Chronology of World War II

Monday, May 1, 1944

In the Caroline Islands... An American force of 7 battleships and 11 destroyers, commanded by Admiral Lee, bombards Ponape. The carriers of Task Group 58.1 (Admiral Clark) provide cover for the operation.

In London... The Commonwealth Prime Ministers Conference is held.

In Moscow... Stalin declares in an Order of the Day: "The wounded German beast must be pursued and finished off in its lair." Saluting batteries in Moscow and eight other cities fire 20 salvos. Meanwhile, Zhukov and Vasilevsky begin detailed planning for the Soviet summer offensive against the salient held by German Army Group Center. The plan calls for misleading the Germans into expecting an offensive in the northern Ukraine instead.

From Partisan Yugoslavia... Tito sends a military mission to London.

Tuesday, May 2, 1944

In Madrid... Spain reaches an agreement with Britain and the US on restricting the exports of wolfram (tungsten ore) to Germany. In Occupied France... The management of the Aubert and Duval steel works at Ancizes cooperate with French Resistance in shutting down.

Wednesday, May 3, 1944

In Tokyo... Japanese Admiral Toyoda is designated Commander in Chief of the Combined Fleet. He replaces Admiral Koga who was killed on March 31st.

In Burma... The British 14th Army captures heights above Maungdaw-Buthidaung road in the Arakan.

Over Nazi Europe... During the night, RAF bombers target an army depot at Mailly, near Rheims (Germany), aircraft stores at Montdidier (France), an ammunition dumps at Chateaudun (France) and Ludwigshafen (Germany). A total of 49 aircraft are lost.

In the United States... The production of synthetic quinine (anti-malarial) by young Harvard scientists Woodward and Doering is announced in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

In Occupied France... French resistance members burn 100,000 liters of acetone in the Lambiotte plant, Premery.

Thursday, May 4, 1944

Over Occupied Hungary... RAF bombers raid railway installations in Budapest during the night.

In the United States... Most meat products are removed from the ration list. Steaks and choice cuts for roasting remain rationed.

Friday, May 5, 1944

In Burma... The British 14th Army (Slim) counterattacks near Imphal.

Over Italy... The Torre Dam is breached by British RAF Mustangs and Australian and South African Warhawks.

Saturday, May 6, 1944

On the Eastern Front... In the Crimea, Soviet forces launch their final offensive on Sevastopol. The attack begins during the night with an artillery barrage. The German and Romanian forces in the city have been adequately maintained and about 40,000 have been evacuated by sea.

In Occupied Norway... The British Home Fleet begins the first of a series of six attempts to conduct another air strike on the German battleship Tirpitz. Poor weather prevents the attack being carried out. These raids are considered to be part of one of the deception plans for D-Day, Operation Fortitude North. It involves false radio traffic designed to suggest a coming Allied landing in Norway.

In the Pacific... A Japanese troopship convoy is destroyed by the American submarine Gurnard.

In Japan... The first flight of the Mitsubishi A7M fighter (designed to replace the Zero) takes place. Technical problems and Allied bombing raids prevent mass production.

In India... Gandi is released from imprisonment on medical grounds.

Sunday, May 7, 1944

Over Romania... The US 15th Air Force and British Bomber Command attack railway yards in Bucharest during the day and night, leaving the city in flames.

Over Germany... The US 8th Air Force conducts a massive raid on Berlin with 1500 aircraft.

Over Occupied France... The US 9th Air Force attacks the railway yards at Mezieres-Charleville with Marauders and P-38 Lightnings.

In the Bismark Archipelago... Elements of the US 46th Division occupy Cape Hopkins Airfield. There is no Japanese resistance encountered.

Monday, May 8, 1944

On the Eastern Front... In the Crimea, the Soviet offensive toward Sevastopol continues. The defending German and Romanian forces are now being evacuated. There are at least 45,000 Axis troops isolated there. From Berlin... Hitler gives his permission for a full-scale evacuation of the German and Romanian forces in the Crimea. Meanwhile, Eichmann proposes to release Hungarian Jews in return for 10,000 trucks, 2 million cases of soap and other goods. The offer is transmitted to the western Allies by Joel Brand, a member of the Vaadat Ezra v'Hazalah (Jewish Assistance and Rescue Committee) and it is rejected. In Washington... The US Senate extends the term of Lend-Lease aid to June 1945. In London... General Eisenhower selects June 5th as D-Day for the Normandy invasion.

