1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 25–28 MARCH 1944 ]
counterattack. This is the last enemy offensive in the
Solomons, although skirmishes continue sporadically
during April and May. Beachhead perimeter is subsequently
expanded slightly.
LOS NEGROS—1st Sq, 5th Cav, and 2d Sq, 12th,
begin co-ordinated westward attack abreast from
Hill 260 after brief arty preparation; assisted by
concentrated fire on enemy positions, succeed in
gaining objective heights. This is the last big action
on Los Negros, although considerable time is required
to mop up isolated parties.
CBI—In NCAC area, U.S. 5307th Unit attempts
to envelop Inkangahtawng but finds it too
strongly held. Japanese strongly oppose efforts to
block Kamaing Road in this region. Learning that
enemy force is moving to outflank them, 2d Bn
troops withdraw to Manpin area. 3d Bn then pulls
back to Ngahgahtawng to bivouac.
11 Army Group: In Br Fourteenth Army area,
Maj Gen O. C. Wingate, commander of Special
Force (Ind 3d Div), is killed in plane crash while
flying from Imphal to Lalaghat. Brig W. D. A. Lentaigne
succeeds him as commander of Chindits. To
avert enemy threat on central front, preparations are
being made to bring in 33 Corps and commit
it in Dimapur–Kohima area, to N of 4 Corps.
Br 2d Div starts to this region.
MTO-ETO—It is decided not to mount ANVIL
and OVERLORD simultaneously as planned. ANVIL
target date is tentatively set at 10 July and is later
postponed to 15 August.
25 March
U.S.—JCS approve the liquidation of South
Pacific (SOPAC) forces and transfer of units to
SWPA and POA. XIV Corps hq and corps troops
and 25th, 37th, 40th, 43d, 93d, and Americal Divs
are transferred to SWPA. I Marine Amphibious
Corps and corps troops and 1st and 3d Mar Divs are
given to POA. SWPA receives Thirteenth Air Force
as well as Navy and Marine air units and reinforcements
for its Seventh Fleet.
MANUS Is.—Organized fighting ends as 2d Cav
Brig completes clearing No. 2 Road to Rossum. Air
strikes, arty, bazookas, flame throwers, and tanks are
employed during the battle. Small enemy groups remain
to be located and eliminated.
NEW GUINEA—Japanese withdraw their air
headquarters from Wewak to Hollandia.
USSR—Proskurov falls to troops of First Ukrainian
Front.
26 March
NEW BRITAIN—Allied PT base is established at
Talasea.
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BURMA—In NCAC area, Japanese moving N
from Kamaing are harassed by aircraft. 2d and elements
of 3d Bn, U.S. 5307th Unit, start from Manpin
toward Nhpum Ga to block enemy force moving
N. I and R Platoon delays Japanese at points
between Manpin and Nhpum Ga. 65th Regt, Ch
22d Div, having moved forward from reserve positions
and been reinf by elements of 66th and 64th
Regts, continues drive on Shaduzup.
ITALY—AAI: Extensive regrouping is in progress
and inter-army boundary is redefined. U.S.
Fifth Army retains control of Br 10 Corps. Br
Eighth Army takes over sectors of FEC and NZ
Corps. NZ Corps is disbanded and its components
pass to command of 13 Corps, which then consists of
2d NZ, Ind 4th, 3d Algerian, Br 78th, and Br 4th
Divs. Pol 2 Corps takes responsibility for sector of
2d Moroccan Div. 5 Corps assumes charge of area
from Palena to Adriatic coast.
USSR—Forces of Second Ukrainian Front
reach Prut R on 53-mile front. Enemy troops
in Kamenets-Podolsk and Tarnopol are enveloped.
ETO—Gen Eisenhower approves plan to isolate
invasion area by air attacks on transportation
system, particularly rail centers and facilities.
27 March
BOUGAINVILLE—Japanese begin withdrawal
from Empress Augusta Bay area.
SWPA—FO 1 of TF RECKLESS specifies Humboldt
Bay landing areas for Hollandia operation.
CBI—In NCAC area, main body of 2d and 3d
Bns, U.S. 5307th Unit, arrive at Auche. 1st Bn and
Ch 113th Regt take up positions along Nam Kawng
Chaung, night 27–28.
11 Army Group: In Br Fourteenth Army area,
4 Corps is strengthened at Imphal by arrival of 2
brigs of Ind 5th Div from Arakan.
USSR—Soviet forces overrun Kamenets-
Podolsk.
28 March
BOUGAINVILLE—Elements of 93d Div—RCT 25
and 1st Bn of 24th Inf—arrive at Empress Augusta
Bay for combat duty. Hill 260 is found to be abandoned
by enemy.
ADMIRALTY Is.—1st Sq, 5th Cav, occupies Loniu
Village, Los Negros. Widespread patrolling on both
Los Negros and Manus evokes little opposition.
BURMA—In NCAC area, 2d and 3d Bns of U.S.
5307th Unit reach Nhpum Ga area and establish
defensive positions, 2d Bn at Nhpum Ga and 3d at
Hsamshingyang. Crossing river before dawn, 1st
Bn surprises enemy in camp and blocks Kamaing
Road below Shaduzup; repels enemy efforts to re-