1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

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BLT 32-2 attacks through BLT 32-1 in afternoon.
By end of day 7th Div holds about a third of island,
including W edge of airfield. Gen Corlett, 7th Div
CG, lands on Carlson and takes command ashore.
U.S. forces are withdrawn from Chauncey, infantry
elements to Cecil and 7th Rcn Tr aboard the Overton.
A few naval troops are left to guard barges.
In Northern Landing Force area, 4th Mar Div lands
2 BLT’s of RCT 23 on S shore of Roi and similar
force from RCT 24 on S shore of Namur. Assault
hour, set for 1000, is delayed because of boating
difficulties, and landings actually occur between 1145
and noon. On Roi, which airfield largely covers,
stunned and disorganized Japanese offer no effective
resistance as RCT 23 speeds to N coast and clears
island except for small pocket in center of airfield.
RCT 24 is less fortunate on Namur, where thick
vegetation and many buildings provide concealment
for enemy. BLT’s 2 and 3 push N abreast, 2d on
right, meeting considerable opposition as Japanese
rally from preliminary bombardment. BLT 2 suffers
more than 50% of its casualties from powerful explosions
of a blockhouse containing ammunition.
Reinf by reserves from BLT 1 and tanks from RCT
23, RCT 24 reaches line extending from initial objective
(O–1) on eastern shore to positions 175 yards
N of O–1 on W flank. Landing Force Commander
establishes CP on Namur. Enemy infiltration attempts,
night 2–3, culminate in counterattack by
about 100 at dawn, but attack is repelled in close
combat.
BURMA—5303d hq, previously designated “area
command,” is redesignated Northern Combat Area
Command (NCAC). The term “combat” is included
to permit Gen Stilwell to retain command,
since SEAC controls forces in line of communications
areas. Gen Boatner heads NCAC. All Allied
units, upon entering N Burma, are to be attached
or assigned to NCAC, except for GALAHAD Force,
which on arrival is attached to CAI and later assigned
to NCAC. British hq in N Burma, Fort
Hertz area, under Brig John F. Bowerman, is attached
to NCAC. Engineers begin construction of
permanent road in Hukawng Valley and combat
road to support Ch divs. The combat road is to
consist of improved Kamaing Road plus Kachin and
Naga trails and is to run through Shingbwiyang,
Yupbang Ga, Taihpa Ga, Maingkwan, and Tinghawk
Sakan. During period 30 January–1 February,
3d Bn of 113th Regt, Ch 38th Div, moves through
Taihpa Ga to attack enemy strongpoint in that area.
ITALY—ACMF: In U.S. Fifth Army’s VI Corps
area, 3d Div, after another futile attempt to reach
Cisterna in morning, breaks off attack and digs in
to meet expected enemy counterattack. Entire VI
Corps is now on the defensive. Enemy build-up
presages imminent counteroffensive to drive corps
[ 2 FEBRUARY 1944 ]
back into the sea. Gen Clark confers with Gen Alexander.
By this time 45th Div and 1st Armd Div (
— CCB) are ashore. Br 10 Corps continues efforts
to expand Garigliano bridgehead against stubborn
opposition. In II Corps area, 135th Inf of 34th Div
attacks toward Castellone and Majola Hill with fire
support of 168th from Hills 56 and 213 and reaches
top of both objectives. Enemy counterattacks vigorously
in region from Manna Farm to Hill 706.
USSR—Red Army troops approaching Estonian
border capture Kingisepp, last Russian station on
RR to Narva.
ETO—Initial Joint Plan, NEPTUNE (formulated
by air, ground, and naval planners) for invasion
of Normandy is issued. The code name
NEPTUNE is more restricted in its connotation than
the term OVERLORD; NEPTUNE applies only to movement
across the Channel, seizure of a beachhead in
Normandy, and the Normandy area.
2 February
K WAJALEIN ATOLL—In Southern Landing
Force campaign, 7th Div meets increased resistance,
which planes, arty, and naval gunfire help to neutralize
as the division continues clearing Kwajalein.
2d Bn, 184th Inf, passing through 3d, advances along
lagoon side of island on left while 2d Bn of 32d Inf
continues attack on ocean side. Overwhelming
enemy strongpoints, both assault forces soon reach
Carl Road, which crosses island at E end of airfield.
As advance continues toward next cross-island road,
Nora, some 300 yards ahead, 3d Bn, 32d Inf, attacking
through 2d Bn, crosses tank ditch and clears
strongpoint, called Corn. Although forward elements
of division get well beyond Nora Road, line
is organized for night short of it, 3d Bn of 32d Inf
taking up positions in Corn Strong Point and 2d
Bn of 184th on line 75–100 yards NE of Carl Road.
Elements of 7th Rcn Tr land on Chauncey, where
enemy is becoming aggressive, and clear it during
sharp fire fight. Japanese dead total 125. In preparation
for invasion of Burton, island is searched from
DD and seaplane and pounded by arty and naval
gunfire. In Northern Landing Force campaign, 4th
Mar Div completes mop up of Roi and capture of
Namur; begins search of remaining islands of N
half of Kwajalein Atoll. On Namur RCT 24, with
tank support, attacks with BLT 3 on left and BLT
1 on right. Organized resistance ceases by 1215, ending
battle for S Kwajalein except for mopping
up. Maj Gen Harry Schmidt, 4th Mar Div CG, announces
end of organized resistance on Namur at
1418. RCT 25 is given task of securing other islands
of N half of Kwajalein Atoll and begins uneventful
search for enemy.