Friday, December 8, 1944

Today In Wyoming's History: December 8:  1944 Bryant B. Brooks, governor from January 1905 to January 1911, died in Casper.  Brooks was a true pioneering figure in Wyoming, having come to the state in 1880 and having been, at first, a trapper and rancher.  He reflects a class that isn't often discussed, however, in early Western history in that he was well educated (but not a lawyer), having attended Business College in Chicago Illinois.  Nonetheless, he was only 19 years old at the time he moved to Wyoming.  He was highly energetic and was successful in ranching.  After his term in office expired he was also very active in the early oil industry and was partially responsible for the construction of one of Casper's first "skyscraper" buildings, the Oil Exchange Building, which was built in 1917, during one of the region's earliest oil booms, this one due to World War One. The building remains in use today, with its name having been changed to the Consolidated Royalty Building.

Iwo Jima was hit by a massive U.S. air raid.

The pro Japanese Filipino organization Makabayang Katipunan ng mga Pilipino (Patriotic Association of Filipinos), better known as the Makapili, was organized by far right Filipino nationalist.

It's stunning that this late in the war organizations were still forming that supported an obviously losing side.

The Germans withdrew from Jülich, Germany.

The 8th Army crossed the Lamone.

Last edition:

Thursday, December 7, 1944. The end of the USS Ward

Labels: 1930s, 1939, 1940s, 1941, 1944, Arabs, Battle of Leyte, Battle of Ormoc Bay, boats and ships, Geology, Japan, Kamikaze, Pearl Harbor Hawaii, Romania, U.S. Navy, Women, World War Two

Friday, December 5, 1924. Shades of the modern Middle East

The Sultanate of Nejd, ruled by Abdulazia Ibn Saud defeated the Kingdom of Hejaz in Mecca itself.  Hejazi forces remained thereafter only at the port of port of Jeddah.

The State of Syria (Dawlat Sūriyā) was created within the French Mandate for Syria by Decree No. 2980.  This united the State of Aleppo and the State of Damascus under one common native assembly and administration.

Of course, in what was united, things are current disunited.

The State of Syria was smaller than contemporary Syria, in that it did not include the Alawite State.

The Italian fascists introduced legislation bringing about press censorship.

Last edition.

Thursday, December 4, 1924. Greed.

Labels: 1920s, 1924, 1924 at the Movies, Movies

Today in World War II History—December 4, 1939 & 1944

Today in World War II History—December 4, 1939 & 1944: US Third Army crosses the Saar River at Saarlautern, Germany. Italian partisans liberate Ravenna in first major partisan attack in Italy.

Saturday, November 25, 1944. Heavy resistance on Leyte, V2 attack in London.

Two V-2 rockets hit London, resulting in 174 deaths in a rocketry terror attack.

Much like what the Russians are doing to Ukraine now.

Destroyed German Panthers in France, November 25, 1944.  Contrary to the common myth, armor attrition in World War Two was horrific, just like it is today.

Japanese defenses arrested US progress on Leyte.  Japanese resistance had been consistently very stiff.

The British crossed the Cosina River in Italy.

Soldiers of a reconstituted Dutch Army training, November 25, 1944. They're armed with US M1917 Enfield rifles, and wearing US M1 helmets.  Their uniforms suggest obsolescent patterns of the US Army.

Kenesaw Mountain Landis died at age 78.  He was the first Commissioner of Baseball, having been appointed to that position in 1920, and still occupied it at the time of his death.

Last edition:

Today in World War II History—November 24, 1939 & 1944 (Friday November 24, 1944). Terrace Mutiny,

Wednesday, November 15, 1944. Early war movie released late in the war.

"Pvt. Zeb Turner, Bridgeport, Conn., adjusting the pack of Pvt. Robert [illegible]. Dunlap, Iowa, as infantrymen replacements prepare to leave for the front. Nancy, France, 15 November, 1944."  Note that these troops are still wearing leggings.  Also, the supposed private has a horizontal stripe on the front of his helmet.  This is the first time I've ever seen that.  The same on the back of his helmet would indicate he was an NCO.

The Fifth Army captured Modigliana, Italy.

Soviet forces took Jasbereny, Hungary.

The Japanese landing craft depot ship Akitsu Maru was sun by the USS Queenfish in the Korea Strait.  2,000 went down with her.

The 2nd Battalion, 167th Infantry Regiment landed at Pegun Island in the Mapia islands.

Project Hermes, a U.S. Army Ordinance Corps rocket research program, commenced.

Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo was released.

Last edition:

Tuesday, November 14, 1944. The death of Leigh-Mallory.

Labels: 1910s, 1940s, 1944, German Resistance Movements, Imperial Japanese Navy, July 20 Plot, Personalities, Royal Air Force, Russia, Russian Liberation Army, U.S. Navy, USSR, World War One, World War Two

Thursday, November 13, 1924. Polish Orthodox Church.