Tuesday, May 9, 1944

On the Eastern Front... In the Crimea, the Red Army captures the city of Sevastopol after three days of fighting. German and Romanian troops fall back toward Cape Kersonessky where evacuations continue.

In New Guinea... Japanese forces skirmish with American forces on the beachheads around Hollandia.

Over Occupied France... Allied air forces begin large scale raids on airbases in France as part of the preparation for the D-Day invasion.

Wednesday, May 10, 1944

In China... Chinese forces cross the Salween River, near the Burmese border, on a broad front. In New Guinea... Japanese forces continue to skirmish with American forces on the beachheads around Hollandia. In Occupied France... The French resistance organization (FFI - Free French Forces of the Interior) claims a membership of 175,000. In Washington... J.V. Forrestal is designated the new Secretary of the Navy. He replaces Knox, who died on April 28th.

Thursday, May 11, 1944

In Italy... The US 5th Army launches new attacks against the German-held Gustav Line. The preparatory bombardment begins just before midnight. It is followed up by infantry advances. The US 2nd Corps, the Polish 2nd Corps, the British 13th Corps and the French Expeditionary Corps are engaged. Attacking Allied forces amount to 12 divisions plus reserves. The German defenders have 6 divisions, including reserves. The commanders of the German 10th Army (Vietinghoff) and the 76th Panzer Corps (Senger) are both absent from their headquarters at the start of the offensive. Meanwhile, Allied warships bombard German heavy artillery batteries around Gaeta.

Over Germany... German fighter ace Oberst Walter Oesau (123 victories) is shot down and killed over the Eifel Mountains.

Over Occupied France... The US 9th Air Force begins a series of raids on airfields around Caen.

In Britain... The Lancaster bomber "S for Sugar" (RAF No. 467 Squadron) completes its 100th mission.

In the Sulu Sea... The Japanese begin to assemble most of their remaining heavy warships at Tawitawi. Admiral Ozawa commands the forces. The build up is in anticipation of the American offensive against the Mariana Islands to the northeast.

In New Guinea... Japanese forces continue to skirmish with American forces on the beachheads around Hollandia.

Friday, May 12, 1944

Over Germany... About 800 bombers of the US 8th Air Force, with a substantial fighter escort, attack synthetic oil plants at Leuna-Merseburg, Bohlen, Zeitz, Lutzkendorf and Brux (northwest of Prague). The Americans claim to shoot down 150 German fighters and report losses of 46 bombers and 10 fighters.

In Italy... Allied attacks by forces of the US 5th Army make some progress against the German-held defenses. The French Expeditionary Corps (General Juin) encounters only the German 71st Division along its line and captures Monte Faito. The Polish 2nd Corps is held with heavy losses, north of Cassino. The British 13th Corps establishes two small bridgeheads over the Rapido River, opposite Cassino. The US 2nd Corps, on the western coast of the advance, experiences difficulty advancing.

In New Guinea... Japanese forces continue to skirmish with American forces on the beachheads around Hollandia.

Saturday, May 13, 1944

On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces complete the occupation of the Crimea. About 130,000 German and Romanian troops have been evacuated by sea as well as about 21,500 by air since April 12th. Many of the evacuated troops are wounded. About 78,000 Axis troops have been killed or captured.

In Italy... Forces of the US 5th Army continue to attack. The Polish 2nd Corps suffers heavy losses in unsuccessful attacks against the German 1st Parachute Division holding Cassino. The French Expeditionary Corps, however, captures Castelforte as well as Monte Maio and advance to the Liri River at Sant'Appollinaire. The US 2nd Corps and British 13th Corps make limited advances during the day.

In New Guinea... Japanese forces continue to skirmish with American forces on the beachheads around Hollandia.

In Occupied France... Attacks by French resistance members halt production of self-propelled guns at Lorraine-Dietrich works, Bagneres de Bigorre.

In the North Atlantic... An American escort destroyer sinks the Japanese submarine I-501 (formerly U-1224) off the Azores. The submarine had been presented to the Japanese by the German Kriegsmarine.

Sunday, May 14, 1944

In Italy... The attacks by forces of the US 5th Army continue. The French Expeditionary Corps advances into the Ausente Valley, capturing Ausonia, and continue to advance over the Aurunci Mountains toward the next German defensive line, which is not occupied in strength at this time. The US 2nd Corps makes progress against the defending German 94th Division.

