Showing posts with label Douglas MacArthur. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Douglas MacArthur. Show all posts

Sunday, June 22, 2025

Friday, June 22, 1945. The Battle of Okinawa ends.

The Battle of Okinawa ended. It was the last major ground battle of World War Two.

Today in World War II History—June 22, 1940 & 1945: 80 Years Ago—June 22, 1945: Battle for Okinawa officially ends at a high cost—12,520 Americans and 110,000 Japanese were killed, plus 42,000 civilians.

June 22, 1945: The Battle of Okinawa

Operation Ten-Go, the last major Japanese naval operation, concluded.

Gen. MacArthur announced that Gen. Joseph Stilwell would replace Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr. as commander of the U.S. Tenth Army.

Emperor Hirohito directed his government to find a way to peace talks.

Japanese generals Isamu Chō, 50, and Mitsuru Ushijima, 57,  committed suicide on Okinawa.

The Japanese withdrew from Liuchow.

Last edition:

Thursday, June 21, 1945. Fall of Hill 89.

Saturday, June 14, 2025

Thursday, June 14, 1945. Slogging.

The Chinese Army captured Ishan.

"Riflemen of the 2nd Bn., 381st Regiment of the Tenth Army's 96th Div. peer cautiously ahead as they advance across the summit of Yaeju-Dake escarpment (Big Apple Ridge) on Okinawa. 14 June 1945. 2nd Battalion, 381st Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division."

Action continued on Okinawa, but the battle was finally winding down.

Likewise, action continued in the Philippines, and Bouganville.

The British arrested Joachim von Ribbentrop in Hamburg.

The Northern Ireland general election returned a Ulster Unionist Party majority.

A victory parade was held in Rangoon.

Gen. Eisenhower was awarded the French Order of Liberation by Gen. de Gaulle.

The US Joint Chiefs of Staff issue a directive to General MacArthur, General Arnold and Admiral Nimitz to prepare plans for the immediate occupation of the Japanese islands in the event of a sudden capitulation. 

Today In Wyoming's History: June 14--Flag Day1945  Shoshone and Washakie National Forests consolidated.  Attribution:  Wyoming State Historical Society.

Last edition:

Wednesday, June 13, 1945. Taking the Oruku Peninsula.

Saturday, April 5, 2025

Thursday, April 5, 1945. Rebellion of the Georgian Legion.

The Soviet Union renounced the Soviet–Japanese Neutrality Pact of April 1941.

The Georgian Legion, a German foreign legion, rose up against the Germans on the Dutch island of Texel.  The battle would result in large-scale casualties incurred until the end of the war by both sides.

The uprising is regarded as heroic, but the late war uprising was naive.  It counted on an Allied landing which did not occur, and it presumed favorable post war treatment by the Allies.

Arrested officers.

African American members of the 477th Bombardment Group attempted to integrate an all-white officers' club at Freeman Field, Indiana, resulting in the predictable scuffles and arrests although the ultimate punishment was minor.

Gen. MacArthur was appointed control of all Army forces in the Pacific and Adm. Nimitz all naval forces.  The move was made in anticipation of the Invasion of Japan.

Japanese Prime Minister Kuniaki Koiso (小磯 國昭), frustrated in his attempts to be involved in military decisions, resigned.

The U-242 sank in St. George's Channel after hitting a mine.

Last edition

Wednesday, April 4, 1945. The Third Army liberates the Ohrdruf Subcamp.

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Tuesday, February 6, 1945. False hopes at Manila.

While the siege of Manila had only just begun, MacArthur announced that the city had been taken.

Yugoslav Partisans, who were well equipped and a (communist) army in their own right, launched the Mostar operation.

SS general Wilhelm Mohnke was put in command of government district, the Zitadelle, of Berlin.

Gee, what a nifty promotion. . . 

He survived the war, surprisingly, and was imprisoned by the Soviets until 1955.  After his release he became a dealer is small trucks and trailers, and died at age 90 in 2001.

35th Division infantrymen in Unterbruch, Germany.  February 6, 1945

The US 4th Corps took Gallicano, Italy.

More bombing raids occurred on Iwo Jima.

