MR 203(2) Sec. 29 War Department Operational Summaries - June 1944

DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 198 MR 203(2) Sec. 29 - War Department Operational Summary June, 1944 of MR 203(2) Sec. 29 - War Department Operational Summary June, 1944 WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 934 0700 June 30 to 0700 July 1, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2). 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 OKiel 54 25 5 PEmden PBremen FIM with 2 Londone OBerlin ORotterdom 52 6 oBrussels Cologne Leipzig 20 LE CULOT BOHLEN Abbeville OF o FAUVILLE AMIENS o Frankfurt Progue 50 MONTDIDIER EVREUX 48 INVOICE CONCHES OSD Letter. 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIED Poris ORennes o Noncy Laise Danube O-Tours o Munich 48 Vienna 46 Budopest o Bern 0 Bolzono BARCS 46 A KAPOSVAR Lyon RBordeoux OMilon PTrieste 44 o state o Toulouse Bologno 9 BANJALUKA 44 CENTRAL EUROPE SARAJEVO o OSolit 42 50 o 50 100 150 200 "o STATUTE MILES 2 o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 24-87117-300 TOP SECRET DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE Late on 29 June (target time) three Aleutian-based B-34's raided the Kataoka-Kashiwabara area in the northern Kuriles. EUROPEAN THEATER 1. A haze and high clouds over England, which made assembly of formations difficult, caused 445 of the 1,150 bombers dispatched on 29 June by the 8th Air Force to abandon the mission. The remaining 705, escorted by 733 fighters, dropped 1,775 tons on the synthetic oil plant at Bohlen, the ball bearing works at Leipzig, on nine air- craft assembly plants, four airdromes and two marshalling yards in central Germany, and on several targets of opportunity. That same day 293 bombers of the RAF dropped 1,816 tons of explosives on three enemy bomb-launching sites in the Abbeville-Amiens area; five bombers were lost. During the 24-hour period ending at sunrise 30 June, the AEAF flew over 2,750 sorties against bridges, railway centers, coastal batteries, and gun positions in support of our ground forces in Normandy. Seventeen of some 90 enemy aircraft operating over northern France were destroyed for the loss of two bombers and nine fighters. During the period 125 flying bombs were launched against England, 38 of them reach- ing the London area; forty-four were shot down. Preliminary reports indicate that 153 heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force were dispatched on 30 June to attack the Le Culot air- drome in Belgium and the Montdidier, Conches, and Evreux-Fauville - 1 - TOP SECRET DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 COTENTIN PENINSULA or 5 o NO 20 so LINE AS OF 29 JUNE MILES LINE AS OF 30 JUNE CHERBOURG ETRETAT FIRST US ARMY SECOND BR ARMY W11 CORPS LE HAVRE VIII CORPS TROUVILLE X-IX CORPS ESSAY BANED CORPS V JERSEY GORBS XXX CALM CORPS SPL MONDRAJNVILL COUTANCES LEGARUT DU BOSQ GRANVILLE VIRE ST. MALO CANCALE ELERS AVRANCHES ALENCON BENNES AVAL LE MANS MOD STORET DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 airfields in northern France. 2. On 29 June the US 9th Division continued operations against enemy forces still holding out on the northwest tip of the Cotentin Peninsula. The last resistance in Cherbourg ended that day with the surrender of three forts on the breakwater. There was little change on the remainder of the US First Army front. In an attempt to cut off our bridgehead across the Odon, which was extended somewhat on both flanks, the Germans made two counterattacks supported by armor against Mondrainville and Le Haut du Bosq; these were the most determined yet delivered and both were thrown back by British troops. To date the Germans have lost 316 tanks of which 142 have been definitely destroyed. 26,174 prisoners had been processed by 1800 hours, 29 June; of these more than 14 per cent were foreigners, native to every Nazi-occupied country except Norway, Bulgaria and Hungary. MEDITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 28-29 June, 98 Allied bombers attacked the oil storage facilities at Giurgiu. The next day Tactical aircraft flew over 1,000 sorties in support of our ground operations in Italy. Coastal aircraft harassed transportation and destroyed eight enemy air- craft on Sarajevo airdrome. In these missions two (probably nine) enemy aircraft were destroyed in the air and nine on the ground for the loss of nine bombers and three fighters. Despite unfavorable weather on 30 June, 564 escorted heavy bombers of the 15th Air Force carried out attacks against targets in - 2 - Tor DEON APPROXIMATE or CONTAC 30 JUNE 29 JUNE AMODENA FERRANA BOLOGNA LEGHORN or CEGINA ACORENCE BIBBONA VOLTERRA GRIMINI U.S. CORPS PAREZZO GROSSETO FRENCH CORPS TRASINENO R.X111 GORPS PEROGIA YBBV ANCONA CORPS 4 o 5 10 IGHTH ARMY in CORPS CEORET DECLASSIFIED 98D Letter, 5-3-72 Hungary and Yugoslavia. Budapest, the marshalling yards at Kaposvar, a railroad bridge at Barcs, the airdromes at Banjaluka and Zagreb and the harbor at Split were hit as well as several individual targets of opportunity. leven (probably 15) enemy aircraft were destroyed; seven bombers and two fighters are missing. 2. During 29 June, American forces of the Fifth Army advancing along the western Italian coast gained seven miles; they occupied Bibbona and were within one mile of Cecina. Inland our armored drives continued to push toward Volterra; at last report forward elements were within 12 miles of the town. Minor gains were registered by the French. Units of the left of the British Eighth Army followed up a German withdrawal during the preceding night. They advanced along both shores of Lake Trasimeno and, by dawn, their forward troops were just short of its northwest tip. 3. During the night of 28-29 June, 13 RAF bombers attacked Rhodes harbor, scoring hits on the dock facilities; one plane failed to return. ASIATIC THEATER 1. During 28 June, Chinese troops continued to close in on Tengchung from the north. Other Chinese units again advanced from the east to within two miles of Lungling. On the Manipur front British units made small gains northwest of Ukhrul during 29 June. 2. During 29 June, six Liberators dropped over 21 tons on the enemy's supply areas near Kalewa. Allied fighter aircraft attacked - 3 - Sorong Monokwari BIAK 1. VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR 1. JAPEN L ADMIRALTY IS. MAFFIN BAY Geelvink Boy Babo Kovieng Hollandia Fak Fox Altope NEW IRELAND Wewok Hansa Bay Robaul VUNAPOPE. TOBERA Modong KEI IS. C.Gloucester, oloseo et oSalder AROE IS. Gosmota Los OSD Letter, 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIES TANIMBAR IS. Merouks, oBwne NEW GUINEA Port Moresberg 100 so 0 100 200 300 MILES LEDO River KOHIMA QSD Letter, 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIED MANIPUR RAOSHAN Brahmaputra FRONT UKHRUL TENGCHUNG SILCHAR MPHAL LUNGLING BISHENPUR PALEL KALEWA CHITTAGONG MANDAEAY N. BURMA APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT If o 25 50 75 DIE APPROXIMATE MILES AKYAB 24-90087-200 for DECRET DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 enemy positions in the Imphal-Kohima area, sank seven river craft in the upper Chindwin, and bombed a bridge at Mandalay. 3. The 14th Air Force flew over 200 sorties during 27 and 28 June in the Changsha-Hengyang area against enemy troop concentrations, supply areas and transportation; one Japanese plane was probably destroyed; we lost two fighters. The next day a B-24 sank a 250-foot vessel off Hainan. Our fighter aircraft attacked railway installations in the Yellow River area. 4. During the period from 4 July 1942 to 31 May 1944, damage inflicted by the 14th Air Force on enemy shipping off the China coast exclusive of 15 naval vessels and miscellaneous small craft included: 414,939 tons sunk, 131,650 tons probably sunk, and 247,900 tons damaged. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. All organized opposition on the south coast of Biak had been overcome by 29 June. During 28 June, 40 B-24's attacked the airdrome and enemy bivouacs on Yap, destroying eight (probably nine) of 29 intercepting fighters; smaller B-24 missions bombed Sorol, Woleai, and Palau. The next day more than 100 Allied medium, light and fighter bombers continued the neutralization of the area between Yakamul and Wewak. In the Maffin Bay area 24 planes attacked enemy concentrations and villages. To the northwest 22 B-24's cratered the runway at the Babo airdrome. Fifty-six Solomons-based planes operated over the Bougainville area during 28 June, the small island of Erventa off the south coast - 4 - $ a 2 Assongsong I A 7 0 Agrihan L - , Pagen I, # CAROLINE AND MARIANAS IS. . Alomogan 1. Guguan 5 Sorigan IL 50 o 50 100 50 200 250 Anotahon 1- KHENKY N Medinilla I. SCALE OF WILES Tenion Aguisen I. « 4 Guam a OSD Letter, 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIED UIIIN is - Fais I. mái Geferat L' Otel is Nguie is Fareulep is. Moll Ve : PHILIPPINE is 0 (Mindanas 0 West Fays il Pission I. Olimares is Pulop 1a. Wales D. Lamotreir is Elate 1st is Polumet is MOEN Nigematic is Enerigik is Polomok 14. o A # o L - N E - 5 L A N D 5 Sensoral is Pule Anna ". Marir 1. Tolaud is Tabi I Helen - Moratei I DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 TOD OTODEM VIIPURI eningred Tagine AUNAS ISTHMUS tax Rigs se- Velitie Laki o 14" Memol YSK lieber LINE AT START OF Kounge PRESENT/ DRIVE others 2 Dontiq Credit o 14- 14° Bryanak PRICET MARSHES H / some 32° price 12° bree Kurah Brea Supera Rier to* Cregow 10° Last Berdyshev E) 4 // 48° Krivel Reg o Budspest Niksiser 46° Bygherest 44° GIURGIU Complexis NOT 28" 24" 28" - 30° 18* 34° DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 receiving 49 tons. A total of 120 bombers and fighters hammered Rabaul targets, using 60 tons on Tobera gun positions and 30 tons on the Vunapope supply dumps; one plane failed to return. Other missions bombed Kavieng and attacked enemy barges along the southwest coast of New Ireland. 2. During 28 June, 63 Marine bombers attacked Mille, Wotje and Jaluit. Sixteen B-24's of the 7th Air Force hit the Moen airfields at Truk with 45 tons; one of five intercepting Japanese planes was probably destroyed. 3. During 29 June our troops on Saipan, advancing against strong resistance, reduced the enemy salient in the center of the line and captured an important hill to the northeast. Fighter aircraft attacked enemy installations and airfields on Tinian and Rota and supported our ground troops on Saipan. American casualties totalled 1,474 killed, 7,400 wounded and 878 missing by 1800 on 29 June; 4,949 Japanese dead have been buried. EASTERN FRONT During 30 June a Red Army attack penetrated 30 miles west of Polotsk, bypassing the town; the enemy counterattacked in this area. Two other Soviet forces pushed to within 30 miles of Minsk from the northeast and southeast. Still other Red forces pushed westwards through the northern margins of the Pripet marshes. On the Aunas Isthmus and northeast of Viipuri further Soviet gains were reported. - 5 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 933 0700 June 29 to 0700 June 30, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Okiel 54 5 HAMBURG PEmden Bremen with Londone BRUNSW CK OBerlin OSD Letter, 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIES ORotterdom o MAGDEBURG 52 6 6 oBrussels Cologne ©Leipzig 20 Abbeville a S01SSONS o Frankfurt Progue 50 48 VAIRESO SAARBRUCKEN o Poris ORennes OLA PERTHE VITRY METZ Noncy LE-FRANCOLS a Laire BLAINY ILLE-SUR-1 EAU Danube O-Tours o Munich 46 Vienno 46 Budopest o Bern Bolzono 46 4 Lyon RBordeoux 44 OMilan o PTrieste state LUSSIN 1. Toulouse o Bologno 9 44 CENTRAL EUROPE o o OSplit 42 50 o 50 100 150 200 STATUTE MILES 2 o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 24-87117-300 DECLASSIFIED GSD Letter, 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE 1. Major General Charles H. Bonesteel assumed command of the Western Defense Command on 26 June 1944. EUROPEAN THEATER 1. Between 27 June and the night of 28-29 June, inclusive, more than 1300 RAF bombers dropped a total bombload of 5,500 tons on enemy bomb launching sites as well as the railway centers at Vaires, Vitry-le-Francois, Blainville-sur-l'Eau, and Metz. Mosquitoes set fire to Saarbrucken and a synthetic fuel plant in western Germany. Two enemy aircraft were destroyed during these operations for a loss of 26 bombers. Fifty-six fighters on offensive sweeps destroyed three other enemy aircraft. During 8th Air Force operations for 28 June against Saarbrucken and targets near Soissons and elsewhere in France (reported yesterday), 684 escorted heavy bombers dropped 1,556 tons of bombs. Ten enemy air- craft were destroyed for a loss of one B-17, one B-24, and two fighters. During the 24-hour period ending at sunrise 29 June, the AEAF flew nearly 1,400 sorties in support of our ground operations in France. Thirty-five (probably 38) of some 274 enemy aircraft operating in t he area were destroyed for a loss of seven fighters and fighter bombers. One hundred and forty-nine flying bombs were launched during this period bringing the cumulative total dispatched against England to 1,749. Of these, 1,313 have reached the coast and 619 penetrated to the London area. A total of 472 have been destroyed. - 1 - DECLASSIFIES 03D Letter. 5-3-72 TOT SERVICE COTENTIN PENINSULA of 5 o IO 20 30 MILES - LINE AS OF 28 JUNE LINE AS OF 29 JUNE CAP DE CHERBOURD LA HAGUE ETRETAT FIRST US ARMY GORPS, SECOND BR ARMY VIII CORPS LE HAVRE FIERWILLE XIX VIII CORPS * CORPS TROUVILLE y CABOURG LESSAY CORPS BANEUX XXX CORPS JERSEY CORRE CAEN BREVILLE ESQUAY COUTANCES EVRECY GRANVILLE VIRE ST. MALO CANCALE FLERS AVRANCHES ALENCON BENNES AVAL LE MANS DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 On 29 June the 8th Air Force sent 1,152 escorted heavy bombers against aircraft factories, an oil refinery, a motor transport works, and airdromes in the Leipzig, Magdeburg and Brunswick areas and another motor transport works south of Hamburg. Preliminary reports indicate that 32 enemy aircraft were destroyed in the air and 16 on the ground, for a loss of 15 bombers and two fighters. 2. Enemy forces still held out near Cap de la Hague at noon 29 June while the VII Corps continued to mop up. Preliminary surveys of Cherbourg harbor indicate that the docks have been severely damaged and will be of no use for some time. All organized resistance north- east of the city has ceased. The XIX Corps straightened its line northeast of St. Lo. In the Second Army Sector, British troops strengthened their hold south of the Odon River; enemy counter- attacks and heavy fighting continued. The Allied bridgehead was broadened but no further advance southward was made pending the removal of enemy resistance on the flanks north of the river; forward troops in this area were on a line running just north of Evrecy and Esquay. The previous night, east of Caen, other British troops raided an enemy airfield northeast of Breville inflicting heavy casualties. 3. It is estimated that more than 800,000 troops, 130,000 vehicles, and 400,000 tons of supplies had been landed on the beach- heads by 29 June. MEDITERRANEAN 1. During 28 June, while strategic bombers were over the Bucharest DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 I MODENA FERRARA BOLOGNA PISA LEGHORN CECINA PEDRENCE V.OL TERRA CASPAGNETO SASSETTA ASTOUNUOVO SIENA US P.S. MAREZZO CORPS MONTALGINO ANQUIRIOD PIENZA POROSSETO MONTICCHIELLO DI MONT EPULLIANO: XII FISTR CORPS PERUGIA ARMY ANCONA APPROX LINE OF CONTACT es 28 JUNE EIGHT 29 JUNE ARMY CORPS o 1 10 30 CORPS DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 area as reported yesterday, Tactical aircraft operations in support of our ground forces were limited by weather to 294 sorties. Coastal fighters harassed small shipping in the Lussin area and raided enemy transportation in Yugoslavia. Six fighters are missing. Twelve enemy aircraft were encountered during the day. 15th Air Force operations for 29 June were cancelled because of unfavorable weather. 2. The Fifth Army continued its advance toward Leghorn and Siena against lessening resistance during 28 June. On the coast an American column pushed to the line of the Bolgheri River, eight miles from Cecina and only 26 miles from Leghorn; American-Japenese units gained three miles north of Sassetta. Our armored drives approached Castelnuovo and thrust down the Cecina River Valley toward Volterra. French Colonials were within eight miles of Siena after occupying Montalcino, Monticchiello, Pienza, and San Quirico. In the Eighth Army sector South African armored troops gained two miles in a drive southwest of Lago di Montepulciano where enemy positions and equipment were found abandoned, but east of this lake the British met stiff resistance. Polish troops patrolled beyond the Chienti River. ASIATIC THEATER 1. On the Salween front Chinese troops driving from the northwest were within three and one-half miles of Tengchung on 27 June. South- east of Lungling, several Japanese attacks were repulsed. Heavy - 3 - LEDO KAMAING NAMTY MYITKYINA PAOM LOILANTHOGAUNG ROSHAN Brahmaputra KRUNTHA TUKHRUL TENGCHUNG SILCHAR NAM PUR LUNGLING PRONT IANGSHIH OSD Letter, 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIED KALEWA CHITTAGONG MANDAS N. BURMA APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT 25 o 25 50 É CHCHO APPROXIMATE MILES AKYAB Sorong Manokwari BIAK I, VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR JAPEN L / ADMIRALTY IS. MAFFIN BAY Geelvink Bay Babg Kavieng KOKAS Hollandia Fok Fax Altope TARAMIN Wewok Honso Boy Robout Madang C.Gloucester, alasse KEI IS. to word (Selder AROE IS. Gasmata Los USD Letter, 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIED TANIMBAR IS. Merouke oBuno NEW GUINEA Port Moresbye 100 to 0 100 200 300 MILES 24-85854-200 $ e . Assongeong L , 7 . Agrihen L. $ Pagen & - CAROLINE AND MARIANAS IS. . Alemegen L Guguen L. - Letter, . -Sorigan 1. so o so IOO - 200 250 Anotahen Le N Medinito 1. SCALE OF MILES Seipen 1, Tenion Aguisen 1. " - I. Guom - OSD DECLASSIFIES 5-3-72 TOP SECT United is Fais - Yes Geferal 1 Olei is Ngalu is Foreilles - Hall VA PHILIPPINE is. o (Mindenas 1) West Fays L Pikalet L. Otimares la Pulop is Walest 19. Lomotreir in . True is Elete X their is "Palawer is Ngemalis is Esuripik is Polosck 14. o A # o L # N € - 5 - A N D s Sensoral is 4 Pule Anna ", Marin 1. Teleud is Tubi - malen 1. Moratel - DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 fighting was reported near Mangshih. North of Mogaung, the Chinese captured Namti. Other Chinese troops advanced southwest from Mogaung, reaching positions one mile beyond Loilaw. Slight gains were registered in Myitkyina. British troops gained ground from three directions toward Ukhrul reaching Paowi on the north and Khunthak on the southwest. 2. More than 100 Allied aircraft attacked enemy positions and supply dumps in Manipur on 27 June. Twenty other planes attacked bridges in the Kalewa area and river craft near the Arakan coast. 3. Hengyang is reported to have fallen. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. In New Guinea our troops, with air support, were attacking enemy pockets of resistance near the Maffin airfield during 28 June. Formations totalling 122 bombers and fighters raided enemy installa- tions in the Yakamul and Wewak areas. Other Southwest Pacific air- craft supported operations on Biak, harassed enemy installations on Noemfoor, attacked the seaplane base area near Kokas, and struck the Cape Chater area on Timor. B-24's attacked Sorol and Palau and burned a ship south of the latter. Solomons-based aircraft continued their attacks against targets in Bougainville and in the Rabaul area. 2. During 27 June, 55 Marine fighters and light bombers raided gun positions on Wotje, Mille and Taroa, while six B-25's hit an air- field and gun positions at Ponape. Two fighters were lost. That - 4 - DECLASSIFIED OSD Lettem, 5-3-72 145° 45' 145° 50' Marpi Pt. Banadiqu inageo Pt. Marpi OTsukimi I. 11" Motonso 15° 15' Tanapog TANAPAG HARBOR nt Gerepan Donnor ML Topotchey. 15") 15° 10 10 MAGICIENNE Charon-Kanee BAY SAIPAN ASLITO ISLAND MOPPING e I 1 MAUTICAL MILES APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT 24 JUNE APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT 28 JUNE NAFUTAN PT. EAST 141°45' 145°80' TOP SECRET ------------------------- DECLASSIFIES T tter, 5-3-72 4 IS* 10* 22* 26* - AUNAS ISTHMUS 8a+ è Valitie Labi e Moschy Mamel POLOTSK Kounge LINE AT START_OF 2 Dentis Drain PRESENT DRIVE o 54+ 54° Bryansk ou SLUTSK of à fina - 52" Breat Literal Kursa Breeigo I dies à Cregge 50° Less Bertysher o / 4 Certain // 48° Krivel Reg 0 Budgest Niscloses - 44° Broner Suggerest 44° ED* II" 24° 26° 18° 50° 38° 34° - TOP SEONE DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 night 16 B-25's attacked targets on Nauru, one B-25 being lost. 3. US forces on Saipan pressed northward against slight resistance during 26 and 27 June, advancing nearly two miles. Enemy forces were still holding out in the valley southeast of Mt. Tapotchau leaving a salient in the center of our line 2,000 yards wide and 2,000 yards deep. During the night, 400 Japanese broke through our lines near Nafutan Point but were dispersed after 200 were killed. The same night enemy snipers and planes attacked Aslito airfield destroying one of our aircraft. Organized enemy resistance ceased at Nafutan Point on 28 June and our forces were cleaning out remaining snipers. Our total casualties to date are: 1,363 killed; 6,806 wounded, and 843 missing; 4,040 enemy dead have been buried. 4. On 27 June 41 of our fighters thoroughly strafed Rota finding no enemy air resistance. EASTERN FRONT According to the Soviets the whole length of the Leningrad- Murmansk railway has been cleared of the enemy. The Red Army has outflanked Polotsk on the south, and on 29 June was continuing its advance on Minsk. - 5 - TOP SECRET DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 GENERAL 1. The War Department has authorized a gold service bar for overseas service to be worn on the left sleeve of the service coat, field jacket or shirt when worn as an outside garment. One such bar is authorized for each period of six months service as a member of the Army outside of the continental United States for the period 7 December 1941 to six months following the termination of the war. 2. The Army Air Forces has advised Generals MacArthur, Eisenhower, Stilwell, Richardson, and Devers that evaluation boards each headed by a general officer are to be established within the Air Forces of their commands for the purpose of appraising the effectiveness of aerial attack and to assist, not only in the shortening of the war, but also in the determination of the direction which future air action must take. 3. Orders have been issued for movement of the Headquarters, X Corps, from Camp Beale, California, to the San Francisco Port of Embarka- tion for further movement overseas on or about 1 July 1944. - 6 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 932 0700 June 28 to 0700 June 29, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 IO 12 14 16 18 20 OKiel of 54 5 PEmden Bremen FINE + Londone OBerlin ORotterdom o 98D Letter, 5-3-78 DECLASSIFIEB 52 50 KASSEL GOTTINGEN 6 oBrussels Cologne OLeipzig 20 Abbeville TOP area o Frankfurt Progue 50 LAON 48 SAARBRUCKEN o Poris ORennes Noncy o Leire secure O-Tours o Munich 48 Vienna 46 Budopest o Bern Bolzano 46 4 Lyon qBordeoux OMilon Trieste 44 o BROD BANJALUKA Toulouse SAVONA, o Bologno 9 44 CENTRAL EUROPE SARAJEVO OSplit 42 50 o 50 100 150 200 e. STATUTE MILES 2 o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 IB 24-87117-300 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE Early on 27 June (target time) four Navy B-34's started fires in attacks against airfields in the Kataoka-Kashiwabara area of the northern Kuriles. EUROPEAN THEATER 1. During the night of 26-27 June, 35 Mosquito bombers attacked the railway shops northeast of Kassel in western Germany; one is missing. Additional details on 8th Air Force missions for 27 June (as reported yesterday) indicate that 195 heavy bombers and 382 dive bombers operated against launching sites and communication targets with over 500 tons of explosives; 17 enemy aircraft were destroyed for a loss of five B-24's and three P-38's. In the 24 hours ending at sunrise 28 June, the AEAF flew more than 2,200 sorties in support of our invasion forces, attacking rail targets, enemy transportation, gun positions, radar installations and bridges. Seventy-three German aircraft were reported over the beachhead and other areas of France; nine (probably ten) were destroyed for a loss of seven fighters and fighter bombers. One hundred and twenty-two flying bombs were launched against England during this period, 37 penetrating to the London area. On 28 June nearly 1,000 escorted heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force operated against two railroad bridges and three airdromes in the Laon area with effective results. A force of B-24's bombed railway yards - 1 - DECLASSIFIES OSD Letter, 5-3-72 COTENTIN PENINSULA 10 5 o 9 20 30 MILES LINE AS OF 27 JUNE LINE AS OF 28 JUNE CAP DE LA HAGUE CHERBOURG ETRETAT 5 IVALOGNES FIRST US ARMY *8 CORPS SECOND BR ARMY -VIU M CORPS VIII LE HAVRE CORPS XIX X TROUVILLE CORPS CORPS LESSAY BANEBX CORPS XXXX JERSEY CORPS CAEN STATE TILLY COUTANCES GRANVILLE VIRE ST. MALO **CANCALE ELERS AVRANCHES ALENCON RENNES AVAL E MANS DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 at Saarbrucken. One enemy fighter was destroyed against a loss of two bombers and two fighters in the day's operations. 