1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 182 ]
ITALY—MATAF issues directive for Operation
STRANGLE, to interdict movement of enemy supplies
in Italy, calling for destruction of marshaling yards
and attacks on rail lines and ports. Communication
lines have been targets for bombers since early in
the year.
AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army area, NZ Corps is
almost halted by determined opposition in Cassino
area; during night 19–20, regroups.
USSR—Troops of Second Ukrainian Front
reach the Dniester on broad front and cross to W
bank. To NW, enemy stronghold of Mogilev–
Podolski falls to Soviet forces storming it from NE
and SE. In region S of Dubno, Germans yield Kremenets
to advancing Red Army.
20 March
ST MATTHIAS Is.—Landing force consisting of
4th Marines under command of Brig Gen Alfred H.
Noble, USMC, lands without preparatory bombardment
on Emirau I., which is undefended. Seizure
of Emirau for use as a light naval and air base
concludes series of CARTWHEEL offensives against
Rabaul.
NEW IRELAND—In general support of landing
on Emirau, U.S. warships bombard Kavieng.
ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army area, NZ
Corps continues Cassino battle until 23d without
making appreciable headway.
BURMA—In NCAC area, leading tanks of 1st
Prov Tank Gp reach Hkawnglaw Stream, some 4
miles S of Jambu Bum, but fall back when infantry
fails to follow. 112th Regt, reinf, Ch 38th Div, is
ordered to envelop Japanese below Kamaing.
USSR—Highway and rail junction of Vinnitsa
falls to troops of First Ukrainian Front.
HUNGARY—Germans occupy Hungary.
21 March
LOS NEGROS—5th and 12th Cav begin concerted
effort to clear rest of island. While 1st Sq, 5th Cav,
and 2d Sq, 12th Cav, attempt to effect junction by
drives from Hill 160 and Papitalai Mission, respectively,
12th Cav forces at Lombrum and Chaporowan
push inland to cut off westward retreat of
enemy.
NEW GUINEA—Patrols of U.S. 32d Div and Aus
7th Div establish contact about 8 miles from Yalau
Plantation.
BURMA—After brief halt at Janpan in NCAC
area, 2d Bn and elements of 3d, U.S. 5307th Unit,
resume southward advance on Inkangahtawng. Elements
of 64th Regt, Ch 22d Div, cut Kamaing Road,
night 21–22.
MEDITERRANEAN—Gen Wilson, having reviewed
the situation as directed on 26 February, recom-
[ 20–24 MARCH 1944 ]
mends that ANVIL be canceled in favor of strong
campaign in Italy.
ITALY—AAI: U.S. 34th Div begins to disembark
at Anzio.
22 March
CBI—In NCAC area, 1st Bn of 5307th Unit
finds Japanese blocking trails, so is forced to cut
another.
11 Army Group: In Br Fourteenth Army area,
additional elements of Wingate’s Special Force are
being flown to central Burma. Japanese offensive
into India in 4 Corps sector has reached serious
proportions.
U.K.—British Chiefs of Staff recommend that
plans for ANVIL be dropped. This would insure a
greater effort in Italy. Americans disagree, holding
out firmly for ANVIL despite problems of acquiring
sufficient shipping for it.
USSR—Pervomaisk falls to Soviet forces.
23 March
BOUGAINVILLE—Japanese begin general assault
against 129th Inf, 37th Div, after dark. Counterpreparation
by U.S. arty makes attack largely ineffective,
but enemy achieves small penetration.
SWPA—ALAMO Force FO 12 gives Gen Eichelberger’s
I Corps responsibility for ground operations
at Hollandia. The corps is designated TF RECKLESS
and is to include 24th and 41st Divs, latter less one
RCT. TF PERSECUTION is organized under Brig Gen
Jens A. Doe, ADC first Div, to establish air base at
Aitape.
ST MATTHIAS Is.—U.S. DD’s bombard Eloaue,
small island off SW coast of Mussau, where patrol
from Emirau has discovered that Japanese are
operating small seaplane base.
BURMA—In NCAC area, U.S. forces of 5307th
Unit arrive in position to block Kamaing Road in
Inkangahtawng, although 1st Bn is still far behind.
Patrols find enemy entrenched at Inkangahtawng.
Flanking forces of 64th Inf, Ch 22d Div, join
66th Inf.
ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army area, NZ
Corps breaks off attack on Cassino. Germans have
been forced into narrow zone in W edge, of the
town but still hold positions commanding Cassino,
including the Monastery.
USSR—Troops of First Ukrainian Front
achieve breakthrough E of Tarnopol and almost
complete circle around Tarnopol.
24 March
BOUGAINVILLE—Japanese try in vain to gain
further ground and are decisively defeated during