Friday, March 23, 1945. Rhine flood.

Hitler approved withdrawing German forces across the Rhine, but the order came too late to avoid 50% of those troops already being lost on the opposite bank.

 "Infantrymen of the 1st Allied Airborne Army are briefed at the marshalling area prior to taking off for the Rhine crossing and Wesel landing. Mourmelon, France. 23 March, 1945. 17th Airborne Division. Photographer: Forney."

U.S. and Filipino troops captured San Fernando on Luzon.

The Indian 20th Infantry Division took Wundwin, Burma.

Last edition:

Thursday, March 22, 1945. Operation Plunder.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Arab League, Bernard Law Montgomery, Germany, Monarchy, Operation Plunder, Spain, World War Two

Saturday, February 10, 1945. German defenses.

 The Battle of Hürtgen Forest ended in German defensive victory.

The Germans opened the Schwammenauel Dam to slow Allied advances

The Japanese executed Anacleto Díaz, an  Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in the Philippines.  He was 66 years old.

"Infantrymen carrying rations on their shoulders to the front lines. Notice GI pulling on a horse cart loaded with rations. Luzon, P.I. 10 February, 1945.

Last edition:

Friday, February 9, 1945. Black Friday. Heroes and victims in the Philippines.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Adolf Hitler, Bougainville, British Army, German Kriegsmarine, Heroes, Norway, Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, World War Two

Thursday, February 8, 1945. Offensives started in the East and West.

The Red Army launched the Lower Silesian Offensive (Нижне-Силезская наступательная операция)

The Western Allies launched Operation Veritable.

Day G. Turner performed the actions that resulted in his being awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor.

He commanded a 9-man squad with the mission of holding a critical flank position. When overwhelming numbers of the enemy attacked under cover of withering artillery, mortar, and rocket fire, he withdrew his squad into a nearby house, determined to defend it to the last man. The enemy attacked again and again and were repulsed with heavy losses. Supported by direct tank fire, they finally gained entrance, but the intrepid sergeant refused to surrender although 5 of his men were wounded and 1 was killed. He boldly flung a can of flaming oil at the first wave of attackers, dispersing them, and fought doggedly from room to room, closing with the enemy in fierce hand-to-hand encounters. He hurled handgrenade for handgrenade, bayoneted 2 fanatical Germans who rushed a doorway he was defending and fought on with the enemy's weapons when his own ammunition was expended. The savage fight raged for 4 hours, and finally, when only 3 men of the defending squad were left unwounded, the enemy surrendered. Twenty-five prisoners were taken, 11 enemy dead and a great number of wounded were counted. Sgt. Turner's valiant stand will live on as a constant inspiration to his comrades. His heroic, inspiring leadership, his determination and courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest tradition of the military service.

Soviet POWs led by Mikhail Devyatayev escaped from Peenemünde.

Yalta continued on.  The notes from Communist spy Alger Hiss, part of the US delegation from that day:

2/8 After the noon meeting of {Tel. to Dept re Assoc. Ns}

For Sees, Jebb, Gromyko & A H

met as committee to discuss Un Ns

Conference procedure. A. H. ex- 2/8

Plenary

4.30 p m

plain ed State Dept views but said Pres.

had not approved. After lunch before

plenary session ERS cleared all with Pres.

& A H told Gromyko & sent word to Jebb

Pres called on Eden to report for For Mins

Ed: We met to consider etc. & read his report

re place Ed. repeated his statement of this morning that next meeting of For Mins be held in Lon & that seemed to meet with a measure of approval

Ed: Reason for saying those who are members now should be invited was to prevent nations from becoming Un Ns Just to be invited Understands Am. Del. has different view

St: I have the list of states which declared war on Ger I count this no. into official members of the Ass. Among these are 10 which [Page 783]have no dip. rels with S. U. We will together with them build up world security——

Pres: I think many of them will be glad to recog & est. dip. rels with S U. Haven’t got round to it yet. In few is very strong Cath. Church influence At same time we recognize most of these who have not exch. dip. rels with Sov Un. have sat with Sov Un at Bretton Woods & other dip. conferences held.

St.: That’s right but on other hand is very diff. build up world sec. with countries which don’t recog. Sov Un

Pres: Easiest way to est. complete dip rels. is to invite them. That involves matter of history which should be explained. 3 yrs. ago Actg Sec State Welles told number of these states not nec. to declare on Ger. but should break all rels. So there are 5 or 6 of these which expect to be invited—& are in good standing Sec. of State has embarrassed me further by bringing this to my attention 1 month ago. As a result I sent a letter to the 6 pres. of these 6 reps explaining that if they wanted to be invited they should declare war on either Japan or Ger. Ecuador has declared war but hasn’t had chance sign Un Ns decl. Paraguay will soon. Peru, Venezuela etc (not Chile, soon) Will be embarrassing if not invited. In meantime in past 4 yrs. all of these nations have helped us in waging war because large part of raw materials for munitions of war came from them.