2. During the afternoon of 27 June the German-held airfield east of Cherbourg was captured. Small detachments of enemy troops were still resisting in the Cap de la Hague. Mopping up operations by the VII Corps continue. There were no significant changes elsewhere along the US First Army battle line. By noon the next day, the British Second Army, fighting against fierce enemy resistance southeast of Tilly-sur-Seulles, had pushed their leading armored elements approximately two miles south of the Odon River where a bridgehead had been forced late the previous afternoon. Throughout the morning hours of the 28th heavy and confused fighting was in progress on the eastern face of this salient north of the river. Slight gains were registered to the west, north of the Caen-Vire highway. As of midnight 26-27 June, 237 German tanks have been put out of action, 98 of which were destroyed. MEDITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 26-27 June, seven B-34's bombed shipping in Rhodes harbor. A lone enemy plane operated over Alexandria. The next day Allied missions attacked a suspected ammunition dump on Crete and shipping in the Aegean area, leaving one coastal vessel sinking. 2. While heavy bombers attacked a Trieste oil refinery, 31 other fighter bombers hit roads and transportation in the Pistoia-Bologna - 2 - TOP DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 s REQGIO,EMILIA APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTAGT SPEZIA 28 JUNE 27 JUNE MODENA FERRAMA BOLOGNA LEGHORN PISTOIA FLORENCE YOLTERRA GRIMINI ASSETTA SIENA MONTICIANO CORPO #AREZZO NONTRLC HNO SAN QUIRICO GROSGETO LAGO DI HONSEPULCIAND FRENCH CORPS CASTIOL LONE DR CORPS ANCONA SR X CORPS 0 5 10 HGHTH ARMY POLICY CORPS N-MID-M for SECRET DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 area and dock installations near Ancona during the night of 26-27 June. Late reports indicate that, in our heavy bomber attacks on 27 June against the marshalling yards at Budapest and Brod and the Sarajevo 763 airdrome, 1,147 tons of bombs were dropped and that 31 (probably 41) enemy planes were destroyed. Ninety P-51's also swept the Budapest area, destroying seven (probably eight) of 40 enemy aircraft encountered; two P-51's are missing. Tactical aircraft flew more than 500 sorties that day attacking an ammunition dump, roads and rail installations at Leghorn, transportation around Volterra, troop concentrations near Arezzo, and buildings at Savona. Three enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground at the Reggio Emilia airdrome and two bridges were destroyed at Spezia. Coastal aircraft attacked shipping in the Adriatic, sinking two schooners and damaging another, hit rail installations and bridges in Greece and destroyed one enemy aircraft at Banjaluka airfield in Yugoslavia. Three fighters are missing from these operations. On 28 June, 372 heavy bombers, escorted by 234 fighters, dropped 766 tons of explosives on two oil refineries and a marshalling yard at Bucharest and an airdrome at Karlovo. Fourteen (probably 29) enemy air- craft were shot down. Forty P-51's on offensive sweeps over Bucharest destroyed 17 (probably 18) enemy aircraft. Three heavy bombers and three fighters are missing. 3. Fifth Army infantry and armored drives averaged three-mile gains during 27 June. Our IV Corps troops captured Sassetta and Monticiano and advanced to within 14 miles of Siena. Enemy resistance in front of the - 3 N° ⑉ 100° ICE* 104° IDE* OF NO* in 114° - - 120° INP 124° 124° 129° 130° - e PEIPING M 34° THE st DAIREN CELLER N° (14° M YELLOW 34° OSD Letter, 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIED LOYANG 2 5 E 5 ASAKI 4. # T SOP CHEMOTU' & N° Yongize SHANDHAI River SHAS ST CHUNCRING Tungting Coke S E A CHANGESIA 26° LUNGLING Siane 24° 24" FORMOSA 1 1: MANCI NP CHINA APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT SOUTH CHINA SEA Я o so 130 180 200 HAINAN SCALE OF MILES form - OF 108° no* HP ⑈⑈ 118° 118° 120° ⑈ 124° 128° ise* DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 French Corps lessened and the Colonials pushed to within a mile of Montalcino and San Quirico. In the Eighth Army sector South African armored troops advanced to Lago di Montepulciano and the road running eastwards to Castiglione. Increased enemy artillery and patrol activity was reported by the Polish Corps operating on the Adriatic coast. ASIATIC THEATER 1. On the Salween front, reinforcements from an additional division strengthened Chinese forces engaged in heavy fighting north and northeast of Lungling on 26 June. 2. In some 70 sorties during 26 June, fighters and fighter bombers of the Eastern Air Command destroyed at least eight river craft along the Arakan coast and attacked enemy troop concentrations, storage areas, and gun positions in support of ground operations in Manipur. 3. During operations for 26 and 27 June, 14th Air Force medium bombers and fighters harassed the Changsha-Siang River region in wide- spread raids. Five 150-foot troop and supply boats were destroyed, a large steamer was left sinking and many casualties inflicted on Japanese forces in the area. Of about 40 enemy aircraft encountered over target areas, four (probably five) were destroyed against a loss of five fighters and one B-25. Enemy planes bombed the Lingling airdrome causing minor damage to a runway and destroying one of our fighters. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. Australian patrols, advancing west along the coast from Hansa - 4 - $ 0 N Assongeong I. 4 L # Agrihan 1. en Pagen I CAROLINE AND MARIANAS IS. * Alomagon I. Guguan Le $ Sorigan I. 50 o to 100 60 100 250 Anotahon 1- IDODOOF a Medinitis I. SCALE OF MILES Salast Tenian Aguisen I. - - 1. Goom a OSD Letter, 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIES for for SECRET UIIN is By Fais 1. má Geferut I. Otal is Ngviu 14. Peroulap is Mell is PHILIPPINE is. (Mindones :) West Fays 1. Pikeist IL Palou is Olimares la Pulep Is Lamotreir is € Truk is Males: is Date 12² Prisent is. Ngemalis is Esuripia is Pulvace is c A R o L. I N E I 5 L A N D 5 Sonsoral is Pule Anna ', Marir I Toloud is Test IL Halen - Morotal I. Sorong Manokwari BIAK L. MOKMER VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR JAPEN 1. ADMIRALTY IS MAEFIN BAY Gestrink Boy Kovieng Bake Hollandia Fak Fox Altope Wewok Hansa Box Robovi Madang C.Gloucester, closed KEI IS. A. 1 (Seldor AROE IS. Gasmoto Loe OSD Letter, 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIED TANIMBAR IS. Mercuked oBwne NEW GUINEA Port Moresb) 100 50 0 100 200 300 MILES TOT DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 Bay, reached the Sepik River area without contact on 27 June. At Maffin Bay, our troops encountered numerous strongly-prepared Japanese positions in the rough coral cliffs east of the airdrome. Patrol clashes were reported on Biak. 2. During 26 and 27 June, two formations totalling 38 B-24's bombed Yap town and airdrome with 55 tons of explosives, causing large fires and destroying two parked enemy aircraft. About 25 enemy planes intercepted on each day; 11 were shot down without reported loss. On the 27th, twenty B-24's struck dispersal areas at Babo; others hit an airfield near Sorong and raided Sorol, Woleai and Ifalik in the western Carolines. Additional Southwest Pacific missions continued their heavy attacks on enemy troop concentrations and supply areas from Yakamul to Wewak, raided villages on Biak and Noemfoor, and harassed targets in western New Guinea. RAAF B-25's bombed Lautem (Timor). Between 26 and 27 June four enemy aircraft raided the Mokmer area on Biak Island causing minor casualties. 3. Thirty-two Navy fighters attacked Bougainville targets during 26 June; medium and fighter bomber formations, totalling more than 65 planes, continued to hammer the Rabaul area. 4. Ten 7th Air Force B-24's hit Truk airfield with 25 tons of explosives on 26 June; one of approximately five intercepting Japanese planes was shot down. Fifty-two Army and Marine bombers raided the Marshalls, attacking gun positions and storage areas on Taroa, Wotje and Mille. - 5 - DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 20* 26* 28°, AUNAS eningred ISTHMUS Bex à Velikle - o 56° Monite Mamel - Kounze other ? LEPEL Start of Offensive Drive Dentis Orsha o Sex 14° Bryanak o OSJPOVICHY H BOBRUISK 82- willings 1 50° Ver Lifense Kurst Breeigo (Riev Box Cresse 50° Leok Berdyshev D D à // 48° Krinel Rog o o Budgest Ninoldev Xem 4g* 48° Invoice Suphorest 44° Complexis provee NO* II* ***ARLOVO 26* 28° 10* 32° S-4* SECRET DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 EASTERN FRONT In the seven days since the beginning of the Soviet offensive gains up to 90 miles have been made south of Vitebsk. Lepel, Mogilev and Osipovichi have been captured and mopping up operations were in progress at Bobruisk on 28 June. - 6 - 480 MAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 931 0700 June 27 to 0700 June 28, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203 (2) DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 ФТОР COTENTIN PENINSULA 10 5 o ю 10 30 MILES LINE AS OF 26 JUNE LINE AS OF 27 JUNE CHERBOURG MAUPERTUS ETRETAT FIRST US ARMY INVALOGNES CORPS XXX LE HAVRE VNI CORPS SECOND BR ARMY VIII CORPS TROUVILLE XTX CORPS CORRS LESSAT BAKEUX XXX JERSEY CORPS CORPS CAEN TILLY 05140 TOURVILLE COUTANCES GRANVILLE VIRE ST. MALO CANCALE FLERS AVRANCHES ALENCON BENNES AVAL LE MANS I TOT DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER 1. Adverse weather forced the cancellation of 8th Air Force Strategic missions and limited the AEAF to some 570 sorties during the 24-hour period ending at sunrise 27 June. In addition to supporting our ground troops, the Tactical formations attacked railway bridges, roads and convoys. Four (probably five) of about 145 enemy aircraft operating over northern France and our beachhead areas were destroyed for a loss of one fighter bomber. 2. The 131 flying bombs launched during this period brings the cumulative total of these missiles dispatched against England to 1,478 up to the morning of 27 June. Of these, 1,123 reached the coast, 538 penetrating to the London area. In all, 219 have been destroyed by aircraft, 149 by antiaircraft fire, and 23 by barrage balloons. The total of casualties inflicted by these bombs is now placed at 11,726. 3. On 27 June, 251 escorted 8th Air Force bombers were dispatched to attack four Pas de Calais launching sites for enemy flying bombs and a French railroad tunnel. Formations totalling 520 fighters were airborne to dive-bomb and machine-gun German communications in France. 4. An enemy arsenal, the last strong point in Cherbourg, surrendered to troops of the VII Corps early on 27 June. As of noon on that day mopping-up operations were in progress throughout the city; port clearance units and mine sweepers had commenced to clear the harbor area. Other forces were operating against remnants of enemy forces trapped on the - 1 - 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 IO 12 14 16 18 20 Okiel 54 52 PEmden BIRE Brenien + Londone o OBerlin ORotterdam 52 50 CALAIS 6 oBrussels Cologne OLeipzig 20 Abbeville TOP o Frankfurt Progue 50 4g 0 o OSD Letter, 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIED Paris °Rennes o Noncy o valse Decube O-Tours o Munich Vienna 48 Budopest 46 o Bern Bolzono 46 4 ZAGRES Lyon Bordeaux OMilon Trieste 44 o 4 BROD CHERSO o Toulouse Bologno 44 CENTRAL EUROPE o o OSplit 42 50 o 50 100 ISO 200 a STATUTE MILES 2 o 2 6 8 10 12 14 16 16 29-24)71ABCD-500 DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 eastern and western tips of the Peninsula. Southeast of Tilly-sur-Seulles, British Second Army troops made gains up to two miles, pushing to Tourville on the Caen-Vire highway despite determined resistance by German infantry and armored units. 5. Casualties of Allied invasion forces from 6 June to 20 June inclusive follow: Killed Wounded Missing Total US Forces 3,082 13,121 7,959 24,162 British Forces 1,842 8,599 3,131 13,572 Canadian Forces 363 1,359 1,093 2,815 Totals 5,287 23,079 12,183 40,549 MEDITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 25-26 June, 79 Allied bombers attacked an oil refinery at Budapest with 183 tons of explosives; seven failed to return. Twenty medium and fighter bombers attacked roads in the Pisa- Florence area and started large fires in hangars at the Arezzo airdrome. The next day, when heavy bombers were striking targets in the Vienna area, as reported yesterday, Tactical fighter bombers flew more than 600 sorties, attacking enemy positions in the battle area and communi- cations and gun positions as far north as Bologna. Seventeen enemy sorties were observed during the day; two (probably three) enemy air- craft were shot down and four were destroyed on the ground for a loss - 2 - og ANNY + 01 : o CORPS X HIHDI3 BR VNOONV VISORIA C 111% "No 05Y7 7) CORPS FRENCH FANO 09(MINO NYS MONTALCINO SAMOS *AREZZO M ПРАСИ SAM VINCENZO PLORENCE 8 9 LEGIORN VN007091 VIAREGGIO VN300W 3N00 2 27 JUNE EXTINGS APPROXIMATE OSD Letter, 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 of two P-47's. Coastal aircraft damaged the Viareggio docks, road and railway installations near Fano, harbor installations at Cherso, and destroyed ten parked enemy aircraft and 41 locomotives in the Zagreb area. One schooner was sunk and another damaged off the Dalmatian coast. The night of 26-27 June, 80 heavy bombers of the 15th Air Force attacked an oil refinery in the Trieste area with 185 tons of bombs. Next day, 148 escorted B-17's bombed targets in Budapest while 182 other escorted heavy bombers, unable to penetrate a heavy overcast in that area struck the Brod, Yugoslavia, railroad yards with observed effect. Of some 60 enemy fighters encountered over target areas, 26 (probably 32) were destroyed; four B-17's and two P-51's are missing. 2. Our IV Corps, throwing a fresh division into the line, captured San Vincenzo and reached the outskirts of Sassetta during 26 June. To the east our armored drives continued to gain ground despite enemy artillery fire and mine fields; one thrust advanced two miles north of Montieri. French Colonial troops, despite stubborn enemy resistance along the entire front, were successful in pushing forward on the left of their corps sector, gaining to within two miles of Montalcino and San Quirico. The British Eighth Army reported minor advances west of Lago Trasimeno and northeast of Perugia. ASIATIC THEATER 1. On 25 June, Chinese troops captured Hsiangta, ten miles south of Lungling and occupied a village six miles east of Mangshih. East - 3 - LEDO KOHIMA KAMAING OSD Letter, 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIES UKHRVL MOGAUNG Brohmaputre TENGCHUNG* SILDHAR IMPHAE LUNGLING DISHENPUR MANGSH LH ANGT EC PINGKA CHITTAGONG N. BURMA APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT £ 0 25 50 E DER APPROXIMATE MILES AKYAB ror DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 and northeast of Lungling heavy, but apparently inconclusive, fighting continued. The Allied drive on Tengchung continued with Chinese forces reaching a point ten miles northeast of the city. The next day Allied troops in northern Burma captured Mogaung; other units continued to operate against enemy forces remaining between Mogaung and Kamaing. Mopping-up operations also continued along the Kohima-Imphal road. South of Imphal British troops cleared the enemy from positions two miles east of Palel. Southwest of Bishenpur, Allied troops, after repulsing several enemy attacks, regained positions yielded in previous fighting. 2. The formation of six B-25's and 17 P-40's which attacked a bridge in the Chenghsien area on 25 June was intercepted by approximately ten hostile fighters of which six (probably eight) were destroyed. Eight P-40's over Hengyang shot down three (probably eight) enemy air- craft. Other formations continued their attacks against enemy communi- cations and troop movements in the Hengyang-Changsha area. B-25 missions, supporting operations on the Salween front, destroyed a bridge near Pingka, scored a direct hit on another near Mangshih, and caused large explosions among military installations near Tengchung. Twenty-seven P-40's machine-gunned enemy strong points and motor columns in the Lungling and Tengchung areas. In a night attack, 14 B-24's made a damaging strike against the Hankow docks, leaving large fires burning. - 4 - $ a N Assongeong L - 7 - Agriben 1. = , Pagen L - CAROLINE AND MARIANAS IS. + Alamogen 1. Ouguan L. e . Sorigon 1. so o so 100 150 200 250 Anotahen Le HARMAN Ar Medinillo L SCALE OF MILES . Salpen I. Tenion if Aquijon L Rote I Quen a OSD DECLASSIFIES Letter, 5-3-72 TOP UIIIN is # 1 Fale - má Geferal L Otel . Mell Ya Ngoia is. is. 0 PHILIPPINE is Security West Feys 1. Passion I, (Mindando 0 Date Ollmaros is Pulop is 6 Truk is Lamotreir is. Date 12ᵗ tais is "Puluest is. Ngemelle is Enuripik is Palmack is o A . o L I N E - $ J A N D $ Sensoral is Pule Anna 1, Marin 1. Taleud is Table 1. Malen I. Moretal 1. 1. Sorong Manokwari BIAK I. VOGELKO NOEMFOOR I. JAPEN L RANSIK1 ADMIRALTY IS. MAFFIN BAY CERAM Gealvink Bay SEA Bobo Kovieng Hollandia Fok Fak Altage NEW RELAND TOI Wewok Hanso Bay Robout VUNAPORE KEAWKWA Modong KEI IS. C.Gloucester, Toloseo WIDE BAY # pSoldor BR AROE IS. Gosmoto Los TANIMBAR IS. OSD Letter, 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIED Mercukeg oBuno NEW GUINEA Port Moresb 100 so o 100 200 300 MILES TOP SECTION DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. Numerous small enemy counterattacks against Allied positions at the east end of Maffin airfield were repulsed on 26 June. Previously unreported air action for 25 June includes an attack by 21 B-24's against the airdrome on Yap where one plane was set afire on the ground and eight (probably nine) of some 25 intercepting fighters were shot down for the loss of one of our heavy bombers. The next day, over western New Guinea, 27 B-24's together with 13 medium and light bombers, attacked installations on Noemfoor Island; 15 B-24's bombed the Ransiki dispersal areas starting fires. Small numbers of B-24's harassed Sorol, Palau, Woleai, and Japen islands and damaged two cargo vessels in the Ceram Sea, leaving one sinking. Other Allied planes bombed Cape Chater on Timor, badly damaged a freighter-transport in attacks against shipping off Vogelkop Peninsula, and raided villages in the Keawkwa area (Dutch New Guinea). Formations totalling more than 100 bombers and fighters attacked camps, bivouacs, and storage areas between Wewak and Aitape, while other missions supported our operations in the Maffin Bay area and on Biak Island. The Vunapope area in northeastern New Britain was hit with 33 tons on 25 June. Targets at Wide Bay were bombed and machine-gunned by 24 B-25's and eight Navy fighters. Other aircraft harassed targets on New Ireland and Bougainville. 2. During 25 June, formations totalling 51 Navy and Marine dive - 5 - DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 TOP 16° 20* n° 28* AUNAS Tajim ISTHMUS Sex Name Rige Der Valinie Lum 0 56° Mamel Kounge others 2 LEPEL Come Orsho o Sex 14° Miller zip Bryanak o, H SOBRUISK 52+ - 52" Liferse Kunk Bresijo Rowns Rier 50* Cregow 50° Lest Bandyshan # / 4 // 48° Krivel Reg o o Budspest 46° sur 44° Constants 10" 18" 24° à - NO" 18* 34° TOP SECRE DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 and fighter bombers harassed enemy gun positions on Taroa and Wotje. EASTERN FRONT In the central sector of the eastern front, Red Armies continued to score advances during 27 June. The vital communication center of Orsha has been taken and street fighting was reported to be in progress in Bobruisk and Mogilev. Southwest of Vitebsk, the Soviets were advanc- ing on Lepel. - 6 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 930 0700 June 26 to 0700 June 27, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 Okiel 54 5.5 5 PEmden PBremen sing IJMUIDEN + London Berlin ORotterdam 52 DUISBURG 6 CALAIS Brussels Cologne OLeipzig o 20 CHERBOURG Abbeville DIEPPE FAUVILLE o Frankfurt Progue o 50 ROUEN TOP SECRET 48 EVREUX 0 Poris ORennes Noncy o OSD Letter, 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIED Lafre secure O-Tours o Munich 48 Vienna 46 Budopest o Bern o o Bolzono 46 4 Lyon RBordeoux 44 OMilon o Trieste GENOA o Toulouse Bologno 9 SPEZIA 44 CENTRAL EUROPE o o OSplit 42 50 o 50 100 150 200 0, STATUTE MILES 2 o 2 4 6 8 10 12 (4) IS 18 17117-200 TOP SECT DECLASSIFIED QSD Letter, 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE During 25 June, two 11th Air Force B-24's dropped six 500-pound incendiary bombs on Cape Kurabu at the southeastern tip of Paramushiro. EUROPEAN THEATER 1. In four strikes during a 17-hour period ending at mid-morning 25 June, 1,384 RAF bombers dropped 5,446 tons of explosives on launching sites for flying bombs in the Pas de Calais and Dieppe-Rouen areas; 27 bombers were lost in these operations. Harassing raids were carried out during the nights of 24 and 25 June against Berlin, a steel works at Ijmuiden, Holland, and the Meerbeek synthetic oil refinery near Duisburg. During 8th Air Force operations on 25 June against power stations, airdromes, and other targets in France, 950 heavy bombers, escorted by 1,025 fighters, dropped a total bombload of 2,244 tons. Twenty-eight enemy aircraft were destroyed against a loss of 16 heavy bombers and two fighters. Forty-one other fighters attacked an airfield in the Evreux-Fauville area. Unfavorable weather cancelled 8th Air Force missions on 26 June. The AEAF flew more than 2,675 sorties during the 24-hour period ending at sunrise 26 June, supporting our ground operations in France by attacks against railway installations, bridges, launching sites, fuel dumps and enemy strong points. Thirty-four (probably 36) enemy aircraft were destroyed for a loss of two fighters. 2. About 150 enemy aircraft operated over our beachhead areas - 1 - OF DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 TOP SECRET COTENTIN PENINSULA ID 5 o R to so MILES LINE AS OF 25 JUNE LINE AS OF 26 JUNE CHERBOURG ETRETAT VALOGNES VII COMPS FIRST US ARMY LE HAVRE VII CORPS SECOND BR ARMY VIII CORPS XXX TROUVILLE CORPS 5 1 LESSAY CORPS BANEUX XXX CORPS JERSEY CORPS CAEN ENTO TYLLY HAUT COUTANCES ou BOSQ GRANVILLE VIRE ST. MALO #CANCALE FLERS AVRAVRANCHES ALENCON RENNES AVAL LE MANS TOD 1 DECLASSIFIED OBD Letter, 5-3-72 during this period. Ninety-five flying bombs were launched across the Channel, 90 reaching the English coast, 32 penetrating the London area and 14 reaching Portsmouth, Southhampton and the Isle of Wight areas; 35 were destroyed in the air. As of 0600 24 June, an estimated 1,202 flying bombs had been launched over the English coast. Of the 894 which reached the English coast, 448 penetrated to the London area and 391 caused damage elsewhere; 414 were destroyed by fighter aircraft and other defenses; more than 10,000 casualties have been reported of which 1,267 were deaths. 3. Elements of all three divisions of the VII Corps were engaged in fierce street fighting with the enemy inside Cherbourg at noon 26 June. Enemy resistance was reported deteriorating. Other elements outside the city continued mopping up operations but the enemy was reported still holding an airfield seven miles east of Cherbourg. A special communique from Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Forces, reveals that the liberation of Cherbourg was completed late on 26 June. Lt. Gen. Von Schlieben, commander of the enemy's troops in the Cherbourg area and Admiral Hennecke, Normandy sea defense commander, have been captured by our troops. To the south the VIII Corps registered a slight gain near the west coast. In the British sector, elements of the Second Army were engaged in heavy fighting southeast of Tilly-sur-Seulles; to the east other units attacked southward capturing four towns including Le Haut du Bosq and placing forward troops within two miles of the Caen- Vire highway. - 2 - DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 ФОР SECRET N PIOMBINO SUVERETO MASSA MONTIERI MONTICIANO o RIMINI 5 CORPS FRENCH CHIUS EWGO TRASIMENO CORPS MAGTONE BR XLHT **** CORPS PERÚGIA BRe ANOONA 1FTH PORVIETO CORPS ENTINO EVITERSO ALDAROL E LOWTH ARTICY TERMI ORIETI . ROME POLI ORF APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT 26 JUNE 25 JUNE PESCARA DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 4. By nightfall 24 June, 703,700 troops, 114,134 vehicles, and 285,536 tons of supplies had been landed on our Normandy beachhead. MEDITERRANEAN 1. In operations on 25 June, during which heavy bombers attacked targets in the Rhone delta with a loss of four heavy bombers and one fighter, Tactical aircraft flew 290 sorties hitting rail communications in the Genoa-Spezia area and targets behind the battle area. Two fighters are missing. Coastal aircraft attacked shipping and other targets along the coasts of Italy and Dalmatia. The 15th Air Force dispatched 740 heavy bombers, escorted by 265 fighters, against targets in the Vienna area on 26 June; 1,515 tons of bombs were dropped on five oil refineries, two oil storage areas, an aircraft assembly plant, and a rail center. Aggressive enemy fighters intercepted and 83 (probably 87) were destroyed for a loss of 36 bombers and six fighters. A formation of 72 B-17's escorted by 55 P-51's of the 8th Air Force, shuttling from bases in Russia, effectively attacked the oil refinery at Drohobyez, Poland, with 140 tons of explosives. No enemy opposition was encountered and all of the planes landed at Italian bases under the additional cover of 47 Italian-based fighters. 2. The American IV Corps registered substantial gains during 25 June, capturing Piombino and Massa and thrusting infantry and armored columns to the outskirts of Suvereto, Montieri and Monticiano. In attacking west of Lago Trasimeno, British forces captured Chiusi, inflict- ing heavy casualties on the Germans and capturing many prisoners. East - 3 - LEDO River *KONIMA KAMAING CHOBAUNG WOSHAN Brohmaputra UKHRUL SILCHAR IMPHAL TOI LUNGLING / TENONS HOL OSD Letter. 