Chronology of World War II
Sunday, October 1, 1944
In Greece... British Commandos land at Poros. Greek troops land at Mitilini, Lemnos and Levita.
In Italy... The US 2nd Corps (part of US 5th Army) attacks northward in the direction of Bologna.
From London... General McCreery takes over command of the British 8th Army, in Italy. The former commander, General Leese, is assigned to command Allied Land Forces, Southeast Asia.
Monday, October 2, 1944
In Occupied Poland... The Warsaw uprising, led by the Polish Home Army (AK), comes to an end. An estimated 200,000 Poles have died in the fighting. Most of central Warsaw is in ruins.
On the Western Front... The US 1st Army (part of US 12th Army Group) launches an offensive against the German-held Siegfried Line between Aachen, to the south, and Geilenkirchen, to the north.
In the Palau Islands... On Peleliu, pockets of Japanese resistance on Mount Amiangal are cleared. Fighting around Mount Umurbrogol continues.
Tuesday, October 3, 1944
On the Western Front... North of Aachen, elements of US 1st Army (part of US 12th Army Group) break through the German forces holding the Siegfried Line. Meanwhile, RAF bombing destroys the dikes around Walcheren Island, near Westkapelle, in Holland. This action floods most of the island in an effort to weaken German defenses.
In Germany... The first Me262 jet fighter becomes operational. A total of 40 are deployed at a base near Osnabruck.
On the Eastern Front... In the Baltic, Soviet forces seize the Hiiuma Island off the coast of Estonia.
Wednesday, October 4, 1944
On the Western Front... German forces counterattack elements of US 1st Army (part of US 12th Army Group) that have broken through the Siegfried Line defenses. The American forces hold the attack.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet troops of 3rd Ukrainian Front capture Pancevo on the north bank of the Danube River, east of Belgrade, Yugoslavia. Other Soviet troops reach Vladimirovac and link up with partisan forces nearby.
In Greece... Allied forces land on the Peloponese near Patras. Other forces occupy Greek islands in the Aegean Sea.
Thursday, October 5, 1944
On the Western Front... Allied forces cross the Belgian-Dutch border north of Antwerp. During the night (October 5-6), an attempted German raid off the coast of the Scheldt, using mini-submarines results in a loss of 36 of the attacking boats.
On the Eastern Front... In the Baltic, Soviet forces land on Saaremaa Island. German forces withdraw, under pressure, toward the Syrve peninsula. Meanwhile, Soviet forces continue their advance in the Baltic states. German Army Group North is under pressure by Soviet forces approaching Riga.
Over Germany... RAF Lancaster bombers fire bomb Saarbrucken.
From Berlin... The minimum age for conscription for military service is lowered to 16 years of age. In addition, all hospitals are placed under military control.
In Greece... Allied forces occupy Patras.
Friday, October 6, 1944
On the Western Front... The Canadian 2nd Corps (part of Canadian 1st Army) begins attacking remaining German forces south of the Scheldt, between the Leopold Canal and the southern bank of the river around Breskens. Flooded terrain contributes to a lack of progress.
Over Germany... There are heavy day and night raids on Berlin.
Saturday, October 7, 1944
On the Western Front... Canadian forces (elements of British 21st Army Group) establish two bridgeheads over the Leopold canal but German forces successfully contain the advance and counterattack. The US 1st Army penetrates the German held Siegfried Line to the north of Aachen. Meanwhile, to the south, forces of US 3rd Army (part of US 12th Army Group) gain some ground in Luxembourg and near Metz. German counterattacks prevent significant progress.
In Finland... The Soviet 14th Army attacks in northern Finland.
Sunday, October 8, 1944
In Greece... British forces occupy Corinth and Samos. Part of the British 9th Commando lands at Nauplion.
On the Western Front... The Allied Expeditionary Forces encounter growing resistance by German forces. Heavy fighting involves Canadian 2nd Corps (part of Canadian 1st Army) near the Scheldt, the US 19th Corps (part of US 1st Army) around Aachen and the US 12th Corps (part of US 3rd Army) around Metz.
