The Port of Antwerp opened for the Allies.
The Red Army took Mohács, Hungary.
Heavy fighting continued in Leyte.
The U-80 went down with all hands in an accident off of Pillau.
Last edition:
Showing posts with label Red Army. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Red Army. Show all posts
Thursday, November 28, 2024
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Sunday, November 26, 1944. Covering up a crime against humanity.
Himmler ordered the crematorium at Auschwitz destroyed to cover up the concentration camp's crime against humanity.
"American infantryman kneels in the rubble to draw a bead on a sniper in the burning building. Germany, 26 November, 1944."
2nd Battalion, 414th Infantry Regiment, 104th Infantry Division,
The U.S. Seventh Army captured Steige and Villé. T he 1st Army captured Weisweiler to the west of Cologne.
"This is all that is left of an American half track after a direct hit from a German shell. 26 November, 1944. 53rd Armored Infantry Battalion, 4th Armored Division."
The Red Army captured capture Michaloyce, Slovakia.
General Alexander was promoted to Field Marshal and appointed the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean.
Last edition:
Saturday, November 25, 1944. Heavy resistance on Leyte, V2 attack in London.
Labels: 1920, 1920s, 1940s, 1944, Armor, Army, baseball, Battle of Leyte, Dutch Army, Imperial Japanese Army, Italy, Rocketry, Russo Ukrainian War, Weapons, World War Two
Saturday, November 23, 2024
Thursday, November 23, 1944. Thanksgiving Day.
They will be relieved later and will have Thanksgiving dinner in the evening with their unit. The soldiers are left to right: Sgt. Albert E. Burns, 1308 E. Gilbert Street, Muncie, Ind., Pfc. John K. Smith, Munderstar Route, Brookville PA., and Pvt. Robert H. Seymour, Newark, N.Y. Near Faulquemont, France. 23 November, 1944.80th Infantry Division."
French forces liberated Strasbourg.
US troops liberated the Natzweiler-Struthof concentration camp in France. 20,000 people had died there while it was open.
The Canadian cabinet made 16,000 Canadian conscripts, previously not liable for overseas deployment, available for the same.
Soviet troops took Cop, Czechoslovakia and Tokay, Hungary.
The Royal Navy disbanded the British Eastern Fleet. Escort carriers and older ships were formed into the British East Indies Fleet with modern ships detached for service in the British Pacific Fleet.
"A newly captured crossroad carries east and west bound traffic as Lt. Gen. George S. Patton's Third Army smashes towards the Rhine. 23 November, 1944. Photographer: Sawyer."
Last edition:
Tuesday, November 21, 1944. Vive La France.
Friday, November 15, 2024
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.
Monday, November 11, 2024
Saturday, November 11, 1944. Ghastly Japanese losses at Ormoc Bay.
The Battle of Ormoc Bay began in the Camotes Sea off of the Philippines. It would carry on well into December and result in disproportionate Japanese losses as they attempted to reinforce ground elements on Leyte. On this day, four destroyers, 1 minesweeper and 5 transports carrying nearly 10,000 troops were sunk in heavy Japanese losses.
Iwo Jima was bombarded by the U.S.Navy.
Remaining German troops in Greece withdrew.
The Battle of Batina began in Croatia.
US troops in France. Note many are wearing L. L. Bean style "Maine Hunting Shoes", which were adopted for cold weather use by the U.S. Army.
The U-771 and U-1200 were sunk by the Royal Navy.
The 1942-44 musicians strike ended with RCA Victor and Columbia Records agreeing to union demands.
Last edition:
Friday, November 10, 1944. The Explosion of the Mount Hood.
Saturday, November 9, 2024
SPW 152 "Iron Pig" (BTR 152). National Museum of Military Vehicles.
This peculiar looking vehicle is an East German SPW 152 "Iron Pig", which was their variant of the Soviet BTR 152. The armored vehicle was designed as an armored personnel carrier, but utilized for other things as well. The gun in this one is likely an anti-aircraft gun.
This particular example bears the markings of the current Bundesherr and likely saw service in the reunited German Army after the country was reunited.
The Jeeps in these photographs are M151s, which will be dealt with elsewhere.
Last edition:
Monday, November 4, 2024
Saturday, November 4, 1944. Sir John Dill.