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIED CHITTAGONG MANDAERY N. BURMA APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT E o 25 50 e ORDER APPROXIMATE MILES AKYAB 24-20087-200 H* ⑉ 100° 102° 104° 106° 108° NO* Nº 114° US* - 120° Iff 124° 124° È 130* IMP € PEIPING M M° THEM / DAIREN à 34° Ser E L 4. o . 34" e CHENGHSIES LOYANG Γ NAC N°5 THE M° CHEMOTU 4 Yangize SHANGHAI CHINA countring Tangling HANKOW 08D Letter, 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIED CHANGSIA N° HENGYANG LUNGLING 24° FORMOSA 1 22" CHUCK NO* CHINA SOUTH CHINA 5 as o so 130 ISO and HAINAN SCALE OF MILES ARM 100° OF 104° IDEP 108° NO° È ⑉ 118° 120° 124° 100° TOP I DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter. 5-3-72 of the lake British armored units reported Magione held in strength by the enemy. In the Adriatic sector reconnaissance troops located strong enemy garrisons in Caldarola and Tolentino. ASIATIC THEATER 1. On the Salween front, enemy counterattacks northeast and southeast of Lungling were repulsed during 24 June. The next day, Chinese troops in northern Burma captured the southern half of Mogaung, seizing much equipment. Other units were engaged in clearing the enemy from portions of the main road leading northwest to Kamaing. In Manipur, Allied troops mopped up scattered groups of Japanese east and west of the Kohima-Imphal road. Allied fighter planes strafed villages, troop concentrations and supply dumps in the Ukhrul area. 2. Additional reports for 23 June indicate that 20 B-24's effectively struck the Hankow docks; one B-24 is missing. Fighter bombers raided an enemy-held airfield at Hengyang and traffic on the Siang River. Chinese-American aircraft carried out 30 sorties over the Yellow River area. On 24 and 25 June, 14th Air Force missions operated over the Hengyang-Changsha and Yellow River areas inflicting heavy casualties and damaging a bridge north of Chenghsien. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. During 25 June extensive patrolling continued on Biak. Our forces at Maffin Bay operated against enemy positions on hills east and southeast of the airdrome. Casualties inflicted on the Japanese to date - 4 - TOT Sorong Manokwari BIAK | VOGELKOR NOEMFOOR JAPEN I. ADMIRALTY IS. MAFFIN BAY Geelvink Boy Bobo Kevleng Hollandia Fex Fox Altape NEW IRELAND AWewok HOTS TOI Hansa Boy Rebout Modang KEI IS. C. Gloucester, Tolesee a (Selder AROE IS. Gosmoto Los 4-OSD Letter, 5-3-72 DECLASSIFIED TANIMBAR IS. Marouke, oBune NEW GUINEA Port Moresberg 100 50 o 100 200 300 MILES DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-78 149° 45' 145°50' Marpi Pt. Banadiqu inogao Pt. Marpi OTsukimi I. Motonso 15° 15' Tonapog TANAPAG HARBOR at Gerapon Donne ML TopofChou : KAGMAN 9EN, MAGIGIENNE Charen-Konee B.A.Y SAIPAN ISLAND o NAUTICAL MILES APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT 25 JUNE APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT 24 JUNE NAFUTAN PEN. EAST 145°45' 148°80' ------------ 101 SECRE DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 in our operations in western New Guinea total 9,327 dead and 689 prisoners of war. During the night of 24-25 June, B-24's harassed Truk and Palau. The next day supply installations and troop concentrations on Noemfoor Island were targets for 44 B-24's; large fires and explosions resulted. A total of 142 Allied planes delivered 68 tons of explosives to the Wewak area, hitting bivouacs, supply dumps, and barge hideouts. In the Maffin Bay area, 74 medium light and fighter bombers attacked enemy posi- tions along the rivers leading inland from the coast. During the night of 23-24 June and the following day, more than 100 bombers continued the neutralization of Rabaul targets with 80 tons of explosives. Other missions harassed Kavieng, raided Bougainville targets, and attacked supply dumps and barges on the west coast of New Ireland. 2. During 24 June, 15 B-24's of the 7th Air Force dropped more than 37 tons of explosives on Truk. Two other B-24's and nine B-25's dropped ten tons on gun positions at Ponape. Fighter bombers struck at targets on Wotje. 3. On 25 June our forces on Saipan pushed more than a mile above Magicienne Bay, occupying the Kagman Peninsula. To the west, other troops had scaled Mt. Tapotchau and were in the southern part of Garapan Village. An enemy strong point in the middle of our line was being reduced by point-blank artillery fire. There was no significant change in the Nafutan Peninsula sector. Thirty-six enemy tanks have been - 5 - TOP SECRET DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 LAKE LADOGA AUNAS ISTHMUS 16* IF 20° 12" 24° 28" Leningred EASTERN FRONT 50 o 50 100 ISO 200 SCALE OF MILES LAKE Bex PELPUS 1 Rigo Sex Valible Leti e 14" Monther Mamel - Kounes other ai E Bex 14" altu Bryana 0 BOBRUTSK ZHLOBIN H PRIPED HARRHES 1 Be- Wine 52° G bine Kurah Breal Findy dier to 50° Crospe BROHOBYEV Last Berdysher D 48° // 48° Krivel Reg o Budgest Nikelsev Oderas 40 44° MUS Buthorest 44° 44° NO* à 24" 26" % N° N° 34° TOP SECRET DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 destroyed and forty captured. Our casualties to 1800, 24 June were: 967 killed, 5,209 wounded, 1,200 missing. EASTERN FRONT The Red Army continued on the offensive from Lake Peipus to the Pripet Marshes during 26 June. Vitebsk has fallen, and Orsha and Mogilev have been partially encircled. Farther to the south, the Red Army has taken Zhlobin and continues its drive on Bobruisk. On the Aunas Isthmus, substantial gains were made east of Lake Ladoga. - 6 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 929 0700 June 25 to 0700 June 26, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 IO 12 14 16 18 20 Okiel 54 22 5 PEmden FIRST Bremen with + London 9Berlin ORotterdam 52 5 CALAIS 5 BOULOGNE oBrussels Cologne OLeipzig 07 20 CHERBOURG Abbeville b AMIENS o Frankfurt Progue 50 e CAEN 48 o Poris ORennes o Noncy o g Laire ANGERS O-Tours o Munich 48 BOURGES Vienna AVORD Budopest o 46 o Bern o Bolzono 46 4 Lyon QBordeoux OMilon PTrieste 44 o IUME o Toulouse Bologna ? 44 CENTRAL EUROPE o o OSplit 42 50 o 50 100 150 200 0, STATUTE MILES 2 o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 IB 34-87117-300 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE Three 11th Air Force B-24's and four Navy medium bombers attacked Paramushiro and Shumushu Islands late on 24 June, starting large fires in the Kashiwabara-Kataoka areas. EUROPEAN THEATER 1. During 8th Air Force operations on 24 June, reported yesterday, airdromes and bridges in western France, targets in the Pas de Calais and Bremen areas were attacked with bombloads totalling 2,032 tons. Revised figures list seven enemy aircraft as destroyed for a loss of eight bombers and one fighter. A formation of 25 P-51's destroyed an additional 25 enemy planes on an airfield near Angers. More than 3,575 sorties were flown by the AEAF in support of our Normandy operations during the 24-hour period ending at sunrise 25 June. Included in these missions were strikes by 96 medium bombers which dropped 130 tons of explosives on suspected launching sites for flying bombs. Twenty-eight (probably 31) enemy aircraft were destroyed for a loss of five bombers and 20 fighters. More than 300 sorties were reported over our beachhead areas during this period. Sixty-one flying bombs were projected across the Channel, 53 reaching the coast and 28 penetrating to London; 22 were destroyed. One bomb hit Victoria Station, causing considerable blast damage but only partially disrupting traffic. The 8th Air Force dispatched 1,276 heavy bombers escorted by 1,252 fighters on 25 June against oil stores at Toulouse, airdromes at - 1 - TAB SECRET COMO BRESCIA MILAN VERONA VENICE PADUA TURIN CREMONA ALESSANDRIA FERRARA PARMA BOLOGNA GRAVENNA GENOA SAVONA RIMINI SPEZIA IMPERIA PESARO VIAREGGIO PISA FLORENCE PO VALLEY LEGHORN 10 o 20 40 60 APPROXIMATE MILES BASE MAP NO. 2804 (FREE) R & A,OSS 4 NOVEMBER 1943 REPRODUCED, 065 COTENTIN PENINSULA 10 5 o IO 20 30 MILES LINE AS OF 24 JUNE - INE AS OF 25 JUNE CHERBOURG ETRETAT TYANGONES CORPS XX LE HAVRE CORPS + TROUVILLE CORPS ESSAY CORPS JERSEY CORP XXX BREVILLE SCAEN DORRE Y-SUR- COUTANCES SEULLES GRANVILLE VIRE St MALO CANCALE + FLERS AVRANCHES ALENCON RENNES AVAL LE MANS DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 Toulouse, Avord, Bourges, bridges and airfields near Paris, electric power stations in the Amiens-Boulogne-Calais region and other targets in southern France. Twenty-three enemy aircraft were destroyed (four of these on the ground), for a loss of 13 bombers and four fighters. 2. Supported by air concentrations, the US VII Corps had penetrated Cherbourg defenses in places by noon on 25 June. Units entering from the east had reached the harbor on the outskirts of the city; in the western edge other forces captured a German fort and were about one-half mile from the sea. Our Naval bombardment silenced shore batteries whose fire had been heavy and accurate. The enemy was reported destroying his ammunition dumps and coastal guns in the area. A small area south- west of Cap Levy was still in German hands as was a strip three miles wide west of Cherbourg. In the British Second Army sector, local gains up to a mile were scored south and southeast of Tilly-sur-Seulles. Other Allied troops slightly enlarged the beachhead east of the Orne River on both sides of Breville in a movement to relieve the eastern beaches from enemy shell fire. MEDITERRANEAN 1. Although heavy bombers of the 15th Air Force were able to operate against Rumanian targets on 24 June, adverse weather hampered Tactical air operations in Italy. Some 250 light aircraft attacked enemy communications without aerial opposition. Coastal aircraft attacked enemy shipping and docks in the Viareggio and Venice areas, - 2 - PIOMO I FOLLONICA TORNIEULA US COMPSEL FRENCH CORRS BR. - XIJJ CORPS *PERUSIA + BR. X CORPS * ORVIETO THE ARMY EIGHTH - WAS ARMY VITERBO OTERNI GRIETI HOME POLISH CORPS APPROXIMATE LTNE of CONTACT 25 JUNE 24 JUNE PESCARA - LEGOV MOGAUNG BISHENPUR PACEL NING HOUKHONG 100/94 KALERA CALORITA MANIFACIES BUTRY DAUNG MAUNGDAM AKYABA > BENGAL & 0 z USASSEIN E RAMBOON a SULF of MARTABAN 0 T 7 0 ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 as o 30 100 150 APPROXIMATE MILES SPORT BLAIR - - DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 and shot down one enemy plane; two fighters are missing. On 25 June, 746 heavy bombers escorted by 217 fighters attacked bridges, yards, oil installations and other targets in the Rhone delta with 1,325 tons of explosives. Twenty-four P-47's strafed the Fiume area, hitting a destroyer and a radio station. Three (probably five) enemy aircraft were destroyed; three bombers and one fighter are missing. 2. American troops of the Fifth Army pushed through Follonica on 24 June while to the northeast our armored units approached Massa and Torniella easing the pressure on the left flank of the French Colonial Corps. The Eighth Army was finding stiff opposition in the Lake Trasimeno area. In the Adriatic coastal sector Italian infantry fanned out east and west of Abbadia. ASIATIC THEATER In the Salween sector there was confused fighting on 23 June east and northeast of Lungling. The attack on Mogaung continued without significant gains the next day. Below Bishenpur, British troops made local withdrawals. On 24 June Allied troops made local gains about Myitkyina. During 23 June Allied fighter aircraft supported ground operations on the Manipur, Salween and Changsha fronts. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. Our forces continued to reduce enemy resistance on Biak during 24 June with medium and light bomber support. Over 100 Allied aircraft - 3 - Sorong Manokwori BIAK L VOGELKOR NOEMFOOR I. JAPEN L ADMIRALTY IS. MAFFIN BAY MC CLUER Geelvink Boy Kavieng GULE Bobo Hollandia Fak Fak Altape Wewak DUKE OF YORK La Hansa Boy Reboul CRAPOPO GAZE PEN. Modong G. Gloucester, alased KEI IS. et Selder AROE IS. Gosmoto BANDA SEA TRANGAN L. Los TANIMBAR IS. Merouks oBwna NEW GUINEA Port Moresbye 100 50 o 100 200 300 MILES 24-85654-200 TOT DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 harassed enemy installations in the Wewak and Maffin Bay areas. Over northwestern New Guinea, an attack by 16 B-24's left several parked aircraft burning and caused fires and explosions at an airdrome near Sorong; B-24's bombed Truk and Palau. Medium and light bombers attacked shipping in McCluer Gulf and in the Banda Sea, airfields on Noemfoor and Trangan Islands, and gun positions on Timor. On 23 June, more than 100 Allied bombers pounded targets on the Gazelle Peninsula in operations that included an 81-ton attack on the Rapopo gun positions; one B-25 is missing. Medium bombers and fighters attacked buildings on Duke of York Island and Bougainville. 2. Lieutenant General George C. Kenney has assumed command of the Far East Air Forces (Provisional), Major General Ennis C. Whitehead has taken command of the Fifth Air Force and Major General St. Clair Streett of the 13th Air Force, all effective 15 June. 3. On 23 June, 15 B-24's of the 7th Air Force dropped 35 tons of bombs on Moen airfield and*Falalu Island (Truk). Other Central Pacific aircraft hit Wotje, Taroa, and Ponape during the day. EASTERN FRONT The Red Army's offensive in the central sector continued to progress during 25 June. Vitebsk was completely surrounded and troops were fighting in the town; to the south substantial advances were made toward Orsha and Mogilev. A pincers movement which threatens to cut off the - 4 - VIIPURI 16° IB* 80° IF 14° 28° 30° 32" jer M° eningred EASTERN FRONT New Tajam 50 o so 100 ISO 200 SCALE OF MILES Validie LA 0 Mosity Memal Rounee o B4+ - Bryone BORRON Ag+ the 12" Kund Breal I No* Cream 50° #) 48° Krivel Reg Budspest A 48" Kita o 44° 80° II" S4F : IF 10° 11" Sep T DECLASSIFIED GSD Letter, 5-3-72 important rail junction at Bobruisk is developing, advances up to 15 miles being reported to the north and south of that town. No gains were reported in the Viipuri sector, but the progress continued on the Aunas Isthmus. - 5 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 928 0700 June 24 to 0700 June 25, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) (2) 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 IO 12 14 16 18 20 JOKIel 54 52 PEmden Bremen FIRE + Londone o OBerlin ORotterdam o 52 50 6 oBrussels Cologne OLeipzig o 20 Abbeville + GIVET o Frankfurt Progue 50 o 48 NANTEGIL o Poris ORennes o Noncy o a Laire ORLEANS Danube Tours o Munich 46 Vienna Budopest 46 o Bern -SAINTES LIMOGES o Bolzono 46 4 Lyon QBordeoux OMilan PTrieste 44 o o Toulouse Bologno 9 VADO LIGURE 44 CENTRAL EUROPE o o OSpilt 42 50 0 50 100 150 200 a STATUTE MILES 2 o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 IS 24-57117-300 101 DECLASSIFIEB 9SD Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER 1. On 23 June, 308 heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force dropped more than 1,000 tons of explosives on enemy rocket launching sites in the Pas de Calais area, four airdromes around Paris and the Nanteuil bridge; 403 escorting fighters attacked German communications targets including the Givet railroad yards. Formations totalling 169 fighter bombers raided bridges and railroad yards southeast of Paris with 164 tons. Seven heavy bombers and three fighters were lost during these operations. That night 417 RAF planes attacked enemy flying bomb sites and other targets in the Calais area with 1,966 tons of explosives; 205 bombers dropped 948 tons on rail centers at Saintes and Limoges. Thirty-one Mosquitoes hit Bremen with 27 two-ton bombs. Seven bombers are missing from these missions. Nearly 2,400 sorties were flown by the AEAF during the 24-hour period ending at sunrise, 24 June, against railway centers, bridges, radar installations, launching sites and enemy strong points. Thirty-four (probably 36) enemy aircraft were destroyed for a loss of 18 fighters and fighter bombers. During this period over 200 enemy aircraft operated over our beachhead areas. One hundred forty-four flying bombs were launched across the Channel, 101 reaching land and 62 penetrating to London; 49 were de- stroyed. On 24 June, 8th Air Force formations totalling 1,055 bombers, escorted by 600 fighters, operated against bridges and airdromes in the Tours-Orleans area, an oil refinery and the port area at Bremen, and -1- COTENTIN PENINSULA - AS OF 24 JUNE 10 5. o ID 10 so AS OF 23 JUNE MILES CAP DE LA HAGUE CHERBOURG ETRETAT FIRST US ARMY VALOGNES CORPS LE HAVRE VNLD N CORPS SECOND BR ARMY XIX TROUVILLE CORPS LESSAY BANEUX 5 CORPS XXX JERSEY CAEN CORPS CORPS CHARDONNERETTE COUTANCES GRANVILLE O'VINE ST. MALO ©CANCALE LEMS AVRANCHES ALENCON RENNES AVAL MANS Tor BECRET DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 suspected launching sites for enemy flying bombs. A fourth mission of 146 bombers was recalled due to weather. Four enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground against a loss of four bombers and one fighter. 2. During the past 24 hours, the VII Corps continued to tighten its grip on the Cherbourg area; as of noon on 24 June, its forward elements were within two miles of the heart of the city. Four miles west of the port our forces had driven to within three miles of the north coast of the peninsula; six miles to the east they were within one mile of the coast. Troops of the British Second Army were reported in complete control of Chardonnerette; at least fifteen enemy tanks were destroyed during the heavy fighting for the town. 3. A convoy of small enemy ships attempting to escape from Cherbourg harbor was intercepted by light coastal forces off Cap de la Hague. Two enemy vessels were destroyed and three more are believed sunk. 4. By the evening of 20 June (D plus 17) 656,250 troops, 107,711 vehicles, and 249,337 tons of supplies had been landed on our Normandy beachheads. MED ITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 22-23 June, Allied heavy bombers hit rail yards and an oil refinery in the Vado Ligure area with 98 tons of bombs. The next day, while strategic bombers hit oil refineries and railway - 2 - T ENA o RIMINI S FRENCI GARP OVITERDO- ANY BRIETI ROME ISH COM MATE L-INE Cont JUNE JUNE PESCARA no Tor DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 yards in Italy, Rumania and Yugoslavia, adverse weather limited tactical aircraft to 130 sorties over the battle area. Coastal aircraft flew offensive sweeps over Yugoslavia and Albania, raiding enemy transportation, roads and bridges. Two fighters were lost during these operations. On 24 June, 377 heavy bombers escorted by 306 fighters operated against railway installations at Piatra and Craiova, and an oil refinery installation at Ploesti; 851 tons of bombs were dropped. Of approximately 80 enemy aircraft encountered over the target areas 22 (probably 28) were destroyed against a loss of 14 B-24's and one P-51. 2. During 23 June, the US IV Corps launched an attack west of the Ombrone River along its entire front. Paced by armored columns which drove five to eight miles northward on the two roads to Siena, our forces cap- tured Roccastrada, M. Alio and Tatti and scored gains of between three and seven miles in the valleys north of Highway No. 1. Reconnaissance elements operating along the Tyrrhenian coast captured Follonica. The French Corps was engaged along its entire front and encountering bitter resistance and well-concealed mines. The British XIII Corps, whose patrols confirmed the strength of enemy positions west of Lake Trasimeno, launched an attack as scheduled and scored local gains; patrols of the X Corps reached Corciano and M. S. Croce. On the front of the Polish Corps active patrolling but no significant changes were reported. ASIATIC THEATER 1. Chinese troops entered the southern part of Mogaung on 23 June. - 3 - TOP Sorong Manokwari BIAK | o VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR MOKMER JAPEN L ADMIRALTY IS. MAFFIN BAY Gestving Boy Babo Hollandia Kovieng 9 Fak Fox Altope &Wewok Hansa Boy Robout KEI IS. Madang C.Gloucester, Talasea el ward oSeldor AROE IS. Gosmoto Los TANIMBAR IS. Mercuke oBuno NEW GUINEA Port Moresble 100 50 0 100 200 300 MILES o 2 Assongeong 1. , 7 . Agriken L Pagen & CAROLINE AND MARIANAS IS. + Alomagon 1. Seguen 1. Sorigan 1. so o so IDO ISO 200 aso Anotahen Le CHERHE = Medinitis I. SCALE OF MILES Salpan I. Tenion if Aquijes 1. Rate 1. Guen " UDIN is 1 Fais L ml Geferat I Clai 14. Ngviu is Forevies in. Mall Na 0 PHILIPPINE is. Serei is West Fays I (Mindonee () Pikeist 1. Palas is Olimarce is Pulep is Lamotrair # - Truk is Welson is Elate 1st - is "Priver is Ngamelic is. Eouripis is 16. 0 A # o L I N E I 5 L A N D 5 Sensoral is. Pule Anna L 1. Marin L Televé is Tabl I Helen 1. Morchal I FOT DECLASSIFIED 5-3-72 Other units were approaching the city from the northeast and southeast; heavy fighting continues around the town. Local gains were reported in Myitkyina. On other sectors of the Burma-India fronts, no significant changes were reported. 2. During the night of 21-22 June, three B-24's attacked the Port Blair airfield in the Andaman Islands. One B-24 was lost in the Bay of Bengal. The next day, fighter bombers attacked enemy transport and ammunition dumps in the Manipur sector and destroyed at least four river craft along the Arakan coast. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. US troops on Biak cleared an enemy strongpoint north of Mokmer airfield on 23 June. Enemy positions east of the Maffin airdrome on New Guinea are being reduced. 2. Additional reports for 22 June indicate B-24's attacked Yap Island airdrome with 33 tons of bombs, destroying 12 (probably 20) aircraft on the ground and starting large fires. Other B-24's hit the western Carolines, dropping 18 tons on the airstrip at Woleai, destroying a pier at Sorol, and hitting buildings on Ulithi. The next day, 38 B-24's again hit Yap, Sorol and Woleai, dropping 64 tons and destroying two aircraft on the ground; one B-24 was lost. Enemy installations along the New Guinea coast from Wewak to Aitape were raided by Allied aircraft. A-20's supported ground forces in the Maffin Bay area and bombed airdromes on Noemfoor Island. Four Dutch B-25's raided shipping in the Banda Sea; a 1500-ton vessel and - 4 - 18" 20* 14° DE* N° se eningred EASTERN FRONT Tajim 50 0 50 8 50 200 SCALE OF MILES à is Wiss Se+ Velinie Leti e 14" Monity Mamel THE Kounce required others Danna Orshig o B4+ 54° Moglier Mifia Bryansk H 52° affress 52° brief D Kuna Rowns (Ries 50* 50° Cresse Bertyster o 0 $ Carrier // 48° 0 Krivel Reg o Budgest Nikeleen Oderas 4g* o 48° Ketan Brosse PLOESTI leming 44" IATRA CRAIOVA Constants 10* : 24" 14* IF SC* 34" 34° 145° 45' 145° 50' Morpi Pt. Banadêqu inaged Pt. Morpi OTsubimi 1. 