In Finland... Finnish troops occupy the port of Kemi on the Gulf of Bothnia as German forces continue to withdraw.
Monday, October 9, 1944
In Moscow... British Prime Minister Churchill and Foreign Secretary Eden arrive to discuss the political future of eastern Europe with the Soviet leader Stalin and Commissar for Foreign Affairs Molotov. Polish representatives of the government in exile, based in London, are present for some of the talks. The Third Moscow Conference ends on October 20th.
On the Western Front... Troops of the Canadian 3rd Division (part of Canadian 2nd Corps) land at Breskens, on the south bank of the Scheldt, opposite Flushing on Walcheren Island. Heavy fighting continues around Aachen and Metz between elements of US 12th Army Group and German forces.
In Marcus Island... A US task force (Admiral Smith), consisting of cruisers and destroyers, shells Japanese positions.
Tuesday, October 10, 1944
On the Eastern Front... Elements of the Soviet 1st Baltic Front reach the Baltic sea north of Memel. Soviet forces begin attacks on Riga, the capital of Latvia. Meanwhile, in southeast Hungary, there is a large armored engagement near Debrecen. German forces are pushed back but then counterattack and destroy a claimed three corps. In Yugoslavia, the 3rd Ukrainian Front continues attacks south of Belgrade. The Belgrade-Nis rail line is cut near Velika Plana.
In Italy... The US 2nd Corps (part of US 5th Army) continues attacking in the direction of Bologna. Difficult terrain and poor weather assist defending German forces. To the east, British 8th Army forces have crossed the Rubicon River in most areas.
On the Western Front... Allied forces continue ongoing offensives in the Scheldt estuary, around Aachen and Metz. The US 1st Army (part of US 12th Army Group) issues a demand to the German garrison in Aachen to surrender.
In the Ryukyu Islands... US Task Force 38 (Admiral Mitscher), part of the US 3rd Fleet (Admiral Halsey), launches air strikes on Onami-Oshima, Okinawa and Sakashima. TF38 includes 11 fleet carriers, 6 light carriers, 6 battleships and numerous cruisers and destroyers. Many Japanese aircraft are destroyed in combat and 10 merchant ships are sunk around Okinawa. Japanese counter air strikes fail to locate the American ships.
Wednesday, October 11, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, troops of the Soviet 2nd Ukrainian Front cross the Tisza River around Szeged and capture the town. To the east, there is heavy fighting around Debrecen and Cluj is captured during the day.
On the Western Front... In the Scheldt estuary, Canadian 1st Army forces cut the causeway between the mainland and Beveland and Walcheren. Around Aachen, elements of US 19th Corps (part of US 1st Army) capture Bardenburg. Around Metz, forces of US 3rd Army capture Parroy after clear the nearby Foret de Parroy.
In Italy... The US 91st Division of US 2nd Corps (part of US 5th Army) encounters heavy German resistance at Livergnano. Forces of the British 8th Army capture Lorenzo.
In the Philippines... Two groups of US Task Force 38 (Admiral Mitscher), under the command of Admiral Cain and Admiral Davison respectively, conduct air strikes on Japanese airfields in the north of Luzon. The rest of TF38 is refueling.
Thursday, October 12, 1944
In Greece... Allied paratroops land at Athens airfield. Other British forces land on Corfu. German forces evacuate the Piraeus.
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, Oradea is captured by Soviet forces of 2nd Ukrainian Front. The battle for Debrecen continues. South of Szeged, Yugoslavian partisans and Soviet forces capture Subotica in a joint attack.
In the Palau Islands... The US 1st Marine Division remains engaged against Japanese defenders on Mount Umurgbrogol.
In Formosa... US Task Force 38 (Admiral Mitscher) launches air strikes on Japanese positions.
Friday, October 13, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In Latvia, elements of the Soviet 2nd and 3rd Baltic Fronts break through the German defensive positions around Riga, the capital city. During the day, Soviet forces reach the outskirts of the city.