Self propelled U.S. 155 shelling German positions with captured German artillery projectiles, November 4, 1944.
Australian forces landed at Jacquiot Bay in New Britain.
The last major air raid on Bochum, German occured. 4,000 buildings and 1,000 people were lost in the raid by the RAF.
The Red Army took Szolnok and Cegled on the way to Budapest.
Royal Navy Minesweepers reached the port of Antwerp while the logistical tail continued to reach back principally to Normandy, a major problem for the Western Allies.
The 5th Indian Division took Kennedy Peak, south of Tiddim.
Field Marshall Sir John Dill died in Washington D. C. at age 63. The British officer was immensely respected in Washington, and is buried at Arlington.
Last edition:
Friday, November 3, 1944. Generals.
Thursday, October 31, 2024
Tuesday, October 31, 1944. Rescued.
Pvt. Fred T. Huff, 698 Pulaski St., Athens, Ga., one of the soldiers in an American infantry battalion trapped behind German lines.for six days in the Belmont sector, France, eats while waiting for transportation to the rear area for a rest. 31 October, 1944.
U.S. Infantrymen who were cut off by the Germans for six days in the Belmont sector, France, file down the road after being relieved. 31 October, 1944. 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry, 36th Infantry Division.
Bearded Lt. Martin J. Higgins, 29 Garrison Ave., Jersey City, N.J., left, receives a warm handshake from Lt. Charles O. Barry, 120 West St., Williamstown, P.A., when he rejoins his unit in the Belmont sector after being cut off by the Germans for six days. Lt. Higgins was one of the officers with a battalion cut off by the Germans. France. 31 October, 1944. Note the M1 Carbine has a grenade launching attachment. 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division.
The Royal Air Force raided Gestapo headquarters at the Aarhus University in Denmark The goal was to destroy Gestapo records to aid the Danish resistance. The raid was conducted, as an earlier on in France had been, with Mosquitos.
The Germans evacuated Salonika. Remaining Aegean German garrisons were trapped.
German Army Group North was trapped on the Courland Peninsula.
T/5 Miles J. Wermager, center, of Magnomen, Minn., a member of a cavalry unit near Monschau, Germany, receives his first piece of chicken since D-Day from T/4 Frank F. Leichtman, left, of Bresho, S.D. 31 October, 1944.
Complete to a flute, turban, and ersatz snake, TeC 5 Hernry Vin Roten, seated, of Brooklyn, N.Y., muses fellow GIs and pretty guests from the nearby French town of Toul at a Halloween party given by members of an air evacuation holding station. 3rd Army Air Evac. Holding Station. 31 October, 1944.
Last edition:
Monday, October 30, 1944. Pvt. Ross.
Today in World War II History—October 31, 1939 & 1944
Today in World War II History—October 31, 1939 & 1944: 85 Years Ago—Oct. 31, 1939: British children are advised not to go “guising” (trick-or-treating) due to the blackout. New York World’s Fair closes.
Monday, October 28, 2024
Saturday, October 28, 1944. Slovaks put down, French Resistance ordered to disarm, Bulgaria quits, Day of Liberation of Ukraine from Fascist Invaders (День визволення України від фашистських загарбників).
The Slovak National Uprising came to an end.
Charles de Gaulle ordered French Resistance elements to disarm.
Bulgaria signed an armistice with the Allies. Bulgarian troops were placed under Soviet command.
Agreement Between the Governments of United States of America, the United Kingdom, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, on the One Hand, and the Government of Bulgaria, on the Other Hand, Concerning an Armistice
The Government of Bulgaria accepts the armistice terms presented by the Government of the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United Kingdom acting on behalf of all the United Nations at war with Bulgaria.
Accordingly the representative of the Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean, Lieutenant General Sir James Gammell, and the representative of the Soviet High Command, Marshal of the Soviet Union, F. I. Tolbukhin, duly authorized thereto by the governments of the United States of America, the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics and the United Kingdom acting on behalf of all the United Nations at war with Bulgaria, on the one hand, and representatives of the Government of Bulgaria, Mr. P. Stainov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. D. Terpeshev, Minister Without Portfolio, Mr. N. Petkov, Minister Without Portfolio and Mr. P. Stoyanov, Minister of Finance, furnished with due powers, on the other hand, have signed the following terms:
ARTICLE ONE.