The Polish Orthodox Church was created as an autocephalous Orthodox Church by the signing of the Patriarchal and Synodal Tomos by Patriarch Gregory VII of Constantinople, recognizing the situation that had been created by the Russian Revolution and Poland's independence.

Mussolini introduced a bill to grant women the franchise in Italy.

Last edition

Thursday, November 12, 1914. Wanted horses.

Labels: 1910s, 1914, British Army, Equine Transportation, Maritz Rebellion, Mexican Revolution, Mexico, South Africa, South African Army

Thursday, November 9, 1944. Sorge meets his end.

The Japanese hanged Soviet master spy Richard Sorge, one of the most effective, if perhaps ignored, spies of all time.

Sorge's passport in Japan, noting his cover as a journalist.

The 3d Army crossed the Moselle near Metz.

The 8th Army captured Forli.

The Japanese landed 2,000 reinforcements on Leyte.

Last edition:

Wednesday, November 8, 1944. Mystery of explosions resolved. Canadians prevail on the Scheldt.

Labels: 1940s, 1944, Army, Battle of Metz, Battle of the Scheldt, boats and ships, Canadian Army, Imperial Japanese Navy, Operation Infatuate, Rocketry, Tracked vehicles, U.S. Navy, Weapons, World War Two

Sunday, November 5, 1944. The air and sea war off of Luzon.

A photograph taken seconds before a Japanese pilot crashed his plane into the USS Lexington. The Lexington was severely damaged in these attacks.

AMM 2/c Loyce Deen, a torpedo plane gunner, is buried at sea in his TBF Avenger  He was the only crewman buried in his airplane. November 5, 1944.

Task Force 38 struck targets on Luzon, losing 25 aircraft.  The USS Lexington was damaged in Kamikaze attacks.  The Japanese lost 400 planes and the cruiser Nachi.

The British 8th Army captured Ravenna.  The victory cutoff rail transportation to Bologna.

The British landed at Salonika.

"This M-4 medium tank is put thru the (?) in the mud by members of the Motor transport unit, near Nancy, France. 5 November, 1944. 761st Tank Battalion."  This M4 is an "Easy 8", the best of the wartime Shermans in U.S. use.  The 761st was an African American unit.

Last edition:

Saturday, November 4, 1944. Sir John Dill.

Labels: 1940s, 1944, Antwerp Belgium, Artillery, Australian Army, British Army, Budapest Offensive, Burma, Indian Army, New Britain, Red Army, Royal Air Force, Washington DC, World War Two

Thursday, November 2, 1944. The march of the Hungarian Jews.

Infantrymen moving through Hurtgen Forest near Vossenack, Germany. 2 November, 1944. Company E, 110th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division.

The Germans commenced a forced march of 50,000 Hungarian Jews from Budapest to Austria as Germany's ongoing amplification of mass murder against the Jews in the closing months of the war carried on.

Josip Broz Tito became the Prime Minister of Yugoslavia.

The 7th Army took Nompatelize.

The 5th Army took Casseta.

"American Red Cross worker Henry Eichman of Springfield, Mo., giving a pair of U.S.- made moccasins to a pig-tailed Italian girl. 2 November, 1944. Monghidoro, Italy."

Robert Edward Femoyer preformed the actions that resulted in his receiving a posthumous Medal of Honor.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty near Merseburg, Germany on 2 November 1944. While on a mission, the bomber, of which 2d Lt. Femoyer was a navigator, was struck by three enemy antiaircraft shells. The plane suffered serious damage and 2d Lt. Femoyer was severely wounded in the side and back by shell fragments which penetrated his body. In spite of extreme pain and great loss of blood he refused an offered injection of morphine. He was determined to keep his mental faculties clear in order that he might direct his plane out of danger and so save his comrades. Not being able to arise from the floor, he asked to be propped up in order to enable him to see his charts and instruments. He successfully directed the navigation of his lone bomber for 2 and one half hours so well it avoided enemy flak and returned to the field without further damage. Only when the plane had arrived in the safe area over the English Channel did he feel that he had accomplished his objective; then, and only then, he permitted an injection of a sedative. He died shortly after being moved from the plane. The heroism and self-sacrifice of 2d Lt. Femoyer are in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Army.

The tanker Fort Lee was sunk in the Indian Ocean by the U-181.

Last edition:

Wednesday, November 1, 1944 Death of Greek Catholic Archbishop of Lviv and Metropolitan of Halych Andrey Sheptytsky

Labels: 1940s, 1944, British Army, Canadian Army, Catholic, Conscription, Conscription Crisis, Eastern Rite Catholic, Japan, Netherlands, Operation Infatuate, Personalities, religion, World War Two

Monday, October 30, 1944. Pvt. Ross.