Over Britain... The Luftwaffe conducts a night raid on Bristol and southwestern England with 91 planes of which 15 are lost.

In the North Sea... German E-boats attack Allied landing craft lying off the coast of Britain near the Isle of Wight. The Free French destroyer La Combattante sinks S-141 in which the second son of Admiral Donitz, Klaus Donitz, is serving. The entire crew is lost at sea.

Monday, May 15, 1944

In Italy... German defenses on the Gustav Line begin to collapse. Attacks by the US 5th Army continue to make gains. The French Expeditionary Corps captures San Giorgio. To the north, the British 13th Corps reaches Pignaturo. The Canadian 1st Corps is inserted into the line to exploit this advance.

In the Soviet Union... The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Sergei dies at age 77.

Tuesday, May 16, 1944

In Italy... Most Allied forces of the US 5th Army meet reduced resistance to their ongoing offensive. Only the Polish 2nd Corps, at Cassino, continues to have difficulty. The British 13th Corps and the Canadian 1st Corps, in the Liri Valley, are advancing toward Pontecorvo and Piumarola. The US 2nd Corps advances along the western coast. The French Expeditionary Corps capture Monte Petrella and advance toward Monte Revole.

In New Guinea... American forces move from Hollandia toward Wadke Island.

On the Eastern Front... Soviet aircraft bomb railway targets in Minsk.

In London... The Allies sign agreements with Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway concerning their administration during the immediate post-liberation period.

In the Norwegian Sea... British Coastal Command planes are active against German submarines. A total of 5 U-boats are sunk off Norway, and 3 others seriously damaged, between May 16 and May 31.

Wednesday, May 17, 1944

In Burma... Merrill's Marauders help Chinese forces capture Myitkyina airfield.

In Italy... Allied forces of the US 5th Army continue to advance in the Liri Valley. Piumarolo, Monte Faggeta, Esperia and Formia are all captured. The Polish 2nd Corps captures Sant'Angelo. The French Expeditionary Corps is held beyond Esperia, near Monte d'Ore. The German 10th Army (Vietinghoff) has been reinforced by 3 division from Army Group C (Kesselring) reserves but it is unable to halt the Allies. The German command decides withdraw to a new line of defense.

In New Guinea... US forces land on Insumarai Island and at Arare on the mainland nearby. Admiral Crutchley and Admiral Berkey command cruisers and destroyers covering the landings.

In the Dutch East Indies... Allied aircraft carriers HMS Illustrious and USS Saratoga raid oil installations at Surabaya, on Java. Battleships of the British Eastern Fleet (Admiral Sommerville) provide escort. The Japanese lose 1 freighter and 12 aircraft on the ground. Only 1 Allied plane is lost. During the night, land-based Liberator bombers raid the installations again.

Thursday, May 18, 1944

In New Guinea... The US 163rd Infantry Regiment (General Doe) lands on Insoemar Island and advance to capture Wadke airfield.

In the Mediterranean... An Allied ship sunk from convoy HA-43 by U-453 is the last success for a German submarine in the Mediterranean.

From Berlin... It is announced that Field Marshal von Rundstedt is to be Commander in Chief West with Army Group B (Rommel) and Army Group G (Blaskowitz) under his command, in the north and south respectively.

In Italy... The advance of Allied forces of the US 5th Army slows down as they approach the German-held Senger Line. The Polish 2nd Corps captures the Monte Cassino abbey as the Germans withdraw.

In the Admiralty Islands... The US 6th Army announces that the campaign has been completed. The Americans have suffered 1400 dead and wounded; the Japanese have suffered 3820 dead and 75 prisoners.

Friday, May 19, 1944

In Marcus Island... American aircraft the carriers of Task Group 58.2 (Admiral Montgomery) conduct a raid.

In New Guinea... On Insoemar Island, the remnants of the Japanese garrison falls back to the northeast corner of the island.

In Italy... Allied forces of US 5th Army continue to make advances. The US 2nd Corps captures Gasta Itri and Monte Grande. The French Expeditionary Corps nearly reaches Pico and battle for Campodimele. Meanwhile, British armor and infantry overrun the Aquino airfield, in the Liri Valley but German antitank guns repulse an attempt to seize the town.

