1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 12–13 JULY 1944 ]
tions. 158th Inf is given N sector and 503d Para
Inf the S. 2d Bn of 503d arrives, having moved by
air from Hollandia to Biak and thence by sea to
Namber airdrome. In Aitape area, PERSECUTION
Covering Force begins general withdrawal from
Driniumor R line to next delaying positions, along
line of X-ray R and Koronal Creek, after futile attempt
by 1st Bn, 128th Inf, to reopen Anamo–Afua
trail. Gen Krueger orders positions along the Driniumor
restored. On Biak, 3d Bn of 163d Inf begins
steadily compressing Japanese in Ibdi Pocket.
12 July
FRANCE—21 Army Group: U.S. First Army
relinquishes command of 101st A/B Div, which is
to return to England for rest and training. VIII
Corps makes substantial progress southward toward
the Ay and Sèves Rivers as enemy opposition
diminishes. 8th Div, in center, overruns Hill 92. VII
Corps makes limited gains toward Raids, on Carentan–Périers
road, and toward Les Champs-de-Losque
crossroads against strong resistance. XIX Corps continues
attack on St Lô, moving in slowly. 30th Div
is still held up in Pont Hébert area. 35th makes negligible
progress N of St Lô. 29th advances its right
flank (115th Inf) to villages of La Luzerne and
Belle-Fontaine, NE of St Lô, but 116th is practically
halted on ridge leading W to St Lô. In V Corps area,
2d Div, against light resistance, finishes clearing all
assigned objectives in Hill 192 area and gains firm
control of highway to St Lô from Bérigny to La Calvaire.
Br Second Army is largely engaged in regrouping.
USSR—Soviet offensive is broadening. Moscow
announces opening of attacks in region between
Nevel and Ostrov by Second Baltic Front, which
overruns Idritsa, on rail line to Riga.
ITALY—Air offensive against Po R bridges,
MALLORY MAJOR, is begun by TAF medium bombers
under ideal weather conditions.
AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army’s IV Corps area, U.S.
armored units driving on Leghorn along Highway
1 in coastal sector get beyond Castiglioncello. 34th
Div makes limited progress to right: 442d Inf pushes
into outskirts of Pastina, but 133d battles in vain for
Hill 529, from which enemy begins withdrawing
after nightfall. 363d Inf reverts to 91st Div as that
div prepares to enter action. 88th Div’s 351st Inf,
with strong arty and mortar support, overruns Laiatico.
In FEC area, 4th Mtn Div drives forward almost
to S. Gimignano.
CBI—In NCAC area, Myitkyina TF, with air
support, makes major effort against Myitkyina, but
the attack fails. As result of poor air-ground liaison
some bombs hit friendly forces.
[ 229 ]
On Salween front, Japanese continue to repel
Chinese efforts to clear Sung Shan, although 2 Ch
regts are committed to this task. 2-week lull ensues
and Ch 8th Army breaks off attacks.
NEW GUINEA—In Aitape area, Gen Gill, CG
of 32d Div and of Eastern Sector, takes control of
PERSECUTION Covering Force, relieving Gen Martin,
who becomes commander of Eastern Sector. Gen
Gill sets up hq at Tiber and prepares for attack to
recover positions along the Driniumor, dividing
covering force into 2 groups: North Force, consisting
of 124th Inf (less 2d Bn) reinf by 1st Bn of
128th Inf; South Force, consisting of 112th Cav and
3d Bn of 127th Inf. 2d Bn of 128th Inf, holding
Tiber while reorganizing, is held in reserve. Co B,
128th Inf, moves from Tiber to Anamo in preparation
for general attack. After dark, Japanese attack
2d Bn, 128th Inf, but are forced to withdraw. On
Biak, about 200 Japanese escape from Ibdi Pocket.
13 July
FRANCE—4th Armd Div arrives on Continent.
21 Army Group: U.S. First Army commander
approves Outline Plan for COBRA—breakout attack
in St. Lô area. Minor amendments altering boundaries
are subsequently made. VIII Corps continues
steadily southward all along line. VII Corps makes
progress on left flank, where 9th Div gets almost
to crossroads at Les Champs-de-Losque. Offensive
on rest of VII Corps front is virtually suspended.
XIX Corps continues costly battle for St Lô. On E,
29th Div passes 175th Inf through 116th in vain
attempt to drive W along highway ridge toward
the city. In V Corps area, 5th Div replaces 1st Div
in line. 1st Div withdraws to Colombières area in
preparation for movement to VII Corps zone.
In Br Second Army area, Cdn 2 Corps becomes
operational with Cdn 2d and 3d Divs under its command.
12 Corps takes command of 8 Corps sector
and of 43d, 15th, and 53d Inf Divs; 11th Armd
Div; 4th Armd Brig; and 31st Tank Brig.
USSR—After several days of street fighting,
Vilna falls to troops of Third White Russian Front.
ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army’s IV Corps
area, 34th Div gains about 3 miles toward Leghorn
and to E overruns Pastina and Hill 529. 91st Div is
committed in center of corps front and attacks toward
the Arno with 363d Inf on left and 362d on
right; presses close to Chianni and heights to E despite
strong opposition. 88th Div, on IV Corps right
flank, makes substantial progress against decreasing
resistance. In FEC area, 4th Mtn Div overruns S
Gimignano and commanding ground nearby as
enemy begins withdrawal in that region. Against
diminishing resistance, 2d Moroccan Div drives