1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

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across Velletri–Artena road. 88th Div is attached to
II Corps. IV Corps sector is taken over by 4th Mtn
Div, FEC. FEC extends positions northward in
Lepini Mountains to Supino and Carpineto.
In Br Eighth Army area, Cdn 1 Corps finds Frosinone
undefended. 10 Corps seizes Sora.
1 June
NEW GUINEA—On Biak, TF HURRICANE begins
offensive to expand perimeter. While 163d Inf holds
beachhead, 186th Inf, with supporting tanks and
arty, moves N to surveyed airstrip on inland plateau
and repels strong enemy attacks from N and S.
2d Bn, 162d Inf, begins laborious trek northward
in effort to make contact with 186th Inf on inland
plateau while rest of regt probes westward from
Ibdi. Japanese seize water hole in coastal sector and
block main coastal road. Naval and engineer units
explore 3 islands of Paidado group—Mios Woendi,
Aoeki, and Owl. In Hollandia–Aitape area, ALAMO
Force gives Gen Patrick permission to keep rest of
163d Inf until arrival of 6th Div detachment. In
sector of TF PERSECUTION, Japanese force 1st Bn,
126th Inf, to return to Yakamul, where it will maintain
base from which Harech R line can be explored
from coast inland.
CBI—In NCAC area of Burma, Ch 22d Div
force cuts Kamaing Road in Mogaung Valley just
SE of Nanyaseik, above Kamaing. With Ch 38th
Div holding Seton block below Kamaing, Kamaing
garrison is in grave danger, but monsoon rainfall is
slowing operations. U.S. reinforcements are being
rushed to Myitkyina. 2 engr bns, GALAHAD replacements,
and GALAHAD evacuees have arrived by air
between 26 May and 1 June. Supplies are dangerously
low, Americans having only food enough for
1 day and Chinese for 2 days. Chinese attack makes
little progress. U.S. 236th Engr Bn pushes toward
Namkwi with dual purpose of clearing that region
and of gaining combat experience; attack fails,
although elements succeed in reaching objective.
On Salween front, elements of Ch 2d Reserve
and 36th Divs (54th Army) reach Shweli Valley
from Tatangtzu Pass and join 593d Regt, Ch 198th
Div, from Mamien Pass. Japanese are drawing off
forces from upper Shweli Valley to strengthen
Lung-ling area to S. Two regts of 9th Div, Ch 2d
Army, cross the Salween; 76th Div of same army
patrols toward Burma Road.
ITALY—AAI: U.S. Fifth Army opens offensive
to destroy German Fourteenth Army. In VI Corps
area, Br and U.S. troops continue futile efforts to
break through to Albano and block escape of enemy
to E. Br 1st Div, on extreme left, is unable to advance.
45th Div makes limited progress. 34th Div
gains a little ground below Lanuvio. 141st Inf, 36th
[ 1–2 JUNE 1944 ]
Div, takes Velletri after hard battle. 142d Inf consolidates
positions on M. Artemisio; 143d, relieved
of Maschio d’Ariano by 337th Inf of 85th Div,
advances SW along the ridge. II Corps opens final
offensive for Rome, aiming first at Highway 6 and
Cave road. On left flank, 85th Div, with 337th Inf
on left and 338th on right, attacks toward M. Ceraso
against strong resistance. 349th Inf, 88th Div, is
committed to right, where gap is developing, and
drives to heights N of RR. On right flank of II
Corps, 3d Div attacks northward in Valmontone
area. 30th Inf and TF Howze, reinf by elements of
7th, make slow progress on left. On right, 15th Inf
pushes to Highway 6, and 1st SSF takes high ground
SE of Valmontone. 91st Cav Rcn Sq screens right
flank ahead of 3d Div. IV Corps is officially withdrawn
from line at 1400.
In Br Eighth Army area, Cdn 1 Corps, moving
up Route 6 toward Rome, reaches Ferentino.
2 June
U.S.—CCS issue new directive to SEAC, a compromise
between Br and U.S. positions. Br view that
air link to China should be developed in order to
support operations in the Pacific is accepted. Ground
operations are to be pressed only insofar as they are
of assistance to build-up of Hump tonnage. Capture
of Myitkyina area of N Burma and construction of
pipelines to China are to be integral parts of the
main operation.
NEW GUINEA—On Biak, 186th Inf attacks W
along inland plateau toward airfields; against sporadic
but persistent opposition, reaches positions
almost abreast those of 162d Inf in Ibdi area. 2d Bn,
162d Inf, joins 186th Inf and is attached to it. In
coastal sector, 162d Inf recovers water hole, reduces
roadblock, and blocks trail leading inland. Co A,
163d Inf, occupies Owi and Mios Woendi Islands.
In Hollandia–Aitape area, TF PERSECUTION’s 1st Bn,
126th Inf, is formed into 2 forces: Herrick Force is
to hold Yakamul; Bailey Force is to patrol southward
from Yakamul along the Harech.
CBI—In NCAC area of Burma, formal siege
of Myitkyina begins, with Chinese tunnelling toward
enemy.
On Salween front, Ch 36th Div takes Kaitou village
and surrounds Chiaotou in Shweli Valley.
In China, Japanese offensive in Honan draws to
a close, enemy having secured his objectives there
at light cost.
ITALY—AAI: Temporarily alters interarmy
boundary to permit U.S. Fifth Army greater freedom
of movement.
In U.S. Fifth Army’s VI Corps area, the enemy,
after stubborn defense through day, withdraws
main forces, night 2–3. 45th Div makes little prog-