Saturday, May 20, 1944

In Occupied Poland... A V2, on a test flight, lands near the Bug River about 80 miles east of Warsaw. Polish resistance workers hide the rocket before German forces arrive to recover it.

In Italy... Forces of the US 5th Army assault the German-held Senger Line. The French Expeditionary Corps attacks Pico; the Canadian 1st Corps attacks Pontecorvo; and the Polish 2nd Corps attacks Piedimonte San Germano.

In New Guinea... American forces have eliminated the Japanese garrison on Wadke. On the mainland, nearby, Japanese forces conduct weak attacks near Arare.

In Marcus Island... American aircraft the carriers of Task Group 58.2 (Admiral Montgomery) conduct a raid.

Sunday, May 21, 1944

In Italy... A small American force lands at Sperlonga, having embarked at Gaeta. Meanwhile, forces of the US 5th Army continue attacking. The US 2nd Corps captures Fondi while the French Expeditionary Corps takes Campodimele. German resistance in the Liri Valley and around Pico prevents significant gains in these areas.

In New Guinea... The American beachhead at Arare is reinforces and the airfield at Wadke is repaired.

In the United States... An explosion on a landing craft in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, kills 127 and injures 380 people.

Monday, May 22, 1944

In Italy... US 5th Army forces continue to advance. The US 2nd Corps (Keyes) advances north along the coast and Route 7. The French Expeditionary Corps captures Pico. There is continued heavy German resistance in the Liri Valley.

In the Sulu Sea... An American submarine detects the concentration of the Japanese fleet around Tawitawi.

In New Guinea... Japanese forces attack US positions around Aitape. American forces make some withdrawals.

In Wake Island... An American destroyer force bombards Japanese positions.

In Occupied France... French resistance members blow up the hydroelectric station at Bussy.

Tuesday, May 23, 1944

In Italy... The US 6th Corps in the Anzio beachhead launches an attack on Cisterna. German resistance results in high Allied casualties. Meanwhile, the US 5th Army continues offensive operations. US 2nd Corps patrols reach Terracina. Both the French Expeditionary Corps and the Canadian 1st Corps penetrate the German-held Senger Line. The Canadians break through by the end of the day.

In New Guinea... American forces encounter heavy resistance in their advance westward from Arare toward Sarmi. At Aitape, Japanese attacks continue to force the Americans to fall back.

In Wake Island... US Task Group 58.2 (Admiral Montgomery) launches air raids on Japanese positions.

In China... Chinese forces launch a counteroffensive in Honan Province.

In Occupied France... Paris radio announces that the railway system is in chaos.

Wednesday, May 24, 1944

In Burma... The Japanese 18th Division launches strong counterattacks to the south of Myitkyina.

In Italy... Attacks by the US 5th Army and the British 8th Army continue. The Canadian 1st Corps captures Pontecorvo and elements reach the Melfa River and establish a bridgehead. The US 2nd Corps takes Terracina against heavy opposition from the German 29th Panzergrenadier Division. At Anzio forces of US 6th Corps reach Route 7 near Latina, to the south of German-held Cisterna. Meanwhile, north of Rome, RAF Spitfires shoot down 8 German Fw190 fighter bombers.

From Berlin... Hitler authorizes Kesselring to withdraw to the Caesar Line.

Thursday, May 25, 1944

In Italy... Patrols of the US 2nd Corps link up with forces of the US 6th Corps from Anzio near Latina (Pontine Marshes). In its advance, the US 6th Corps captures Cisterna and Cori. The German 10th Army is in danger of being cut off and Army Group C (Kesselring) sends its last reserve, the "Hermann Goring" Division, for reinforcement. The US 5th Army (Clark), however, now puts the weight of its forces into the capture of Rome. Meanwhile, the British 8th Army crosses the Melfa River in strength.

In New Guinea... American forces advancing from Arare cross the Tirfoam River after engaging Japanese defenders.

In Occupied Yugoslavia... A small force of German paratroopers is dropped near Tito's headquarters at Drvar in Bosnia. The attack is supported by German Stuka dive bombers. Both Tito and the British liaison officer, Major Randolph Churchill, escape capture.

Friday, May 26, 1944

In China... Japanese forces launch a major offensive against American airbases in the southeast (Operation Ichigo). The Japanese 11th Army attacks from Hankow and the 23rd Army drives from Canton. A total of about 620,000 Japanese troops are engaged in the operation.