Last edition:

Monday, February 5, 1945. French SOE agents Denise Bloch, Lilian Rolfe, and Violette Szabo were executed at Ravensbrück concentration camp.

Sunday, October 20, 2024

Friday, October 20, 1944. "This is the Voice of Freedom, General MacArthur speaking. People of the Philippines: I have returned."

So stated a radio address from Douglas MacArthur, on this the opening day of the Battle of Leyte.


A Japanese task force was launched to address the situation in the Philippines.

Members of E Troop, 2nd Squadron, 7th Cav. Regt., engaging the Japs at close range, 100 yards inland from White Beach, Leyte Island, P.I. 20 October, 1944.

The Red Army and Bulgarian partisans took Belgrade.

The Western Allies commenced Operation Pheasant in the Netherlands.

The Guatemalan Revolution began with the overthrow of the government.


From the turret of a medium tank, Cpl. Eugene McKay, Calumet City, Ill., searches for Germans in Aachen, Germany, while a tank destroyer, in the background, moves on German positions. 20 October, 1944. 745th Tank Battalion and 634th Tank Destroyer Battalion attached to 1st Infantry Division.

Last edition:

Today in World War II History—October 20, 1939 & 1944

Today in World War II History—October 20, 1939 & 1944: 80 Years Ago—Oct. 20, 1944: US Sixth Army lands on Leyte in the Philippines, led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who declares, "I have returned."

Friday, August 9, 2024

Wednesday, August 9, 1944. Finns battle Soviets to a draw, Horror at the Łódź Ghetto, Yes to MacArthur and the Philippines, Third Army at Le Mans, Smokey the Bear and Sam Elliot arrive on the scene.


Soviet IS2 moving through forest near Vyborg past wounded Red Army troops.

The outnumbered Finns fought the Red Army to a draw in the Vyborg–Petrozavodsk Offensive, which concluded on this day.

The Battle of Studzianki began in Poland as a German counter offensive.

The Germans began the liquidation of the Łódź Ghetto, which would result in 60,000 Jews and some Roma being deported to Auschwitz.

MacArthur received a letter from Roosevelt endorsing MacArthur's plan to make the Philippines the next priority for the Allies in the Pacific.

Sgt. Robert Becker and Sgt. Joe Flores, members of an armored unit, and both from New York City, bring in their first German prisoner in the battle around Brest, France, August 9, 1944.

The 3d Army liberated Le Mans.

The French Provisional Government ordered the Republic restored and Vichy laws nullified.

120th FA in New Guinea, August 9, 1944.

The very first Smokey the Bear poster appeared.

Actor Sam Elliot was born in Sacramento, California.

Last edition:

Tuesday, August 8, 1944. Hengyang falls, Wittmann killed, Falaise noticed.

    Saturday, July 27, 2024

    Thursday, July 27, 1944. Eastern advances.

    The Lwów Uprising ended in Polish victory.  The combatants would shortly be arrested by the Soviets, with the 1st Ukrainian Front entering that day.  It also took Stanislav.

    Identity document from occupied Bialystok District.

    The Belostock Offensive ended in Soviet victory.  The Bialystok District had been a notable region of Polish Jewish settlements before the war.  The Germans had by and large murdered the Jewish population there by this day.  Film fans may recognize the name as that of the producer portrayed by Zero Mostel in Mel Brook's comedy, The Producers.

    The Red Army took Daugavpils in the north, and Siauliai.


    The 8th Corps of the 1st Army broke through at Lessy and Periers.

    The jet fighter the Gloster Meteor entered active service with No. 616 Squadron RAF.  It would be the only jet aircraft to see active service during the war for the Allies.

    The Soviet submarine V-1, formerly the HMS Sunfish, was sunk by the RAF when it dove upon the airplane arriving, rather than fire a recognition signal.

    Nimitz, MacArthur and Roosevelt were still meeting.


    Last edition:

    Wednesday, July 26, 1944. Cobra advances.

    Friday, July 26, 2024

    Wednesday, July 26, 1944. Cobra advances.

    U.S. infantrymen advancing beyond St. Lo, July 26, 1944.

    The 1st Army took Marigny and St. Gilles, and crossed the Lessay-Perieres Road.

