1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 5–6 AUGUST 1944 ]
Fifth Army, which is to be strengthened by attaching
Br 13 Corps, is to make a subsidiary attack
up road from Florence to Bologna after enemy has
thinned out in center.
Br Eighth Army successfully concludes campaign
for central Italy as 13 Corps reaches the Arno at
Florence and drives into S part of the city. Enemy
has destroyed all bridges except the Ponte Vecchio.
Period of extensive regrouping is begun by Eighth
Army in preparation for coming assault on the
Gothic Line in N Apennines.
CBI—On Salween front, Chinese break into
Teng-chung, where prolonged battle for the city
ensues. In 33 Corps sector of 11 Army Group’s Br
Fourteenth Army area, Tamu falls to Br 2d Div.
NEW GUINEA—In Aitape area, Japanese, suffering
from casualties, logistic problems, and disease,
withdraw southward from front of South Force in
Afua area after a last desperate attack that costs
them over 200 dead. South Force patrols move forward
in pursuit against scattered fire and make contact
with TED Force. Both the main assault force
and the enveloping column of TED Force continue S
in region between the Driniumor and Niumen
Creek to E–W trail. Co-ordinated attack by TED
Force and South Force scheduled for this date must
be postponed until TED Force reaches the Driniumor.
GUAM—77th Div succeeds in reaching 0–3
line, overrunning Mt. Barrigada, and makes contact
with 3d Mar Div to left, closing dangerous gap.
Progress during day is slowed more by terrain than
by skirmishes with enemy. 3d Mar Div is obliged
to hold up its advance on left flank of corps in order
to tie in with 77th Div. Gen Geiger prepares to
commit 306th Inf, which is comparatively fresh, in
pursuit toward Mt. Santa Rosa. 1st Prov Mar Brig
( — ) is relieved of defense duties on S flank and
held in reserve.
5 August
FRANCE—21 Army Group: In Br Second Army
area, 8 Corps is clearing enemy pockets. In 30 Corps
area, Aunay falls to 7th Armd Div, which pushes
on toward Thury-Harcourt. 12 Corps closes along
the Orne on 7-mile front between Grimbosq and
Caen.
12th Army Group: In U.S. Third Army area,
VIII Corps is attacking W, SW, S, and E simultaneously.
6th Armd Div continues W toward Brest,
bypassing Carhaix and reaching Huelgoat area.
83d Div attacks outer defenses of St Maio; TF A
continues W along N coast of Brittany. Brittany
Peninsula is cut off as CCA, 4th Armd Div, reaches
Vannes. In XV Corps area, 90th Div TF seizes Mayenne.
79th Div is approaching Laval.
U.S. First Army adjusts boundary between U.S.
and Br forces and gives new mission to V Corps.
[ 243 ]
In VII Corps area, 1st Div, reinf, continues to consolidate
positions in Mortain area and probe southward
with patrols. 4th Div overruns St Pois and
advances slightly beyond there. 9th Div pushes on
through Forêt de St Sever. 30th Div is transferred
to VII Corps from V Corps. In XIX Corps area, 29th
Div progresses toward Vire despite strong
opposition. V Corps is to drive through Vire to take
region between Tinchebray and St Jean-du-Bois, employing
2d and 29th Divs. 29th is to remain under
XIX Corps until it captures Vire. 35th Div reverts to
Third Army.
ITALY—AAI: In Br Eighth Army area, 10 Corps
takes crest of M. il Castello.
NEW GUINEA—In Aitape area, main body of
TED Force is held up short of main E–W trail E of
Afua by stubborn enemy rear guards, who are keeping
Driniumor crossing, point open, but the flanking
column reaches the trail about 1,500 yards E of the
river.
GUAM—306th Inf enters center of 77th Div line
and moves NW to pinch out 307th Inf, but is slowed
by enemy rear guards. Dense jungle on div right delays
305th Inf. 3d Mar Div continues steadily northward
on left flank of corps.
6 August
FRANCE—21 Army Group: Gen Montgomery
orders drive to the Seine.
Br Second Army undergoes enemy counterattacks
between Vire and Mont Pincon. In 8 Corps area,
enemy armor penetrates positions of 11th Armd Div
in Vire area, but lost ground is later recovered. Gds
Armd Div is strongly engaged at Le Busq, on Vire–
Aunay road. 15th Div has moved forward to Estry
area but is unable to dislodge enemy from that town.
3d Div is attacking southward toward Vire. In 30
Corps area, 43d Div gains feature on Mont Pincon
massif. 7th Armd Div continues attack toward
Thury-Harcourt. In 12 Corps area, 59th Div attacks
across the Orne in Grimbosq area late in day and
establishes shallow bridgehead.
12th Army Group: Group orders establishment of
bridgehead over Sarthe R in Le Mans–Alençon area.
In U.S. Third Army’s VIII Corps area, CCB, on
right flank of 6th Armd Div, overcomes opposition S
of Morlaix and at Lesneven; CCA makes slow
progress along secondary routes to S. 83d Div continues
to hammer at St Maio stronghold. TF A gets
beyond St Brieux as it continues W along N coast on
Brittany. RCT 121, 8th Div, is attached to 83d Div
for attack on Dinard, W of St Maio. 4th Armd Div
is advancing on Lorient. XV Corps, with major elements
now across the Mayenne, is driving rapidly on
Le Mans. 79th Div takes Laval. XX Corps (Maj
Gen Walton H. Walker), consisting at present of