1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 19–20 JULY 1944 ]
ening Ostrov and Pskov. Soviet forces on East
Prussian border are brought to a halt at Augustow
by German counterattack.
ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army’s IV Corps
area, 34th Div begins final assault on Leghorn with
135th Inf and attached RCT 363 of 91st Div, latter
organized as TF Williamson under Brig Gen Raymond
Williamson. Attack reaches outskirts of the
city, but enemy is able to extricate most of its
garrison. Along coast, 804th TD Bn reaches
Montenero. Elements of 361st Inf, 91st Div, reach
the Arno at Pontedera by 0800; 362d arrives at last
ridge commanding the river, where it is ordered to
halt. 88th Div comes to a halt on last heights overlooking
the Arno above Palaia. FEC renews pursuit
of enemy upon finding that he is withdrawing
all along front.
In Br Eighth Army’s 13 Corps area, S African
6th Armd Div on left flank of corps overruns Radda
in Chianti. In Arno Valley, 4th Div and Br 6th
Armd Div are almost halted by the first of a series
of enemy delaying lines above Arezzo, but 4th Div
takes Montevarchi, on Highway 69. Ind 8th Div
passes to command of corps. 10 Corps begins regrouping
and shifting westward for drive on Bibbiena
while conducting limited attacks. Ind 4th Div
is slowly extending its hold on Alpe di Poti. Enemy
is stubbornly defending heights on either side of
Citta di Castello but is forced back from M. Arnato.
Pol 2 Corps breaks through to Ancona on Adriatic
coast.
JAPAN—Cabinet of Premier Tojo falls. A new
one is subsequently formed under Kuniaki Koiso.
NEW GUINEA—Gen Sibert, 6th Div commander,
relinquishes command of TF TORNADO to
Maj Gen John C. Persons, 31st Div commander, in
order to take charge of TF TYPHOON, comprising
reinf 6th Div (less RCT 20, attached to 31st Div),
for Sansapor-Mar operation in the Vogelkop,
scheduled for 30 July. In Aitape area, PERSECUTION
Covering Force closes gap in Driniumor R line and
holds W bank of the river from the coast to Afua.
Japanese withdraw both E and W under attack by
124th Inf. 127th Inf finishes clearing region between
Koronal Creek and the Driniumor and is
moving forward to establish patrol base on East
Branch, Koronal Creek. In evening Japanese attack
1st Sq of 112th Cav, South Force, from right and
rear in Afua area and force it to fall back 250 yards.
19 July
FRANCE—21 Army Group: In U.S. First Army
area, XIX Corps mops up within St Lô. 113th Cav
Gp finds that enemy withdrawal southward has
been a’ limited one. 35th Div is ordered to take over
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entire corps sector, relieving 29th Div. It is to be
reinf by 29th Div Arty and 113th Cav Gp.
In Br Second Army’s Cdn 2 Corps area, 2d Div
takes Louvigny, on N bank of the Orne, and Fleury
and Ifs, on S bank. 3d Div clears Faubourg de Vaucelles
and Cormelles. In 8 Corps area, Cagny falls
to Gds Armd Div. 1 Corps continues to fight for
Troarn.
USSR—Moscow announces encirclement of
some 4 or 5 German divs W of Brody.
ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army’s IV Corps
area, Leghorn falls to 34th Div without serious
opposition, but retreating Germans have carried out
a thorough demolition program within the city and
on harbor facilities. 3d Bn of 135th Inf enters first,
at 0200, and is followed by 363d Inf. 100th Bn is
given responsibility for policing Leghorn and 363d
Inf for left flank of 34th Div while 135th Inf assembles
to SW. Patrols of 363d Inf moving N of
Leghorn toward the Arno meet little opposition. To
E, zone of 168th Inf is expanded to include that
previously held by 133d Inf. 91st and 88th Divs
patrol actively in center and on right flank of corps.
In FEC area, 4th Mtn Div seizes Certaldo; 2d
Moroccan Div takes S. Donato, NW of Castellina.
In Br Eighth Army’s 13 Corps area, S African 6th
Armd Div begins clearing main ridge of the Chianti
hills on left flank of corps, but stubborn enemy
opposition limits progress elsewhere. Elements of Br
6th Armd Div secure new crossing site over the Arno
at Laterina.
SWPA—GHQ issues Outline Plan for Occupation
of Southwest Morotai.
NEW GUINEA—In Aitape area, South Force of
PERSECUTION Covering Force attacks S on right
flank and recovers ground lost on 18th in Afua area,
but in afternoon Japanese attempt to encircle Tr A,
112th Cav, necessitating another attack. Tr A drives
enemy back 600 yards SW of its original positions
astride Afua–Palauru trail.
20 July
FRANCE—21 Army Group: U.S. First Army continues
to prepare for COBRA, shifting 4th Div from
command of VIII to that of VII Corps. In XIX
Corps area, 134th Inf of 35th Div relieves TF C,
29th Div, in St Lô.
In Br Second Army’s Cdn 2 Corps area, 2d Div
takes St André-sur-Orne against strong opposition.
In 8 Corps area, Bourguebus falls to 7th Armd Div
and Frenouville to Gds Armd Div. This ends action
to expand Orne bridgehead and threaten Falaise.
GERMANY—In East Prussia, near Rastenburg,
attempted assassination of Adolf Hitler fails.
USSR—Soviet forces driving W from Kowel
reach Bug R on 40-mile front.