Result is I’m in a somewhat diff. position

St: Not discussed today

Pres: We have phrase Associated Ns meaning nations which have broken rels but haven’t declared war.

The list of nations which Mr Stett gave to Mr Molotov at lunch today

St. asked about Argentine

Pres: Not an assoc. nation

St: If “associates” come in that would include Argentina. Would include Turkey

Pres. My idea & it would save my life would be to invite those who have are on the list who have helped us on condition that they declare war.

St: Before or after they declare war

Pres: Before, put a time limit, say 1st of March

St: Agreed

Church: I am glad to say these nations would be required to declare war before they would be invited to the Conf. Of course I feel like Marshall St that some of them have played a poor part, waiting to see who would win. Now it’s quite safe they would like to come in Will have depressing effect on Ger to realize another batch has come in. [Page 784]Might also have effect on other hostile belligerents to see how whole world is turning ag. them

Pres: I should like to add one name to list for sake of clarity—newest rep. in world Iceland

Church: re Eg. HMG feel special resp. On 2 occasions were willing to declare war It was more convenient to us to have them stay formally neutral

Pres: In other words you’re in same fix I’m in

Church Also I must say on behalf of Eg that when enemy was only 30 miles from capital Egyptian Army rendered service, guarded bridges, communs & generally was more helpful than if she had declared war & made Cairo subject to air bombardment ∴Feel if Eg. now feels she wanted to declare war she should have the opportunity

Iceland also rendered very val. services. At a time when the U. S. had not herself had entered the war she admitted Brit & US troops, violated her neutrality in a marked fashion & guarded a life line across the Atlantic. I think those two have certainly a case provided they declare war

Is it intended any nation which declares war.

Pres: no, only the Assoc Ns

(Italy, Ireland—no)

Church: I shall mention a name which I think will cause universal satisfaction—Turkey T. made an alliance with us before the war at a very dangerous time. But when the war broke out, after it had been going on little while, T’s found their army was not equipped with any of weapons that decide modern battles. But att. has been friendly although they would not take the opportunity which was offered to us yr. ago

St. says all right if by end of Feb. It will declare war

Ger. is not yet defeated war & war hardly will terminate by end of Feb.

Pres: One other case—curious case.

Den.2 was invaded. Has been under Ger. domination since

Only one man claimed to represent Den. was the the Dan. Min. in Wash. He could not declare war but he disowned acts of his own govt

Would be with us 100% if they could

Church: Have they agreed to the independence of Iceland?

I do not think it is of very great importance. I think Mar & Pres are quite right in letting any one come to the party who declares war by end of month

[Page 785]

St & Denmark could wait

Pres Yes

Church: She would have a perfect right to come if she is able to speak

Pres Amend Un Ns & also those of assoc. powers & T. who declare war by Mar 1

Church All who declare war

Ed. Un Ns as they exist on the 1st of Mar.

Church:

Pres Ger. or Japan

Common enemy

Mol Would it not facilitate position of Sov. Reps if they would sign Decl. of Un Ns before 1st of Mar.

Pres I think its easier to take the list we’ve got. San Marino & Andorra might sign, nations like that

Church. What is the position

St: But T is not fighting

Pres: read list of Assoc. Ns & T only if they declare war

Mol: If Uk & Byelo-R sign decl before 1st of Mar.

Pres. That had been settled in this formula We are prepared to support them.

St. I propose to name the Reps, which would be invited: Uk & Byelo-R. To call them by name in this protocol and secondly I propose that they should sign the Decl of Un Ns before 1st of Mar. Change the protocol

Church Delay invitations to two states of Sov. Un till we are all met If so many new ones are to be brought in now be confusing

St: I have point out that’s not quite logical. 3 great powers agree to seat White R & Uk But some might say they haven’t signed

Church: Two R states should be treated same as other late arrivals

St. I wouldn’t like to embarrass Pres. What is his difficulty. I might withdraw my proposal

Pres: Only technical. We have been discussing admitting other people. Uk & Wh R are not other people they are here already. We & UK will support it. We change SU from 1 vote to 3 right here. Why 3, why not 4, 5, 6?

St. Withdrew his request. But names of the two republics should be in the report

Poland

" "The Dirty Dozen" - the last remaining members of the original 161st Regt. Combat Team, 25th Inf. in San Manuel, Luzon, P.I. 8 February, 1945. 25th Infantry Division."

