front, Marshal Nikolai Vatutin, is ambushed by Ukrainian nationalist partisans and mortally wounded while on a motor tour with Nikita Khrushchev in the area of the Soviet 60th Army. Zhukov replaces him in command.
In Italy... German forces continue limited attacks on the Anzio beachhead; there is a heavy artillery bombardment. Poor weather prevents a full-scale effort.
From London... RAF Fighter Command is reorganized and renamed Air Defence of Great Britain.
In the Admiralty Islands... On Los Negros, 1000 men from the US 5th Cavalry Regiment (General Chase) land at Hyane Harbor. General MacArthur and Admiral Kinkaid, commanding the US 7th Fleet, are present offshore and decide to convert the landings into a full-scale occupation. Japanese counterattacks during the night are defeated.
Copyright © 2018 Ralph Zuljan