1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 30 OCTOBER–2 NOVEMBER 1943 ]
Prata. Elements of 504th Para Inf, 82d A/B Div,
protecting right flank of VI Corps, reach Gallo. 3d
Div continues N on left flank of corps in region W
of the Volturno.
In Br Eighth Army area, 13 Corps begins attack
toward Isernia, 5th Div leading off in downpour of
rain, night 29–30.
30 October
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES—Moscow Conference
of Foreign Ministers ends after considering
certain politico-military issues. Although a tripartite
conference (Br-U.S.-Soviet), Ch representatives
have participated in some phases. Conferees agree to
demand “unconditional surrender” of Germany and
establish a world organization for peace. Discussions
lead to establishment later in London of European
Advisory Commission to study and make recommendations
on problems relating to termination
of the war in Europe.
31 October
POA—Adm Turner’s Northern Attack Force
(TF 52) begins rehearsals for GALVANIC—invasion
of the Gilberts—off Hawaii. TF 31 units rendezvous
W of Guadalcanal, then sail for Bougainville.
Enemy airfields on S Bougainville are now unserviceable.
ITALY—15th Army Group: U.S. Fifth Army
takes control of Italian 1st Motorized Gp. In Br 10
Corps area, while 7th Armd and 46th Inf Divs continue
attacks on M. Massico and M. S. Croce, 56th
Div, on to Corps right flank, takes Teano. In VI
Corps area, some elements of 34th Div reach Fontegreca
while others occupy Ciorlano, on slopes of La
Croce Hill.
In Br Eighth Army’s 13 Corps area, Cantalupo
falls to 5th Div.
1 November
U.S.—Alaska is made a separate theater of
operations. Alaska Defense Command, separated
from Western Defense Command, is renamed
Alaskan Department and comes under direct control
of the War Department.
U.S. Military Mission to USSR is organized under
Maj Gen John R. Deane to establish American
airfields in USSR for shuttle bombing of enemy
territory.
Solomon Is.—After preparatory naval gunfire
and aerial bombardment, Northern Force of Adm
Wilkinson’s TF 31 starts landing 3d Mar Div, reinf,
of Gen Vandegrift’s I MAC on Bougainville about
0730 9th and 3d Marines, 9th on left, land abreast
on N shore of Empress Augusta Bay in Cape Torokina
area and establish shallow beachhead despite
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opposition from small but determined defense force.
Elements of 2d Mar Raider Regt (Prov) land on
Puruata I, off Cape Torokina, and begin to clear it.
Maj Gen A. H. Turnage, 3d Mar Div CG, takes
command ashore. Japanese air attacks delay unloading
of cargo and surf damages many landing craft,
but the operation is otherwise very successful. In
support of the landings, naval vessels of TF 39
(Rear Adm A. Stanton Merrill) and carrier aircraft
of TF 38 (Rear Adm Frederick C. Sherman)
neutralize enemy airfields in S Bougainville–Shortlands
area.
BATTLE OF EMPRESS AUGUSTA BAY—During
night 1–2, TF 39 engages enemy force of cruisers
and DD’s proceeding toward Bougainville and f
orces enemy to retire after losing a cruiser and a
DD.
MEDITERRANEAN—U.S. Fifteenth Air Force is
activated pursuant to CCS directive of as October.
ITALY—15th Army Group: In U.S. Fifth Army
area, Br 10 Corps continues to clear M. Massico–
M. S. Croce hill mass on W flank of Fifth Army.
56th Div takes Roccamonfina. In VI Corps area,
168th Inf of 34th Div reaches Capriati al Volturno.
USSR—In the Crimea, Red Army troops seal
off Perekop Isthmus with capture of Armyansk;
make landings on E end of Kerch Peninsula.
2 November
BOUGAINVILLE—3d Mar Div is slowly expanding
beachhead and organizing defenses. 3d Marines,
which has had hard fighting on right flank, is exchanging
places with 9th Marines. Puruata I. is
cleared by noon. Carrier planes of TF 38 make 2
strikes against Bonis, continuing neutralization of
airfields; before departing to refuel.
NEW BRITAIN—75 B–25’s, with P–38 escort, attack
Rabaul with good effect but meet the strongest
opposition to be encountered by Fifth Air Force
during the entire war.
BURMA—Japanese along Tarung R are withstanding
efforts of 112th Rgt, Ch 38th Div, to
advance; wipe out co of 1st Bn.
ITALY—15th Army Group: In U.S. Fifth Army’s
Br 10 Corps area, patrols of 7th Armd and 46th Inf
Divs reach the Garigliano. VI Corps prepares to
cross 2 divs, 45th and 34th, over the Volturno. Advance
elements of 45th Div—Co F of 180th Inf—
cross below Sesto Campano, night 2–3.
In Br Eighth Army area, 5 Corps begins main
assault across the Trigno, night 2–3. Firm resistance
is being overcome with help of arty and naval
gunfire.
AUSTRIA—U.S. Fifteenth Air Force joins in
Combined Bomber Offensive against Germany with