1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

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CHINA—Japanese attack in strength across Liuyang
R and meet little opposition from Chinese of
IX War Area.
NEW GUINEA—U.S. 6th Div commander, Maj
Gen Franklin C. Sibert, his hq, 20th Inf, and miscellaneous
units of 6th Div arrive at Toem. On
Biak, TF HURRICANE opens assault with 2 regts
abreast to clear region N and W of Mokmer airfield.
186th Inf, on left along coast, easily reaches first
phase line, about 1,350 yards beyond W end of runway.
162d Inf gets left flank to first phase line but
is halted a little short of line of departure, extending
inland from coast at Monoebaboe, on right. Japanese
laborers bring news of Japanese West Caves
strongpoint, some 1,000 yards NW of 3d Bn, 162d
Inf. Elements of TF HURRICANE probing toward East
Caves are recalled to Mokmer airdrome. Japanese
in Parai Defile finally yield to pressure from
E and W.
MARIANAS—As invasion convoy, after rendezvousing
off the Marshalls, sails for Saipan, carrier
planes of TF 58 begin preinvasion softening of the
Marianas, a day ahead of schedule, with fighter
sweep in afternoon that gains control of the air.
Enemy losses through destruction or serious damage
are estimated to be from 147 to 215 planes. Of 225
U.S. aircraft launched, only 12 are lost.
12 June
FRANCE—21 Army Group: In U.S. First Army’s
VII Corps area, 39th Inf of 9th Div, attached to 4th
Div, is given part of 22d Inf’s sector along coast and
takes Crisbecq, from which enemy has withdrawn,
as well as Dangueville and Fontenay-sur-Mer, forcing
enemy back to his MLR on Quinéville ridge.
With strong fire support, including naval, 22d Inf
makes concerted assault on Ozeville and captures
it; 12th Inf moves forward again to Les Fieffes
Dancel, at W end of Quinéville ridge; 8th Inf makes
limited attack on Montebourg, but finds it strongly
held and pulls back. W of the Merderet, 90th Div
commits 359th Inf, which is returned to it by 4th
Div, between 357th and 358th but is still unable to
make much headway; night attack, 12–13, on Pont
l’Abbé by 358th overruns the town, which has been
leveled by arty and aerial bombardment. 508th Para
Inf of 82d A/B Div, reinf and organized as a TF,
crosses the Douve at Beuzeville-la-Bastille, night 12–
13, in effort to make contact with 101st A/B Div at
Baupte. 101st A/B Div envelops and captures
Carentan: Brig Gen Anthony McAuliffe coordinates
final assault, which is made by 506th Para
Inf, replacing 502d, on right and 327th Gli and to
its E 501st Para Regts on left; after 501st and 506th
Regts close circle about Carentan, elements of latter
and 327th Gli Inf drive rapidly into the town and
[ 12 JUNE 1944 ]
eliminate stragglers; to secure approaches to Carentan,
506th and 501st Regts thrust toward Baupte and
Priers, respectively, but are soon stopped; 327th
Gli Inf pushes SE to Montmartin-en-Graignes region
and makes contact with elements of V Corps. In V
Corps area, 29th Div TF (2 cos of 115th Inf) crosses
the Vire to reconnoiter in Montmartin-en-Graignes
area and take bridges over Vire–Taute Canal but is
halted by strong opposition in Montmartin-en-
Graignes region. To meet expected enemy counterattack
in weak sector between VII and V Corps, elements
of 2d Armd Div are ordered to Montmartinen-Graignes
area. V Corps begins attack toward St.
Lô and is vigorously opposed on right. 115th Inf,
29th Div, makes futile attempt to cross Elie R SE of
Ste Marguerite-d’Elle; 3d Bn crosses but is driven
back with severe casualties. 116th Inf attacks
through 115th in evening and succeeds in crossing.
23d Inf, 2d Div, attempts to reach Hill 192, which
commands approaches to St. Lô from N and E, but
is stopped at Elie R; 9th Inf, on div left, against
lighter resistance, advances in conjunction with 1st
Div and takes Litteau ridge. On left flank of V
Corps, 1st Div, with 18th Inf on right and 26th on
left, thrusts to edge of Caumont.
In Br Second Army’s 30 Corps area, 50th Div
maintains pressure on enemy near Tilly-sur-Seulles.
7th Armd Div begins flanking attack on right flank
of corps and pushes through Livry to positions E of
Caumont.
I TALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army area,
Civitavecchia port is opened to LST traffic. IV Corps
continues pursuit of enemy northward, advancing
a little less rapidly than VI Corps had, against gradually
increasing resistance. 36th Div, reinf by 361st
Inf of 91st Div and tanks and TD units, is in assault,
its advance screened by 117th Cav Rcn Sq. TF
Ramey, under Brig Gen Rufus S. Ramey, consisting
of 91st Cav Rcn Sq, reinf by 141st Inf of 36th Div
and supporting units, is formed to screen right flank
of IV Corps and maintain contact with French.
Enemy is offering delaying opposition in vicinity of
Orbetello.
CBI—On Salween front, Ch 115th Inf recovers
Hongmoshu, in Huei-jen Bridge area.
NEW GUINEA—On Biak, 2d Bn of 163d Inf,
41st Div, arrives; 186th Inf remains on first phase
line patrolling actively while awaiting forward movement
of 162d Inf to right. Regimental boundary is
extended 300 yards on N; 162d Inf is still furiously
opposed on right, where 3d Bn works slowly forward,
advance elements gaining but 300 yards; gap
of almost 900 yards exists between 3d and 2d Bns
at end of day. Engineers begin repairs on Mokmer
airdrome. In Wakde-Sarmi area, Gen Sibert takes
command of TF TORNADO. Hq, 6th Div, becomes