1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

1 January
NEW BRITAIN—Brig Gen Lemuel C. Shepherd,
ADC 1st Mar Div, issues first order to ADC Group,
calling for attack SW toward Borgen Bay on 2d.
ADC Group, as strengthened for the attack, consists
of 7th Marines, reinf by bn of 5th Marines, and
supporting units.
NEW IRELAND—U.S. carrier-based planes under
command of Adm Frederick C. Sherman attack
enemy shipping in Kavieng harbor.
NEW GUINEA—As Saidor assault force joins
DD escort in Oro Bay, Allied planes pound coastline
in Saidor area with over 200 tons of bombs.
CBI—Gen Stilwell creates an operations staff
for ZEBRA Force.
MTO—Gen Patton turns over command of
U.S. Seventh Army to Gen Clark. Gen Clark, who
also retains command of U.S. Fifth Army, is to
plan for Operation ANVIL. In accordance with
NATOUSA directive of 22 December, AAF units
are reorganized, effective this date: USAAF/NATO
becomes Army Air Forces, Mediterranean Theater
of Operations (AAF/MTO); XII Air Force Service
Command becomes Army Air Forces Service
Command, MTO (AAFSC/MTO); II Air Service
Area Command becomes XV Air Force Service
Command; III Air Service Area Command becomes
XII Air Force Service Command; XII Air Force
Engineer Command (Prov) becomes AAFEC/
MTO. The new organization is approved in behalf
of Gen Eisenhower by Maj Gen Walter Bedell
Smith.
2 January
BOUGAINVILLE—182d Inf, Americal Div, relieves
21st Marines in line.
NEW BRITAIN—In Cape Gloucester area, Co E
of 5th Marines establishes physical contact with Mar
patrol from Green Beach at Dorf Pt. ADC Group
attacks toward Borgen Bay with 3 bns abreast, moving
around 2d Bn, 7th Marines; is halted by enemy
strongpoint, which it partly envelops.
NEW GUINEA—U.S. Sixth Army’s TF MICH-
AELMAS (RCT 126, 32d Div, reinf) makes surprise
landing at Saidor under cover of smoke screen, and
captures harbor and airfield. Weather conditions
prevent aircraft from joining DD’s in preliminary
bombardment, but effective air strikes are made in
co-ordination with the landing. Aus troops driving
along Huon coast from Finschhafen occupy Sialum.
1944
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CBI—Maj Gen Daniel I. Sultan arrives at New
Delhi to act as Gen Stilwell’s deputy, freeing Stilwell
of administrative burdens.
ITALY—15th Army Group: Gen Alexander
orders U.S. Fifth Army to mount amphibious operation
below Rome (SHINGLE) between 20 and 31
January; shortly before the assault landing at Anzio,
Fifth Army is to thrust sharply toward Cassino and
Frosinone; Eighth Army is to keep enemy pinned
down in its sector by exerting pressure and employing
deceptive measures. Air preparation for Anzio
landing begins.
3 January
POA—U.S. Joint Expeditionary Force (TF 51
under Adm Turner) issues Operation Plan A6-43
for assault on the Marshalls, specifying shipping to
be involved and giving pre-D–Day bombardment
plan.
NEW BRITAIN—1913th Aviation Engr Bn begins
work on Cape Gloucester airdrome. Japanese attack
Target Hill in early morning and are beaten back.
Attack of ADC Group halts at small stream, dubbed
Suicide Creek, NW of Target Hill. Efforts to bridge
the creek so that tanks can cross are unsuccessful.
CBI—To hasten clearing of Tanai R line, Gen
Stilwell promises commander of Ch 38th Div the
use of 3d Bn, 112th Regt, from reserve, provided
he takes Taihpa Gain 2 days.
ITALY—15th Army Group: In U.S. Fifth Army
area, II Corps prepares for final phase of assault
on Winter Line, to begin on 5th. During night
3–4, 1st SSF, as preliminary for attack on M. Majo,
begins clearing ridge SE of this feature. French
Expeditionary Corps (FEC), under Gen Juin, takes
command of zone on N flank of Fifth Army as
U.S. VI Corps withdraws from line to participate
in amphibious assault on Anzio. 3d Algerian Div
begins relief of 45th Div.
USSR—Soviet forces take Olevsk, NW of Kiev;
press beyond there to achieve first crossing of prewar
frontier of Poland. Novograd Volyinsk falls, giving
Russians control of another rail line from Korosten.
4 January
NEW BRITAIN—After arty preparation, ADC
Group continues attack. Tanks cross improvised
ramp over Suicide Creek and support marines by
destroying enemy positions at point-blank range.