15° Motonso ist 15 Tonogog TANAPAG HARBOR nt Gerapan Donna M1. Topotchou 15" 15° 10 10 MAGICIENNE Cheren-Konos BAY SAIPAN ISLAND e # 3 MAUTICAL WILES -APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT 22 JUNE APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT 23 JUNE NAFUTAN PT. CAST 143°45' COR DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 two smaller ships were left burning; one B-25 was lost. The Rabaul supply areas were attacked by more than 85 bombers and fighters during 22 June. Other aircraft bombed the Kavieng airfield, destroyed buildings along the coast of New Ireland and set fire to a barge in the Buka area. 3. On 22 June, 13 B-24's dropped 28 tons of bombs on an airfield at Truk and two others raided gun positions at Ponape. Navy and Marine planes hit Taroa and Wotje during the day. 4. Combined Army and Marine forces, supported by heavy naval, air and artillery concentrations, launched an attack on 23 June against the Garapan-Magicienne Bay line, scoring advances up to one-half mile. The Japanese-held southeastern tip of Saipan Island was being reduced by one regimental combat team. EASTERN FRONT NEot Leningrad The Red Army's offensive on the Aunus Isthmus pushed forward in gains of from 12 to 15 miles along the entire 100-mile front. In the Vitebsk sector, the Russian spearheads around the city from the north and from the south have closed to within 13 miles. - 5 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 927 0700 June 23 to 0700 June 24, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 IO 12 14 16 18 20 Kiel 54 52 PEmden HAMBURG Bremen + BITO + Londong BRUNSWICK o Berlin ORotterdam o BUER 52 50 6 oBrussels Cologne OLeipzig 20 CHERBOURG WESSELING Abbeville a o Frankfurt Progue 50 ROUEN AON 48 REIMS o Poris ORennes o Nancy o Lafte Decube Tours o Munich 48 Vienno 4€ Budopest o Bern o Bolzono 46 4 Lyon RBordeoux 44 OMilan o Trieste o Toulouse Bologna 9 44 CENTRAL EUROPE VENTIMIGL o o OSplit 42 50 o 50 100 150 200 0, STATUTE MILES 2 o 2 4 6 a 10 12 14 16 18 34-57117-300 DECLASSIFIED 09D Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER 1. The raid against German synthetic oil plants on 20 June was one of the most effective blows ever struck at the German war machine by the 8th Air Force. Severe damage was caused at each of 12 plants hit and to an aircraft wing repair plant near Brunswick. The 8th Air Force combat wings which went on to shuttle bases in Russia after attacking oil refineries and installations at Ruhland on 21 June lost three bombers and two escorting fighters; six enemy planes were shot down. 2. On the night of 21-22 June 237 heavy bombers of the RAF hit the Buer and Wesseling synthetic oil plants with more than 1,300 tons of bombs; Mosquito bombers raided Berlin and Kiel. One enemy plane was destroyed for a loss of 46 of the bombers. During 22 June, 947 escorted heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force dropped 2,295 tons of bombs on the enemy's bomb launching sites in the Pas de Calais area and bridges, oil depots, airdromes, and railroad in- stallations between Ghent and Tours; 672 escorting aircraft attacked enemy transportation and aircraft hangars in the area. Five (probably six) enemy planes were shot down for a loss of 11 heavy bombers and six fighters. One hundred and ninety-eight RAF bombers also attacked Pas de Calais targets with 791 tons during the day. That night 280 other Allied heavy and medium bombers dropped 791 tons of bombs on railroad installations at Laon and Rheims, hit Rouen and Hamburg with smaller bombloads and laid sea mines off the northwest coast - 1 - COTENTIN PENINSULA 10 1 o ID 20 so MILES LINE AS OF 21 JUNE - LINE AS OF 22 JUNE CHERBOURG ST PIERRE EGLISE ETRETAT WALVAGNES FIRST US ARMY LE HAVRE VII CORPS SECOND BR ARMY TROUVILLE CORPS LESSAT V BANEUX CORPS CORPA XXX JERSEY CORPS CAEN CHARDONNERET TE COUTANCES GRANVILLE OVINE ST. MALO #CANCALE ELERS WAVRANCHES ALENCON GRENNES AVAL LE MANE TOP SECRET DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 of France; nine heavy bombers were lost. 3. More than 4,500 sorties were flown by the AEAF in support of our ground operations in France during the 24-hour period ending at sunrise 23 June, a large part of their efforts being concentrated in the Cherbourg area. Twenty (probably 24) enemy airplanes were destroyed for a loss of five bombers and 42 light aircraft. During this period 90 enemy aircraft operated over the Cherbourg and beachhead areas. One hundred thirty-four flying bombs were reported over the UK;115 of these reached the English coast, 77 penetrating the London area where nearly 1,000 casualties were reported. Serious incidents included one in Holborn. Forty-six of the missiles were destroyed in the air. 4. The 8th Air Force dispatched 241 bombers and 176 escorting fighters on 23 June to attack enemy bomb launching installations in the Pas de Calais area. Four hundred thirty heavy bombers were scheduled to attack communication targets in France later in the day. 5. Enemy resistance stiffened as the VII Corps continued the attack on Cherbourg. The city defenses were bombed for 80 minutes during the afternoon of 22 June;this was followed by a thrust by our forces which was renewed at dawn 23 June and resulted in local gains. Progress also was reported on both flanks, our troops on the right being in control of the entire area north and east of St. Pierre Eglise. British troops of the Second Army entered Chardonnerette, northeast of Caen. Heavy fighting is - 2 - for SEOMS DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 still going on in this area. Increasing wind again hampered beach operations which were also hindered by mines, enemy aircraft, and shelling from the flanks. 6. Additional reports of resistance groups indicate that they have cut 175 rail lines in Belgium, 50 in central France, and 30 in northeastern France, including some of the main arteries. They have also carried out extensive sabotage against wire lines, particularly in the Lille and the Perigueux areas and in southeastern Belgium. They are reported to be largely in control of the area south of the Garonne River. 7. American battle casualties for the period 6 June to 21 June were: Killed Wounded Missing Total Ground Forces 3,155 15,307 9,175 27,637 Air Forces 128 187 1,780 2,095 3,283 15,494 10,955 29,732 MEDITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 21-22 June, 63 strategic bombers hit the Ventimiglia rail yards. The next day, while strategic bombers were attacking targets in northern Italy, tactical aircraft flew more than 780 sorties, attacking enemy transportation and communications in north central Italy. Coastal aircraft operating along the Yugoslavian and western Italian coasts sank a 1,000-ton ship and several smaller craft. No enemy air activity over the battle front was reported. On 23 June 403 heavy bombers and 316 fighters of the 15th Air Force were sent against oil refineries at Ploesti, a marshalling yard at Nis, and oil stores at Giurgiu, dropping a total bombload of 883 tons. - 3 - CORPS FRENCH BR. KWT PERUGA CORBS BR/ CORPS STATE 0 EIGHTH STEAR SRIET ROME APPROXIMATE I LANE CONTACT 23 JUNE 22 JUNE PESCARA CEROS DIMARK KOHIMA CHANGE TENGCHUNG CASCUTTA MANDACAYS MAUNGDAW AKYABA < BENEAL P 6 z REASSEIN E a BULF of MARTABAN F o T 7 B APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANOS 50 25 o 50 100 ISO APPROXIMATE MILES PORT BLAIR - - 14" SEP 100° 102° 104° 104° 108° HO" HE* 114° 116° use 120° 112° 124° 126° 129° 130° (32° PEIPING 10 38° DAIREN / KOREA N°) 34° 34% VELLOW * 34° LOYANG <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< SEA 115 SEAL NAI in 30° CHENGTU Yongize SHANSHAI River EAST CHINA 26° CHUNGRING Tungting State SEA CHANGIA 26" 24") HENGYANG or LINGLING 24° FORMOSA - FRENCH INDO HONSKONS MANGI EXP CHINA CHINA APPROX. LINE OF CONTACT SOUTH CHINA SEA 8 0 so 8 : BOX BAKLI HAINAN SCALE OF MILES HARBOR 100° - 104° IDE* 108° - HBP 114° 118° 118° 180° III" 184° OF - ---- TOP DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 Many enemy fighters were encountered. Thirty-two (probably 39). enemy aircraft were destroyed for a loss of ten bombers and six fighters. 2. The Fifth and Eighth Armies reported contact with the enemy along most of their fronts up to early morning of 23 June. An armored attack by units of our IV Corps made some progress; an enemy armored counterattack was repulsed. The French Corps was crossing the Orcia River. In the Eighth Army sector enemy artillery was particularly active. Polish troops crossed the Chienti River over which all bridges had been demolished and at last report were approaching Morrovalle and Montecosaro. ASIATIC THEATER 1. On 21 June the Chinese started an offensive southward toward Tengchung, reaching Ma-chang-kai, 13 miles north of the city on 21 June. Seven miles northeast of Lungling, other Chinese troops were forced back by a Japanese counterattack. On 22 June British troops from Imphal and Kohima made contact along the main road joining those two cities, opening up the line of communications from Imphal to Dimapur. A Japanese body of 300 to 500 men is holding out nineteen miles north of Imphal. Local fighting con- tinued south of Imphal where two enemy attacks were repulsed. 2. On 21 June, 14th Air Force aircraft damaged a large river steamer and attacked small craft in the Changsha area. The following day 13 B-24's, some of which attacked from low altitude, bombed dock installations at Bakli Harbor on the west coast of Hainan Island, sinking one (probably two) - 4 - Sorong Manokwari BIAK L RI VOGELA YORKER NOEMFOOR L JAPEN L ADMIRALTY IS. MAFFIN BAY Geelvink Bay Kovieng Babo Hollandia Fak Fak Altope Wewck Hansa Bay Roboul DUKE OF ORK 1. 4 Madang C.Gloucester, classe KEI IS. el ©Seldor AROE IS. Gosmote Los TANIMBAR IS. Marouked oBuna the NEW GUINEA Port Moresb 100 50 o 100 200 300 MILES 24-85854-200 145° 45' 145° 50' Morgi PL Benedery Inogao É Margi OTsukimi 1. 10ᵗʰ Motonso n° 11' Tanapog TANAPAG HARBOR nt Garapon Donne] ML Tepotches 15" 15" 10 10" MAGICIENNE Cheren-Kanos BAY -ASLITO SAIPAN ISLAND 0 NAUTICAL MILES APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT EAST 141945 148°80' SECRET DECLASSIFIED @SD Letter, 5-8-72 freighters and damaging a 250-foot naval vessel. Fighter planes of the Chinese-American Wing also supported ground operations in the Yellow River area. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. Following a night in which Japanese counterattacks were repulsed, our troops on Biak continued to mop up the airdrome areas on 22 June. In New Guinea our troops encircled enemy positions one-half mile east of the Maffin Bay airdrome. Allied aircraft pounded bivouacs, barges and communications in the areas around Aitape, Wewak and Maffin Bay. The Kamiri and Namber airdromes on Noemfoor Island were raided by light bombers while B-25's hit shipping in the Sorong area, sinking some small craft and damaging a 3,000-ton freighter. One B-25 was lost. 2. On Bougainville, 20 fighters set fire to fuel stores at Matchin Bay. Other missions, including five B-24's harassed the Rabaul area and destroyed buildings on Duke of York Island. 3. On 22 June our forces on Saipan pushed forward with gains of more than a mile on a line which ran southeast from Garapan, through Tapochau to Magicienne Bay. The situation in the southeast tip of the island was obscure. One squadron of Army fighters has landed at Aslito airfield. 4. Army and Navy fighters and bombers of the Central Pacific area - 5 - TOP VIIPURI Cake Orage 20° 22" N° 14" Laningrad EASTERN FRONT Tagine 2 0 2 8 no and SCALE OF MILES the Be+ Velitie Labi o se* Monity Mamel Kounes information odivia P Denie Drans o B4+ 14° Mogley I Oryane o of wine some 50° Breet fund Breeijo Firsting Riev BO+ Crasse 50° Lest Bandyshev o 4 Certain // 48° Rog o Budgest I I 44° 44° NO Bronow PLOESTI Suggerent 44° GIURGNIU Complete proce e. 20" 28* 24° à - 10* 50° 34° TOP DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 on 21 June hit gun positions on Wotje, Taroa and Ponape. Sixteen Army B-24's dropped 40 tons on two airfields at Truk, damaging runways and dispersal areas. EASTERN FRONT Red Army attacks increased in intensity along the entire front from Pskov to the Pripet marshes during 23 June, gains of ten miles being made north and south of Vitebsk which is now virtually isolated. On the Finnish front slight progress was reported in the Viipuri region; to the east, Soviet bridgeheads across the Svir River were extended. - 6 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 926 0700 June 22 to 0700 June 23, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(s) TOP SECRET DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 GENERAL The following is a digest of our Army Air Forces combat operations for May, 1944. Theaters of Operations Europe Med. SWPA So.Pac. Cent.Pac. China & India Total Total Number of Attacking Aircraft 56,048 36,498 10,808 4,070 1,142 5,837 114,403 Bomb Tonnage 53,943 42,622 6,526 3,513 1,413 2,405 110,422 Losses in Aerial Combat Heavy bombers 244 100 4 2 3 5 358 Light & Mediums 5 9 1 1 0 10 26 Fighters 180 70 o 2 o 19 271 Total Net Losses Heavy bombers 414 199 7 8 6 12 648 Light & Mediums 76 61 20 1 4 10 172 Fighters 475 256 20 9 10 31 801 Enemy Aircraft Destroyed in Aerial Combat Definitely 951 342 42 13 8 99 1,455 Probably 1,159 454 59 17 12 134 1,835 Total Enemy Aircraft Destroyed Definitely 1,155 442 83 24 8 119 1,831 Probably 1,366 583 103 29 12 156 2,249 WESTERN HEMISPHERE Lieutenant General Delos C. Emmons assumed command of the Alaskan Department on 21 June. - 1 - SECRET CENTRAL EUROPE L'AKE ONE MOGILEV Shartie POTSDAM RUHLAND Y KOVEL CALAIS MIRGOROD POLTAVA TARNAPOL TOP commine DECLASSIFIED GSD Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER 1. In the 21 June attacks of the 8th Air Force against Berlin, Potsdam, and other industrial targets in Germany and objectives in the Pas de Calais area 1,181 B-17's and B-24's dropped a total bombload of 2,515 tons. They were escorted by 1,283 fighters some of which also hit highway traffic and communications centers north and west of Paris. During these operations 40 (probably 63) enemy aircraft were destroyed for a loss of 50 bombers and five fighters. This does not include details from the formations which landed in Russia. During the night of 21-22 June the air base at Poltava used by our shuttle-bombing aircraft was subjected to a heavy air attack which lasted two hours, destroyed 53 B-17's and three other aircraft, and caused many Soviet casualties. The airdrome will be unserviceable for 48 hours. The next night German aircraft struck heavily at similar installations at Mirgorod. Although bomb dumps and fuel tanks were badly damaged our planes were unharmed, having been flown to other fields before sunset. 2. During the 24-hour period ending at sunrise 22 June, more than 2,400 sorties were flown by the AEAF in support of ground operations particularly in the Cherbourg area and against suspected launching sites for the enemy's pilotless planes; 15 (probably 16) enemy planes were destroyed during this period for the loss of 18 fighters and fighter- bombers. On 22 June the 8th Air Force dispatched 299 heavy bombers escorted - 2 - COTENTIN PENINSULA 10 5 0 10 20 so MILES LINE AS OF 21 JUNE - LINE AS OF 22 JUNE - CHERBOURG ST. PIERRE EGLISE ETRETAT FIRST US ARMY VALOGNES VII CORPS VN L CORPS LE HAVRE 2X18 SECOND BR. ARMY TROUVILLE CORPS CORPS LESSAT V BMEUX XXX JERSEY CORPS SCAEN cerps COUTANCES GRANVILLE (VIBE ST. MALO CANCALE FLERS AVRANCHES ALENCON RENNE AVAL LE MANS T DECLASSIFIED 5SD Latter, 5-3-72 by 270 fighters to attack 16 targets in the Pas de Calais area. 3. Of 52 pilotless aircraft reported over the Channel, 444 reached the English coast and 27 penetrated to the London area; 15 were destroyed by Allied aircraft. 4. Our VII Corps had reached the outer defenses of Cherbourg by 22 June. At noon, our 79th Division south of the city was meeting strong resistance. The 4th Division cut the main road between Cherbourg and St. Pierre Eglise and captured the latter town. The 9th Division on the left repulsed a counterattack on the afternoon of 21 June and continued its advance despite opposition. Reports indicate that the reinforcement or evacuation of Cherbourg by sea, if intended by the enemy, has been frustrated by adverse weather. Our VIII Corps made some gains south of the Douve River. The situation on the British Second Army front remained substantially unchanged. 5. Moderating wind permitted the resumption late on 22 June of unloading across beaches which had been suspended for three days. By the evening of 20 June, 628,045 persons had been landed. MEDITERRANEAN 1. On 21 June more than 160 medium bombers attacked shipping at Leghorn and bridges and viaducts in the Pisa-Florence area. Lighter aircraft bombed an ammunition dump at Fucecchio and the Novi Ligure airdrome and continued their close support of our ground forces. - 3 - TOP SBC COMO BRESCIA MILAN VERONA VENICE PADUA are TURIN * CREMONA o ALESSANORIA FERRARA PARMA ORNOVO DI TARO MODENA CASTELMAGGIORE 1.1 and BOLOGNA GRAVENNA GENDA SAVONA RIMINI SPEZIA PESARO IMPERIA PLAN FLORENCES PO VALLEY FUCECCHIO LEGHORN 10 o 20 40 60 APPROXIMATE MILES BASE MAP NO. 2804 (FREE) R& A,OSS 4 NOVEMBER 1948 REPRODUCED, 085 CONTACT COMPS FRENCH LAGO TRAS HIENO OR. CORPS PERUGIA DST X CORRS EIGHTH 150 DVA STEANI GRIETI ROME APPROXIMATE CONTACT 22 JUNE PESCARA 21 JUNE MOD DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 Coastal aircraft attacked targets in Yugoslavia and along the western coast of Italy; Corsica-based bombers and fighters hit rail installations in southern France. Seven aircraft were destroyed during the day for a loss of three of our fighters. The next day, a total of 751 escorted heavy bombers of the 15th Air Force attacked railroad yards in the Po Valley including those at Parma, Modena, Fornovo di Taro, Castelmaggiore, Ferrara and Bologna, and the Fiat Motor Works at Turin with 1,506 tons of explosives. Two (probably three) of the 65 enemy aircraft encountered were shot down for a loss of two heavy bombers and five fighters. 2. With improving weather during 22 June Polish troops on the Adriatic coast continued their rapid advance and at last reports were nearing the Chienti River south of Porto Civitanova. The British Eighth Army encountering strong enemy resistance north of Perugia and southwest of Lake Trasimeno, repulsed several enemy counterattacks. American units of the Fifth Army pressed forward against strong resistance toward Follonica. 3. German Commandos which landed on Elba during the night of 19-20 June reembarked the same night after suffering some losses at the hands of the French. ASIATIC THEATER 1. On 20 June Chinese troops on the Salween front captured Wa-tien and Ku-tung-kai and occupied Shun-chiang, 17 miles northwest of Tengchung. - 4 - LEADY SHARGER KOHIMA KHARASOH KU-TUNG A-TICH XAJ CHALLAO MUN-CHIANG IMPHAV TENGCHUNG MAUNGDAW AKYABA < BENEAL & 6 N HASSEN E RARBOON SULF of MARTABAN *MOULHEINS a OF T A B APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 12 0 50 100 ($0 APPROXIMJTE MILES *PORT BLAIR - - KORNASOREN Sorong Manokwor BIAK o SORIDO KAMIRI BOROKOE VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR ! JAPEN L MOKMER ADMIRALTY IS. MAMBERAMO R. Geelvink Boy Babo Kovieng Hollandia Fak Fak Altape NEW RELAND Wewak Hansa Boy Raboul RAPOPO Madang KEI IS. C.Gloucester, Tolasee want oSelder AROE IS. Gasmata Loe TANIMBAR IS. Marouked oBune NEW GUINEA Port Moresb) 100 so o 100 200 300 MILES ------------ 1 1 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-78 In the Manipur sector, the drive toward Imphal from the north continued and by 21 June advance units were 33 miles south of Kohima, leaving only a 10-mile gap between them and the forces advancing north from Imphal. Units of the 14th Air Force based at Hengyang, south of Changsha, are being evacuated and the complete destruction of our base there will be accomplished by 22 June. This evacuation was necessitated by the rapid advance of the Japanese army which has reached Hengshan, south of Changsha. 2. On 20 June, three B-24's on a sea sweep off the south China coast, sank one (probably two) large freighters and damaged a third. 3. During 20 and 21 June Allied aircraft supported our ground forces in northern and western Burma and the Manipur area, attacking enemy positions, supply dumps and motor transport. Fighter bombers breached an oil pipe line in three places south of Prome. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. On 21 June, our forces consolidated the Mokmer, Borokoe, and Sorido airdrome areas on Biak. Slight resistance was being encountered north of Sorido and isolated pockets of the enemy remained north of Mokmer. Navy PT boats sank three troop and supply barges off the northwest coast of Biak and machine-gunned enemy encampments in that area. In the Hansa Bay area Australian patrols pushed to the mouth of the Ramu River without contact. B-24's bombed Kamiri and Kornasoren airdromes on Noemfoor Island; one heavy bomber sank one of 15 vessels sighted north of Palau. Medium bombers and fighters harassed the Mamberamo River and Wewak areas. Four Dutch B-25's sank a small coastal vessel along the west coast of Timor. 5 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 Gun positions south of Rapopo airdrome, near Rabaul, were hit with 95 tons of bombs; targets in the Buka, Bougainville, and New Ireland areas were also attacked. 2. B-24's from the Central Pacific area dropped 34 tons of bombs on airfields at Truk during 20 June. Three B-24's and nine B-25's raided gun positions at Ponape, and Navy aircraft attacked Wotje, Taroa and Wille. 3. Heavy fighting continued on Saipan during 21 June, our troops making gains up to 1,000 yards in the northeast and southeast sectors. Our artillery observation planes are operating from the Charan-Kanoa airstrip. EASTERN FRONT North of Lake Onega the Red forces on 22 June continued their attack on the Leningrad-Murmansk railway and gained an additional 15 miles west- ward. In the central sector of the eastern front, heavy artillery prepara- tions preceded a Soviet attack by armor and infantry from Vitebsk to Mogliev. To the south, near Kovel and Tarnopol, sharp Soviet attacks were reported. - 6 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 925 0700 June 21 to 0700 June 22, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) (2) CENTRAL EUROPE **E ONEGA 1 THE PARKOEN AUNUS ISTHMUS SHETLAND IE KARELIN ISTHMUS BASDORE GENSHAGEN CALAIS P DECLASSIFIED were Letter, 6-8-70 EUROPEAN THEATER 1. In the 20 June attacks of the 8th Air Force against industrial targets in Germany and objectives in the Pas de Calais area, 1,603 heavy bombers dropped a total bombload of 4,215 tons. Airborne on escort and attack missions were more than 1,000 fighters which bombed two airfields and four railroad yards north and northeast of Paris; during these operations 64 (probably 71) enemy aircraft were destroyed. Forty-eight heavy bombers and nine fighters are missing. During the 24-hour period ending at sunrise 21 June, more than 3,400 sorties were flown by the Allied Expeditionary Air Force. In addition to supporting our ground operations in France, more than 600 sorties were flown against suspected launching sites for the enemy's pilotless planes, 770 tons being dropped on these targets. At least 24 enemy aircraft were destroyed against a loss of eleven bombers and fighters. Enemy aircraft have been operating over our beachhead and anchorages but in relatively small numbers. 2. During this period an estimated 100 pilotless aircraft were dispatched across the Channel. Seventy-one of these reached the English coast, 39 penetrating to the London area; 24 were destroyed by Allied aircraft. 3. On 21 June, the 8th Air Force initiated shuttle bombing between the UK and Russian bases. On that day 1,211 heavy bombers, escorted by 1,268 fighters, were dispatched against Berlin and industrial targets in - 1 - COTENTIN PENINSULA 10 5 o NO no 30 MILES LINE AS OF 20 JUNE - LINE AS OF 21 JUNE - CHERBOURG ETRETAT FIRST US ARMY MONTEBURG No.: CORPS LE HAVRE CORPS X SECOND BR. ARMY TROUVILLE CORPS CORPS LESSAY V BANEUX XXX JERSEY CORPS CAEN CORPS FILLY-SUR-SEULLES COUTRNCES HOTTOT GRANVILLE OVIRE ST. MALO #CANCALE WELERS MAVRANCHES ALENCON AENNES AVAL LE MANS COMO BRESCIA MILAN VERONA VENICE PADUA TURIN CREMONA o ALESSANDRIA FERRARA o PARMA BOLOGNA GRAVENNA GENOA SAVONA RAPALLO RIMINI SPEZIA PESARO IMPERIA FISS ICE PO VALLEY LEGHORN 10 o 20 40 60 APPROXIMATE MILES BASE MAP NO. 2804 (FREE) R & A,055 4 NOVEMBER 1945 REPRODUCED, 065 1 1 DECLASSIFIED OED Letter, 5-3-72 Germany including the Genshagen and Bandorf aircraft engine factories, a Berlin Diesel factory and an oil plant in Ruhland. Three combat wings of this force continued on to bases in Russia. Enery air opposition was moderate with antiaircraft fire over the target areas reported as intense and accurate. Escorting fighters destroyed 21 (probably 31) energy aircraft; 43 bonbers and 15 fighters are missing. Later in the day 75 B-24's escorted by 90 P-47's were dispatched against possible launching sites of pilotless aircraft. 4. The US VII Corps continued to close in on Cherbourg on 21 June. At noon our forward elements were three miles from the north coast on the left flank; the 79th Division was less than three miles from Cherbourg; the right flank had about ten miles to go, having net strong resistance. Six miles southeast of Cherbourg our troops captured an enery pilotless aircraft launching site. The British were still engaged in heavy fight- ing west of Tilly-sur-Seulles where increased enemy artillery and mortar fire forced them back to the northern outskirts of the village of Hottot which they had occupied yesterday. MEDITERRANEAN 1. On 20 June unfavorable weather again restricted operations of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces, 733 sorties being flown. Medium bombers wrecked a railway viaduct near Rapallo. Fighter and fighter bombers attacked transportation targets in the Pisa-Florence region and scored hite on an aircraft carrier under construction in Genca harbor. - 2 - N EMN ROCCASTRADA PAGANICO PIENZA CORPS RENCH CORRS BR. XIII CORPS PERUGIA BR X ** ORVIETO NOCERA UMBRA CORPS EVETH FOLIGNO CAMER ARMY EIGHTH VITERBO ARMY VECCHI OTERNI MONTE GIBERTO PEDASO D GRIETI ROME POLISH CORPS APPROXIMATE KINE OP CONTACT 21 JUNE PESCARA 20 JUNE + AS RU LEDOY AMAPUTRA KOHIMA ONK-IN KHARA ON CHIANG NARAM NOHKUNG MAN/PUR SEC GRALLAO MOGAUNO HOP PM TENGCHUNG KALEMA CALOUTER ARAKAN MANDACARD SECTOR MAUNGDAW AKYABA > BENOAL z *BASSEIN RAMBOON BULF of MARTABAN OF YER 4 7 0 APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 25 0 50 100 150 APPROXIMATE MILES *PORT BLAIR - - DECLASSIFIEB OSD Letter, 5-3-72 Other planes conducted offensive sweeps along the Dalmatian coast. Two P-47's are missing. 2. During 20 June, our progress was hampered by bad weather and increased resistance. Forward American units of the Fifth Army occupied Paganico and advanced to within three miles of Roccastrada. French motorized troops advanced nine miles to the outskirts of Pienza. The British Eighth Army reported contact throughout its entire front; north- east of Foligno its forward elements were approaching Camerino and Nocera Umbra. In the Adriatic sector the Polish Corps occupied Monte Giberto, Pedaso, and Fermo; a patrol clash northwest of Fermo ended with a German retirement. The first Liberty ship was berthed at Civitavecchia on 20 June. ASIATIC THEATER 1. In the northern sectors of the Salween front Chinese troops captured two villages and enemy positions near Chiang-tso, 20 miles northeast of Tengchung on 19 June. West of the Mogaung on 20 June, Chinese forces from the Lonkin area made contact at Tunghkung with units of British airborne forces from the Hopin area. In the Manipur sector the drive down the road from Kohima to Imphal continues, one British force occupying Maram and advancing five miles beyond the town. To the east another column has pushed south to Challao, about ten miles southeast of Kharasom. - 3 - T Sorong Monokwori BIAK I. o IRI. SORIDO VOGELKOP BOROKOE NOEMFOOR L JAPEN 1 MOKMER MAFFIN BAY ADMIRALTY 15. Geelvink Boy Bobo Kovieng Hollendia Fok Fox Altope Wewak Hansa Boy Robout Madang KEI IS. C.Gloucester, Tolosec (Seldor AROE IS. Gosmata Los TANIMBAR IS. Merouke, oBuno NEW GUINEA Port Moresbyg 100 50 o 100 200 300 MILES DECLASSIFIED CSD Letter, 5-3-72 2. On 19 June our air units supported our ground operations on the various fronts in Burma although handicapped by weather. 