1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 19–25 AUGUST 1943 ]
MEDITERRANEAN—Air plan for support of
Operation AVALANCHE is issued.
USSR—Red Army troops further improve
positions about Kharkov with capture of Zmiev; S
of the city.
19 August
Solomon Is.—Japanese troop-laden barges that
escaped U.S. naval force on 18th succeed in unloading
at Horaniu, Vella Lavella. On Baanga I.,
Japanese naval guns that have been shelling Munda
are captured.
NEW GUINEA—Japanese abandon positions on
Mt Tambu and Komiatum Ridge, last major obstacles
before Salamaua, and fall back to final
defensive positions.
20 August
SOLOMON Is.— 43d Div troops complete offensive
on Baanga, sealing off S peninsula. Action on the
island has cost the div 52 killed and 110 wounded.
A search of rest of island and of islands leading N
to Diamond Narrows is uneventful. Japanese withdraw
from S Baanga.
NEW GUINEA—Gen Blarney takes command of
New Guinea Force, releasing Gen Herring, who
proceeds to Dobodura to command Aus I Corps.
21 August
Solomon Is.—Enemy planes intermittently attack
vessels taking third echelon of Northern Landing
Force to Vella Lavella, but cause little damage.
22 August
ALEUTIAN IS.—Uneventful search for enemy on
Kiska is completed. Light casualties have been suffered
by Allied forces during the operation as a
result of mistaken identity.
ELLICE Is.—Advance party of 2d Mar Airdrome
Bn lands at Nukufetau, where air base is to be
established.
NEW GUINEA—Air offensive against Wewak
has neutralized enemy airpower on New Guinea
sufficiently for Allied warships (4 DD’s under Capt
Jesse H. Carter) to risk voyage along coast from
Milne Bay to Finschhafen. After bombarding
Finschhafen, night 22–23, the DD’s return safely.
23 August
Solomon Is.—On New Georgia, 27th Inf of
25th Div reaches Piru Plantation after difficult
march through swampland.
[ 129 ]
USSR—Enemy abandons Kharkov, having exhausted
reserves in a losing battle for the city. Hard
fighting is developing S of Izyum and on Mius front
as powerful Soviet forces attempt to breach enemy
defenses. On Mius front, Red Army troops cut Taganrog–Stalino
RR.
24 August
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES—QUADRANT Conference
at Quebec ends. OVERLORD, invasion of
northwestern Europe, target date 1 May 1944, and
POINTBLANK, Combined Bomber Offensive to destroy
economic and military power of Germany as
a prelude to OVERLORD, shall constitute the primary
effort against Germany. Plans for invasion of Italy
are approved, but the forces to be employed are confined
to those already allotted at TRIDENT. Advances
against Japan are to be made along both the Central
Pacific and the SWPA route. Action in the Central
Pacific is to begin with invasion of Gilberts and
Marshalls. In SWPA, Rabaul will be neutralized
but not captured; New Guinea will be neutralized
as far W as Wewak; Manus and Kavieng are to be
secured as bases from which further advances can
be supported. A new Allied command, Southeast
Asia Command (SEAC), is authorized to simplify
command structure in Asia; Adm Lord Louis
Mountbatten is to be Supreme Commander and
Gen Stilwell will be his deputy. China theater is
not included in SEAC; as China is an area of U.S.
strategic responsibility, Gen Stilwell is responsible
to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. North Burma
offensive is scheduled to begin in February 1944.
POA—Fifth Amphibious Force is established
under command of Adm Turner.
NEW GUINEA—Aus 5th Div relieves Aus 3d
Div of final operations against Salamaua; primary
objective is to divert enemy attention from Lae.
While Aus 5th Div is clearing heights S of Francisco
R on lea, Americans of 162d Inf, 41st Div,
continue operations against ridges in Dot Inlet.
25 August
Solomon Is.—Action on New Georgia I. comes
to a close as Americans seize Bairoko Harbor without
opposition. Japanese remnants have withdrawn
to Kolombangara and Arundel. 172d Inf, 43d Div,
is to secure that part of Arundel I. commanding
Diamond Narrows.
MEDITERRANEAN—15th Army Group: U.S. Fifth
Army issues Field Order No. 1, putting outline plan
for invasion of Italy into effect. Under 15th Army
Group, U.S. Fifth Army is to conduct Operation
AVALANCHE In Naples area and Br Eighth Army,
Operation BAYTOWN on toe of Italy.