On the Western Front... Elements of British 8th Corps (part of British 2nd Army) launch attacks toward Venlo from Nymegen. Around Aachen, US 1st Division of US 19th Corps (part of US 1st Army) enters the city from the east and is engaged in street fighting.
Over Liberated Belgium... The first German V1 and V2 attacks land on the port of Antwerp.
In Italy... To the west, forces of US 5th Army continue fighting south of Bologna. In the east, the British 46th Division, part of British 5th Corps (part of British 8th Army), captures Carpineta.
In Greece... Advance elements of a joint British-Greek force land at Piraeus.
In Formosa... For a second day, US Task Force 38 (Admiral Mitscher) launches air strikes on Japanese positions. Altogether, American aircraft record 2350 sorties and lose 48 aircraft. The Japanese defenders attack with some 190 aircraft. The USS Franklin is lightly damaged and the Australian cruiser Canberra sustains heavy damage in the Japanese counterattacks.
Saturday, October 14, 1944
In Germany... Field Marshal Rommel is visited at home by Nazi government representatives. He is suspected of complicity in the July 20th plot to assassinate Hitler. Rommel is given a choice of a public trial or suicide with a state funeral and a guarantee of immunity from persecution for his wife and family. He chooses to commit suicide. His death is publicly announced as resulting from wounds.
On the Western Front... Lead elements of Canadian 2nd Corps (part of Canadian 1st Army) link up with the landing forces at Breskens.
In Greece... Allied forces occupy Athens and the Piraeus. Further British forces land on Corfu. The British 3rd Corps is about to land at Piraeus.
In the Palau Islands... On Peleliu, the US 81st Infantry Division replaces the US 1st Marine Division in the front line on the island. American authorities announce that the occupation of Angaur has been completed but Japanese remnant forces continue to resist in the north of the island.
In the Philippines... US Task Group 38.4 conducts air strikes on Aparri Airfield on Luzon.
In Formosa... One group from US Task Force 38 (Admiral Mitscher) continues to launch air strikes on Japanese positions. The 246 American planes engaged suffer 23 aircraft lost. The cruiser USS Houston is also crippled in a torpedo attack. Meanwhile, American B-29 Superfortress bombers, operating from bases in China, bomb the island.
Sunday, October 15, 1944
In Budapest... Admiral Horthy, the prime minister and regent, asks for an armistice with the USSR in a radio broadcast.
In Finland... The Soviet 14th Army occupies Petsamo in the far north.
On the Eastern Front... In Latvia, Soviet forces of 2nd and 3rd Baltic Fronts capture Riga.
On the Western Front... Forces of Canadian 1st Army (British 21st Army Group) continue the battle for the Scheldt estuary. Around Aachen, elements of US 5th Army (part of US 12th Army Group) continue efforts to capture the city. To the south, the US 6th Corps, part of US 7th Army (part of US 12th Army Group), begins an offensive to the west of Epinal.
In Italy... In the west, elements of US 5th Army gain ground near Livergnano and Grizzana. In the east, forces of British 8th Army also make progress. The Polish 2nd Division (part of Polish 2nd Corps) captures Gambettola.
In the Philippines... US Task Group 38.4 conducts air strikes on targets north of Manila, on Luzon.
Monday, October 16, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In Yugoslavia, Soviet forces capture Nis after being evacuated by German forces. Bulgarian and Yugoslavian forces are assisting Soviet forces.
In Budapest... There is an announcement that the recent Hungarian request for an armistice is void. Admiral Horthy resigns and is taken to Germany. Ferenc Szalasy becomes regent and prime minister.
On the Western Front... Around Aachen, troops of the US 19th and 8th Corps (elements of US 1st Army) link up to the east of the city, completing its encirclement. Farther south, the US 6th Corps (part of US 7th Army) encounters heavy German resistance around Bruyeres on the Moselle River. To the south, the French 1st Army begins new attacks.
In Greece... British forces land on the island of Lemnos.
In the Philippines... Land-based aircraft of US 13th and 5th Air Forces, from Biak, Sansapor and Morotai, attack targets on Mindanao. US Task Group 77.4 (Admiral TF Sprague), with 18 escort carriers, launches air strikes on Leyte, Cebu and Mindanao.