3. In 77 fighter and bomber sorties on 20 June, the 14th Air Force sank or damaged numerous river craft carrying troops and supplies and attacked enemy positions in the Changsha area. Included in support missions flown on the Salween front was a damaging strike against Lungling by 24 B-25's. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. On 20 June, US troops captured the high ground north and west of Borokoe and were engaged in clearing resistance north of Sorido Village and the Mokmer airdrome. On the New Guinea mainland our forces began a drive west from the Tor River area, meeting strong enemy posi- tions one mile south of Maffin airdrome. Two B-24's bombed Truk and two others hit Woleai. Eighty- eight medium and light bombers, together with P-39 missions attacked targets in the Wewak area hitting barge hideouts and bivouac areas. P-47's supported ground troops at Maffin Bay. Twenty-five B-24's bombed Noemfoor Island, starting fires in dispersal and bivouac areas at Kamiri airfield. A-20's destroyed small craft in sweeps over Geelvink Bay. On 19 June, 14 New Zealand B-34's dropped 18 tons of bombs on Numa Numa, Bougainville. Nearly 100 bombers and fighters dropped 70 tons on the Rabaul area. Other planes bombed Kavieng. 2. On 19 June, 14 B-24's of the 7th Air Force raided airfields - 4 - DECLASSIFIED CSD Letter, 5-3-72 at Truk. Other Central Pacific planes attacked Wotje, Nauru, Taroa, Mille, and Ponape. 3. Our troops registered slight gains on Saipan during 20 June. Enemy forces, with strong artillery support, were resisting strenuously east of Lake Susupe and at the southeast tip of the island. The Aslito and Charan-Kanoa airstrips are now ready for emergency use. The entire 27th Division is ashore. Our casualties to 20 June are estimated to be 584 killed, 3,875 wounded and 1,202 missing. Our bombers and fighters hit the Tinian airfields; we lost two fighters and one bomber. EASTERN FRONT Red Army attacks at the northern end of Lake Onega resulted in the capture of a key point on the Leningrad-llurmansk railway on 21 June. On the Aunus Isthmus the Soviets reduced Finnish bridgeheads on the south bank of the Svir River along a 60-mile front. Minor gains were scored on the Karelian Isthmus. (Map faces Page 1.) - 5 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 924 0700 June 20 to 0700 June 21, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 IO 12 14 16 18 20 XOKiel OSTERMOOR 54 52. PEmden HAMBURG OLITZ STATE & Brenen + Londones MISBURG OBerlin ORotteçdom AGDEBURG 52 50 6 CALAIS oBrussels- Cologne OLeipzig 20 Abbeville o Frankfurt Progue 50 4g o Paris ORennes Noncy o o value PRONIGSBRONN proper O-Tours Munich Vienna 48 Budopest o 46 e POITIERS o CHALON-SUR- Bern S KONE °Bolzono 46 4 Lyon Bordeaux OMilon PTrieste 44 o o Toulouse Bologno 44 CENTRAL EUROPE o o oSplit 42 so o 50 100 150 200 0, STATUTE MILES 2 o 2 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 29-84171ABCD-500 TOP DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE Two B-24's of the 11th Air Force bombed Suribachi during the night of 19-20 June. Three Navy B-34's raided Paramushiro the same night; a fourth reported its intention to land in Soviet territory because of fuel shortage. EUROPEAN THEATER 1. In the 19 June attacks of the 8th Air Force against targets in France, the 765 attacking aircraft dropped 1,674 tons. Eight B-17's and 16 escorting fighters were lost during these operations which were carried out without enemy air opposition. On 20 June the 8th Air Force dispatched 1,553 escorted heavy bombers against industrial targets in Germany and ten special military installations in the Pas de Calais. Heavy attacks were carried out against oil refineries at Hamburg, Politz, Ostermoor, Misburg, and Magdeburg, a tank depot at Konigsbronn and a motor transport factory. Good to excellent bombing was reported and 45 (probably 47) enemy air- craft were destroyed for a loss of 35 B-24's, 12 B-17's and 19 fighter planes. Preliminary reports indicate that 26 B-24's may have landed in Sweden. During the 24-hour period ending at sunrise, 20 June, more than 1,300 sorties were flown by the AEAF. In addition to supporting our ground operations in France, a number of aircraft operated against - 1 - COTENTIN PENINSULA ID 5 o ID no 30 MILES LINE AS OF 19 JUNE - LINE AS OF 20 JUNE CHERBOURG ETRETAT FIRST US ARMY VALOGNES VII CORPS LE HAVRE YES 1 CORPS SECOND BR. ARMY N XIX TROUVILLE CORPS / 1 CORPS LESDAY DATEUS V XXX JERSEY CORPS CORRS* CAEN LLY-868-SEOLLES CHOTTOT COURANCES ONCHY GRANVILLE VIRE ST. MALO OF CANCALE + FLERS 8 AVRANCHES ALENCON RENNES AVAL LE MANS DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 the enemy's possible launching sites for the pilotless planes. Pre- liminary reports indicate that three enemy aircraft were destroyed for a loss of 15 fighter bombers and fighters. 2. During this period pilotless aircraft continued to arrive over England; 29 penetrated to the greater London area. Between 12 and 19 June, nearly 600 pilotless aircraft have crossed the Channel. 3. Our advance on Cherbourg continued along the entire peninsular front on 20 June. By noon our VII Corps was only five miles from the harbor. Valognes fell to the US 4th Division. Enemy resistance was strong on the east coast but weakening towards the west coast. In the Second Army sector, heavy fighting continued west of Tilly-sur-Seulles where Onchy and Hottot were captured by British forces; fighting con- tinued in the latter town. Minor gains were made further east. By the evening of 18 June, 621,986 troops, 95,750 vehicles, and 217,624 tons of supplies had been landed. Gale conditions on 20 June again prevented unloading across the beaches. More than 17,000 prisoners of war have been evacuated to the UK. 4. French resistance groups continue to hamper the Germans, particularly in the Brittany, Rhone River, Bordeaux, Poitiers, and Chalons-sur-Saone areas. Movement of a Panzer division northward has been delayed for about a week. - 2 - I SEGGIANO GROSSBTO #: AMLATA W. S/ AGO Rd CHIUSI LEWGO TRASIMENO CORPS BR. APPERUGIA CORPS SBR, ORVIETO X CORPS THE BEIGHTH SVITERBO ARMY ETEANI COSSINNANCY E ASCOLA GRIETI SAN OFF BENEDETTO ROME POLISH PPROXIMATE LINE CONTACT 20 JUNE 19 JUNE PESCARA LA : ToΓ DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 MEDITERRANEAN 1. On anti-shipping sweeps during 19 June, Middle East aircraft started large fires in the wharf area at Kalamata, Greece, and hit a destroyer and another vessel in a convoy in the eastern Aegean. During 19 June, bad weather restricted air operations of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces to a total of 341 sorties. Fighter aircraft attacked railway installations, shipping and a factory in northwestern Italy and flew armed reconnaissance missions over Elba and the Dalmatian coast. Two (probably three) enery planes were shot down. Operations of the 15th Air Force on 20 June were cancelled because of unfavorable weather. 2. American troops of the Fifth Army made minor gains north and northeast of Grosseto during 19 June; the French Colonials to the east advanced three miles along their entire front, capturing several villages including Seggiano and clearing Monti Amiata. The British Eighth Army reached Lago di Chiusi and extended its gains east and west of Lago Trasimeno; it pushed three miles north of Perugia on 20 June. In the Adriatic sector Italian patrols reached Ascoli, and Polish troops pushed through Cossignano and San Benedetto to the Menocchia River. 3. Organized resistance ceased on Elba on 20 June with the capture of Porto Longone. Only a small part of the island garrison was able to - 3 - LEDOW RIVER TUPHEMA KOHINA KU-TURG-KA MARA SHARASOM MOGAUNG NA-TIEN TENGCHUNG CALOUTTA MANDALAVE MAUNGDAM AKYAB # APROMT > BENGAL z +BASSEIN BULF of MARTABAN o T 7 B APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 25 o 50 100 150 APPROXIMATE MILES PORT BLAIR - 96° ⑉ 100° or 104° 106° 108° HOP 112* 114° - 118° 120° - 124° 128° 130° - 50% € PER 14" DAIREN / KOREA 36° M° 34% F / & L 0 # 34° your LOYANS / 5 E NAG: 30% am N° N° CHENGTU Yongize SH River EAST CHINA 28" CHUNGRING Tungting Date SEA CHANGESIA 26°L HENGYANG LUNGLING Siang FORMOSA - mmg HONGRONG HANDI CHINA APPROX. LINE OF CONTACT SOUTH CHINA 5 50 e so 130 ISO 200 HAINAN SCALE OF MILES LUZON 100° OF 104° IDEP 108° - HE" 114° 114° 118° 180° 182° 124° 128° 128° - DECLASSIFIED 9SD Letter, 5-3-72 escape; 500 enemy troops were killed and more than 1,800, two-thirds of whom were Germans, were captured. ASIATIC THEATER 1. Chinese troops on the Salween front were attacking the Japanese fortified position of Ku-tung-kai, 21 miles northwest of Tengchung, on 18 June, and occupied three villages in the area. Other Chinese forces pushed to the outskirts of Wa-tien. Chinese forces which crossed the Mogaung River north of Mogaung united, on 19 June, with British airborne troops which have been operating south of the town for some time. British forces from Kohima advanced another ten miles to the south to a point one mile north of Maram on the Imphal road and now hold the Tuphema-Kharasom trail, occupying the latter town. Local fight- ing occurred elsewhere along the western battle front. 2. During 18 and 19 June, Allied aircraft flew 186 sorties over the Yangtze and Yellow River fronts. In the Changsha area fighters and medium bombers inflicted heavy casualties in strikes against shipping on the Siang River. Our aircraft also supported the Chinese on the Yellow River and Salween fronts. Eight (probably nine) enemy aircraft were destroyed during these operations; we lost three fighters. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. Our troops on Biak during 19 June continued to clear the enemy - 4 - Sorong Manokwari BIAK I. o MAHIRI - SORIDO VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR L BOROKOE JAPEN MOEMI MOKMER ADMIRALTY IS. Gealvink Boy Kovieng Babo Hollandia Fak Fox Altape Wewok Hansa Boy Roboul Sepit Modang C Gloucester, Talasea KEI IS. (Soldor AROE IS. Gosmato Los TANIMBAR IS. Mercuked oBuna NEW GUINEA Port Moresbyg 100 50 o 100 200 300 MILES TOP SHORM DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 from the ridges north and northwest of the Mokmer airdrome; enemy resistance was reported to be weakening. The airdromes at Borokoe and Sorido are now in our possession. During 18 and 19 June, 57 B-24's dropped more than 150 tons of bombs on Truk; two others hit Satawan. Our aircraft maintained the neutralization of the Wewak area. Light bombers hit the Moemi, Kamiri, and Manokwari airfields, sank two small ships and burned three barges; we lost three A-20's. Dutch B-25's attacked the Cape Chater airfield (Timor). A reconnaissance B-24 shot down an enemy four-engined flying boat northeast of Palau and probably destroyed an enemy fighter plane southwest of Saipan. On 18 June, our aircraft continued to harass the Rabaul area as well as targets in New Ireland and Bougainville. 2. By 1200, 19 June, US troops, pushing eastward across Saipan had possession of the island (including Aslito airfield) south of Garapan except for the extreme southeast tip of the island and a large enemy pocket east of Lake Susupe. Continuous enemy counterattacks have been successfully repulsed. 3. Forty-nine Navy planes raided Taroa and Jaluit with five tons each on 18 June. A mission of 11 B-24's hit waterfront installations, gun positions, and a warehouse on Ponape with eight tons. Ten B-25's dropped one ton each on Nauru. EASTERN FRONT On the Karelian Isthmus the Soviets advanced ten miles to take Viipuri on 20 June. - 5 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 923 0700 June 19 to 0700 June 20, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) (2) 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 IO 12 14 16 18 20 HUSUM HELGOLAND® Okiel 54 52 TADE WBSERMUNDE Emden HAMBURG w Bremen with HANNOVER London< o Berlin ORotterdom 52 GELSENKIRCHEN 5. CALAIS 6 WATTEN oBrussels Cologne OLeipzig 20 Abbeville CAMBRAI MONTDIDIER o Frankfurt Progue 50 48 Paris ORennes Noncy 0 Leice Danube O-Tours o Munich 48 Vienna 46 Budopest o o Bern o o Bolzano 46 4 Lyon a Bordeoux 44 OMilan Trieste o o Toulouse Bologno 9 44 CENTRAL EUROPE o OSplit 42 50 o 50 100 150 200 PORTO FEBRAIO STATUTE MILES 2 o 2 4. 6 8 10 12 14 16 IS 24-97117-300 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE During the night of 18-19 June a Navy B-34 bombed Suribachi Bay (Paramushiro). EUROPEAN THEATER 1. On the night of 17-18 June, 227 RAF bombers dropped 804 tons of bombs on railroad junctions near Cambrai and Montdidier and con- struction sites in northern France. Twenty-seven Mosquito bombers attacked Berlin with 45 tons; four others raided a synthetic oil plant near Gelsenkirchen. During the 24-hour period ending at sunrise 19 June, over 3,700 sorties were flown by the AEAF in support of our ground operations in Normandy and against Calais area targets. Four enemy planes were destroyed for a loss of 19 fighter bombers and fighters. 8th Air Force formations totalling 1,223 escorted heavy bombers attacked the city of Hamburg and five local oil refineries, bombed airdromes at Stade, Husum and Helgoland, hit targets of opportunity in the Hannover and Wesermunde areas and military installations at Watten with 3,158 tons of explosives on 18 June. There was no German fighter opposition; we lost 11 heavy bombers to antiaircraft fire. Fighters and fighter bombers flew 1,080 sorties on escort, dive-bombing and armed reconnaissance missions over France. On 19 June, 885 heavy bombers, escorted by 480 fighters, operated against German installations in the Calais area and six air- dromes surrounding Bordeaux. - 1 - COTENTIN PENINSULA 10 5 o 9 20 30 MILES LINE AS OF 18 JUNE - LINE AS OF 19 JUNE - CHERBOURG ETRETAT FIRST US ARMY RAUVILLE LA BTOOT WALOGNES VII CORPS BRICQUEBEC MONTEBOURG LE HAVRE VIII SECOND BR.ARMY CORPS / XIX TROUVILLE # CORPS CORRS LESSAY Blueux XXX JERSEY CORPS y CORES CAEN TILEY-SUR-SEULLES COUTANCES GRANVILLE OVIRE ST. MALO ©CANCALE FLERS AVRANCHES ALENCON RENNES AVAL LE MANS DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 2. About 150 pilotless aircraft were launched against south- eastern England during the 24-hour period ending at 0700, 19 June; 127 made landfall and about 50 penetrated to the London area. The railroad bridge at Charing Cross was among the structures danaged. Fighter planes, operating on the opposite side of the Channel to take advantage of lower speed of the missiles, claimed 27 destroyed. It is now believed that the pilotless aircraft are of two sizes: i.e., one with a 16-foot wingspan and the second with a 21-foot wingspan. No pilotless aircraft has yet been captured intact, but an inspection of parts indicates that radio control of the device is either in operation or contemplated. 3. Early on 19 June the US VII Corps launched a coordinated attack toward Cherbourg with three divisions abreast. The US 9th Division, on the west flank, pushed rapidly forward, captured Bricquebec and, by noon, had advanced to Rauville la Bigot; its artillery concentrations were falling on Cherbourg. In the center, the US 79th Division out the east- west road from Valognes to Bricquebec and pushed its leading elements north to the railroad about three and one-half miles west of Valognes. On the right flank the American 4th Division captured Montebourg and, despite difficult terrain and heavy opposition, scored gains of more than a mile. Elements of the US VIII Corps west of the Douve River made gains of some 2,000 yards to the south. In the British Second Army sector, Tilly-sur-Seulles has been occupied after hard fighting. 4. By the evening of 17 June, 589,653 troops, 89,828 vehicles - 2 - LEGHORN RMN CAMPAGNATICO M. AMIATA LAKE TRASIMENO RADICOFANT RENCH CITANOELLA PIEVE CORPS DR. PERUGIA XIL CORPS FLATH ORVIETO BR. a CORPS VITERBO EIGHTH OTENNI ARRY GRIETI TERANO ROME AQUILA APPROXIMATE LIRE OF CONTACT POLISH 19 JUNE CORPS PESCARA 18 JUNE - 10 / DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 and 196,464 tons of supplies had been landed at the Normandy beachheads. An offshore wind yesterday halted the sailing of LST's and smaller craft; enemy air activity over the anchorages increased during Sunday night. MEDITERRANEAN 1. Unfavorable flying weather on 18 June limited our air activities to reconnaissances. One German plane was destroyed in the air. 15th Air Force operations scheduled for 19 June also were cancelled because of weather. During the night of 16-17 June and the next day Allied aircraft \ maintained their attacks on Rhodes harbor and enemy shipping in the Aegean. 2. French forces occupied Portoferraio on the island of Elba during 18 June. The capture of Porto Longone today ended operations on the island. 3. The Fifth Army averaged a three-mile gain along its front during 18 June against light opposition. American troops captured Campagnatico while French Colonials reached Monti Amiata and occupied Radicofani. Monti Amiata is the key point of the last high ridge south of Leghorn. The British Eighth Army, continuing to encounter some opposition and hampered by heavy rain and defended demolitions, reached Lake Trasimeno and at last report had entered Perugia. Italian troops covered the Aquila-Teramo highway and Polish infantry advanced eight miles along the Adriatic, crossing the Tronto River. - 3 - LEDOV 1 MANIPUR SECTOR GURKHA- YMA MOGAUNG CALCUTTA MAUNGDAW AKYABA FOROME < BENGAL & z RIBASSEIN w RANBOON SULF d MARTADAN o YE T & 0 namerox APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 If 0 8 100 150 APPROXIMATE MILES *PORT BLAIR - - DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 4. The battle casualties of the Fifth Army during its operations in Italy were sustained in the following proportions: Infantry 80.3 Field Artillery 7.1 Engineers 3.8 Medical 2.6 Chemical Warfare Service 1.4 Coast Artillery Corps 1.6 Others 3.2 The infantry battle casualty rate has a slight upward curve. ASIATIC THEATER 1. During 17 June, Chinese forces in the Lungling area withdrew to a line about six miles northeast of Lungling with their main body northwest of Hwangtsaopa. The next day Chinese forces in northern Burna cleared the Japanese from Gurkha-ywa and crossed the Mogaung River just north of the city of Mogaung. There were no significant changes elsewhere on our Burma or Manipur battle fronts. 2. Monsoon weather restricted Eastern Air Command operations during 17 and 18 June, only a limited number of sorties being flown over the Manipur battle fronts. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. The neutralization of Truk by Southwest Pacific heavy bombers continued during 17 June; thirty-one of our B-24's attacking the group shot down 12 of 25 intercepting planes; two failed to return. That night Allied destroyers, PT boats and Beaufighters bombarded enemy gun positions - 4 - Sorong Manokwari BIAK I. VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR I. JAPEN L ADMIRALTY IS. Geelvink Boy Kovieng Babg Hollandia SELARIU 1. Fok Fox Altape Wewak Hansa Boy Roboul WUNAK AU Modang KEI IS. C.Gloucester, Tolased of want (Salder AROE IS. Gosmota Los TANIMBAR IS. Merouks, oBune NEW GUINEA Port Moresb) 100 50 o 100 200 300 MILES 24-85654-200 DECLASSIFIED OBD Letter, 5-3-72 in the Wewak area. The next day, 110 medium, light and fighter bombers maintained our neutralization of the north New Guinea coast. A total of 132 bombers and fighters attacked the Rabaul area during 17 June. Other planes harassed Kavieng, Selapiu Island and Bougainville targets. 2. During the night of 16-17 June a Navy patrol bomber raided Mille. The next day Central Pacific bombers attacked Japanese instal- lations on Jaluit and Ponape. 3. Naval planes and antiaircraft fire destroyed over 300 Japanese airplanes during an attack lasting several hours against our task forces in the Marianas. Early on 18 May (local time) an attempt by the Japanese to land near the left flank of our forces on Saipan was broken up by our landing craft which sank 13 enemy barges. EASTERN FRONT During 20 June the Soviet Armies advanced to within ten miles of Viipuri, having widened their penetration through the Mannerheim line to more than 30 miles. - 5 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 922 0700 June 18 to 0700 June 19, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 IO 12 14 16 18 20 Okiel 54 52 PEmden Paremen EINE with Londoner OBerlin ORotterdom 52 50 GELSENKIRCHEN 6 BOULOGNE HBR oBrussels Cologne OLeipzig o 20 KENS Abbeville VALENCIENNES o o Frankfurt Progue 50 48 o Paris ORennes . NOYEN Nancy o Laire Danube O-Tours o Munich 48 Vienna POITIERS 46 Budopest o o Bern o o Bolzono 46 4 Lyon e Bordeaux 44 OMilan Trieste o o Toulouse Bologno 9 44 CENTRAL EUROPE 0 OSplit 42 50 0 50 100 150 200 0. STATUTE MILES 2 o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 24-87117-300 COTENTIN PENINSULA ID 5 o io 20 30 MILES LINE AS OF 18 JUNE - LINE AS OF 19 JUNE - CHERBOURG ETRETAT VALOGNES BARNEVILLE-SUR LE HAVRE MER TROUVILLE ESSAY STHEUX JERSEY SCAEN TILEY-SOR-SEULLES COUTANCES CAUMONT GRANVILLE VIRE ST. MALO CANCALE + FLERS AVRANCHES ALENCON FOUILLARD BENNES AVAL LE MANS DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE Four B-34's bombed Shumushu on the night of 17-18 June without opposition; fires were observed at Kataoka airfield. EUROPEAN THEATER 1. Delayed RAF reports for the night of 15-16 June indicate that 714 bombers operated against the Boulogne harbor area with 1,442 tons of explosives, railway centers at Valenciennes and Lens with 897 tons and the fuel dumps at Fouillard and northeast of Poitiers with 857 tons of bombs. Twenty-eight Mosquito bombers dropped 50 tons on Gelsenkirchen synthetic oil works. Fourteen bombers failed to return. The AEAF flew almost 4,000 sorties during the 24-hour period ending at sunrise 18 June. An aggregate bombload of over 1,000 tons of explosives was dropped on railway centers, bridges, radar installa- tions and other military targets in support of our ground operations. Eighteen (probably 20) enemy planes were shot down for a loss of two medium bombers and 38 fighter bombers and fighters. One hundred and sixty-four pilotless enemy aircraft were plotted operating against the United Kingdom during this period; about 55 reached the London area. Twenty-five enemy long-range bombers and fighter bombers were observed over the Channel coast. Eighteen (probably 20) enemy aircraft were destroyed; we lost 40 airplanes. Additional reports on 8th Air Force operations for 17 June (reported yesterday) indicate that 506 escorted heavy bombers dropped over 1,200 tons of explosives on eight airdromes around Paris and to the - 1 - PHOLOGNA GENOA SESTRI LEVANTE / SPEZIA RIMINI LORENCE ANCONA LEGHORN PORTOFERRAJO ELBAI PORTO INA DI CAMPO LONGONE ERNI PESCARA CORSICA CIVITAVECCHIA TERMOLI ULM CENTRAL ITALY o 5 IO 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 TERRACINA APPROXIMATE MILES SARDINIA BASE MAP NO. 2769 (FREE) R&A, oss 26 OCTOBER 1943 REPRODUCED, oss DECLASSIFIED PSD Letter, 5-3-72 west and a railroad bridge at Noyen. Formations totalling 126 fighter bombers attacked five bridges and other targets in France during the day. Only seven enemy planes were encountered of which three were shot down; 16 P-38's were lost. 2. US forces drove a wedge some seven miles wide across the Cherbourg Peninsula, reaching the coast near Barneville-sur-Mer late on 17 June and isolating about three German divisions to the north. By noon of 18 June our troops east of the Vire River had placed their leading elements about three miles north of St. Lo. The British Second Army had hard fighting in the areas of Caumont and Tilly-sur-Seulles. German prisoners evacuated to the British Isles by 17 June totalled 11,545. MEDITERRANEAN 1. On the night of 16-17 June, 39 Allied Strategic bombers attacked the Temisoara (Rumania) railroad yards. Twenty-eight bombers supported French ground operations in Elba by bombing Portoferraio and Porto Longone. The next day unfavorable weather kept down the number of our sorties; however, attacks were made on a rail viaduct at Sestri Levante and other points on the Tyrrhenian coast, and our light aircraft gave support to our ground operations. No enemy aircraft was encountered during the day; three of our fighters are missing. 2. On 17 June American troops of the Fifth Army advancing north and northwest from Grosseto were out of contact with the retreating Germans; - 2 - for SECRET EIMINI GROSSETO CITTA DELLA PIEVE PIEGARO PERUGIA E BASTIA ORVIETO VITERBO OTERNI ORIETI BELLANTE ROME APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT 18 JUNE PESCARA 17 JUNE - aux LEDOV RIVER STUNDERTYAND KOHINA KAMAING CHIAO- MANIPUR XHARASOM TOU TUPHEMA SECTOR MOGAUNG SHUNDSHAN HANGSHIH CALCUTTA MAUNGDAW AKYAB4 < BENGAL z *BASSCIN SULF of MARTABAN F 0 YES T 0 APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 25 o 50 100 ($0 APPROXIMATE MILES PORT BLAIR - - DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 to the east of the town only light opposition was being encountered. The French Colonials advanced along their entire front making a gain of over four miles on their right flank. The British Eighth Army, meeting increased enemy resistance, had heavy fighting in the Citta della Pieve-Piegaro area. British armored columns driving up both banks of the Tiber toward Perugia, pushed to within eight miles of the city. To the east, Indian foot troops were an equal distance from Perugia, having repulsed an enemy counterattack at Bastia and secured a bridgehead over the Chiascio River. In the Adriatic sector Polish patrols reached Bellante. In Elba the French reported the center of the island under their control; their columns were advancing to the northeast and east. Marina di Campo was captured against determined resistance. 