    A really remarkable photograph of US troops near Saint Giles ,with editing marks, July 26, 1944.  The armored vehicle appears to be a M3 Lee/Grant, which according to all sources had been fully replaced by the Sherman by this time.  It might be a M31 tank retriever, however, which was based on the same vehicle and retained the 75mm gun and the turret.  From this angle, the crane would not be visible.  The edits clearly intended to cut out evidence of the 75mm gun, which would make the vehicle appear to be a Sherman.

    After six months of combat, the Red Army took Narva, ending the Battle for Narva Bridgehead.

    The Battle of Ilomantsi began between the Finns and the Red Army.

    The 1st Ukrainian Front took Deblin.

    President Roosevelt began a two day conference at Pearl Harbor on strategy in the Pacific.  At the conference MacArthur urged an advance on the Philippines while Nimitz argued for making Taiwan the first priority and bypassing the Philippines.  Roosevelt listened, but did not decide.

    Fighting raged on around Aitape.

    Japanese forces on Guam launched a banzai charge against Marines fighting for control of the island

    The USS Robalo hit a mine sinking the sub off of Palawan Island.  There were four survivors who disappeared forever into Japanese captivity.

    The I-29 was sunk by the USS Sawfish in a submarine on submarine action.

    The U-214 was sunk by the HMS Cooke in the English Channel.  The U-2323 hit a mine off Kiel and sank.

    A pilot with family in Merriam, Kansas, decided to buzz the family home with disastrous results.

    The Merriam Bomber Crash of 1944

    Oklahoma State Highway 89 was officially designated.


    Last edition

    Tuesday, July 25, 1944. Operation Cobra commences. Operation Spring does as well.

    Thursday, June 13, 2024

    Tuesday, June 13, 1899. The Battle of Zapote River

    The hard fought Battle of Zapote River occured this day seeing the U.S. Army prevail against much larger numbers from the First Philippine Republic, due to superior arms and training, and Naval support.

    The loss in the second-biggest engagement of the Philippine Insurrection caused the Philippine forces to resort to guerilla war thereafter.

    Cpt. William H. Sage won the Congressional Medal of Honor for his role in the battle.

    With 9 men volunteered to hold an advanced position and held it against a terrific fire of the enemy estimated at 1,000 strong. Taking a rifle from a wounded man, and cartridges from the belts of others, Capt. Sage himself killed 5 of the enemy.

    Sage would go on to serve in the Border War in Mexico and rose to the rank of major general during World War One. After the war, he commanded Ft. D. A. Russell in Wyoming, where he became fatally ill.  He died in 1922 at age 63, just one month away from retirement. 

    Douglas MacArthur entered the U.S. Military Academy.

    Last prior edition:

    Friday, June 11, 1899. Pope Leo XIII concecrates the entire human race to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

    Tuesday, May 28, 2024

    Sunday, May 28, 1944. A Memorial Day Weekend.

    It was a Sunday on a Memorial Day weekend in the US. What did that look like in Wyoming, I wonder?  


    It wasn't a day off for SHAEF, as Sarah Sundin reports; Today in World War II History—May 28, 1944

    The 1st Canadian Corps took Ceprano.

    German 220 mm howitzer knocked out near Anzio.

    The 8th Air Force attacked Leuna and Magdeburg

    The 41st Infantry Division advanced against heavy Japanese opposition on Biak. At the same time, Gen. MacArthur declared the New Guinea campaign strategically won, while acknowledging that hard fighting remained.

    Rudy Giuliani was born in Brooklyn.  His rise and fall demonstrates, in a way, how politicians born in the 1940s have been eclipsed by age, and should really no longer be seriously considered for office.


    Gladys Knight was born in Atlanta.  


    The late Sandra Locke was born in Tennessee.


    Last prior edition:

    Saturday, May 27, 1944. Landing at Biak.

    Labels: 

      Tuesday, April 30, 2024

      Sunday, April 30, 1944. Pre fab. Draft McArthur?

      US trucks being landed at Hollandia.

      The U.S. Navy bombarded Satawan while the US air assault on Truk continued.

      Prefabricated homes, aimed for the post-war market, went on show in London.

      Draft MacArthur?


      Last prior edition:

      Saturday, April 29, 1944. More friendly fire, Raid on Truk, More German strikes in the Channel.