The British 8th Army reached Forli.

The U.S. 3d Army took Maizières-lès-Metz.

Then Pvt. Wilburn K. Ross preformed the actions which resulted in his winning the Medal of Honor:

For The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private Wilburn Kirby Ross, United States Army, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Company G, 2d Battalion, 30th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division, in action near St. Jacques, France. At 11:30 a.m. on 30 October 1944, after his company had lost 55 out of 88 men in an attack on an entrenched, full-strength German company of elite mountain troops, Private Ross placed his light machinegun ten yards in advance of the foremost supporting riflemen in order to absorb the initial impact of an enemy counterattack. With machinegun and small-arms fire striking the earth near him, he fired with deadly effect on the assaulting force and repelled it. Despite the hail of automatic fire and the explosion of rifle grenades within a stone’s throw of his position, he continued to man his machine gun alone, holding off six more German attacks. When the eighth assault was launched, most of his supporting riflemen were out of ammunition. They took positions in echelon behind Private Ross and crawled up, during the attack, to extract a few rounds of ammunition from his machinegun ammunition belt. Private Ross fought on virtually without assistance and, despite the fact that enemy grenadiers crawled to within four yards of his position in an effort to kill him with hand grenades, he again directed accurate and deadly fire on the hostile force and hurled it back. After expending his last rounds, Private Ross was advised to withdraw to the company command post, together with eight surviving riflemen, but, as more ammunition was expected, he declined to do so. The Germans launched their last all-out attack, converging their fire on Private Ross in a desperate attempt to destroy the machinegun which stood between them and a decisive breakthrough. As his supporting riflemen fixed bayonets for a last-ditch stand, fresh ammunition arrived and was brought to Private Ross just as the advance assault elements were about to swarm over his position. He opened murderous fire on the oncoming enemy; killed 40 and wounded ten of the attacking force; broke the assault single-handedly, and forced the Germans to withdraw. Having killed or wounded at least 58 Germans in more than five hours of continuous combat and saved the remnants of his company from destruction, Private Ross remained at his post that night and the following day for a total of 36 hours. His actions throughout this engagement were an inspiration to his comrades and maintained the high traditions of the military service.

He rejoined the Army after the war and was wounded in Korea.  He retired from the Army in 1964.

The Finnish Army took Muonio.

The Polish 1st Armored Division took Breda, Netherlands.

The Greek government banned the ELAS.

The US 24th Corps captured Abuyag in the Philippines and cleared Catmon Hill.

The U.S. Navy conducted air raids on Japanese targes in the Phillpines, with the Japanese responding with kamikaze attacks, hitting the USS Intrepid, USS Franklin and the USS Belleau Woods.   They all remained afloat.

The ballet Appalachian Spring premiered.

Last edition:

Sunday, October 29, 1944. Shelling chocolate bars.

Labels: 1940s, 1944, Artillery, Auschwitz, Battle of Aachen, Budapest Offensive, Finland, Food, Heroes, Judaism, Lapland War, Norway, Petsamo–Kirkenes Offensive, Radio, The Holocaust, World War Two

Today in World War II History—October 27, 1939 & 1944

Today in World War II History—October 27, 1939 & 1944: 80 Years Ago—Oct. 27, 1944: In Italy, Gen. Sir Henry Maitland Wilson orders halt to Allied offensive for the winter due to fatigue, heavy rains, and flooding.

Wednesday, October 25, 1944. The biggest day of the biggest naval battle in history.

The USS St. Lo, the first  U.S. ship to be sunk by a kamikaze during World War Two, moments after being hit.

The heaviest fighting in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Japanese effort to draw the U.S. Navy off of support for the invasion of Leyte and to destroy it, occurred.  The Battle  off Samar occurred as part of it.

The first mass use of kamikazes occured as part of the Japanese effort.   The escort carrier USS St. Lo was sunk by kamikazes, the first of 47 ships to be lost to such attacks during the war.

The U.S. escort carrier USS Kitkun Bay (CVE-71) prepares to launch Grumman FM-2 Wildcat fighters during the Battle off Samar on 25 October 1944.  Japanese shells are splashing near the USS White Plains (CVE-66) in the background.  A rare example of an aircraft carrier launching aircraft while a surface vessel shells another one.

The Imperial Japanese Navy lost the aircraft carriers Chitose, Chiyoda and Zuikaku, battleships Fusō and Yamashiro, cruisers Chikuma, Chōkai and Suzuya and the destroyers Akizuki, Asagumo, Michishio, Wakaba and Yamagumo.

Lowering the flag on Zuikaku as she sinks.  She was the last of the aircraft carriers that participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor still afloat.  Half the crew would survive.

The Americans lost the escort carriers USS Gambier Bay and USS St. Lo and destroyers USS Hoel and USS Johnston. 

