1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

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Army to effect junction between VI and II Corps.
U.S. Fifth Army revokes order to 509th Para Inf
Bn and directs it to be prepared to drop in mountains
above Pontine Marshes to facilitate drive of
II Corps on Terracina. This does not become necessary.
36th Div closes in Anzio beachhead. In II
Corps area, 337th Inf of 85th Div recovers part of
M. S. Croce under enemy fire from Terracina. 338th,
attacking to block Highway 7 behind Terracina, is
diverted by lively action at RR tunnel. 350th Inf,
88th Div, pushes from M. Calvo toward Roccasecca;
349th secures M. Monsicardi; 351st thrusts to M.
Chiavino. In FEC area, Hitler Line collapses. One
Mtn Corps gp seizes Lenola and links left flank
with U.S. II Corps. 7th Inf, 3d Algerian Div, and
another gp of Mtn Corps converge on Pico and
clear it.
In Br Eighth Army area, as a preliminary to
main offensive, Cdn 1st Div of Cdn 1 Corps tries
unsuccessfully to outflank enemy from left in
limited attack.
23 May
NEW GUINEA—RCT 158 relieves elements of
163d Inf at Tor R mouth and begins westward
drive toward Sarmi. 3d Bn is pinned down on coastal
track some 400 yards E of Maffin No. I. 1st Bn
crosses the Tor to assist, but darkness prevents it
from joining in battle. In Aitape sector, Nyaparake
Force continues to fall back, elements reaching
Tadji. TF HURRICANE holds limited rehearsal for
Biak.
CBI—In NCAC area, Marauders at Charpate,
Burma, withstand strong enemy attack.
On Salween front, Japanese drive Chinese from
hill positions on S flank.
ITALY—AAI: Opens general offensive. In U.S.
Fifth Army’s VI Corps area, Operation BUFFALO—
attack to break out of Anzio beachhead—begins at
0630 after arty and air preparation. While 45th Div
on extreme left conducts holding action, main body
of VI Corps attacks enemy’s Cisterna defense line.
On left, 1st Armd Div, employing CCA on left and
CCB on right, gets forward elements beyond the
RR. In center, 3d Div, with elements of 3 regts in
assault, meets strongest opposition but gets about
half way to Cisterna. 1st SSF, followed by elements
of 133d Inf, 34th Div, attacks on right along Mussolini
Canal to RR but falls back to Highway 7
under counterattack. Almost 1,500 prisoners are
taken during day. On left flank in II Corps area,
85th Div’s 337th Inf pushes slowly down M. S. Croce
to outskirts of Terracina; 338th presses steadily
toward M. Lenano; 339th seizes Sonnino. In 88th
Div sector, 350th Inf reaches Roccasecca. FEC attacks
to prevent enemy withdrawal from Liri Valley;
makes slow progress since enemy is intent on hold-
[ 23–24 MAY 1944 ]
ing until withdrawal of Hitler Line can be completed.
Mtn Corps relieves 88th Div of II Corps
on M. Chiavino and seizes M. Pizzuto. 2d Moroccan
Div attacks from S. Oliva area toward Pastena and
3d Algerian Div from Pico toward Ceprano against
determined resistance. 1st Motorized Div guards
right flank along the Liri.
Br Eighth Army opens general assault against
Hitler Line. Cdn 1 Corps, employing Cdn 1st Div,
pushes toward Aquino–Pontecorvo road, penetrating
enemy’s defense line. Cdn 5th Armd Div is
ordered to attack through the gap.
24 May
WAKE—Carrier aircraft of Fifth Fleet attack
Wake.
NEW GUINEA—158th Inf (TF TORNADO, assisted
by tanks and flame throwers, drives slowly W
along coast to Tirfoam R. In Aitape sector, Nyaparake
Force continues withdrawal to defensive positions
at mouth of creek about 3,000 yards W of
Yakamul.
CBI—In NCAC area, Japanese drive 3d Marauder
Bn from Charpate, thus recovering N approach
to Myitkyina.
On Salween front, Ch 226th and 228th Regts
make unsuccessful frontal attacks against ridge that
forms SE end of Pingka valley.
ITALY—AAI: U.S. Fifth Army takes direct control
of 36th Engr Combat Regt, with attachments,
from VI Corps; orders it to push S via Littoria to
link up with II Corps. VI Corps continues attack
toward Cisterna after 30-minute arty preparation.
1st Armd Div drives well beyond Highway 7, CCA
thrusting toward Velletri against stiffening resistance
and CCB toward Cori against weakening opposition.
In center, 3d Div’s 30th and 7th Regts close
in on Cisterna. 133d Inf, 34th Div, takes over right
flank attack toward M. Arrestino from 1st SSF and
advances to RR beyond Highway 7. In II Corps area,
elements of 337th Inf, 85th Div, take Terracina—
from which enemy has withdrawn—virtually completing
current mission of corps. Engineers and rcn
elements are opening road to Anzio beachhead. In
FEC area, some troops of Mtn Corps are driven
from crest of M. Pizzuto but recover it with aid of
U.S. 88th Div; others fight seesaw battle for Vallecorsa.
Germans continue effective defense of Pastena
against 2d Moroccan Div thrusts. 3d Algerian Div
makes little progress on right flank of FEC.
In Br Eighth Army area, Cdn 1 Corps takes Pontecorvo
early in day and reduces enemy positions as
far N as Aquino, which Germans retain. Attacking
through breach made by infantry, Cdn 5th Armd
Div reaches Melfa R and establishes bridgehead
across it, night 24–25, against heavy fire.