1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 1–3 DECEMBER 1943 ]
over all other operations. Premier Stalin has agreed
to commit Soviet forces against Japan after Germany
is defeated. From Tehran, Br and U.S. delegates
go back to Cairo, where the SEXTANT talks will be
renewed.
GILBERT IS.—2d Tank Bn scouts reconnoiter
Abaiang and Marakei Atolls, N of Tarawa, finding
but 5 Japanese, on former.
SWPA—Gen Krueger forms TF DIRECTOR,
under Brig Gen Julian W. Cunningham, for the
invasion of Arawe, New Britain, on 15 December,
called 2 Day to distinguish it from main D Day
invasion at Cape Gloucester later. The TF is based
upon 112th Cav.
CBI—Chiang Kai-shek again agrees to CHAM-
PION while inspecting Chinese troops at Ramgarh.
ITALY—15th Army Group: In preparation for
Operation RAINCOAT—U.S. Fifth Army’s first phase
of assault against Winter Line aimed at capture of
Camino hill mass—diversions are begun to deceive
enemy. 3d Ranger Bn feints toward S. Pietro and
23d Armd Brig feints on lower Garigliano. In VI
Corps’ 45th Div sector, 1st Bn of 179th Inf continues
fruitless attempts to clear La Bandits. On M.
Pantano, 1st Bn of 168th Inf, 34th Div, retains positions
against strong counterattacks and tries unsuccessfully
to gain second knob; patrols of 1st Bn, 133d
Inf, move into Castelnuovo while 3d Bn advances to
M. la Rocca and elements of 200th Bn move onto
Croce Hill.
In Br Eighth Army area, 5 Corps finishes clearing
ridge above the Sangro. 4th Armd Brig and 78th
Div push toward coast, taking Fossacesia. Ind 8th
Div, moving NW along ridge, reaches heights overlooking
Castelfrentano. To W, New Zealanders,
having crossed the Sangro with difficulty, join their
bridgehead with that of corps.
USSR—Moscow announces withdrawal of Soviet
forces from Korosten.
1 December
GILBERT IS.—2d Tank Bn scouts find Maiana
Atoll free of enemy, concluding their mission.
ITALY—15th Army Group: In U.S. Fifth Army
area, air operations are sharply increased in preparation
for main assault against Winter Line. Br 10
Corps begins diversionary attack toward Calabritto
at dusk, employing 139th Brig, 46th Div. Numerous
obstacles and strong opposition slow advance. In VI
Corps area, 45th Div continues to meet firm resistance
that prevents 1st Bn, 179th Inf, from scaling
La Bandits and 2d Bn from clearing crest and reverse
slope of Hill 769 to S. In 34th Div sector, 1st
Bn of 168th Inf remains on first knob of M. Pantano
but is isolated from main body; no further progress
is made by 133d Inf.
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2 December
ITALY—About 30 aircraft of German Air Force
attack Bari, night 2–3, with spectacular results.
Bombs blow up 2 ammunition ships in the crowded
harbor, and as a result 17 other ships are lost. Damage
to the port reduces its capacity for 3 weeks.
15th Army Group: In U.S. Fifth Army area,
Allied aircraft and arty pound enemy positions in
preparation for Operation RAINCOAT. Arty concentrations
are the heaviest thus far in the Italian campaign.
Br 10 Corps continues attack toward Calabritto but
does not take it. Despite this failure, 56th Div begins
attack on M. Camino from S after nightfall. II
Corps opens attack on Camino hill mass from NE,
night 2–3. 1st SSF moves against M. la Difensa, 2d
Regt spearheading, and clears it before dawn. In
VI Corps’ 45th Div sector, enemy continues stout
defense of La Bandita and positions on Hill 769.
34th Div commits additional elements against M.
Pantano and with great difficulty takes the second
knob; Co L of 133d Inf gains Hill 1180, on S slopes
of M. Marrone, in night attack, 2–3, but the regt is
unable to gain further ground in the area after this.
In Br Eighth Army’s 5 Corps area, Castelfrentano
falls to NZ troops.
USSR—Continuing offensive in Dnieper bend,
Soviet forces break through along Ingulets R and
push to within 6 miles of Znamenka.
3 December
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES—Br and U.S.
delegates, returning from Tehran, reopen SEXTANT
discussions at Cairo.
SWPA—Dates for invasion of New Britain at
Arawe and Cape Gloucester are finally set for 15 and
26 December, respectively.
I TALY—15th Army Group: In U.S. Fifth
Army’s Br 10 Corps area, 56th Div makes substantial
progress, taking M. Camino (819) and Monastery
Hill (963) but is forced back from latter. In II
Corps area, 1st SSF units, continuing attack from
M. la Difensa before dawn, reach M. la Remetanea.
142d Inf, 36th Div, begins drive on M. Maggiore
and takes it. In VI Corps area, 45th Div is unable to
make further progress against La Bandits or Hill
769. Elements of 3d Bn, 168th Inf, 34th Div, upon
relief by elements of 135th Inf, move to first knob of
M. Pantano and relieve 1st Bn, 168th Inf; 3d Bn
then attacks toward third knob but is driven back.
In Br Eighth Army’s 5 Corps area, Ind 8th Div
and 78th Div reach Moro R, overrunning Lanciano
and S. Vito. 78th Div is later relieved there by Cdn
1st Div, which has been transferred to 5 Corps from
13 Corps.
USSR—NW of Gomel, Soviet troops improve
positions and take highway center of Dovsk.