1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 112 ] [ 23 MAY–1 JUNE 1943 ]
surrounding entrance to Chichagof Valley. Exploiting
this success, 2d Bn of 32d Inf attacks in afternoon
and drives wedge into entrance of Chichagof
Valley, the easiest approach to Chichagof. Patrol
contact is made with Northern Force, which remains
in place, consolidating positions.
INDIA—Gen Wheeler receives directive calling
for expedited program of airfield construction in
Assam.
USSR—Moscow announces dissolution of
Comintern.
23 May
ALEUTIAN IS.—Southern Force, employing 2d
Bn of 17th Inf, begins attack on Fish Hook Ridge
but is soon pinned down by enemy fire. Strong
patrols of Northern Force attempt unsuccessfully to
force Holtz–Sarana Pass. Direct communication between
Northern and Southern Forces is possible for
first time as wire is laid between the two. Coordinated
attack for the Fish Hook is then planned.
TUNISIA—18 Army Group staff is disbanded,
having served its purpose.
24 May
U.S.—JCS authorize planning and training for
invasion of Kiska.
ALEUTIAN IS.—On Attu, efforts of 3d Bn, 32d
Inf, and 2d Bn, 17th, to gain Fish Hook Ridge meet
intense fire and make little headway.
25 May
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES—TRIDENT Conference
in Washington ends. The conferees have
selected 1 May 1944 as target date for cross-Channel
invasion of northwestern Europe (OVERLORD).
Large-scale air offensive from United Kingdom will
precede OVERLORD. In the Mediterranean, operations
following capture of Sicily (HUSKY) are to be designed
to knock Italy out of the war. Ploesti oil fields
are to be bombed from Mediterranean bases.
Material to China is to be increased and communications
with it opened. General approval is given
U.S. “Strategic Plan for the Defeat of Japan,” calling
for drive on Japan through Central Pacific.
ALEUTIAN IS.—On Attu, Southern Force’s 2d
Bn, 17th Inf, gains toehold on crest of Fish Hook
Ridge, breaking through elaborate tunnel system below
summit. Northern Force, attacking with 3d Bn
of 32d Inf and supported by Cos A and C of 17th,
clears trench system on its side of the Fish Hook
but is unable to reach crest.
TUNISIA—Combined hq is established at Sousse
by representatives of forces participating in Operation
CORKSCREW (conquest of Pantelleria).
26 May
ALEUTIAN IS.—Northern and Southern Forces
are slowly expanding positions on Fish Hook Ridge,
former moving elements to crest via route previously
cleared by 2d Bn, 17th Inf. 1st Bn, 4th Inf, joins in
fight for the ridge.
27 May
U.S.—Joint Staff Planners direct Joint War
Plans Committee to determine troop needs and suggest
target dates for invasion of the Marshalls, POA.
ALEUTIAN IS.—7th Div. finishes clearing Fish
Hook Ridge. Fighter strip is being constructed at
Alexai Pt.
28 May
ALEUTIAN IS.—7th Div maintains pressure on
enemy, who by end of day is compressed into small
part of Chichagof Harbor. Messages requesting Japanese
to surrender are dropped from the air.
29 May
ALEUTIAN IS.—Japanese make strong counterattack
from Chichagof Harbor before dawn, pushing
rapidly toward Clevesy Pass in effort to break
out into Massacre Valley. Main force of attack is
spent by dawn when enemy, dispersed into small
groups, is forced to go into hiding.
30 May
ALEUTIAN IS.—After a last weak counterattack,
organized enemy resistance collapses on Attu. 7th
Div reaches shore of Chichagof Harbor without incident.
U.S. Army force under Brig Gen John E.
Copeland occupies Shemya I. without opposition.
31 May
ALEUTIAN IS. 7th Div is rounding up stragglers
of the defeated Japanese garrison of Attu, originally
numbering about 2,500.
1 June
ALEUTIAN IS.—Plan is formulated for occupation
of Kiska. U.S. Eleventh Air Force is to continue
to take advantage of every break in the weather to
hit Kiska while assault troops are being assembled
and trained intensively at Fort Ord, California, and
in the Aleutians. Surface vessels are to assist in the
softening up program and cover landings.
PANTELLERIA—All-out air offensive against the
island continues and is being supplemented with
naval gunfire from small groups of Br vessels.