1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

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In U.S. First Army’s VIII Corps area, 79th and
90th Divs continue efforts to break through enemy
positions in La Haye-du-Puits–Mont Castre Forest
area and repel several counterattacks. VII Corps
inches forward down Carentan–Périers road against
steadily increasing resistance. XIX Corps, to E of
VII Corps, opens attack with 30th Div that establishes
bridgehead in St Jean-de-Day area and takes
that town: after preparatory bombardment, 117th
Inf forces the Vire on div left at 0430 and 120th attacks
across Vire–Taute Canal to W at 1345. After
nightfall, CCB, 3d Armd Div, crosses into bridgehead
at Airel with mission of expanding it toward
St Gilles; 113th Cav Gp moves forward on 30th
Div’s right flank.
ITALY—AAF: In U.S. Fifth Army’s IV Corps
area, 135th Inf of 34th Div completes clearing
Rosignano, but enemy is holding out just beyond the
town; after heavy concentrations of fire on M. Vase,
enemy counterattacks and recovers it from 3d Bn,
363d Inf. FEC gets forward elements beyond Highway
68. 4th Mtn Div takes Colle di Val d’Elsa, SW
of Poggibonsi. Offensive operations of FEC later
subside as preparations are made for its movement
to Naples area upon relief by Br 13 Corps.
In Br Eighth Army’s 13 Corps area, S African 6th
Armd Div retains foothold on slopes of M. Lignano
against strong counterthrusts. In 10 Corps area, Ind
4th Div, which has been trained recently in mountain
warfare, is concentrating S of Umbertide to re-inforce
corps as it continues advance on Sansepolcro.
CBI—Br 36 Div, which has moved forward to
replace 77th LRP Brig, Ind 3d Div, is transferred to
command of Gen Stilwell.
In NCAC area, Myitkyina TF begins training
on program for forces in reserve and those in contact
with enemy.
On Salween front, Ch 8th Army continues operations
to clear Sung Shan with night attack, 7–8,
by 246th Regt of 82d Div. Although peak is seized,
Japanese counterattack and drive Chinese off, causing
200 casualties.
JAPAN—Small force of B–29’s attacks Kyushu I.,
night 7–8, most of planes concentrating on Sasebo
naval targets. This is the third B–29 mission and
the second against Japanese homeland.
NEW GUINEA—On Biak, co of 163d Inf attempts
to move into Ibdi Pocket but finds enemy
repairing old fortifications and building new ones.
Bombardment of the position is resumed.
POA—Adm Nimitz orders his commanders to
prepare for invasion of S Palaus (Angaur, Peleliu,
Ngesebus) on 15 September and of Yap and Ulithi,
NE of the Palaus, on 5 October.
SAIPAN—Japanese remnants, estimated to number
about 3,000, make a last desperate counterattack,
which overwhelms most of 105th Inf, on 27th
[ 8 JULY 1944 ]
Div left flank, as well as guns of 3d Bn, 10th Marines,
before it is stemmed at 105th Inf CP. 106th
Inf is committed to relieve 105th and recovers most
of the lost ground, but stops a little short of 105th,
isolated remnants of which are withdrawn by water.
Meanwhile, 165th Inf clears Harakiri Gulch without
serious opposition. 4th Mar Div continues to
make rapid progress on right.
U.S.—Gen Marshall informs Gen Stilwell of
action taken by President Roosevelt and urges Stilwell
to maintain friendly relations with Chiang
Kai-shek.
8 July
FRANCE—21 Army Group: In U.S. First Army
area, VIII Corps overruns La Haye-du-Puits during
attack from W by 79th Div. Newly arrived 8th
Div enters line between 79th and 90th Divs. VII
Corps continues efforts to advance down Carentan–
Priers road against strong opposition. In XIX Corps
area, 113th Cav GP, 30th Div, and 3d Armd Div
expand bridgehead despite difficulty in co-ordinating
movement of infantry and armor within limited
sector. On W, 113th Cav Gp overruns villages of
Goucherie and Le Mesnil-Veneron; late in day the
group is attached to CCA, 3d Armd Div, which has
crossed into bridgehead and is pushing toward Le
Desert. 30th Div, with 120th Inf on right, 117th in
center, and 119th on left, advances toward Le Désert
and Cavigny. CCB, 3d Armd Div, gets almost
to La Bernardrie; is attached to 30th Div late in day.
35th Div, which has completed landing on the
Continent, is attached to XIX Corps.
In Br Second Army area, I Corps opens assault
Caen at 0420, employing Cdn 3d Div on right,
59th Div in center, and 3d Div on left. Br troops
penetrate into the city at NE corner. U.S. heavy
bombers provide close support for the attack.
USSR—Units of First White Russian Front
overrun Baranovichi.
ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army’s IV Corps
area, 34th Div continues drive on Leghorn and
makes some headway. 88th Div takes command of
zone previously held by 1st Armd Div and attacks
with 350th Inf on left and 349th on right: bypassing
Volterra, div gains heights N and E of the town;
350th presses toward Laiatico, commanding strongpoint,
and 349th overruns Roncalla. In FEC area,
4th Gp of Tabors attacks toward S. Gimignano, W
of Poggibonsi, and takes Hill 380, 2 miles N of
Highway 68.
In Br Eighth Army area, 13 Corps undergoes
further enemy counterattacks. In 10 Corps area, Ind
4th Div takes command of sector W of the Tiber.
CBI—Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek agrees
in principle to President Roosevelt’s request that
Gen Stilwell be permitted to command Ch forces,