(A) Bulgaria having ceased hostilities with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on September 9, and severed relations with Germany on September 6, and with Hungary on on September 26, hostilities has ceased against all the other United Nations.
(B) The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to disarm the German armed forces in Bulgaria and hand them over as prisoners of war. The Government of Bulgaria also undertakes to intern nationals of Germany and her satellites.
(C) The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to maintain and make available such land, sea and air forces as may be specified for service under the general direction of the Allied ( Soviet) High Command. Such forces must not be used on Allied territory except with the prior consent of the All Government concerned.
(D) On the conclusion of hostilities against Germany the Bulgarian armed forces Bust be mobilized and put on a peace footing under: supervision of the Allied Control Commission.
ARTICLE TWO.
Bulgarian armed forces and officials must be withdrawn within the specified time limit from the territory of Greece and Yugoslavia in accordance with the pre-condition accepted by the Government of Bulgaria on October 11; the Bulgarian authorities must immediately take steps to withdraw from Greek and Yugoslav territory Bulgarians who were citizens of Bulgaria on January 1, 1941, and to repeal legislative and administrative provisions relating to the annexation or incorporation in Bulgaria of Greek or Yugoslav territory.
ARTICLE THREE.
The Government of Bulgaria will afford to Soviet and other Allied forces freedom of movement over Bulgarian territory in any direction if, in the opinion of the Allied (Soviet) High Command, the military situation so require the Government of Bulgaria giving to such movements every assistance with its own means of communication, and at its own expense, by land, water and in the air.
ARTICLE FOUR.
The Government of Bulgaria will immediately release all Allied prisoners of war and internees. Pending further instruction the Government of Bulgaria will at its own expense provide all Allied prisoners of war, internees and displaced persons and refugees, including nationals of Greece and Yugoslavia, with adequate food, clothing, medical services and sanitary and hygienic requirements and also with means of transportation for the return of any such persons to their own country.
ARTICLE FIVE.
The Government of Bulgaria will immediately release, regardless of citizenship or nationality, all persons held in confinement in connection with their activities in favor of the United Nations or because of their sympathies with the United Nations cause or for racial or religious reasons, and will repeal all discriminatory legislation and disabilities arising therefrom.
ARTICLE SIX.
The Government of Bulgaria will cooperate in the apprehension and trial of persons accused of war crimes.
ARTICLE SEVEN.
The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to dissolve immediately all pro-Hitler or other Fascist political, military, para-military and other organizations on Bulgarian territory conducting propaganda hostile to the United Nations and not to tolerate the existence of such organizations in the future.
ARTICLE EIGHT.
The publication, introduction and distribution in Bulgaria of periodical, or non-periodical literature, the presentation of theatrical performances or films, the operation of wireless stations, post, telegraph and telephone services will take place in agreement with the Allied (Soviet) High Command.
ARTICLE NINE.
The Government of Bulgaria will restore all property of the United Nations and their nationals, including Greek and Yugoslav property, and will make such reparation for loss and damage caused by the war to the United Nations, including Greece and Yugoslavia, as may be determined later.
ARTICLE TEN.
The Government of Bulgaria will restore all rights and interests of the United Nations and their nationals in Bulgaria.
ARTICLE ELEVEN.
The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to return to the Soviet Union, to Greece and Yugoslavia and to the other United Nations, by the dates specified by the Allied Control Commission and in a good state of preservation, all valuables and materials removed during the war by Germany or Bulgaria from United Nations territory and belonging to state, public or cooperative organizations, enterprises, institutions or individual citizens, such as factory and works equipment, locomotives, rolling-stock, tractors, motor vehicles, historic monuments, museum treasures and any other property.
ARTICLE TWELVE.
The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to hand over as booty to the Allied (Soviet) High Command all war material of Germany and her satellites located on Bulgarian territory, including vessels of the fleets of Germany and her satellites located in Bulgarian waters.
ARTICLE THIRTEEN.
The Government of Bulgaria undertakes not to permit the removal or expropriation of any form of property (including valuables and currency), belonging to Germany or Hungary or to their nationals or to persons resident in their territories or in territories occupied by them, without the permission of the Allied Control Commission. The Government of Bulgaria will safeguard such property in the manner specified by the Allied Control Commission.
