1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 4–6 SEPTEMBER 1943 ]
lished, Adm Wilkinson, CG TF 31, relinquishes
command of operations.
NEW GUINEA—Allied planners meeting at Port
Moresby decide to seize line Dumpu–Saidor to protect
movement to Cape Gloucester. As air preparation
for landing at Lae continues, the assault force
assembles off Buna.
SICILY—At 1715, after units of Br Eighth Army
have landed on mainland of Italy, Gen Castellano,
on behalf of the Italian Government of Marshal
Badoglio, signs short-term armistice at Cassibile,
near Syracuse, Sicily, to became effective on 8 September,
when news of it is to be made public. Because
of the Italian armistice, U.S. 82d A/B Div,
scheduled to drop in Capua area of Volturno Valley
to block southward movement of enemy reinforcements,
is to be dropped instead in vicinity of Rome
where, with assistance of Italians, it will prevent
German occupation of Rome.
ITALY—15th Army Group: Under Gen Alexander,
invades European continent. In Br Eighth
Army area, 13 Corps, under cover of air, naval, and
arty bombardment, is ferried across Strait of Messina
and lands on Calabrian coast between Reggio
and Villa S. Giovanni at 0430; against token resistance
from Italians, quickly seizes Reggio, its airdrome,
and S. Giovanni and pushes northward in
2 columns, 5th Div along coastal road to Schilla and
Cdn 1st Div on parallel inland route to S. Stefano.
During night 3–4, commandos land at Bagnara to
outflank enemy positions and speed advance.
4 September
POA—V Amphibious Corps (VAC), under
command of Maj Gen Holland M. Smith, USMC,
is created to train and control troops for amphibious
landings in Central Pacific.
Solomon Is.—On Arundel, 2d Bn of 172d Inf,
43d Div, moves by sea to Stima Peninsula; leaving
Co G to contain enemy pocket at its base, advances
NW. After amphibious move from Nauro to Bustling
Point, 1st Bn begins advance to secure control
of entrance to Wana Wana Lagoon.
NEW GUINEA—While diversionary action by Aus
5th Div and 162d Inf of U.S. 41st Div toward
Salamaua is drawing to a close, offensive operations
are begun against Lae, the main objective. After
brief naval gunfire preparation, 26th and 20th Brigs,
Aus 9th Div, and U.S. scouts of 2d Engr Special
Brig land at points 14 and 18 miles E of Lae without
opposition. The Americans are placed under command
of Aus 9th Div upon landing. Fifth Air Force
co–operates by bombing Hopoi and driving off
enemy planes that damage several LST’s and LCI’s
of TF 76. From positions 14 miles from Lae, 26th
Brig and Aus 2/17th Bn start W toward Lae.
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Aus 2/13th Bn drives E from Bulu Plantation, 18
miles E of Lae, to Hopoi to secure E flank.
ITALY—15th Army Group: Gen Alexander
orders 1st A/B Div to be prepared to land elements
at Taranto (SLAPSTICK) on 9th in order to secure the
port, airfields, and installations and establish contact
with Italians in Brindisi area; cancels projected
invasion of Crotone area (GOBLET) by Br 5 Corps
from N Africa, thereby releasing 5 Corps hq, which
is to take command of forces in heel of Italy and
be prepared to advance upon order.
In Br Eighth Army area, 13 Corps moves steadily
northward up Calabrian Peninsula, hampered only
by skillful demolitions.
USSR—Red Army blocks last rail exit from
Kharkov with capture of rail junction of Merefa, S
of the city.
5 September
SOLOMON IS.—172d Inf, 43d Div, unsuccessfully
attacks Japanese positions some 600 yards SE of
base of Bomboe Peninsula on Arundel and strengthens
block at base of Stima Peninsula after enemy
counterattacks there.
NEW GUINEA—U.S. 503d Para Regt and detachment
of Aus 2/4th Field Regt, transported across
Owen Stanley Range from Port Moresby by Fifth
Air Force, drop unopposed at Nadzab, on Markham
R NW of Lae, after aircraft bomb and strafe landing
zone. Paratroopers are soon joined by Aus force
(2/2d Pioneer Bn and 2/6th Field Co) that has
moved to Nadzab area from Tsili Tsili. Co of Papuan
Inf Bn (FIB), which has also moved forward,
covers W approaches to Nadzab. Nadzab airfield
is quickly prepared to receive Aus 7th Div and
eventually becomes a major Allied air base.
MIDDLE EAST—Gen Brereton relinquishes command
of USAFIME.
ITALY—AVALANCHE assault forces begin movement
from N Africa to Gulf of Salerno.
15th Army Group: In Br Eighth Army area,
13 Corps has cleared Calabrian Peninsula as far N
as Bagnara on W and Bova Marina on E. 5th Div
is meeting rear-guard resistance N of Bagnara.
6 September
Solomon Is.—On Arundel, 1st Bn of 172d Inf,
43d Div, secures Grant I. and W half of Bomboe
Peninsula; 3d Bn holds the block at base of Stima
Peninsula; 2d Bn works slowly toward base of
Bomboe Peninsula.
NEW GUINEA—26th Brig of Aus 9th Div, followed
by 24th Brig, which landed night 5–6, continues
W toward Lae, meeting opposition for the
first time at Bunga R. Advance elements of U.S.
871st A/B Engr Bn are, flown in to Nabzab.