Tuesday, October 17, 1944
In Italy... To the west, the US 2nd Corps (part of US 5th Army) continues attacks toward Bologna. To the east, the Polish 2nd Corps (part of British 8th Army) begins attacks from south of Forli.
On the Western Front... Troops of the British 2nd Army capture Venray in attacks toward Venlo. To the south, the US 7th Army continues its offensive around Luneville and Bruyeres.
In Liberated France... The French Ministry of War and the National Council for the Resistance reach agreement on the process by which resistance forces, FFI, will be integrated into the regular army.
In the Nicobar Islands... As a diversion for the American attack on Leyte, the British Eastern Fleet sends 2 carriers, 1 battle cruiser and lighter ships on a raid of the islands. Air strikes and shelling are carried out, causing damage.
In the Philippines... US Task Group 77.4 (Admiral TF Sprague) continues air strikes on Leyte, Cebu and Mindanao. US Task Group 38.4 (Admiral Davison) arrives with 4 carriers and launches air strikes on Luzon. Also, American minesweeping in Leyte Gulf begin and there are minor landings, by elements of the US Rangers, on the islands of Suluan and Dinagat at the entrance to Leyte Gulf.
Wednesday, October 18, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In Moscow it is announced that the 4th Ukrainian Front (Petrov) has entered Czechoslovakia. German forces from Greece and southern Yugoslavia are rapidly falling back to avoid being cut off by advancing Soviet forces.
In Germany... All able-bodies males between the ages of 16 and 60 are now liable for conscription into the Volkssturm (the home defense force).
In Greece... The Greek government in exile returns. British forces occupy Santorini and Scarpanto. The port of Patras becomes operational.
From Washington... General McClain takes command of the US 1st Army on the western front. He replaces General Corlett.
In the Philippines... The American escort carriers of TG77.4 concentrate air strikes on Leyte while the now 12 fleet carriers, in three groups from TF38, strike Luzon.
In the Nicobar Islands... Elements of the British Eastern Fleet continue diversionary operations with further bombardment of the islands, causing more damage.
Thursday, October 19, 1944
In Burma... British forces capture Tiddim.
In the Philippines... The American escort carriers of TG77.4 continue air strikes on Leyte. The US 15th Air Forces raids targets on Mindanao. The Japanese air forces suffer substantial losses in the ongoing American operations. Remaining aircraft are concentrated on Luzon in 1st Air Fleet (Admiral Onishi).
In the Nicobar Islands... Elements of the British Eastern Fleet continue diversionary operations with air strikes on the islands. Considerable damage is caused but the operation fails to divert Japanese attention from American operations in the Philippines.
On the Western Front... American attacks on Aachen continue. Farther south, forces of the US 7th Army capture Bruyeres. Nearby, other units prepare to assault St. Die.
In Italy... Troops of the British 10th Indian Division, part of British 5th Corps (an element of British 8th Army) attack across the Savio River.
Friday, October 20, 1944
In the Philippines... Elements of the US 6th Army (Krueger) land on the east coast of Leyte. The 1st Cavalry and 24th Infantry Divisions of the US 10th Corps (Sibert) come ashore to the south of Tacloban; the 96th and 7th Infantry Divisions of US 24th Corps (Hodge) land around Dulag. A total of 132,000 troops are landed during the day. Naval support is provided by the US 7th Fleet (Admiral Kinkaid). Additional naval support is provided the elements of the US 3rd Fleet (Admiral Halsey). Additional air support is provided by the US 5th Air Force. The defending Japanese 16th Division conducts a fighting withdrawal from the beachheads to prepared positions inland to await reinforcements. American forces capture Tacloban Airfield during the day but are unable to link the two beachheads. A few hours after the initial assault troops land, General MacArthur, the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in the Southwest Pacifc, comes ashore and makes a radio broadcast to the people of the Philippines, recalling his promise to return. During the night, Japanese forces launch unsuccessful counterattacks against the beachheads.