The  Alaskan Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945 passed thanks to the efforts of Tlingit Elizabeth Peratrovich.

Last edition:

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

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Army, Battle of Berlin, Battle of Manila, Douglas MacArthur, German SS, German Wehrmacht, Iwo Jima, Personalities, Philippines, Yugoslav Partisans

Wednesday, January 24, 1945. Himmler given a field command.

German POW, January 23, 1945.  His cap badge indicates he was in the Luftwaffe.

Hitler appointed Heinrich Himmler as commander of the newly created Army Group Vistula.  This was rightfully resented by the German military.

The Battle of Poznań began for Polish city.

The French 1st Army took crossing over the River Ill in Alsace.  The  British 2nd Army entered Heinsberg.

"Lt. Col. V. L. Johnson, G-3 Officer, 25th Division, and Maj. Gen. C. L. Mullins, Jr., CG, 25th Division, share a foxhole in San Manuel, Luzon, P.I., with a GI of the 161st Infantry Regiment. 24 January, 1945."

The US took Calapan on Mindoro and Cabanatuan on Luzon.

The US 14th Air Force abandoned Suichuan airfield in China due to Japanese advances.  Operation Ichi-Go, the Japanese ground offensive in China, was going spectacularly well at the same time the United States was destroying the Japanese in the Pacific and getting ever closer to Japan itself, giving this a surreal quality.  Additing to it, British operations in Burma were going very well.

The Shigure was sunk by the USS Blackfin in the  Gulf of Siam.

Today In Wyoming's History: January 24:1945  The Legislature rejects a junior college plan.

One thing that's nice about doing these posts is that you learn how prior legislatures were short sighted. This is just such an example, most likely.

They would approve a community college plan within a couple of years.

This year the legislature is going to pass a bill, probably, allowing people who homeschool to not report to their school district.  By and large, those homeschooling around here do it so their children don't learn something, rather than insure that they learn.

Last edition:

Tuesday, January 23, 1945. St. Vith taken by the Allies.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Army, Burma, German Army, German Resistance Movements, Indian Army, Personalities, Philippines, World War Two

Sunday, January 21, 1945. Removing Hindenburg.

The Red Army captured Gumbinnen, crossed the Warthen and approached Poznań.  They also took Tannenberg, the site of a major German victory in World War One, where the Germans had begun demolishing key structures of the Tannenberg Memorial and where they also disinterred the remains of Paul von Hindenburg and his wife ahead of the Red Army's advance.

The U.S. Army took Titiz in the Ardennes.

"Reinforcements for front line duty move through Apach, France. 21 January, 1945. 94th Infantry Division."

The U-1199 was sunk by the Royal Navy off of Sicily.

The British landed on the northern tip of Ramree, Burma.

The US took Tarlac on Luzon.

The USS Ticonderoga was hit by two kamikazes.

Last edition:

Saturday, January 20, 1945. FDR Reinaugurated.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Armor, Army, Battle of the Bulge, Belgium, Burma, China Burma India Theater, Eastern Front, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Henry A. Wallace, Red Army, Slovakia, World War Two

Wednesday, January 10, 1945. Continuing to gain ground.

US artillery firing on Luzon, January 10, 1945.

The British took Gangaw, Burma.

"American ordnance use a wrecker to right an overturned M-4 tank, which due to the heavy snow in Belgium, skidded off the roadway and down an embankment. 10 January, 1945. 761st Tank Battalion, 471st Ordnance Battalion, 87th Infantry Division sector."

The Allies continued to advance in their counter attacks in Belgium.

Last edition:

Tuesday, January 9, 1945. Operation Mike.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Battle of the Bulge, British Army, German Kriegsmarine, Imperial Japanese Army Air Service, Japan, Luzon, Operation Mike, Philippines, Soviet Navy, U.S. Air Force, World War Two

Tuesday, January 9, 1945. Operation Mike.

Operation Mike, the major US landing on Luzon, commenced.  The Battle of Bessang Pass commenced.  The Japanese did not contest the 6th Army landings, but did strike back that night.

The U-679 was sunk in the Baltic by the Soviet MO-124.  The U-1055 sank four ships in the Irish Sea.

British armor of a Scot's unit in Belgium, January 9, 1945.

US troops digging a foxhole in Belgium.  Behind them is a Browning M2HB mounted on an antiaircraft tripod.

Evacuating the wounded in Belgium, January 9, 1945.

The B-29 Waddy's Wagon, which had been famously photographed, was shot down over Japan by Japanese fighters.  The entire crew was lost.

Last edition:

Monday, January 8, 1945. Two Medals of Honor.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Army, Battle of the Bulge, Belgium, Catholic, Christianity, Hawaii, Heroes, religion, U.S. Navy, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), World War Two

Sunday, January 7, 1945. Retreat from the Ardennes and Hope.