3. Allied casualties since 10 May total 7,804 killed, 34,004 wounded, and 6,283 missing. 23,233 prisoners of war have been taken. ASIATIC THEATER 1. Chinese forces captured Chiao-tou during 16 June and pursued retreating Japanese troops across the Shweli River to the south and west. Other forces were attacking Shungshan, four miles north of Lungling. The enemy was still holding out in the western part of Lungling; however, our forces have secured the airfield and the area around the city. Other forces south of Lungling were engaged with the enemy six miles northeast of Mangshih. Chinese forces consolidated their positions in and south of Kamaing on 17 June; other Chinese troops reached to within two miles of Mogaung, coming from the northwest. Fighting in Myitkyina continued. - 3 - Sorong Monokwori BIAK I. VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR L MOKMER JAPEN - ADMIRALTY IS. Gealvink Bay Bobo Kovieng Hollandia a OTAMIR Fak Fox Altope Wewak Hansa Boy Reboul Madong KEI IS. C.Gloucester, Talasea A ward OSoldor AROE IS. Gosmoto Los TANIMBAR IS. Merouke oBwne NEW GUINEA Port Moresbye 100 50 o 100 200 300 MILES 24-85634-200 TOP DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 In the Manipur sector British troops gained ground south of Kohima and are astride the Japanese supply line from Karasom to Tuphema, 15 miles southeast of the town. 2. Unfavorable weather restricted 14th Air Force operations on 17 June. A few fighters flew over the Yellow River front and hit enemy installations at Ichang where large fires were started. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. US forces on Biak continued to reduce enemy fortifications north and northwest of Mokmer airdrome on 17 June. 2. On 16 June, 36 B-24's put 89 tons of bombs into the Truk Group igniting the barracks area and detonating fuel tanks. The following day medium and light aircraft neutralized the Wewak area. Preliminary reports indicate that two groups of B-25's sank two 3,000-ton freighters and six smaller ships and damaged five other freighters in the vicinity of Sorong. A-20's struck the Babo and Otawiri airdromes; two were lost to antiaircraft fire. During the night of 15-16 June and the following day more than 75 bombers and fighters attacked enemy installations in the Rabaul area with bombloads exceeding 56 tons; other planes raided the Shortlands area and harassed Kavieng. 3. Central Pacific aircraft carried out three raids against Mille and harassed Wotje, Taroa and Jaluit on 16 June. - 4 - 145° 45' 145°50' Marpi Pt. Banadequ inagen Pt. Marpi OTaukimi I. Motanso if 15' Tonopog TANAPAG HARBOR nt Gerapon Donner MI Tepotcheu 15" 10 10' MAGICIENNE Cheran-Kenoo BAY . ASLITO SAIPAN ISLAND e 3 NAUTICAL MILES - APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT CAST 4545 145°80' ----- DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 4. On Saipan Island an attack strongly supported by artillery launched early on the morning of 17 June by the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions and 165th Infantry (27th Division) made some gains, advanced elements penetrating to Aslito airfield but later withdrawing in the face of enemy counterattacks. Strong naval and air support was provided our ground forces throughout the night and day. While the beaches were comparatively free of enemy artillery fire, heavy concentrations were received by our infantry and artillery. The 27th Division, less one combat team, is now ashore and is occupying the right flank of our beachhead. A small number of naval fighters are using the Charan-Kanoa air strip. EASTERN FRONT Advancing up to 18 miles against decreased resistance on 18 June, the Red Army took the strong point of Koivisto in the north coastal sector of the Karelian front and passed beyond Rautu, in the center. Minor clashes occurred southeast of Novorzhev and southeast of Vitebsk. - 5 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 921 0700 June 17 to 0700 June 18, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(s) 203 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 IO 12 14 16 18 20 Kiel 54 5 PEmden Bremen with London Berlin ORotterdam o 52 50 CALAIS *DUISBURG 6 oBrussels Cologne OLeipzig o 20 Abbeville a AMIENS o Frankfurt Progue 50 48 o Paris ORennes Noncy Q Laire packs O-Tours o Munich 48 Vienno 46 Budopest o o Bern o Bolzono 46 4 Lyon QBordeoux OMilon Trieste 44 o o Toulouse Bologna 9 44 CENTRAL. EUROPE o OSplit 42 50 o 50 100 150 200 PORTOFERRA10 STATUTE MILES a ELBA 2 o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 24-57117-300 TOP BECLASSIFIES OSD Letter, 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE 1. During the morning of 15 June, two B-24's attacked Shimushiru in the Kuriles without opposition. 2. Lieutenant General Delos C. Emmons will be relieved from the Western Defense Command about 20 June and will assume command of the Alaskan Department which Lieutenant General Simon B. Buckner has relinquished. EUROPEAN THEATER 1. On the night of 16-17 June, 300 RAF bombers concentrated 1,374 tons of high explosives, including 128 two-ton bombs, on the Sterkrade synthetic oil plant northeast of Duisburg. One hundred and seventy other bombers attacked construction sites in Calais area with over 650 tons of bombs and 219 hit sites in the Abbeville-Amiens area with 913 tons. A Mosquito raid on Berlin included 20 4,000-pound bombs. Thirty- two bombers are missing. During the 24-hour period ending at sunrise 17 June, the Allied Expeditionary Air Force flew over 2,500 sorties in support of our ground forces. Twenty-nine enemy planes were shot down for a loss of 14 of our light aircraft. Moderate enemy fighter activity was reported over our battle areas and anchorages. Formations totalling 313 B-17's and B-24's of the 8th Air Force dropped 893 tons of bombs on six enemy airfields in north central France and four targets in the Pas de Calais. There was no air opposition; - 1 - COTENTIN PENINSULA 10 5 o IO 20 30 MILES LINE AS OF 16 JUNE LINE AS OF 17 JUNE CHERBOURG ETRETAT 81 JACQUES DE NEHOU LE HAVRE BESNEVILLE TROUVILLE ESSAY BAKEUX JERSEY CAEN GRISTOT . COUTANCES GRANVILLE VIRE ST. MALO CANCALE + FLERS AVRANCHES ALENCON RENNES AVAL LE MANS TOP SECRE DECLASSIFIED CSD Letter, 5-3-72 one B-17 was lost to antiaircraft fire. P-38's, P-47's and P-51's furn- ished escort and area support, destroying one of the four enemy planes encountered, and harassed railroad traffic. Four US fighters were lost. On 17 June, 662 of our escorted heavy bombers were dispatched to attack French airdromes. Three German planes were destroyed in the air and three others on the ground; two B-17's and one P-51 are missing. 2. During 16 June over 200 pilotless aircraft were plotted, of which about one-third hit the London area. These missiles continued to arrive during the following night; about one-half of them reached London. Damage has been caused to the King George V dock and to factories in London. 3. By the afternoon of 15 June 254,940 American troops and 270,265 British had landed. 4. During the 24-hour period ending at noon on 17 June, our VII Corps captured Saint Sauveur-le-Vicomte and making good progress to the west reached Saint Jacques de Nehou and Besneville, 6½ miles from the western coast of the peninsula. On the VIII Corps front a large-scale enemy raid was repulsed during the night. Our XIX Corps advanced south- ward against stiff resistance to within four miles of St. Lo. The British Second Army captured Cristot and reported St. Pierre clear of the enemy. MEDITERRANEAN 1. Revised reports on the 16 June heavy bomber operations against - 2 - RIMINI GROSSBIO TRIANA ROOCAD CITTA DELLA PIEVE *PERUGIA ** ORVIETO BEVAGNA FOLIGNO VITERBO, OTENNI GRIETI TERANO ROME APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT 17 JUNE 16 JUNE PESCARA 11 M MILES TOP SECRET DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 oil refineries in Austria and Czechoslovakia indicate that 591 heavy bombers carried out the attacks dropping a total bombload of 1,179 tons. Seventy-four (probably 98) aircraft were shot down for a loss of nine heavy bombers and seven fighters. During the day 2,258 sorties of all kinds were flown. Tactical aircraft attacked highway and rail installations in the Pisa-Florence- Bologna-Pietrasanta area; light aircraft also supported our ground forces. Coastal aircraft continued their offensive missions. No enemy airplanes were observed during the day. We lost four light aircraft. Adverse weather conditions prevented operations by the 15th Air Force on 17 June. 2. During 16 June American troops of the Fifth Army forced crossings of the Ombrone River, captured Grosseto, and advanced five miles to the north; our forces also captured Roccalbegna and Triana against stiff resistance. To the east the French Corps made a general advance of four miles in its sector against light opposition. The British Eighth Army reported contact all along its front. Demolitions and difficult terrain slowed the advance of units on the west flank. In the center armored elements pushed into Citta della Pieve, and driving on Perugia, were within 14 miles of the city. Indian forces occupied Bevagna and Foligno. In the Adriatic sector, elements of the Italian Utili Division joined with the Partisans in Teramo. Elements of a French Colonial division landed on the east beaches of Golfo di Campo, Elba, before dawn on 17 June. At last report - 3 - TOP LEDOW RIVER FUNDER YANGA CHIAO THATEN PASS KANAINEST TOU NAGA PARENTHO BOCKUNG BISHENPOR BOTT ALEWA CAGORTIA MAUNGDAW 3 MENTICARE AKYAB4 PROME < B E N G & REASSEIN RAMBOON BULF d MARTABAN F o YE T 0 OBARRED APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS so as 0 50 100 (50 APPROXIMATE MILES *PORT BLAIR DECLASSIFIED QSD Letter, 5-3-72 columns were advancing toward Portoferraio. Pianosa was occupied after being evacuated by the Germans. 3. B-34's based in the Middle East bombed Rhodes Harbor the night of 15-16 June. ASIATIC THEATER Chinese forces captured several additional villages in the Mamien Pass and Chiao-tou areas during 15 June. The Chinese also captured a fortified hill outside of Lungling. Another force has moved northwest from Lungling to counter a Japanese thrust across the Shweli River. The Chinese captured Kamaing with much enemy equipment on 16 June; other forces captured Parenthu, four miles northwest of Mogaung and reached the northern bank of the Mogaung River, seven miles north- west of that town. There was little change in the situation at Myitkyina and in the west where heavy rains hampered operations. Adverse weather also curtailed operations of the Eastern Air Command on 15 and 16 June. 2. Two B-24's sank a tug and a barge in sweeps over the South China Sea on 16 June. 3. During the month of May the Air Transport Command delivered 11,383 tons of cargo to various agencies in China. Of this amount the 14th Air Force received 6,231 tons and the 20th Bomber Command, 1,532 tons. The Chinese National Aviation Corporation transported an additional 1,465 tons from Burma to China. - 4 - Serong Manokwori BIAK 1. EFNAM/ SAMATE VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR L MOKMER JAPEN 1. ADMIRALTY IS. SARMI Geolvink Boy Kavieng MACCLUER GULF Babo 9 Hollandia 5 Fek Fox Altope MUSHU 1. BOELA NEW RELAND DAGUA (Wewak CERAM Hansa Bor Raboul Sepit RAPOPO TOBERA Madang KEI IS. C.Gloucester, Tolasea \ oSolder AROE IS. Gosmoto Los TANIMBAR IS. Merouks, oBuno NEW GUINEA Port Moresbye 100 so o 100 200 300 MILES DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. US forces on Biak threw back three enemy counterattacks during 15 June on our positions northwest of Mokmer airdrome; three enemy tanks were destroyed. Japanese defenses in this area are being gradually reduced and a number of gun positions have been captured. Allied patrols pushed beyond Hansa Bay to the Condor Point on 16 June without contact with the enemy. Air activity during 15 and 16 June included an attack by 27 B-24's against Truk, B-24 raids on Palau and Yap and escorted B-25 strikes on the Efman seaplane base and Samate airdrome (both in the Sorong area) during which 40 to 50 enemy planes were destroyed on the ground and in the air. Light and fighter bombers harassed the enemy installations and barges along the New Guinea coasts. On 15 June, more than 160 sorties were flown against targets in the Bougainville, New Britain, and New Ireland areas; antiaircraft positions at Rapopo and Tobera were hit with 99 tons of bombs. 2. On the night of 14-15 June, 13 Army B-24's dropped 26 tons of explosives on islands and airfields in the Truk Group; a heavy bomber hit Ponape. The next morning Central Pacific bombers and fighters con- tinued to pound Ponape, Ocean, Nauru, Jaluit, Taroa, Mille and Wotje in scattered raids. One Marine Corsair was shot down by antiaircraft fire. A regimental combat team of our 27th Division began landing on Saipan late on 16 June. It is estimated that the enemy has about 20,000 troops on the island. - 5 - DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 EASTERN FRONT Soviet forces made gains of between five and eleven miles on the 7 Karelian Isthmus during 18 June. - 6 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 920 0700 June 16 to 0700 June 17, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 IO 12 14 16 18 20 Okiel 54 WILSTER 52. PEmden WESERMUNDE Bremen with a Londone HANNOVER OBerlin ORotterdam o 52 50 GELSENKIRCHEN 6 oBrussels Cologne OLeipzig o 20 ST. POL Abbeville a LE HAVRE o Frankfurt Progue 50 48 Poris ORennes o Noncy o Laire Decube BRATISLAVA OTours o Munich 48 NANTES Vienno Budopest o 46 o Bern o Bolzono 46 4 Lyon Bordeaux OMilon PTrieste 44 o o Toulouse Bologno 9 44 CENTRAL EUROPE o VIAREGGIO o OSplit 42 CASTIGLIONCELLO 50 o 50 100 150 200 e STATUTE MILES 2 o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 IS 24-87117-300 GED DECLASSIFIED Letter, 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE Six B-24's of the 11th Air Force and seven Navy B-34's bombed and photographed Japanese installations in the Kuriles from Shimushiru to Shumushu on 15 June. About 40 enemy fighters appeared over Matsuwa and Paramushiro; antiaircraft fire was intense. One Navy bomber reported its intention to land in Soviet territory; another is missing. EUROPEAN THEATER 1. The night of 14-15 June, 984 RAF bombers operated against the Le Havre port area, where heavy damage was observed, troop concentrations in northwestern France, and French communications targets with almost 5,000 tons of explosives; thirty-five RAF Mosquito bombers harassed Gelsenkirchen. Six enemy planes were shot down for a loss of five RAF bombers. Between 2100, 14 June and sunrise 16 June, the Allied Expedi- tionary Air Force flow more than 7,000 sorties in support of our ground operations, using almost 2,000 tons of bombs and 1,650 rockets. Forty-nine (probably 53) enemy planes were shot down; we lost one medium bomber and 23 light aircraft. About 350 enemy fighters and bombers operated over our beachhead areas and anchorages during this period. Additional reports on 8th Air Force operations for 15 June indicate that 1,237 heavy bombers carried out attacks against a Hannover oil refinery and Wilster and Wesermunde in Germany, and rail and air - 1 - COTENTIN PENINSULA 10 5 o ID 10 30 MILES LINE AS OF 15 JUNE LINE AS OF 16 JUNE CHERBOURG ETRETAT @ ST SAUVEUR LE HAVRE -LE-VICOHTE TROUVILLE ESSAY BANEUX ST.JEAN JERSEY DE-DAYE CAEN COUTANCES GRANVILLE VIRE st MALO CANCALE FLERS AVRANCHES ALENCON BENNES LAVAL LE MANS DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 installations near Bordeaux, in the Loire Valley, near Paris and to the north and west with 3,379 tons of explosives. Twelve (probably 16) enemy planes were shot down for a loss of three fighters. 2. About dawn on 13 June the Germans attacked England with pilotless aircraft, only one of which hit London in the north central area. On the night of 15-16 June a sustained attack of these missiles, which arrived at the rate of about 12 per hour, was launched against southeastern England, London, and East Anglia. Extensive damage was caused, chiefly to private property. About 20 incidents were reported in London boroughs and 42 in adjacent counties, some planes landing 90 miles beyond London. Eleven of these planes were shot down by antiaircraft fire and 11 others by fighter planes. It is believed that these aircraft were launched from 16 sites in the vicinity of St. Pol. By 0800, 16 June, 170 pilotless aircraft had landed in England and were still continuing to arrive at 1500 hours. The device is apparently a monoplane with a wing span of 16 feet and is powered by jet-propulsion using low-grade aviation fuel. Its trajectory is marked by a bright horizontal moving flame and is accompanied by a steady, rattling noise similar to a motorcycle engine operating at slow speed. It is built of steel and its charge is com- parable with that of the German 1,000 kilogram bomb. Its range is at least 125 miles and its speed about 350 miles an hour. 3. The US VII Corps on the Cherbourg Peninsula made some progress during the 24-hour period ending at noon 16 June; its leading elements - 2 - RIMINI T.P ALLERONA PERUGIA PENDENTE FICULUE THE FORMETO FOLIGNO TODI VITERBO STEAM SRIETI AQUILA ROME APPROXIMATE CONTACT 16 JUNE PESCARA 14 JUNE , ORD DECLASSIPIED-3-72 reached Sauveur-le-Vicomte through which pass the remaining railroad and main highway serving Cherbourg. Other forces of the XIX Corps pushed an attack to one mile from St. Jean-de-Daye. There were no significant changes on the front of the US V Corps. The British Second Army beat off a strong attack east of Caen. MEDITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 14-15 June, 40 Allied planes bombed the Nis railway and locomotive sheds. The next day, incomplete reports from the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces indicate that 110 B-25's attacked bridges in the Viareggio-Castiglioncello area. Lighter aircraft also supported our ground forces and attacked communications in Yugoslavia. Two enemy planes were shot down; one bomber and one fighter are missing. Six hundred and sixty escorted heavy bombers of the 15th Air Force operated against five oil refineries in the Vienna region and one at Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, on 16 June with observed effect. Of some 215 intercepting German planes, 71 (probably 86) were shot down for a loss of 13 heavy bombers. 2. During 15 and 16 June American troops of the Fifth Army, making gains of about six miles against scattered resistance, pushed their forward units to within seven miles of Grosseto from the south and east. French Colonials captured Acquapendente and advanced two miles beyond. The British Eighth Army advanced more than 30 miles in a drive east of the Tiber, capturing Terni and Todi and reaching to within ten - 3 - LEDOG RIVER STUNDER YANOR SUBRABUR KOHIMA JESSAN MAHLEN CCHAY-KUNG-TANG VISWEMA PASS KAMAING SAFARMAINA MANIPUR I BISHENAUR SECTOR HS LANGYA TIDDIN XALEWA -CALOUTTA MAUNGDAW AKYAB4 WTOUNGOO > BENGAL 6 z REASSEIN E RAMBOON B BULF of MARTABAN F 0 T & 0 ORANGER APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 25 o 50 100 (50 APPROXIMATE MILES APORT BLAIR - SHANGHM WUCHANG Hangchow Kiskin USHA enchow CHANGSHA Heng-yong show Amoy rechou 5w01ow CANTON Morgo HONGKONG APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT 21 Mon Cay o 50 100 150 200 Pakhoi MILES RANOI Hsi-ying Halphong MAP NO. 2437 (FREE) COMPILED AND DRAWN IN THE BRANCH OF RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS, oss 24 JUNE 1943 LITHOGRAPHED IN THE REPRODUCTION BRANCH, oss DECLASSIFIED CED Lotter, 5-3-72 miles of Foligno. South African armored troops captured Allerona after having been held up in this area for a day by demolitions. The drive north of Orvieto continued; at last report the Eighth Army had advanced three miles beyond Ficulle. Another patrol to Aquila reported the area clear of the enemy and the town occupied by Partisans. In the Adriatic sector the British V Corps continued to move forward finding no enemy but slowed up by demolitions; patrols reached the Vomano River. 3. This morning a French detachment landed on the Island of Elba. ASIATIC THEATER 1. Chinese forces on the Salween front captured Chai-kung-tang in the Mamien Pass area on 14 June. On 15 June the Chinese continued to close in on Kamaing from all sides. South of Kohima the British cap- tured Viswema, scoring a two-mile advance along the Imphal Road, and were also 14 miles to the southeast of Kohima. In the Imphal area there was local fighting north of Safarmaina and southwest of Bishenpur. Our air forces supported these operations. 2. Between 12 and 15 June heavy casualties were inflicted on the Japanese by 14th Air Force planes operating over the Yangtze battle area. At least 250 Japanese supply boats and river craft, including double-deck troop barges, were destroyed. Medium and fighter bombers heavily damaged the Muchang rail yards on the 13th. Heavy bombers swept the Yangtze River to its estuary damaging two medium-sized - 4 - Sorong Monokwori BIAK 1, o SNAMBER VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR MOKMER JAPEN C ADMIRALTY IS. MAFFIN BAY Gestrink Boy Babo Kovieng Hollandio FANGALAWA KAIRIRU 1, Fak Fox Altope BAY MUSHU 1, MAKAGI (Wewok NEW IRENAND BUP NIGHTINGALE BAY Honso Boy DAGUA, Reboul GAZELLE Modong PEN: KEI IS. Gloucester, alasso ward oSoldor AROE IS. Gosmoto Loe TANIMBAR IS. Mercuke, oBuno NEW GUINEA Port Moresbyc 100 50 o 100 200 300 MILES DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter. 5-3-78 freighters and attacked shipping at Hongkong and Shanghai, sinking a medium-sized freighter and damaging two others. Other aircraft contin- ued to support ground action on the Yellow River front and raided the railroad between Shanhsien and Loyang. On 15 June, 24 B-24's bombed Japanese warehouses in the Canton area. More than 400 sorties were flown during these operations, in which two enemy planes were shot down for a loss of two of our planes. On 13 June Japanese planes bombed our Yushan, Kienow and Hengyang air- fields. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. Our forces on Biak Island met strong resistance north of Mokmer airfield on 15 June and repulsed an enemy armored attack. Naval fire silenced enemy guns which had been harassing our supply lines. 2. On the night of 14-15 June and the following day, our medium and light aircraft continued to neutralize the enemy along the north- castern New Guinea coast. Six B-24's attacked Namber airfield (Noemfoor Island) and eight others over Timor bombed Lautem, Dilli, Fuiloro, and a probable enemy supply dump near Leca. Our fighters damaged shipping off Manokwari and started fires ashore. We continued our neutralization of enemy installations on the northern Gazelle Peninsula, Bougainville and New Ireland during 14 June. 3. More than 100 Army and Navy bombers and fighters raided Taroa, Jaluit, Ponape, Nauru, Wotje, Mille and Ocean Island on 14 June. - 5 - TOP DECIME DEULASSIFIEB OED Letter, 5-8-72 EASTERN FRONT In heavy fighting on the Karelian Isthmus the Red Army's push toward the Mannerheim Line gained seven miles on the eastern flank. - 6 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 919 0700 June 15 to 0700 June 16, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(a) COTENTIN PENINSULA of 5 o ID 20 30 MILES LINE AS OF 14 JUNE - LINE AS OF 15 JUNE - CHERBOURG ETRETAT GYALOGNES R. MONTEBOURG LE HAVRE ST SAVYEUR -LE-VICOMTE TROUVILLE ESSAY BANEUX JERSEY CAL STREET TLLY-SUR-SEOLLES COUTRNCES VILLERS-BOCAGE GRANVILLE (VIRE ST. MALO #CANCALE x FLERS AVRANCHES ALENCON BENNES AVAL LE MANS DECLASSIFIED 98D Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER 1. During 14 June the Allied Expeditionary Air Force flew over 3,400 sorties against railway centers and other targets in support of our ground operations. More than 1,000 tons of explosives were dropped and ten (probably 20) enemy planes were destroyed for a loss of one medium bomber and 27 fighters. In the 8th Air Force missions flown that day 1,348 escorted heavy bombers attacked airfields in France, Belgium and Holland and other targets in northern France with 2,876 tons of explosives. Four (probably ten) enemy planes were shot down for a loss of 15 bombers and seven fighters. The next day 1,361 heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force, including 14 equipped with radio-controlled bombs, operated against railway and communication targets. Four heavy bombers are missing. 2. The Allied Armies in France scored limited gains during the 24-hour period ending at noon 15 June. On the right of the US VII Corps sector we advanced about a mile up the coast; heavy fighting continued in and around Montebourg. In the center of the corps sector, we scored gains up to two miles toward St. Sauveur-le-Vicomte. There were no significant changes on our XIX and V Corps fronts. On the British Second Army front, mopping-up operations continued. Late on 14 June a British armored division, with the assistance of British and American artillery, repulsed two heavy German counterattacks west of Villers-Bocage; at least ten heavy German tanks were destroyed. Tilly- sur-Seulles is still in enemy hands. we now have 20 divisions in or in the process of moving in. Ememy has 16 on the line with evidence of 2 mader movey up. 