The Japanese battleship Yamato and a heavy cruiser at Samar.

The scale of the battle, and the intense fighting it involved, can hardly be imagined today.

The Red Army took the port town of Kirkenes, Norway.

Soviet forces completed clearing the Transylvania region of Romania.

8in howitzer being laid into place in France, October 25, 1944.

The Italian government of Ivanoe Bonomi was recognized.

Dog faces, October 25, 1944.

Last edition:

Tuesday, October 24, 1944. Leyte Gulf, day two.

Labels: "Wacht am Rhein", 1940s, 1944, Adolf Hitler, Australian Navy, Battle of Leyte Gulf, Battle of the Bulge, China Burma India Theater, Imperial Japanese Navy, Kamikaze, Philippines, U.S. Navy, World War Two

Sunday, October 22, 1944. Smokey Smith.

Medics administer blood plasma to an American casualty wounded when his division command post was shelled. Leyte Island, P.I. 22 October, 1944. 96th Infantry Division.  The wounded soldier is wearing M1942 Jungle Boots.  The medic has a painted camouflage helmet.

The Red Army reached the Norwegian border.

The Sovies prevailed in the Battle of Memel.  The Americans the same at Angaur.

The Japanese fleet assembled at Brunei sets sail for the Philippines.

Canadian Private Ernest "Smokey" Smith preformed the actions that resulted in his winning the Victoria Cross.

In Italy on the night of 21st–22nd October 1944, a Canadian Infantry Brigade was ordered to establish a bridgehead across the Savio River. The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada were selected as the spearhead of the attack, and in weather most unfavourable to the operation they crossed the river and captured their objective in spite of strong opposition from the enemy.

Torrential rain had caused the Savio River to rise six feet in five hours, and as the soft vertical banks made it impossible to bridge the river no tanks or anti-tank guns could be taken across the raging stream to the support of the rifle companies.

As the right forward company was consolidating its objective it was suddenly counter-attacked by a troop of three Mark V Panther tanks supported by two self-propelled guns and about thirty infantry and the situation appeared hopeless.

Under heavy fire from the approaching enemy tanks, Private Smith, showing great initiative and inspiring leadership, led his P.I.A.T. Group of two men across an open field to a position from which the P.I.A.T. could best be employed. Leaving one man on the weapon, Private Smith crossed the road with a Private James Tennant and obtained another P.I.A.T. Almost immediately an enemy tank came down the road firing its machine-guns along the line of the ditches. Private Smith's comrade, Private Tennant was wounded. At a range thirty feet and having to expose himself to the full view of the enemy, Private Smith fired the P.I.A.T. and hit the tank, putting it out of action. Ten German infantry immediately jumped off the back of the tank and charged him with Schmeissers and grenades. Without hesitation, Private Smith moved out on the road and with his Tommy gun at point-blank range, killed four Germans and drove the remainder back. Almost immediately another tank opened fire and more enemy infantry closed in on Smith's position. Obtaining some abandoned Tommy gun magazines from a ditch, he steadfastly held his position, protecting Private Tennant and fighting the enemy with his Tommy gun until they finally gave up and withdrew in disorder.

One tank and both self-propelled guns had been destroyed by this time, but yet another tank swept the area with fire from a longer range. Private Smith, still showing utter contempt for enemy fire, helped his wounded friend to cover and obtained medical aid for him behind a nearby building. He then returned to his position beside the road to await the possibility of a further enemy attack.

No further immediate attack developed, and as a result, the battalion was able to consolidate the bridgehead position so vital to the success of the whole operation, which led to the capture of San Giorgio Di Cesena and a further advance to the Ronco River.

Thus, by the dogged determination, outstanding devotion to duty and superb gallantry of this private soldier, his comrades were so inspired that the bridgehead was held firm against all enemy attacks, pending the arrival of tanks and anti-tank guns some hours later.

Smith survived the war and joined the Canadian Army again in 1950, at the start of the Korean War.  He retired from military service in 1964, after which he owned a travel agency.

With rifles slung across their backs, these four combat-clad U.S. infantrymen are bound for mass in a Catholic church in Nancy, France. 22 October, 1944.  NOte that all of these men are wearing older pattern field jackets and leggings.

Related thread:

Today in World War II History—October 22, 1939 & 1944

Labels: 1930s, 1939, 1940s, 1944, Blog Mirror, Home Front, Poland, USSR, Weapons, World War Two

Last edition:

Saturday, October 21, 1944. The Nemmersdorf Massacre.

Labels: 1940s, 1944, 1944 Election, Battle of Aachen, Battle of Leyte, Franklin Roosevelt, Nemmersdorf Massacre, Palau, Palau Island, Prisoners of War, Rape and the Red Army, Red Army, War Crimes, World War Two