In Japan... A carrier fleet, including 1 large carrier, 1 small carrier, 2 seaplane carriers, and 2 hybrid carrier-battleships as well as small ships, sails for the Philippines as part of Operation Sho-go. This force, the Northern Force (Admiral Ozawa) is intended to draw off the main American naval forces operating around the Philippines, to the northeast. Meanwhile, the 2nd Striking Force (Admiral Shima) sets sail with 3 cruisers and 7 destroyers.
In North Borneo... Japanese naval forces assemble for a counterattack in the Philippines as part of Operation Sho-go.
On the Western Front... The British 1st Corps (part of Canadian 1st Army) begins attacking northward from northeast of Antwerp. The US 19th Tactical Air Force breaches the dam at Dieuze, causing extensive flooding to the rear of German 1st Army, opposite US 3rd Army.
In Italy... The South African 6th Armored Division (an element of US 5th Army) repulses a German counterattack. To the east, the British 4th and 46th Divisions of British 5th Corps (part of British 8th Army) enter Cesena.
On the Eastern Front... Belgrade is capture by a joint force of Soviet forces and Yugoslavian partisans. Partisan forces also take Dubrovnik on the Adriatic coast. In Hungary, Soviet forces capture Debrecen.
Saturday, October 21, 1944
On the Western Front... Aachen is surrendered to American forces.
In Italy... British 5th Corps and Canadian 1st Corps continue to cross the Savio River.
In the Palau Islands... Organized Japanese on Angaur ends. A total of 1300 Japanese are killed and 45 are captured. American forces have suffered 265 dead and 1335 wounded. US heavy bombers are operating from the airfield. The Japanese garrisons on the remaining isldands in the group are left isolated.
In the Philippines... Elements of US 24th Corps capture Dulag Airfield; Tacloban village is taken by forces of US 10th Corps. American forces are unable to link the two beachheads. Ships of the US 7th Fleet and one group of US Task Force 38 (part of US 3rd Fleet) provide naval and air support to the land battles. Meanwhile, two groups of TF38 launch air strikes against targets on Panay, Cebu, Negros and Masbate.
Sunday, October 22, 1944
In Finland... Soviet forces of the 14th Army (part of Karelian Front) reach the Norwegian border.
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, forces of the Soviet 2nd Ukrainian Front (Malinovski) reach Baja on the Danube, south of Budapest.
On the Western Front... Elements of Canadian 1st Army complete the capture of Breskens on the south bank of the Scheldt estuary. In southern Holland, the British 12th Corps (part of British 2nd Army) attacks toward Tilburg.
In Italy... Canadian troops of the British 8th Army capture Cervia.
In Liberated France... The administration of General de Gaulle is recognized as the de jure Provisional Government.
In the Philippines... On Leyte, US 10th and US 24th Corps both record advances. The US 7th Division, on the right flank, approach Abuyog.
In North Borneo... The Japanese fleet assembled at Brunei sets sail for the Philippines with the intention of destroying the American invasion fleet. The Center Force (Admiral Kurita) includes 5 battleships (including Yamato and Musashi), 12 cruisers and 15 destroyers. The Southern Force (Admiral Nishimura) includes 2 battleships, 1 cruiser and 4 destroyers. It is to rendezvous with the 2nd Striking Force (Admiral Shima) from Japan.
Monday, October 23, 1944
In Berlin... The official German news agency reports that vast numbers of volunteers are joining the Volkssturm militia, including men older than the specified age group and boys younger than specified.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces now hold a 137 km frontage in East Prussia.
In Finland... Soviet forces clear the Petsamo region.
On the Western Front... The Canadian 1st Army continues the battle of the Scheldt. British 4th Armored Division attacks at the east end of the Beveland Isthmus. To the south, forces of the US 7th Army are engaged around Bruyeres and St. Die.
In Italy... Troops of the US 5th Army capture Monte Salvaro.