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 IO 12 14 16 18 20 OKiel 54 52% 5 PEmden FIRE Bremen with 7 Londoner o OBerlin ORotterdam 52 50 6 oBrussels Cologne OLeipzig o 20 Abbeville o Frankfurt Progue 50 48 o Poris ORennes Nancy Leire Danube O-Tours Munich 48 Vienna 46 Budopest o o Bern o °Bolzono 46 4 Lyon e Bordeaux 44 OMilan Trieste o CANNETO o Toulouse Bologno PISTOJA 44 4 AVIGNON CENTRAL EUROPE LUCCA FLORENCE LEGHORN OSplit 42 50 o 50 100 150 200 STATUTE MILES 2 o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 24-87117-300 DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 The Germans have had to put into the line every one of their available divisions. Their air force has harassed our shipping and they have shelled the beaches on our flanks occasionally. By afternoon of 13 June 426,214 men had been landed; by evening of 14 June, 10,567 enemy prisoners had left for England, including a few hundred Russians, Poles, Italians, Yugoslavs and Czechoslovaks. MEDITERRANEAN 1. Sixty-four Allied bombers attacked the Munich railway station with 106 tons of explosives during the night of 13-14 June. The next day, while Strategic bombers hit Balkan oil facilities, Tactical medium bomber missions totalling 125 planes again attacked shipping in Leghorn harbor as well as communications around Florence, and at Canneto in the Po Valley. Lighter aircraft also supported our ground operations and attacked targets along the Yugoslavian and Albanian coasts. 1,100-odd sorties were flown by Tactical aircraft during the day; two enemy planes were destroyed for a loss of seven fighters. During 15 June, 87 P-38's and 105 P-51's of the 15th Air Force attacked six French airdromes in the Avignon area, destroying nine enemy aircraft on the ground and five (probably seven) of some 22 enemy aircraft encountered over target areas. Seventeen of our aircraft are missing. 2. No operations reports for 15 June have been received from the Mediterranean Theater. - 2 - LEDOW RIVER KOHIMA MANIPUR KAMATNO.RU FRONT IMPHAL HANGSHIR LANGTA T DDTM -CALOUTTA ARAKAN MANDALAYD SECTOR MAUNGDAW AKYABA OFROME > BENGAL REASSEIN RAZIBOON BULF d MARTABAN F o YES 4 1 B APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS so 13 0 to 199 100 APPROXIMATE MILES WPORT BAR - - HACAR PROM HAKODATE TRENTSIN HIEJO GENSAN DAIREN s LAOYAO FUSAN YAWATA NAGASAKI JAPAN SHANCHAI AND N.E. CHINA 50 0 8 200 300 400 Doctor I WENCHOW SCALE OF MILES DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 ASIATIC THEATER 1. Preliminary reports state that of the 67 B-29's of the 20th Bomber Command which were dispatched against targets in Japan on 15 June about 60 effectively attacked the Imperial Iron and Steel Works at Yawata shortly after midnight 15-16 June (target time); two others attacked the port of Laoyao. Yawata is 1,600 miles from our base. Some enemy aircraft were encountered but no damage was reported; antiaircraft fire was moderate to intense but inaccurate. Our losses have not been evaluated. 2. Chinese troops south of the Burma Road captured Hsiangta, eight miles east of Mangshih on 13 June. Allied forces continued to make local gains at Myitkyina the next day. Kamaing has been surrounded by five Chinese regiments. The situation around Kohima remains unchanged; British troops made some gain toward that city from the Imphal area. 3. On 13 June US and RAF planes flew reconnaissance missions over the Arakan sector, attacked storage dumps and motor vehicles along the Tiddim road, and attacked bridges, river craft and locomotives in northern Burma. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. During 12 and 13 June the 65 B-24's which attacked Truk destroyed nine (probably 10) of 35 intercepting enemy planes. Other B-24's on the 13th attacked Satawan and Yap and destroyed two twin-engine bombers at - 3 - e e M . Assongaong 1. A - Agrihen L. # , Pagen 1. Alamogen IL CAROLINE AND MARIANAS IS. Guguan .. e Sarigan 1. to o so 100 60 100 150 Anotahon Le ...... N Medinillo 1. SCALE OF MILES Seipen I Tenion 8 Agaijan iL - Rate 1. Quam a UIM is LA Fais 1. my Geferat IL Otel in Ngain is Persulap is. Mell Yes 0 PHILIPPINE is Serei is. West Fays 1. IL (Mindenes 0 Palay is Ollmaree is Pulep is is # Trus is Wolsei is Elete X Hold is "Pulower is. Ngemelis is. Equripis is Pulusch is c A . o L I N E II s L A z D $ Sansoral is Pule Anna 1, Marir 1. Total is Tablet I Helen - Months I. Sorong Monokworl BIAK 1. -KAMIRA VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR 1. JAPEN L ADMIRALTY IS. WAKDE 1. Geelvink Boy Kovieng Babo Hollandia Fak Fak Altope Wewak PRAED PT. Hansa Boy Raboul POTSDAM HARBOR RAROPO PENA. Modong C.Gloucester, Tolases KEI IS. Selder AROE IS. Cosmato Loe TANIMBAR IS. Merouked oBwne NEW GUINEA Port Moresby 100 50 o 100 200 300 MILES DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 Woleai. The next day our heavy bombers again hit Truk, Kamiri airfield on Noemfoor Island, and the Halong seaplane base and barracks areas on Ambon. Other aircraft neutralized the Lautem and Babo airdromes, and targets east of Aitape. Enemy planes attacked Biak and Wakde during the night of 12-13 June, damaging nine of our aircraft on the latter island. Australian patrols moved northwestward along the coast and reached Potsdam Harbor on 14June without opposition. Four hundred enemy dead from starvation and air attacks were found at a point in the Hollandia area. 2. At 0001 local time on 15 June, operational control of the area west of the 159° E meridian passed to the Commander-in-Chief, Southwest Pacific Area. 3. General MacArthur has announced the organization of a provisional overall air command effective 15 June, under Lieut. Gen. George C. Kenney. The 5th and 13th Air Forces are assigned to this command. On 15 June, the Command Post of the 13th Air Force moved from Guadalcanal to Los Negros in the Admiralty Islands. 4. Rapopo and Tobera antiaircraft positions on the Gazelle Peninsula received about 80 tons of bombs from over 100 Allied aircraft on 13 June. Fighter bombers used 43 tons of explosives on targets in the Bougainville- Buka area. 5. On 13 June more than 125 Central Pacific aircraft hit islands - 4- DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 in the Marshall, Gilbert and Caroline Groups with 64 tons of bombs. Included in these missions was a 38-ton attack by 19 B-24's against air- fields at Truk, strikes against enemy barracks at Nauru, coastal defense guns at Mille and antiaircraft installations at Ponape. During the night of 13-14 June three Navy bombers attacked the eastern Marshalls in scattered raids. EASTERN FRONT The Red Anny advanced six miles along the two railroads leading to Viipuri in western Karelia. German attacks north of Jassy resulted in slight improvement of their positions. - 5 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 918 0700 June 14 to 0700 June 15, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) 3 (2) 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 IO 12 14 16 18 20 Kiel 54 52 PEmden Paremen BIRE 7 Londone °Berlin o o ORotterdom EMMERICH 52 GELSENKIRCHEN 50 6 oBrussels Cologne OLeipzig ARRAS o 20 CAMBRAI Abbeville a AMIENS o Frankfurt Progue 50 48 O o Paris ORennes o Noncy o ORLEANS Leire Danube O-Tours o Munich o 48 Vienna POITIERS 46 Budopest Bern o Bolzono 46 4 Lyon Bordeoux OMilon Trieste 44 o o Toulouse Bologno 9 44 CENTRAL EUROPE o MARSEILLE LEGHORN OSplit 42 50 o 50 100 150 200 P. STATUTE MILES 2 o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 IB 24-87117-300 TOTAL DECLASSIFIED 080 Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER 1. Two hundred and seventy-six RAF bombers dropped 1,584 tons of bombs on the Gelsenkirchen synthetic oil plant during the night of 12-13 June while 635 others used 2,495 tons on rail installations at Poitiers, Amiens, Arras and Cambrai, the river bridge at Caen, and Cologne. Thirty-nine bombers are missing. The Allied Expeditionary Air Force flew almost 3,000 sorties during the 24-hour period ending at sunrise on 14 June, dropping an aggregate bombload of 900 tons in support of our ground operations. Five enemy planes were shot down for a loss of three bombers and 17 fighters. Enemy air action was confined to 157 fighter and bomber sorties over the Channel area. On 13 June 351 heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force attacked six airdromes north and west of Paris and five rail bridges in the Brest Peninsula. We lost two bombers; escorting fighters destroyed four German planes. Two hundred and forty-three fighter bombers con- tinued their strikes against French railroad bridges and destroyed two enemy fighters for a loss of two P-38's. On 14 June, 1,528 heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force, escorted by 726 fighters, attacked 16 airdromes around Paris, in northern France and Belgium, as well as the Emmerich oil refinery in Germany. Twenty-five bombers, using radio-controlled bombs, were dispatched to attack five bridges. 2. During the 24-hour period ending at noon, 14 June, the US - 1 - COTENTIN PENINSULA 10 5 o ID 20 10 MILES CHERBOURG ETRETAT MON EBOURG ENALOGNES DE FONTENAY LE HAVRE CARENTAN TROUVILLE ISIGNT LESSAT BMZUX JERSEY ESCORVILLE CAEN STATE VILLERS-BOCAE COUTANCES CAUMONT GRANVILLE &VIRE i ST. MALO @CANCALE LERS AVRANCHES ALENCON RENNE AVAL CALE MANS ,DECLASSIFIED DSD Letter, 5-3-72 VII Corps engaged in heavy fighting around Montebourg where enemy artillery fires were increasing. Troops west of Carentan made a three- mile gain; southwest of the town we advanced against heavy German opposition. Our VIII Corps headquarters has arrived in this area. Reconnaissance elements of the V Corps reached about three miles south and southwest of Caumont against slight opposition. The headquarters of our XIX Corps has arrived in the Isigny area. On the British Second Army front, units of the XXX British Corps were engaged in mopping up German resistance in the area north of Villers-Bocage. Headquarters of the British VIII Corps has landed as well as additional armored troops. 3. By the afternoon of 12 June a total of 395,798 personnel, 56,659 vehicles, and 79,485 tons of supplies had been landed on all beaches. 4. General Spaatz, reporting on the effectiveness of the air forces in supporting our cross-channel operations, says that attacks against yards and other railroad facilities caused heavy destruction, bombing of rail bridges being particularly effective. All nine bridges over the Seine between Paris and the sea were destroyed or heavily damaged and six of the seven double-track bridges across the Loire from Orleans to the sea were wrecked. Damage to crossroads and highway bridges has disrupted road traffic. Widespread destruction of enemy telephone lines has been caused. Attacks on enemy airfields effectively disrupted the German air force organization; the bombing of beachhead defenses just prior to the assault was highly effective. - 2 - ANCONA AREZZ SIENA PORTOCIVITANOVA PERUGIA GROSSETO ORVIETO GRADOL 1 MAGLIANO PINETO PITIOL WNO LATERA ATRI TERNI CAST (GL IONE PESCARA PENNE 6 ADVILA POPOLI CIVITAVECCHIA APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT AVEZZANO 14 JUNE 13 JUNE ROME o # = 24 's2 40 MILES T DECLASSIFIED MEDITERRANEAN OSD Letter, 5-3-72 1. On the night of 12-13 June, 56 RAF bombers caused observed demolitions at the Almas Frizito (Hungary) oil refinery. The next day 54 B-26's hit ships in Leghorn harbor with observed effect while 188 other medium bombers and strong forces of light aircraft supported our ground operations. Airfields, railroad yards and other targets as far as Poland and Czechoslovakia were photographed by units operating from Italy and the United Kingdom. Over 2,000 sorties of all types were flown; only two enemy planes were observed over the Italian battle front during 13 June both of which were shot down. Five hundred and eighty-three escorted heavy bombers of the 15th Air Force attacked seven oil refineries and an airdrome in the Budapest area on 14 June with 1,254 tons of explosives. Two refineries are reported destroyed. Eight planes were destroyed on the ground at Kecskemet airdrome and 17 (probably 18) of about 60 attempting intercep- tion were shot down for a loss of five heavy bombers and six fighters. 2. The Fifth Army continued its northward advance during 14 June. Our IV Corps pushed two miles along the coastal highway to Grosseto against strong resistance, and cleared Magliano and Pitigliano. French Colonials, encountering lessening resistance, occupied Latera and were last reported driving toward Gradoli. The British Eighth Army also moved forward, capturing Orvieto and continued north and northwestward in contact with the enemy. Indian infantry and British armored troops joined in the outskirts of Terni. On the Adriatic flank the enemy withdrawal was closely followed by Italian and Indian troops which reported Castiglione and Penne clear, and reached Pineto and Atri. - 3 - file HERTZ LEDOV RIVER STATE STUNDER AND NSOPZUP KOHIMA KAMATNON ENGCHUNG INCHALL HUNGMOSHU 10 SHENPUR MO+RANG ASHAME TIDOTH will, XALEMA CANCUTTA ARAKAN MANDALAY@ SECTOR MAUNGDAW AKYABA APROME RCHLENG > BENGAL 1 6 = RBASSEIN E RAMBOON B BULF d MARTABAN o YES 4 A. B APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS so 25 9 so 100 150 APPROXIMATE MILES *PORT BLAIR - = 1 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 A patrol found Aquila clear of the enemy. ASIATIC THEATER 1. Chinese troops on the Salween front captured Hungmoshu, 18 miles east of Tengchung, on 12 June. On 13 June Allied forces continued to make small gains in Myitkyina. In the Fort Hertz Valley, British troops successfully attacked Nsopzup. Chinese troops attacking Kamaing were one mile from the city on the northwest and four miles on the southeast and southwest. In the Kohima and Bishenpur areas small British gains were reported. In the upper Kaladan Valley of the Arakan front British troops sustained a local reverse. 2. On 12 June our air forces supported ground operations on the Burma fronts, and damaged a large steamer at Mandalay. 3. Report of casualties for the month of May on the India-Burma fronts follows: Killed Wounded Missing Total Arakan Sector - British 164 801 108 1,073 Manipur Sector - British 1,166 3,656 467 5,289 North Burma Sector - British 4 12 2 18 Chinese 674 1,636 20 2,330 American 20 55 12 87 Total 2,028 6,160 609 8,797 Japanese casualties for the same period are reported as: - 4 - SHANGHAI BANKOW MKING Hongchow JUCRANG ALC enchow DRAN SHA SUICHW how Amoy dhoug Swetow CANTOM March HONGKONG APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT Jon Cay o 50 100 150 200 Pokhoi MILES RANOI Hsi-ying Halphong MAP NO. 2437 (FREE) COMPILED AND DRAWN IN THE BRANCH OF RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS, oss 24 JUNE 1943 LITHOGRAPHED IN THE REPRODUCTION BRANCH, oss Sorong Monohwari BIAK I. o PARAI VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR L MOKMER JAPEN L ADMIRALTY IS. Geelvink Bay MOMOTE Bobo Hollandia Kovieng Fak Fox NEW RELAND Altope Wewok Hanso Boy Robout RAPOPO TOBERA KEI IS. Madang C.Gloucester, Talassa R. Island oSoldor AROE IS. Gasmato Los TANIMBAR IS. Merouked oBuna NEW GUINEA Port Moresbye 100 50 o 100 200 300 MILES 24-83834-200 DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 Killed Wounded POW Total Arakan Sector 1,620 1,000 2 2,622 Manipur Sector 6,592 2,698 49 9,339 North Burma Sector 1,634 Unknown 5 1,639 Total 9,846 3,698+ 56 13,600 4. Three B-24's off the South China coast sank a 600-foot freighter and damaged a cruiser on 11 June. Nearly 60 of our fighters and fighter bombers harassed enemy troops in the Changsha area; at Anking 11 P-38's demolished buildings with 1,000-pound bombs and destroyed two enemy aircraft. Medium bombers and fighters supported ground operations on the Yellow River front. That night six B-25's destroyed or damaged at least 15 enemy planes at his airdromes at Wuchang, Hankow and Pailuchi. On 12 June our aircraft continued their support of Chinese troops on the Yangtze, Yellow River and Salween fronts. On 10 and 11 June, Japanese aircraft raided our fields at Suichwan, Liangshan and Enshih, destroying one of our fighters. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. The B-24's which bombed Palau on 11 June shot down 20 (probably 28) of 40 to 50 intercepting enemy fighters. During the 13th, Momote-based B-24's attacked Truk, 5th Air Force and RAAF medium and light aircraft harassed the enemy on the northeast New Guinea coast, and two squadrons of A-20's supported our ground forces on Biak. A Catalina sank a vessel southwest of Woleai and patrolling B-24's shot down one enemy bomber northeast of Palau and another northeast of Halmahera. - 5 - 150° ISS* 160° NS* 170" È Wake Island CENTRALPACIFIC 15° 50 o 50 100 150 200 250 Pokookku Atoll SCALE OF MILES 4 Bikar Atoll . Eniwetok Atoll Bikini Atoll Rongerik Atoll Utirik Atoll Ailinginge Atoll Rongelap Atoll Toko Atoll Wotho Atoll Ailuk Atoll & ID Ujelong Atoll 4 Likiep Atoll Wotje Atoll Olol Is Ujoe Atoll < Murilo Is. Erikub Atoll Maloelap Atoll Terms : Kwajalein Atoll Aur Atoll Hall Is Nomu Atoll S Oroluk L Truk is ( Majuro Atoll Senyavin Is 4 Ailinglapalap Atoll & N Arno Atoll I Pingelop Is. Jaluit Atoll Mille Atoll Emid) - Ngotik I. Kusaie 1. S Satawan Is Namorik Atoll Nomoi Is Ebon Atoll Nukuoro is Makin Is G < Apaiang Torowo 1. Kapingamarangi Is. Maiana I. Apamama 1. Kuria L Nouru I. Nonuti I. Oceon I. Tapiteuea Onotoo KAVIENG Tamaria I 150° ISS* 10* 165° 170° ITS* BOUGAINVILLE ISLAND BUKA I. 10 o 10 20 30 Buko Passage MILES BUKA AIRFIELD 6 BONIS Banin Boy Tolokh 1. Matchin Teop L Boy NUMA NUMA o KIAKABA 0 C. MABIRI Anewa Bay Bakawari L O PIVAL KIETA C. TOROKINA Reboine Bay EMPRESS AUGUSTA BAY MUTUPINA PT. 9 KARA Kahill TONOL EJ Buino Ballale L SHORTLAND - Faisi I. Alu 1. MONO 1. 24-75509ABCD-300 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 Our ground forces continued their advance west of the Mokmer airdrome, and cleaned out the enemy resistance in the defile east of Parai, leaving the coast from Bosnek to Mokmer in our hands. 2. South Pacific missions on 12 June included 86 bombers and fighters which attacked the Rapopo and Tobera airdromes and other targets in the Rabaul area. Other aircraft in widespread attacks hammered Tonolei, Kahili, the Buka airstrip and the southeast coast of New Ireland. A fighter was lost to antiaircraft fire at Tonolei. A Fiji outpost 12,000 yards north of our beachhead on Bougainville was attacked unsuccessfully. 3. Forty-three Central Pacific bombers and fighters attacked gun positions on Wotje, Maloelap and Nauru and hit Ocean Island on 12 June. Six B-25's delivered six tons to Ponape. That night 15 B-24's dropped 37 tons on targets in the Truk Group. EASTERN FRONT For 15 June some gains against stiffening resistance were reported by Red Forces on the Karelian Isthmus. - 6 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 917 0700 June 13 to 0700 June 14, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(-) (2) 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 IO 12 14 16 18 20 Kiel 54 25 5 PEmden EIME Paremen Birth + Londong Berlin ORotterdam o 52 50 6 oBrussels Cologne OLeipzig ILLE 20 Abbeville o Frankfurt Progue 50 48 o EVREUX Paris ORennes Noncy o a Leire Danube Tours Munich OBERPFAFFENHOFFEN 48 Vienno NANTES INNSBRUCK Budopest o 46 o Bern o o Bolzono 46 4 Lyon PORTO MARGHERA Bordeoux 44 OMilon PTrieste o Toulouse Bologno 9 44 CENTRAL EUROPE o o OSplit 42 50 o 50 100 150 200 0, STATUTE MILES 2 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 24-87117-300 DECLASSIFIED OED Letter. 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE Five Navy bombers raided the northern Kuriles on 13 June hitting Kakumabetsu on Paramushiro, and Kataoka and a mid-island airfield on Shumushu. One plane was lost. EUROPEAN THEATER 1. During the night of 11-12 June, 287 RAF bombers attacked the railroad centers at Evreux, Nantes and Tours and a railway bridge south of Paris with an aggregate bombload of 1,332 tons of explosives. Mosquito bombers dropped 28 two-ton bombs on Berlin. During the 24-hour period ending at sunrise 13 June, the AEAF flew over 4,800 sorties against railway centers, coastal batteries, bridges, radar installations, highways, motor transport, and military targets in enemy rear areas, dropping over 1,400 tons of explosives. Fifty-five (probably 58) enemy planes were shot down for a loss of four bombers and 24 fighters. Enemy air action over north France and the beachhead areas was limited to 148 sorties of fighters and bombers during the period. In the 8th Air Force operations against enemy rail and air communication centers during 12 June, 1,277 heavy bombers used 3,149 tons of explosives of which 60 tons were fused for three to 72 hours delay. Escort was furnished by 515 fighters; air opposition was strong at Evreux where 21 of the 22 German planes destroyed during these operations were shot down. Two hundred and seventy-six fighter bombers of the 8th Air - 1 - COTENTIN PENINSULA 10 5 o IO 20 so MILES CHERBOURG ETRETAT MONTEBOURG IVALOGNES LE HAVRE CARENTAN TROUVILLE ESSAY BANEUX LA CROIX JERSEY ROUGE SV ST CLAIR-SUR-L ELLE w LA y COVER LE VILLERS - BOCAGE COUTANCES CAUMONT GRANVILLE ¿VIRE o ST. MALO @CANCALE FLERS AVRANCHES ALENCON RENNES AVAL MANS DECLASSIFIED 68D Letter, 5-3-72 Force attacked enemy railroad installations in the Paris and Tours area and shot down five German planes for a loss of 13 of their number. 2. During the night of 12-13 June, southeastern England and the London area were attacked by enemy aircraft, including what is believed to be German pilotless planes, the wreckage of seven of which has been identified. Coastal batteries also fired on southeastern England during the night. 3. US forces on the Cherbourg Peninsula were heavily engaged at Montebourg during 13 June. Our airborne units repulsed a strong German counterattack on Carentan during the morning. Our V Corps advanced along its entire front on 12 June, occupying St. Clair-sur-l'elle, la Vacquerie and Caumont; on highway 172 it was less than six miles from St. Lo. It encountered increased German resistance the next day. The Second British Army made good progress on its right and had reached the general area of Villers-Bocage by mid-morning of the 13th; the enemy reacted strongly and fierce fighting was in progress. Heavy fighting continued around Caen. 4. Guerrilla warfare is reported to be active, and on an increasing scale, in many areas of France and four departments are reported to be largely under the control of resistance forces; two of these departments are adjacent to Switzerland, one to Spain, and one is in central France. Sabotage against priority rail lines has been carried out on a wide scale in central and southern France; several important rail lines, including - 2 - COMO BRESCIA MILAN VERONA VENICE PADUA TURIN . CREMONA D ALESSANDRIA 6 FERRARA e PARMA BOLOGNA DRAVENNA GENOA SAVONA RIMINI SPEZIA PESARO IMPERIA VIAREGGIO PISA LORENCE PO VALLEY LEGHORN 10 0 20 40 60 SBON APPROXIMATE, MILES BASE MAP NO. 2804 (FREE) R & A,OSS 4 NOVEMBER 1943 REPRODUCED, OSS ANCONA AREZZ SIENA PORTOCIVITANOVA PERUGIA ORVIETO MONTEMERANO PITIGLIANO CASTIOLIONE ATRI MANCIANO LATERA TERNI BAGNORECIO LAGO/DI PICCIANO PESCARA BOLSENA ORBETELLO RIET) SEARA ADVICA ROSCIANO BUSSI APOPOLI VINDOLO CIVITAVECCHIA APPROXIMATE L LINE OF CONTACT AVEZZANO SULMONA 13 JUNE I2 JUNE ROME o # 16 24 32 40 MILES DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 those in the northeast, south, and southwest regions are reported temporarily cut. Elsewhere harassing activities are being carried out against bridges and telephone lines. MEDITERRANEAN 1. The airdrome at Karlovo, Bulgaria, was attacked on the night of 11-12 June by 40 bombers with 54 tons of explosives; bursts were observed among parked aircraft and three hangars were set on fire. The next day, 266 medium bombers of the Tactical Air Force resumed their effective attacks on Italian railroad bridges beyond the battle area. Over 500 fighters and fighter bombers attacked other enemy communications. Coastal aircraft, some operating from Corsica, attacked plants at Barga, Pontremoli, and Viareggio and harassed shipping in the Adriatic. No enemy air activity was reported. Seven hundred and ten escorted heavy bombers of the 15th Air Force operated against Ober Pfaffenhoffen airdrome, motor and ordnance works in the Munich industrial area, railroad yards at Innsbruck and oil installations in the Porto Marghera area on 13 June dropping over 1,400 tons of explosives. Thirty-three (probably 46) of some 140 intercepting enemy aircraft were shot down. Nineteen of our heavy bombers and five fighters are missing. 2. Our IV Corps, advancing along its entire front, pushed two regiments north of the Albegna River during 13 June. To the east we cut the Orbetello-Orvieto highway at Manciano and advanced two miles - 3 - LEDON RIVER MOGAUNG VALLEY KOHIMA CHA BUNG-TANG KAMA ING. IRIL ZIGYUN HOGAUNG IMPHA VALLEY ADMAND CALCUTTA MANDACAYS MAUNGDAW MACAR AKYABA APROME < BENGAL = REASON RAMMOON SULF of MARTABAN F 0 YES + A B APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 25 o 50 100 (50 APPROXIMATE MILES *PORT BLAIR --- DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 beyond Montemerano. French Colonials, reaching the same highway between Pitigliano and Latera, reported an enemy group nearly surrounded midway between the two towns. Fierce counterattacks along the west shore of Lago di Bolsena drove the French back two miles. East of the lake, after meeting stubborn resistance, South African armored units finally broke through the enemy at Bagnoregio and advanced two miles toward Orvieto. French troops on the left of these South Africans pushed to the outskirts of Bolsena while to the right British infantry units converging on Orvieto reached Castiglione. British armored troops east of the Tiber were within six miles of Terni, and Indian units driving from the south reached to within eleven miles of both Rieti and Terni. The New Zealand column probing toward Aquila arrived at Ovindoli, 15 miles to the south, without contact. In the Adriatic sector the British V Corps troops cleared the enemy from south of the Pescara River. Italian troops joined hands at Popoli with British units from Sulmona. The V Corps pushed its patrols into the Bussi, Rosciano, Picciano and Atri areas. 