ARTICLE FOURTEEN.
The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to hand over to the Allied (Soviet) High Command all vessels belonging to the United Nations which are in Bulgarian ports no matter at whose disposal these vessels may be, for the use of the Allied (Soviet) High Command during the war against Germany or Hungary in the common interest of the Allies, the vessels to be returned subsequently to their owners.
The Government of Bulgaria will bear full material responsibility for any damage to or destruction of the aforesaid property up to the moment of its transfer to the Allied (Soviet) High Command.
ARTICLE FIFTEEN.
The Government of Bulgaria must make regular payments in Bulgarian currency and must supply goods (fuel, foodstuffs, et cetera), facilities and services as may be required by the Allied (Soviet) High Command for the discharge of its functions.
ARTICLE SIXTEEN.
Bulgarian merchant vessels, whether in Bulgarian or foreign waters, shall be subject to the operational control of the Allied (Soviet) High Command for use in the general interest of the Allies.
ARTICLE SEVENTEEN.
The Government of Bulgaria will arrange, in case of need, for the utilization in Bulgarian territory of industrial and transport enterprises, means of communication, power stations, public utility enterprises and installations, stocks of fuels and other materials in accordance with instructions issued during the armistice by the Allied (Soviet) High Command.
ARTICLE EIGHTEEN.
For the whole period of the armistice there will be established in Bulgaria an Allied Control Commission which will regulate and supervise the execution of the armistice terms under the chairmanship of the representative of the Allied (Soviet) High Command and with the participation of representatives of the United States and the United Kingdom. During the period between the coming into force of the armistice and the conclusion of hostilities against Germany, the Allied Control Commission will be under the general direction of the Allied (Soviet) High Command.
ARTICLE NINETEEN.
The present terms will come into force on their signing.
Done at Moscow in quadruplicate, in English, Russian and Bulgarian, the English and Russian texts being authentic.
OCTOBER 28, 1944.
For the Governments of the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United Kingdom:
Marshal F. I. TOLBUKHIN, representative the Soviet High Command.
Lieutenant General JAMES GAMMELL, representative of the Supreme Allied Commander for the Mediterranean
For the Government of Bulgaria: P. STAINOV, D. Terpeshev N. PETKOV and P. STOYANOV.
Protocol to the Agreement Concerning an Armistice With Bulgaria
At the time of signing the armistice with the Government of Bulgaria, the Allied Governments signatory thereto have agreed to the following:
One.
In connection with Article IX it is understood that the Bulgarian Government will immediately make available certain foodstuffs for the relief of the population of Greek and Yugoslav territories which have suffered as a result of Bulgarian aggression. The quantity of each product to be delivered will be determined by agreement between the three governments, and will be considered as part of the reparation by Bulgaria for the loss and damage sustained by Greece and Yugoslavia.
Two.
The term "war material" used in Article XII shall be deemed to include all material or equipment belonging to, used by, or intended for use by enemy military or pare-military formations or members thereof.
Three.
The use by the Allied (Soviet) High Command of Allied vessels handed over by the Government of Bulgaria in accordance with Article XIV of the armistice and the date of their return to their owners will be the subject of discussion and settlement between the Allied Governments concerned and the Government of the Soviet Union.
Four.
It is understood that in the application of Article XV the Allied (Soviet) High Command will also arrange for the provision of Bulgaria currency, supplies, services, et cetera, to meet needs of the representatives of the Government of the United Kingdom and the United States Bulgaria.
Done at Moscow in triplicate, in English Russian languages, both English and Russian being authentic.
The Battle of Dukla Pass concluded with no practical result.
German actor and director Kurt Gerron was murdered at Auschwitz.
From a female Russian sniper's diary:
October 25-28, 1944
The last territory of what is now Ukraine, but what was then part of Hungary, was cleared of German control. Hence, today is the Day of Liberation of Ukraine from Fascist Invaders (День визволення України від фашистських загарбників).
Last edition:
Friday, October 27, 1944. Somewhere in Germany.
Sunday, October 27, 2024
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"
Friday, October 25, 2024
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.
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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
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