1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 18–21 DECEMBER 1943 ]
SWPA—Gen MacArthur orders Gen Krueger to
prepare plans for next phase of DEXTERITY—seizure
of Saidor, New Guinea, as advanced air and
naval base. To perform this task, Gen Krueger
forms TF MICHAELMAS under Brig Gen Clarence A.
Martin, 32d Div ADC, consisting of RCT 126, reinf,
32d Div. The TF is largely that originally scheduled
to invade Gasmata, New Ireland.
CBI—Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, in another
message to President Roosevelt, again calls for
financial aid and increased air strength.
I TALY—15th Army Group: In U.S. Fifth
Army’s II Corps area, 36th Div pursues enemy beyond
S. Pietro; 1st Bn of 141st Inf relieves 1st Bn of
143d on M. Sammucro; 2d Bn of 504th Para Inf is
being relieved in same area by 1st Bn. In VI Corps
area, Germans are making limited withdrawal in
center of corps front. After nightfall, 180th Inf of
45th Div, passing through 179th, takes M. la Posta
without opposition. Germans begin withdrawal
from M. Pantano positions, leaving a small number
of rear-guard forces to delay pursuit.
18 December
NEW BRITAIN—Preinvasion air operations
against Cape Gloucester area are intensified.
CBI—Chiang Kai-shek gives Gen Stilwell full
command of Ch troops in India and in the
Hukawng Valley of Burma.
CHINA—Enemy planes attack Kunming in
preparation for offensive against India.
I TALY—15th Army Group: In U.S. Fifth
Army’s II Corps area, patrols find enemy still clinging
to W slopes of M. Sammucro. VI Corps advances
in center along S. Elia road as enemy withdraws.
Fr troops occupy rest of M. Pantano hill mass; on
road to Atina, clear Cerasuolo area.
19 December
CBI—Chiang Kai-shek rejects Adm Mountbatten’s
proposal for a major attack.
SICILY—AFHQ asks Seventh Army hq at
Palermo to estimate requirements for planning staff
to plan for an operation on scale of HUSKY.
ITALY—15th Army Group: In U.S. Fifth Army’s
II Corps area, 36th Div’s 143d and 141st Regts attempt
to clear S and W slopes of M. Sammucro
from which enemy is barring access to Highway 6
and Mignano Gap, but make little headway. 15th
Inf of 3d Div relieves 142d Inf on M. Lungo.
20 December
PACIFIC—At a planning conference at Port
Moresby, attended by representatives of S Pacific and
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SWPA, it is decided that S Pacific will plan to
invade Green Is. as next step in isolation of Rabaul,
since no immediate action can be taken against
Kavieng, New Ireland, the next objective of ELKTON
III.
TREASURY IS.—Army planes fly from New Caledonia
to Stirling I. to begin operations from there.
RUSSELL IS.—Army bombers move from New
Caledonia to Russell Is.
NEW BRITAIN—Japanese force moving against
Arawe beachhead reaches Pulie R, east of Arawe.
CBI—In reply to Chiang Kai-shek’s message
of 17th, President Roosevelt suggests that China
carry out her part in offensive to regain Burma;
promises U.S. help in reopening land route to China,
which would afford greater protection to Hump
air route; says the requested loan is under consideration.
Chiang Kai-shek replies that Y-Force
will move only if Andaman Is., Rangoon, or Moulmein
are seized by Allies; that Ch troops will move
into Burma without an amphibious operation if
Mandalay or Lashio can be recovered.
MEDITERRANEAN—Mediterranean Allied Air
Forces is activated in accordance with CCS directive
of 5 December, as of to December. Under it are
placed all air units in the Mediterranean: USAAF/
NATO, all RAF elements including RAF Malta
and RAF ME, and Fr and Italian units operating
within the area. Air Chief Marshal Tedder is made
Air CinC, with Gen Spaatz as his operational
deputy. Spaatz also takes over duties of CG USAAF/
NATO.
ITALY—15th Army Group: Plans for an amphibious
operation by U.S. Fifth Army on W coast
are canceled because of slow progress against the
Winter Line and lack of sufficient landing craft.
In U.S. Fifth Army area, II Corps continues efforts
to clear W slopes of M. Sammucro and reaches
next objective, S. Vittore. 36th Div, in night attack 20–
21, fails in attempt to clear Hill 730 and Morello Hill.
In Br Eighth Army’s 5 Corps area, Cdn 1st Div
pushes into outskirts of Ortona, where violent fighting
ensues.
21 December
BOUGAINVILLE—Relief of 3d Mar Div in beachhead
line begins.
SWPA—TF BACKHANDER (Maj Gen William
H. Rupertus, USMC) conducts final rehearsal for
invasion of Cape Gloucester, New Britain, at Cape
Sudest, New Guinea.
CBI—Gen Stilwell arrives at Ledo to take personal
charge of N Burma campaign.
USSR—Soviet salient beyond Zhlobin is under
strong enemy attack.