The Germans began to withdraw from the Ardennes.

Some people count this date, or January 6, as the end of the Battle of the Bulge, but it really was not as fighting continued on with the Allied counteroffensive.

It was, however, the end of all rational hope for the Germans, and barely rational at that, of not losing the war.

Indeed, it was January 1945 that, for the first time, a widespread realization on the part of the German public occurred that they were going to lose the war and be occupied by the Allied powers, including the Soviet Union.  Reactions varied from panic to despair.

Much of the rank and file of the German officer corps also came to that realization for the first time, although they surely should have known better, and many did.

Stalin in formed Churchill that Soviet offensive actions on the Vistula would resume mid January.

In spite of their defeat in the Ardennes, Germany had some limited success in Alsatia and Hungary on this day.

Maj. Thomas McGuire performed the actions which caused him to be awarded a posthumous Medal of Honor.

He fought with conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity over Luzon, Philippine Islands. Voluntarily, he led a squadron of 15 P-38's as top cover for heavy bombers striking Mabalacat Airdrome, where his formation was attacked by 20 aggressive Japanese fighters. In the ensuing action he repeatedly flew to the aid of embattled comrades, driving off enemy assaults while himself under attack and at times outnumbered 3 to 1, and even after his guns jammed, continuing the fight by forcing a hostile plane into his wingman's line of fire. Before he started back to his base he had shot down 3 Zeros. The next day he again volunteered to lead escort fighters on a mission to strongly defended Clark Field. During the resultant engagement he again exposed himself to attacks so that he might rescue a crippled bomber. In rapid succession he shot down 1 aircraft, parried the attack of 4 enemy fighters, 1 of which he shot down, single-handedly engaged 3 more Japanese, destroying 1, and then shot down still another, his 38th victory in aerial combat. On 7 January 1945, while leading a voluntary fighter sweep over Los Negros Island, he risked an extremely hazardous maneuver at low altitude in an attempt to save a fellow flyer from attack, crashed, and was reported missing in action. With gallant initiative, deep and unselfish concern for the safety of others, and heroic determination to destroy the enemy at all costs, Maj. McGuire set an inspiring example in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.

Rear Admiral  Theodore Edson Chandler was killed in a kamikaze attack in the Lingayen Gulf.

Last edition:

Saturday, January 6, 1945. State of the Union.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Adolf Hitler, Battle of the Bulge, Franklin Roosevelt, Invasion of Lingayen Gulf, Joseph Stalin, Kamikaze, Red Army, Siege of Budapest, The written word, Winston Churchill, World War Two

Thursday, January 4, 1945. Fighting in snowy Belgium.

"Pvt. Joy B. Richcreek, North Fortville, Indiana, cooking his dinner over a lit can of gasoline in the snow-covered woods. Belgium. 4 January, 1945. 28th Infantry Division."

The 3d Army repulsed a German counterattack near Bastogne.

"When tanks of the 35th Division had to negotiate steep and icy roads in the outskirts of Bastogne, Belgium, tank crew members placed lengths of firewood on the road for increased traction. 4 January, 1945. 35th Infantry Division."  Photographer: Pvt. A. H. Hertz, 166th Signal Photo Co.

The US 8th and 3d and British 30 Corps mount attacks.

The British and Indian armies completed occupying Akyab.

Heavy air assaults occurred on Luzon against Japanese targets.

Last edition:

Wednesday, January 3, 1945. British actions.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Battle of the Bulge, British Army, Burma, Commandos, Greece, Indian Army, Invasion of Lingayen Gulf, 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

Friday, October 27, 1944. Somewhere in Germany.

The Spanish Army launched an offensive against Republican forces in the Pyrenees.

The 7th Infantry Division took Buri Airfield on Leyte.  Tacloban airstrip became operational.

The Navy conducted airstrikes on Luzon.

The Red Army's Gumbinnen Operation in East Prussia ended in failure.  

Sarah Sundin reports that Allied Offensive actions in Italy were halted for the season:

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.

She also reports that that this was Navy Day for 1944, which it would have been, as Navy Day is always October 27.  I missed that, however.

The Germans put down the Slovak National Uprising.

A white cloud of smoke partly envelopes this German tank which is still smoldering in a street somewhere in Germany. U.S. infantrymen, crouching on both sides cover the tank. 27 October, 1944.

Last edition"

Thursday, October 26, 1944. End of the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Labels: 1940s, 1944, A Mystery, Australian Navy, Battle of Leyte Gulf, Imperial Japanese Navy, Monarchy, Norway, Personalities, U.S. Navy, Women's Air Force Service Pilots, World War Two