In the Philippines... The US 1st Cavalry Division (part of US 10th Corps) attacks northwest form Toclaban. To the right, armored forces attached to 7th Division (part of US 24th Corps) capture Burauen. At sea, the Japanese Center Force (Kurita) is sited off Palawan by two American submarines. The Japanese lose 2 cruisers to the submarines and sink 1 American submarine. The report of the sighting, however, alerts the three groups of Task Force 38, east of the Philippines.
Tuesday, October 24, 1944
In the Philippines... On land, elements of US 1st Cavalry land on Samar. The fighting on Leyte continues. At sea, Japanese aircraft, based on Luzon, attack US Task Group 38.3 (Sherman), critically damaging the carrier Princeton. The Japanese Center Force (Kurita) is discovered by scout planes from US Task Group 38.2 and attacked throughout the day by all the carrier groups. The Japanese battleship Musashi is sunk and a cruiser is damaged and turns back. Center Force withdraws during the day. The Japanese Southern Force (Nishimura) is also sighted but American air strikes fail to cause significant damage. Admiral Oldendorf assembles a force in the Surigao Strait to block Southern Force. Meanwhile, Northern Force (Ozawa) locates TG38.2 and launches an air strike. The Japanese planes do not find the objective and land on Luzon. Late in the day, Admiral Halsey (commanding US 3rd Fleet) assembles his carriers and battleships to attack Northern Force, leaving Admiral Oldendorf to defend against Southern Force. During the night, Center Force reverses course.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces capture Augusto near the prewar East Prussian border with Poland.
On the Western Front... The Canadian 2nd Division, an element of Canadian 1st Army, advances along the Beveland Isthmus. The British 12th Corps (part of British 2nd Army) reaches Hertogenbosch.
In Greece... British forces enter Lamia.
From Washington... The China-Burma-India Theater (General Stilwell) command is divided into the India-Burma Theater (General Sultan) and the China Theater (General Wedemeyer) commands
In Berlin... Hitler informs his generals of his intention to launch a surprise counteroffensive on the against the weakly held Ardennes area of the Allied line.
Wednesday, October 25, 1944
In the Philippines... On land, the US 1st Cavalry Division continues advancing on the northeast coast of Leyte. Other elements of US 10th and US 24th Corps, to the south, are inactive because of a lack of supplies. At sea, the Japanese Southern Force (Nishimura) and the 2nd Striking Force (Shima) engage American forces, commanded by Admiral Oldendorf, blocking the Surigao Strait. After suffering losses the Japanese withdraw. The Center Force (Kurita) passes through the San Bernardino Strait and engages US Task Force 77.4.3 (Sprague) which is then reinforced by aircraft from TF77.4.2 as it attempts to retreat. Center Force suffers some losses and Admiral Kurita chooses to withdraw because he believes the aircraft are from US Task Force 38. While Center Force turns back, TF77.4.3 is struck by Kamikaze strikes which sink 4 escort carriers. These are the first significant Kamikaze attacks recorded. At the same time, TF77.4.1 is also attacked by Kamikazes. Meanwhile, the Northern Force (Ozawa) is attacked TF38. Only the carrier-battleships (Ise and Hyuga) survive the day. During the engagement, two groups of TF38 turn back to attack Center Force but fail to arrive in time.
In Norway... In the far north, Soviet forces capture the port of Kirkenes. Naval forces provide fire support and transport for several small amphibious operations.
On the Eastern Front... In the south, Soviet led forces have cleared Transylvania.
In Italy... The British 5th Corps (part of British 8th Army) crosses the Ronco River.
Thursday, October 26, 1944
On the Eastern Front... The pincer attacks of the Soviet 2nd and 4th Ukrainian Fronts link up at Mukachevo in the southern Carpathian foothills, near Uzhgorod. The German 8th Army (Wohler), Part of German Army Group South, is successfully withdrawn to the west bank of the upper Theiss River.
On the Western Front... In the Scheldt, the British 52nd Division land on the south side of Beveland, near Baarland. There is heavy German resistance. The Canadian 2nd Division continues to attack along the Beveland Isthmus. Meanwhile, the US 7th Army continues to fight for St. Die.
