1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

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pello and latter moves to Gesso ridge. 36th Brig,
78th Div, finds M. la Pieve undefended. 21st Brig,
Ind 8th Div, gains ground S of M. Pianoreno, from
which enemy has withdrawn.
In Br Eighth Army’s Pol 2 Corps area, 5th
Kresowa Div takes Galeata without opposition. In
5 Corps area Acquarola and Celincordia fall to Ind
10th Div and 46th Div, respectively. Ind 10th Div is
ordered to attack across the Savio. In Cdn 1 Corps
area, NZ 2d Div begins crossing the Pisciatello at
2300. Cdn 1st Div takes Ponte della Pietra. Greek
3d Mtn Brig is withdrawn from line in preparation
for departure from Italy.
CZECHOSLOVAKIA—Fourth Ukrainian Front
pours into E Czechoslovakia on broad front from
Poland, driving through Carpathian passes.
G REECE—Greek Government returns to
Athens.
CBI—Gen Stilwell is ordered to return to Washington.
President Roosevelt informs Chiang Kai-shek
of Stilwell’s recall, adding that while no other U.S.
officer will be named to command Ch forces, Gen
Wedemeyer is available to act as the Generalissimo’s
chief of staff, a proposal that is acceptable to Chiang
Kai-shek.
BURMA—11 Army Group: In Br Fourteenth
Army’s 33 Corps area, after hard fighting on approaches
to Tiddim earlier in the month, Ind 5th
Div enters the town without opposition.
JAPAN—Tokyo orders major counter offensive,
SHO, against forces threatening inner defense of
Japan to begin upon spotting U.S. invasion force
en route to Leyte, P.I. This is to affect operations
not only in the Pacific but on the Asiatic mainland
as well.
PALAUS—On Peleliu, 321st Inf completes relief
of 1st Mar Div elements at Umurbrogol Pocket and
continues attacks to reduce it. The pocket is now
about 400 yards from E to W and about 850 yards
from N to S, 1st Mar Div has suffered 6,526 casualties
on the island, a large portion of them at the
pocket. On Angaur, enemy pocket on NW tip of
island is compressed into small zone about 100
yards long and 50 yards wide.
P.I.—Co B, 6th Ranger Bn, lands on Homonhon
I., without opposition and sets up channel light.
Underwater demolition teams begin uneventful rcn
of landing areas under cover of naval gunfire bombardment.
Seventh Fleet protects assault convoy as
it approaches Leyte and begins preinvasion bombardment.
Third Fleet continues neutralization of
Luzon and guards San Bernardino and Surigao
Straits.
19 October
WESTERN EUROPE—21 Army Group: In Cdn First
Army’s 2 Corps area, newly arrived 52d Div
[ 19 OCTOBER 1944 ]
enters action, taking over Cdn 3d Div’s bridgehead
N of Leopold Canal and continuing reduction of
Breskens Pocket. Junction is made between Leopold
Canal and Savojaards Plaat bridgehead forces.
12th Army Group: In U.S. First Army’s VII
Corps area, German resistance at Aachen is diminishing
rapidly; efforts to break encirclement from
outside the city cease and the garrison is told to
fight to the finish. 26th Inf, 1st Div, continues to
clear the city and takes Salvator Hill. TF Hogan,
3d Armd Div, seizes Lousberg heights and is given
task of cutting Aachen–Laurensberg highway.
6th Army Group: In U.S. Seventh Army’s VI
Corps area, 36th Div completes capture of Bruyères.
3d Div—less 30th Inf, which remains in Le Tholy
area—closes in assembly area behind 45th Div in
preparation for drive on St Dié.
ITALY—AAI: In U.S. Fifth Army area, elements
of 6th S African Armd Div gain positions on slopes
of M. Salvaro, though elements to right are still
short of M. Alcino, SE of M. Salvaro. In II Corps
area, since 34th Div has been unable to break
through in center of corps front, main effort is
shifted to right flank toward M. Grande and M.
Cerere. After reaching favorable positions for attack
and saturation bombardment of M. Grande area
by aircraft and arty, 88th Div attacks in evening, taking
M. Cerere with ease and reaching crest of
M. Grande by dawn of 20th, 24 hours ahead of
schedule. 85th Div assists 88th and gains lower
slopes of M. Fano. 34th Div, still short of M. Belmonte
and to rear of 85th Div, pauses to regroup.
Positions of 91st Inf and 1st Armd Divs on left
flank of corps are virtually unchanged. In Br 13
Corps area, 78th Div attacks toward M. Spadura
and M. dell’Acqua Saluta with 38th and 36th Brigs,
respectively, taking latter and gaining precarious
hold on M. Spadura. 21st Brig, Ind 8th Div, clears
M. Pianoreno. 77th Brig gets elements to top on
M. Casalino, but they are driven off. 1st Div’s 66th
Brig gains firm hold on M. Ceco and pushes toward
M. delle Valle.
In Br Eighth Army’s Pol 2 Corps area, 5th
Kresowa Div finds Civitella di Romagna undefended.
In 5 Corps area, 46th Div closes in on Cesena;
elements push into S part of the city in vain
effort to take bridge. 4th Div takes command of
46th Div sector, but elements of 46th Div remain
in S part of Cesena. Ind 10th Div moves rest of 20th
Brig across the Savio to Falcino area; establishes
another small bridgehead across the Savio with elements
of 25th Brig from Roversano, night 19–20.
Cdn 1 Corps releases Greek 3d Mtn Brig to Eighth
Army control. Rapid progress is made all along
front except in coastal region. While Cdn 1st Div is
closing in on Cesano, NZ 2d Div reaches road extending
NE from there.