1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 31 JANUARY–1 FEBRUARY 1944 ]
ITALY—ACMF: U.S. Fifteenth Air Force, with
dual purpose of destroying German airpower and
assisting Allied troops, attacks targets in Po Valley
so successfully that German Air Force in the future
sharply curtails opposition to strategic bombing during
daylight.
In U.S. Fifth Army area, VI Corps launches major
offensive toward Colli Laziali, forestalling planned
enemy counterattack to reduce Anzio beachhead.
On left, Br 1st Div and 1st Armd Div make main
effort up Albano road. After sharp action, beginning
night 29–30, of 24th Gds Brig to secure line of
departure for 3d Brig, 3d Brig jumps off in afternoon
and takes heights just S of Campoleone overpass.
1st Armd Div moves left of Albano road to
attack Colli Laziali from W. On right flank of VI
Corps, 1st and 3d Ranger Bns spearhead attack of
3d Div toward Cisterna, moving forward quietly,
night 29–30; spotted by Germans at dawn, Rangers
are ambushed and virtually destroyed within 800
yards of Cisterna. Meanwhile, efforts of 4th Ranger
Bn and 3d Div to relieve the ambushed Rangers are
costly and futile. 504th Para Inf makes diversionary
attack along Mussolini Canal but stops short of
Highway 7. In Br 10 Corps area, 17th Brig of 5th
Div takes M. Natale. In 11 Corps area, 168th Inf of
34th Div repels strong enemy counterattacks W of
the Rapido. In FEC area, 2d Bn of 142d Inf, U.S.
36th Div, begins attack toward Manna Farm.
U.K.—Prime Minister Churchill promises
President Roosevelt that he will investigate the matter
of the Calcutta–Assam LOC.
31 January
KWAJALEIN ATOLL—Under over-all command
of Fifth Fleet (TF 50) commander, Adm Spruance,
U.S. Joint Expeditionary Force (TF 51, commanded
by Adm Turner) invades Marshalls at Kwajalein
Atoll, opening Operation FLINTLOCK. Air, naval,
and ground operations are well co-ordinated. Little
opposition is met and U.S. casualties are extremely
light. Underwater demolition team is employed for
first time in the Pacific to explore beaches at W end
of Kwajalein I. Southern Attack Force (TF 52, also
under Adm Turner) invades S Kwajalein Atoll. Preliminary
operations begin early in morning. Provisional
units attached to RCT 17, 7th Div, secure
channel for entry of shipping into lagoon with occupation
of Cecil (Ninni) and Carter (Gea), small
islets NW of Kwajalein I. Reconnaissance elements
and part of Co B, 111th Inf, take Cecil without opposition
by 1235 after having landed earlier by mistake
on Chauncey (Gehh), where some infantrymen
are left to contain enemy. Troops of another provisional
force from 7th Div manage to land on
Carter at 0620 and overcome opposition by 0930.
[ 167 ]
After preparatory air and naval bombardment,
RCT 17 begins invasion of Carlos (Ennylabegan) and
Carlson (Enubuj) at 0910, 40 minutes behind
schedule. BLT 1 occupies Carlos and BLT 2, Carlson,
with little trouble. Arty is put ashore on Carlson
and registered on next objectives, Kwajalein I.,
(Porcelain) and Burton (Ebeye). Northern Attack
Force (TF 53 under Rear Adm Richard L. Conolly)
invades N Kwajalein. 4th Mar Div opens
operations with preliminary landings by 25th
Marines, reinf, on islands adjacent to main objective,
twin islands of Roi-Namur (Burlesque-
Camouflage), in order to secure safe passage for
naval vessels into lagoon and for arty sites. 1st Bn,
25th Marines, quickly quells token resistance on
Ivan (Mellu) and Jacob (Ennuebing), SW of Roi,
during morning, making Jacob Pass available for
shipping. In afternoon, 3d Bn, 25th Marines, takes
Albert (Ennumennet), and 2d Bn seizes Allen (Ennubirr),
SE of Namur, with ease. 3d Bn then proceeds
to Ennugarrett (Abraham) and occupies it.
Arty is brought ashore and registered on Roi-
Namur.
MAJURO ATOLL—Atoll is secured without a
fight as VAC scouts complete uneventful reconnaissance.
ITALY—ACMF: In U.S. Fifth Army’s VI Corps
area, superior enemy forces bar 3d Div from Cisterna.
Br 1st Div and 1st Armd Div are stubbornly
opposed from Campoleone area. Attack up Albano
road halts upon VI Corps order at night. In Br 10
Corps area, 138th Brig of 46th Div reaches M. Purgatorio.
In II Corps area, 168th Inf of 34th Div seizes
Cairo village and repels further counterattacks. 133d
begins clearing barracks area N of Cassino. In FEC
area, 2d Bn of 142d Inf, U.S. 36th Div, overruns
Manna Farm. French recapture Abate Hill.
1 February
U.S.—CCS agree to postpone the cross-Channel
assault about a month, the exact date to depend upon
weather conditions during early days of June.
KWAJALEIN ATOLL—Troops of VAC open attack
for main objectives. The generally light opposition
met is a tribute to the effectiveness of preliminary
bombardment by naval vessels, aircraft, and
arty, which was closely integrated and overwhelming.
In Southern Landing Force area, 7th Div invades
Kwajalein I., at S bend of the atoll, advance
elements touching down at 0930. BLT’s 184-3 and
32-1 land abreast, former on N, on Beaches Red 1
and 2 at W end of island and quickly secure beaches.
In zone of 184th Inf enemy clings to ruins of his
main beach defenses along lagoon shore. Both teams
move steadily eastward to N–S Wilma Road, which
connects coastal roads Will on N and Wallace on S.