In the Philippines... On land, elements of US 24th Corps unsuccessfully attack Japanese positions on Catmon Hill, north of Dulag. The defenders fall back after the battle. Japanese reinforcements arrive at Ormoc. At sea, American air attacks continue to harass the retiring Japanese squadrons. Three Japanese cruisers are sunk.
Friday, October 27, 1944
In the Philippines... On land, the US 7th Division (part of US 24th Corps) captures Buri Airfield. Meanwhile, the Tacloban airstrip, on Leyte, becomes operational and the US 9th Fighter Squadron flies the first mission by Philippines based American fighters since 1942. At sea, a group of 3 carriers commanded by Admiral Sherman attacks Japanese shipping around Luzon, sinking 2 destroyers. There are also air strikes on Luzon. The battleship USS California is damaged.
On the Eastern Front... In Latvia, new Soviet attacks begin. In Hungary, Soviet 4th Ukrainian Front captures Uzhgorod in the northeast.
On the Western Front... In the Scheldt, forces of the Canadian 1st Army continue attacks on Beveland and inland. Bergen-op-Zoom is captured. Meanwhile, German forces counterattack the British 2nd Army to the right. Tilburg is captured by British forces.
From Berlin... Field Marshal von Richthofen, the former commander of the elite close support force Fliegerkorps 8 in France, the Balkans and the Soviet Union, and cousin of the "Red Baron" is forces to retire from the command of Luftflotte 2 in Italy, following brain surgery.
In Italy... The Allied advance is limited by poor winter weather.
In Spain... The Spanish Army launches a campaign against Republican resistance forces located in the Pyrenees Mountains.
Saturday, October 28, 1944
In Moscow... The USSR-Bulgaria armistice is signed. There are provisions for the integration of Bulgarian troops into the Soviet command system. This has already been established in practice.
On the Western Front... Allied forces attack the German paratroop forces who advanced the previous day. Troops of the British 2nd Army capture Tilburg, southwest of Arnhem.
In the Philippines... On Leyte, attacks by US 24th Corps around Dagami make slow progress and suffer heavy losses. To the north, the US 1st Cavalry Division (part of US 10th Corps) encounters heavy resistance near Carigara and is held up. At sea, carrier groups under the command of Admiral Davison and Admiral Bogan conduct air strikes.
Sunday, October 29, 1944
On the Western Front... On Beveland, the Canadian 2nd Division reaches Goes in the ongoing battle for the Scheldt by Canadian 1st Army. Inland, Breda falls to the Polish 1st Armored Division.
In the Philippines... On Leyte, elements of US 24th Corps capture Abuyag, south of Dulag, while Catmon Hill is cleared and the advance to Dagami continues. At sea, carrier groups under the command of Admiral Davison and Admiral Bogan conduct air strikes. In two days, they destroy almost 100 Japanese planes for a loss of 15 American aircraft. The carrier USS Intrepid is damaged by a Kamikaze attack.
Monday, October 30, 1944
In the Philippines... On Leyte, troops of US 7th Infantry Division (part of US 24th Corps) take Dagami. As sea, two carriers are badly damaged by Kamikaze attacks as the ships of US Task Force 38 begin to withdraw toward Ulithi.
On the Western Front... Elements of Canadian 1st Army fight across south Beveland and reach the Walcheren Channel.
From Liberated Italy... In Caserta, the Greek government in exile bans the ELAS National Militia -- the Communist resistance movement.
Tuesday, October 31, 1944
In Occupied Denmark... Gestapo Headquarters, the Shell House in Aarhus, is destroyed by a precision bombing raid by the RAF. The objective of the attack is to destroy as many records as possible, to aid resistance members.
In Greece... German forces withdraw from Salonika. Remaining German island garrisons are now trapped. During recent weeks, numerous German troops on the islands in the Aegean have been removed by small vessels, despite Allied patrols.
On the Eastern Front... German Army Group North is cut off in the Courland Peninsula in Lithuania.
Over Germany... Bomber Command conducts a daylight bombing raid in the Ruhr industrial area, with the Bottrop oil plant as the nominal target.
Copyright © 2018 Ralph Zuljan