In Italy... Allied advances continue despite German resistance. The British 10th Corps (McCreery) captures Roccasecca; the Canadian 1st Corps takes San Giovanni and reaches the Liri River; the US 2nd Corps reaches Priverno. The US 6th Corps, at Anzio, progresses toward Lanuvio; US 3rd Division takes Artena, but German defenses prevent it from advancing to Valmontone. The US 1st Armored Division proves too weak to mount a rapid drive towards Velletri.

In the North Atlantic... German submarine U-541 stops the Portuguese liner Serpa Pinto, carrying Jewish refugees to Canada. Two American citizens are removed and 385 others are ordered into the lifeboats. Nine hours later, after the submarine has contacted its base, the passengers are allowed back on board the ship. Three die in the evacuation process, including a 16 month old baby..

In Occupied France... French resistance members bomb the hydroelectric station supplying the Tulle Arsenal. The station is guarded by 40 German soldiers.

In the Marshall Islands... An American destroyer force bombards Mili Island.

Saturday, May 27, 1944

In New Guinea... On Biak Island, the US 41st Infantry Division (General Fuller) lands near Bosnek. Naval escort for the landing is provided by cruisers and destroyers under the command of Admiral Fechteler. The forces of Admiral Crutchley and Admiral Berkey provide support. The Japanese garrison, led by Colonel Kuzume, numbers about 11,000 men but it does not resist the landings. On the mainland, American troops make limited gains in their advance toward Sarmi.

In Italy... German forces counterattack around Artena but the US 3rd Division (part of the 6th Corps) holds on to the town.

Sunday, May 28, 1944

In Italy... Allied forces continue their offensive. The Canadian 1st Corps captures Ceprano. There is heavy fighting all along the front. However, other than rearguards from the German 14th Panzer Corps and the 51st Mountain Corps, German forces are retiring to the Caesar Line because of the threat to their rear posed by the US 6th Corps at Anzio.

Over Germany... Bombers of the US 8th Air Force attack Leuna and Magdeburg.

In New Guinea... On Biak Island, the US 41st Infantry Division begins to expand its beachhead. There is heavy fighting near the village of Mokmer, where an airfield is located, and the American battalion pulls back.

From Sydney... General MacArthur announces that, strategically, the campaign for New Guinea has been won although there is still some hard fighting to be done.

Monday, May 29, 1944

In New Guinea... On Biak Island, as well as Arare on the mainland, the American beachheads are heavily attacked by Japanese forces. The Japanese garrison on Biak makes use of tanks to force the US 162nd Regiment back towards its landing zone.

In the North Atlantic... The American escort carrier Block Island and a destroyer are sunk by U-549 before it is itself sunk.

Over Germany... About 400 American bombers attack German synthetic fuel works and oil refineries at Polits and other locations. The damage caused sets back aircraft fuel production.

In Berlin... In a presentation to Hitler, Field Marshal Busch, commanding German Army Group Center on the Eastern Front, presents evidence of a major Soviet buildup along his lines. Hitler emphasizes the need to improve the defensive fortifications at Vitebsk, Polotsk, Rosh, Mogilev and Bobriusk and to defend the area at all costs.

In Italy... At Anzio, the British and American troops of the US 6th Corps take Campoleone and Carroceto. The Canadian 1st Corps begins to advance up Route 6 from Caprano toward Frosinone.

Tuesday, May 30, 1944

On the Eastern Front... German forces attack units of the Soviet 2nd Ukrainian Front (Konev), north of Jassy in Romania and achieve some gains.

In Italy... Elements of the British 8th Army capture Arce. At Anzio, the US 6th Corps approaches Velletri.

In Occupied France... French resistance forces sabotage equipment at Decazeville Colliery.

Wednesday, May 31, 1944

In Italy... The Canadian 1st Corps captures Frosinone; the British 10th Corps takes Sora. Around Anzio, forces of the US 6th Corps capture Velletri and Monte Artemiso while other elements attack Albano. The German loss of Velletri unhinges their defenses of the Caesar Line.

In New Guinea... US forces reduce their perimeter near Arare. All the American beachheads on the north coast experience significant Japanese attacks. Meanwhile, to the east, Australian forces capture Bunabum.

In the Bismark Sea... The destroyer USS England sinks the Japanese submarine RO105, northwest of the island of New Ireland. This is the sixth successful attack on a submarine by this vessel in twelve days.