3. During the night of 11-12 June Allied planes bombed and mined Rhodes Harbor. ASIATIC THEATER Chinese forces on the Salween front on 11 June surrounded the enemy garrison at Chai-kung-tang. A small Japanese pocket was still resisting in Lungling. The Chinese advancing on Kamaing from the northwest scored a - 4 - Sorong Manokwari BIAK 1. o MOKMER VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR I. JAPEN I. ADMIRALTY IS. MAFFIN BAY Geelvink Boy Kovieng Bobo Hellandio NEW TRELAND Fek Fox Altope Wewok BORROP Hansa Boy Raboul o DAGOI RAPOPO Madang CAPE C.Gloucester, Tolasso KEI IS. ST. GEORGE Wand oSeldor AROE IS. Gosmata Los TANIMBAR is. Mercuke oBuno the NEW GUINEA Port Moresbye 100 so o 100 200 300 MILES 24-83854-200 TOP DECLASSIFIED ESD Letter, 5-3-72 two-mile gain on 12 June and were directing artillery fires on the town from a position about one mile to the northwest. Other Chinese forces advancing on the town, from the southwest, scored slight gains; a Japanese attack on Chinese preparing to cross the Mogaung River from the east bank was repulsed. Chinese forces which by-passed Kamaing reached positions nine miles northwest of Mogaung. Our attacks on Myitkyina continued. The British have cleared the Kohima road for a distance of 16 miles north of Imphal; advancing up the Iril Valley astride an enemy supply trail they are 25 miles northeast of Imphal. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. During 12 June, US troops had cleared the enemy for a distance of 1,000 yards west of the Mokmer airdrome and were mopping up the ridge north of the airfield. Allied patrols reached Dagoi, 12 miles southeast of Hansa Bay, without contact. During 11 June, 5th Air Force B-24's dropped 58 tons on Truk; of the 15 enemy fighters encountered, one (probably four) was destroyed. Two other heavy bombers hit Satawan. That night six Japanese aircraft over Biak damaged one of our destroyers; three (probably five) of the enemy were shot down. On 12 June our light aircraft maintained their neutralization of the Wewak area, supported our ground forces at Maffin Bay, and attacked the Manokwari airdrome. Northwest of Manokwari B-25's sank seven coastal vessels and damaged a 2,000-ton freighter; other B-25's destroyed an enemy transport plane northeast of Halmahera and a bomber - 5 - TOP DECLASSIFIED 0SD Letter, 5-3-72 northeast of Hollandia. An enemy reconnaissance plane was shot down southwest of Darwin. 2. Allied aircraft, in formations totalling 190 planes, struck antiaircraft positions near Rapopo airdrome with 87 tons of bombs on 11 June, scoring hits on at least five positions. Other South Pacific aircraft carried out widespread attacks over Bougainville, Buka, and raided Cape St. George and Borpop, in New Ireland. 3. During the night of 10-11 June, Navy patrol planes bombed Taroa and Mille. The next day, Central Pacific planes attacked Nauru and Ocean Island. One squadron of 7th Air Force B-24's dropped 16½ tons of bombs on Truk during the night of 11-12 June. EASTERN FRONT Red Army forces advanced six miles to the north and northeast in western Karelia meeting stiffening resistance. - 6 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 916 0700 June 12 to 0700 June 13, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 IO 12 14 16 18 20 JOKiel 54 52. PEmden Paremen with London Berlin o o ORotterdam o 52 50 CALAIS 6 oBrussels Cologne OLeipzig o 20 Abbeville o Frankfurt Progue 50 ACHERES 48 BREST VERSAILLES o DREUX . Paris °Rennes o Noncy o ORLEANS Laire Danube o Munich O-Tours 48 Vienna Budopest o 46 o Bern o o Bolzono 46 4 Lyon QBordeoux OMilon Trieste 44 o BROD GULF OF Toulouse Bologno QUARNARO 9 44 SANSEGO 1. o CENTRAL EUROPE o OSpilt 42 50 o 50 100 150 200 0. STATUTE MILES 2 o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 24-87117-300 DECLASSIFIES 08D Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER 1. An aircraft, probably hostile, was reported southeast of Jan Mayen Island on 11 June. 2. On the night of 10-11 June 387 RAF bombers dropped 1,638 tons of bombs on railway centers at Orleans, Versailles, Dreux, and Acheres. Thirty Mosquitoes dropped 57 tons of bombs on Berlin; six enemy planes were shot down, and 20 bombers are missing. The Allied Expeditionary Air Force flew over 4,100 sorties during the 30-hour period ending at sunrise on 12 June. Eight hundred and twenty-five tons of explosives were dropped on railroad centers, gun emplacements, bridges, airfields, and other targets within supporting distance of the German lines. During the two nights a total of some 200 enemy fighters and long-range bombers operated over north France, the Low Countries, and our beachheads; no enemy aircraft appeared over the battle area during the day. We shot down 14 (probably 15) German airplanes for the loss of thirty-two medium and light aircraft. Six hundred and fifteen heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force dropped 1,623 tons of explosives on targets in the Calais area, air- fields near Paris and south of the beachhead, and rail targets in Brittany and along the Loire Valley during 11 June (as indicated yesterday). More than 900 fighter bombers scored effective results against rolling stock at 18 railroad yards. Only slight air opposition was encountered and five (probably seven) enemy planes were shot down for a loss of nine of our airplanes. - 1 - COTENTIN PENINSULA 10 5 o 2 20 30 MILES CHERBOURG ETRETAT NES LE HAH LE HAVRE ETLENVILLE GARENTAN TROUVILLE LE VARIMESNIL BANEUX PERIERS BALLEROY BREVILLE JERSEY CAEN ST PAUL, ou VERNAY TILE SUR SEULLE COUTRNCES GRANVILLE EVIRE ST MALO #CANCALE ELERS MAVRANCHES ALENCON BENNES LE MANS DECLASSIFIES USD Lotter, 5-3-72 On 12 June, 1,446 heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force escorted by eight groups of fighters operated against 16 airdromes north and west of Paris and hit bridges between Paris and the Brest Peninsula with observed effect. Preliminary figures indicate that seven bombers and eleven fighters are missing. 3. The Allied Armies in France made minor advances during 12 June. The US VII Corps captured le Ham and Etienville, occupied Carentan after its evacuation during the night by the Germans, and advanced astride the Carentan-Periers road as far as le Varimesnil. Our V Corps pushed patrols south of a line Balleroy-St. Paul du Vernay. The British encountered strong opposition on an east-west line through Tilly-Sur-Seulles. On the eastern flank British units captured Breville. 4. Considerable attention has been given in the European Theater to the control of spending by our troops which now amounts to about 25 per cent of their pay. Every effort is being made to encourage the use of the savings facilities offered by the American Army. Special Services Division is planning to extend its Army exchange and recreational acti- vities and a campaign to teach the harmful economic effects of spending is being conducted. Pending a study of conditions, local purchases for individual use have been prohibited; authority has been given to place off-limits restaurants and other establishments which profiteer from soldier trade. In order to discourage black market exchange transactions Army personnel are forbidden to use the dollar or the pound in France. - 2 - FANO ANCONA AREZZO SIENA PORTOCIVITANOVA PERUGIA ORVIETO LAGO DE BOLSENM TERNI ORBETELLO WALENTANO CITT SAN ANGELO OLLECORVINO PESCARA WIET DAQUILA SPOPOLI PRATOLA CIVITAVECCHIA APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT AVEZZANO SULMONA 12 JUNE 11 JUNE ROME o @ 16 24 32 40 MILES DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 5. The following are approximate cumulative landings in France: British Sector to midnight 11-12 June: Personnel 207,907; Vehicles 30,417; Stores 40,000 tons. US Sector, 1800 10 June: Personnel 141,218; Vehicles 12,671; Stores 14,567 tons. MEDITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 10-11 June, Allied aircraft obtained an excellent bomb pattern on the Brod (Yugoslavia) railroad yards and oil refineries with 100 tons of explosives and on those at Fano. In the shuttle bombing mission over Focsani airdrome one B-17 and one P-51 were lost; five enemy planes were shot down. The aggregate bombload from the Italian-based formations which hit Balkan targets on 11 June totalled 1,276 tons. Tactical air operations throughout Italy were curtailed by weather. Small missions of fighter bombers lent support to the advancing Allied Armies. The Coastal Air Force sank a schooner in the Gulf of Quarnaro and attacked shipping in the Sansego harbor. No operations were carried out by the 15th Air Force on 12 June because of unfavorable flying weather. 2. During 12 June our IV Corps was pushing to the north and north- west to cut the Orbetello-Orvieto highway. The French (Larminat) Corps took Valentano and advanced along both shores of Lago di Bolsena against moderate resistance. The enemy continued to withdraw in the Adriatic sector; Allied units occupied Sulmona, Pratola and Popoli without - 3 - SHANGHM Hangchow enchow SHA how Amoy Swetow CANTON HONGKONG 21 o 50 100 150 200 Pakhoi MILES RANOI Hsi-ying Halphong MAP NO 2437 (FREE) PILED AND DRAWN IN THE BRANCH OF RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS, oss 24 JUNE 1943 LITHOGRAPHED IN THE REPRODUCTION BRANCH, oss LEGOV RIVER KOHIMA TUNBPUTYANG KAMAING MANIPUR V) SWEMA SECTOR HOGAUNG UKHRUL VALLEY LUNGLING ROHAME YOANKLANG KALEWA CALCUITA ARAKAN SECTOR MANDACADO CHAUK MALINGDAW MERTICAS YENANGYAUNG AKYABe OPROME YOURS < BENGAL z RBASSEIN RAMOON BULF d MARTABAN OF YES T 0 APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 25 0 50 100 (50 APPROXIMATE MILES *PORT BLAIR --- - DECLASSIFIED SED Letter, 5-3-72 opposition and captured Collecorvino and Citta San Angelo north of the Tavo-Saline River line. Units along the coast have made use of "Ducks" in minor seaborne and river-crossing operations. ASIATIC THEATER 1. On 10 June Chinese forces on the Salween front had cleared the enemy from Lungling except for a small pocket of resistance. Allied forces in the Myitkyina area launched a coordinated attack on 11 June making some gains in the southern area of the town and to the north. In the Mogaung Valley, Allied troops closed in on Kamaing reaching a point three miles to the northwest; another force crossed the Mogaung River just south of the town. Other units occupied Tumbputyang, 11 miles to the southeast and pushed on to the south. British troops encountered strong resistance near Viswema, eight miles southeast of Kohima. North of Imphal they made slow progress on the road to Kohima; fighting cont- inued northeast of Imphal on the road to Ukhrul. 2. During 9, 10, and 11 June fighter bombers and fighters of the Eastern Air Command flew more than 550 effective sorties in support of Allied forces on the Burmese fronts. One mission of 23 B-24's dispatched to bomb Chauk was forced by weather to hit secondary targets at Yenangyaung and Lanywa; only two bombers attacked the primary target. 3. On 9 and 10 June, medium and fighter bombers and fighters of the 14th Air Force, flying more than 400 sorties, supported Chinese troops on the Yangtze and Yellow River fronts. Traffic along the Siang River - 4 - Sorong Monokwori BIAK I. BORONOE MOKMER VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR 1. SORIDO JAPEN L ADMIRALTY is. WAKDE 1. Geelvink Boy Babo Kovieng Hollandia Fak Fax Altope MUSHU 1. I NEW Wewok RELAND KERAVIA Hansa Bay Roboul BAY RATAVALS RABOPO GAZELLE Madang KEI IS. C.Gloucester, Talasea PEN. want oSeldor AROE IS. Gosmato Los TANIMBAR IS. Merouks oBune NEW GUINEA Port Moresbing 100 so o 100 200 300 MILES 24-85834-200 DECLASSIFIED OSD Lotter, 5-3-72 in the Changsha area was attacked and heavy casualties inflicted on the Japanese. Other missions raided Japanese airdromes at Hankow and Wuchang. In attacks against Yuankiang, Siangyin and Ichang, five (probably nine) Japanese planes were shot down for the loss of one fighter. Fighter missions also bombed barges and rail traffic in French Indo-China. Later reports add another 250-foot freighter to the list of ships sunk by B-24's off the South China coast on 8 June. During the next two days other Liberators in the same area sank one large ship, probably sank a 400-foot freighter, destroyed two smaller vessels, and bombed the Swatow docks. Lingling airfield was bombed by 16 Japanese bombers on 10 June; four aircraft were damaged. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. Our forces on Biak destroyed a large Japanese ammunition dump and were reducing pillboxes and gun positions north and west of the Mokmer airdrome on 11 June. In the Wakde area our forces reduced an enemy strong point on the Tirfoam River and destroyed several field pieces. On 11 June, Southwest Pacific B-24's again bombed Palau and Truk; three of our airplanes are missing. Other B-24's pounded the Sorido and Borokoe airdromes west of our Biak positions. Light and medium bombers continued to neutralize the Wewak area; large fires were started on Mushu Island. Patrolling B-24's shot down an enemy bomber south of Satawan and a transport plane northeast of Halmahera. Light bombers harassed the Geelvink Bay area sinking a large barge. - 5 - 150° 155° 160° - 170° È Wake Island CENTRAL PACIFIC 18" so or 50 IOO 50 200 250 Pokaokku Atoll SCALE OF MILES 4 Bikor Atoll . Eniwetok Atoll Bikini Atoll Rongerik Atoll Utirik Atoll as Ailinginoe Atoll Rongelap Atoll Tako Atoll Wotho Atoll Ailuk Atoll & 10° Ujelang Atoll 4 < Likiep Atoll Wotje Atoll Ujae Atoll ( Olol Is. Erikub Atoll Murilo Is Maloelap Atoll Terms : Kwajolein Atoll QAur Atoll Holl Is Namu Atoll S Oroluk I. ( Truk Is. Majuro Atoll 4 Senyovin Is. Allinglapalap Atoll N Arno Atoll I Pingelap Is. Jaluit Atoll Mille Atoll Emid) Ngatik I. Kusaie I. S Satowan Is Nomorik Atoll Nomoi Is. Ebon Atoll Nukuoro Is. Makin Is G Apaiang L Torawa L Kapingamorangi Is. Maianu 1. Apamama I. Kuria I. Nauru 1. Nonuti I. Ocean L Topiteueo a Onotoa KAVIENG Tamoria I 165° 170° ITS* ISO* 158° o N Assongsong I 4 7 6 Agrihan L in Pogon L CAROLINE AND MARIANAS IS. Alamagen 1. Guguen L in Sorigan I. 50 o 50 IOO 8 200 250 Anotahon Le monor z Medinillo I. SCALE OF MILES Saipen I. Tenion I Aquijan 1. . . Rote 1. . Guam a Ulithi is 1 Fais L Yop Geferat L Olei is Mell Na Nguiu is. Forguiep is. PHILIPPINE 15. Sorai is West Faye I. (Mindonco 0 Pikelot I. Polou is Olimarao is Pulop is € Truk is Woles ". is Lamofreir is. - Elete is folk is Puluwot is. Ngemelis Is. Equripik is. Pulusuk is c A R o L I N E - $ L A N o S Sonsoral is Pule Anna 1. 1. Marir I. Toloud is Tabl L Helen II. Morohal I. DECLASSIFIED 888 Letter, 5-3-72 2. During the night of 9-10 June, four B-24's bombed Rabaul. The next day 85 South Pacific aircraft attacked targets on the Gazelle Peninsula, hitting Rataval and Rapopo, and skip-bombing storage tunnels at Keravia Bay. Fifty-eight fighters attacked the Buka area, and other planes bombed targets along the east coast of Bougainville and the west coast of New Ireland. 3. In daylight attacks on 10 June (target time), Central Pacific Navy and Marine aircraft attacked Jaluit, Taroa, Mille, and Wotje in the Marshalls and Ocean and Nauru in the Gilberts. Two enemy reconnais- sance planes were shot down east of the Marianas; another was destroyed in the same area on 11 June. Truk was hit during the night of 10-11 June by a squadron of Army B-24's; two B-24's bombed Ponape. EASTERN FRONT On the Karelian Isthmus the Soviet advance has placed the Red left about 25 miles from the Mannerheim Line, which is believed to have been reconstructed. The main effort is directed along the highway to Viborg. - 6 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 915 0700 June 11 to 0700 June 12, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) 10 e 6 4 2 o 2 4 8 10 12 14V 16 IB 20 22 24 26 30 32 34 36 so 58 10 Stockholm 56 Psker se 56 QRiga Ovitaber 5g Copenhopeh " Kound o O Konigsberg OMinsk O Gomel 52 PEmder PBramen Londong o o Worsow o ORotterdem o so oBrassels Cologne OLeipzig a Abbeville 32 o Frankfurt Progue OKFakow FLERS 4g LE MANS o LAVAL Paris 48 *Renned o ETAMPES Noncy OBalte o CHATEAUDUN Leire ORLEANS *ToursBRICY OMunich secure Vienna Budopest 46 Bern o o FOCSANI 4 Lyon Bordeoux : OMilan s o Pirieste CONSTANTA SMEDEREVO O Buchorest Toulouse o GIURGIU Bologno 50 o o Câglit 42 o Sefie 42 2 o 2 4. 6 8 10 12 14 16 16 20 " 24 26 28 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER 1. During the night of 9-10 June, 477 RAF bombers effectively attacked airfields at Le Mans, Laval, Flers, and Renhes, and the Etampes railroad junction with nearly 2,000 tons of explosives. Five enemy planes were shot down; six RAF bombers are missing. Thirty-six RAF Mosquito bombers raided Berlin. The next day, Tactical aircraft of the Allied Expeditionary Air Forces flew nearly 3,700 sorties in close support of our ground forces on the northern French coast attacking bridges, guns, rail centers and other targets. Five enemy planes were shot down for the loss of 28 of our aircraft. Enemy aircraft were active over our beach- heads and shipping. Additional reports for 8th Air Force operations on the morning of 10 June (as reported yesterday) indicate that 488 heavy bombers dropped 1,101 tons in the Pas de Calais region and airfields west of Paris; 111 heavy bombers attacked airfields at Orleans, Bricy, and Chateaudun with 306 tons of explosives. Enemy air opposition was generally weak; four of our bombers were lost. Our heavy bombers operated unescorted, their normal fighter cover flying over 1,100 independent sorties during which about 250 tons were dropped on tactical targets and 14 (probably 16) enemy aircraft destroyed for a loss of 24 of our planes. Heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force operated against eleven airdromes, seven bridges, coastal batteries and a German headquarters during 11 June. Three bombers are missing. Fighters of the 8th Air - 1 - COTENTIN PENINSULA ID 5 o ID to 30 MILES CHERBOURG ETRETAT MONTEBOURG withones LE HAVRE TROUVILLE TREVIERES CARENTAN LESSAY BAYEUX JERSEY the DAEN/IA FORET DE CERTSY ACOUNTANCES Orne GRANVILLE & VIRE ST MALO CANGALE FLERS AVRANCHES ALENCOM RENNES $ LAVAL MANS DECLASSIFIED OND Lotter. 5-3-72 Force were dispatched on sweeps and area support for heavy bomber operations. 2. Although Montebourg was still held by German forces at noon on 11 June, our troops were pushing beyond the town to the northeast and southwest. In the center of the US VII Corps zone, infantry and airborne units made some gains. On the left flank, our forces advanced beyond Carentan to the east and west leaving the town in a pocket. The US V Corps scored gains up to five miles along its entire front after reducing enemy resistance in the Trevieres area; an unconfirmed report placed its line south of the Foret de Cerisy. A US armored division landed in the V Corps sector during the night of 10 June. The British XXX Corps made some progress during the morning of 11 June; the British I Corps, in the center of the Second Army line, strengthened its positions. On the left, an airborne division was twice attacked by enemy columns with tanks; both attacks were driven off. 3. Between 6 and 10 June, 143,000 men with their vehicles and supplies were landed on our Normandy beachhead. MEDITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 9-10 June, 52 Allied bombers attacked roads and German installations north of the battle area. Over 200 bombers of the Tactical Air Force continued to hamper enemy movements throughout central Italy by bombing bridges and railroad yards. More than 800 other Tactical sorties were flown against enemy communications. The harbors - 2 - AOLOGNA GENOA / SPEZI RIMINI LORENCE ANCONA LEGHORN ELBA GETO ORBETELLO PESCARA RNE CORSICA R CIVITAVECCHIA TERMOLI L OME APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT 12 JUNE II JUNE CENTRAL ITALY o 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 TERRACINA APPROXIMATE MILES SARDINIA RBA, oss BASE MAP NO. 2769 (FREE) REPRODUCED, 055 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter 5-3-72 at Lussin and Corfu and other targets along the eastern Adriatic coast were also attacked. On 11 June, 122 B-17's, escorted by 58 P-51's, of the 15th Air Force were airborne from Soviet bases, attacking an airfield near Focsani with observed effect. An additional 587 escorted heavy bombers operated against the yards and the oil refineries at Smederevo and oil installations at Constanta and Giurgiu with good results; 120 enemy planes were encountered of which 47 (probably 56) were shot down; 12 heavy bombers and five fighters are missing. Seven B-17's and ten P-51's remained at USSR bases. 2. During 11 June American troops on the flank advancing along the Tyrrhenian coast arrived within five miles of Orbetello after repulsing a counterattack. The French Colonial Corps which has relieved our II Corps pushed to the south shore of Lago di Bolsena. South African armored troops east of the lake, still encountering fierce enemy resistance, reached Bagnoregio, six miles south of Orvieto. East of the Tiber, British armored troops advancing up the east bank, occupied Cantalupo; Indian units entered Fara. The New Zealanders reported Avezzano and Celano cleared of the enemy. In the Adriatic sector V Corps troops occupied Pacentro and Manoppello and reached the Pescara River, captured the city,and placed patrols beyond the river. 3. Cumulative casualties of Allied forces in Italy to 8 June follow: - 3 - LEGON RIVER 1 SUSTRATION MOGAUNG VALLEY KOHIMA ZIGYUN MANIPUR KEKRIMA KAMATNG SECTOR TAHKAWNG AUKHRUL CHENANSO MANGSHIN, TENGNOUPAL NOHAND HMANOTA KHAOTVOW TIDDIN EXALEMA ACALOUTTA ARAKAN MANDALAY SECTOR MAUNGDAW AKYABA APROME MM < & G z +BASSCIN E RARGOON B SULF of MARTABAN OF YES + A 0 APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN MERGUI SCALE ISLANDS 50 as 0 50 100 (50 APPROXIMATE MILES *PORT BLAIR - 3E DECLASSIFIED QSD Lotter, 3-3-72 Killed Wounded Missing Total POW V Corps 334 1,623 240 2,197 116 Eighth Army British 5,146 19,738 3,049 27,933 7,508 Polish 685 2,670 333 3,688 175 Italian 21 81 4 106 21 Total 5,852 22,489 3,386 31,727 7,704 Fifth Army American 11,368 43,487 8,723 63,578 20,300 British 5,085 23,348 9,700 38,133 5,182 French 3,942 16,008 1,268 21,218 6,591 Italian 187 454 483 1,124 9 Total 20,582 83,297 20,174 124,053 32,082 Grand Total 26,768 107,409 23,800 157,977 39,902 Casualties since 10 May 7,199 31,602 5,901 44,702 21,899 ASIATIC THEATER 1. Allied aircraft supported ground troops in the Arakan and Manipur areas, and damaged a large river steamer and two other boats at Mandalay on 8 and 9 June; B-24's mined the harbors at Rangoon, Mergui and Bangkok. 2. Chinese troops continued to score gains along the Burma Road during 9 June. Elements of two divisions were fighting in and around Lungling; east of the city the Chinese occupied Tapa following the capture of Chenanso the previous day. A Chinese column has established road blocks three miles below Mangshih and has surrounded Hsiangta. Heavy fighting was reported in the Myitkyina area the next - 4 - Sorong Monokwori BIAK I. PARAI VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR I. MOKMER JAPEN 1. ADMIRALTY IS. Geelvink Boy Kavieng Bobo Hollandia Fak Fak Altope Wewok Hansa Boy Raboul GESER 1. Sepit SUARA Modang Gloucester Tolaseo KEI IS. R. 1 oSaldor AROE IS. Gasmate Los TANIMBAR IS. Meroukeo oBuno NEW GUINEA Port Moresbye 100 50 o 100 200 300 MILES 24-05654-200 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-8-72 day. Chinese forces near Kamaing scored appreciable gains; artillery fire is now being placed on Kamaing from Zigyun beyond the Mogaung River. A Chinese regiment reached Tahkawng during the day, 11 miles southeast of Kamaing. British forces on the Manipur front following up the Japanese withdrawals from Kohima occupied Kekrima, nine miles distant. Slow progress was reported in the drive north of Imphal, British troops reach- ing Molxon, 22 miles to the north. Fighting was reported along the Imphal- Ukhrul Road, 14 miles northeast of Imphal; south of that city, Japanese pressure forced British local withdrawal in the Tengnoupal area. 3. Two B-24's of the 14th Air Force sank one medium freighter and damaged another off the south coast of China on 8 June. Fighter planes rocket-bombed Shasi and Ichang, and caught two cavalry units at Nanying. The following day our fighters attacked Ichang and nearby river instal- lations and supported ground operations in the Yellow River area. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. During 10 June our troops supported by tanks and artillery were clearing Japanese troops from strong points and caves north and west of the Mokmer strip. Australian units, advancing in the Hansa Bay area, reached Suara, 20 miles to the southeast, during the day, without opposition. Enemy patrols raided our Tirfoam River defenses on the previous night. In the previously reported strike against Palau on 9 June, our heavy bombers destroyed at least 22 enemy planes on the - 5 - DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 ground. During the same day islands in the Truk Group were attacked by 25 heavy bombers with some 53 tons of explosives; they shot down one (probably two) of some 30 intercepting planes for a loss of one heavy bomber. On 10 June enemy installations in the Wewak and Hansa Bay areas were again attacked. On the Vogelkop Peninsula, medium bombers attacked Manokwari and sank eight coastal craft; light bombers harassed Babo. Dutch and Australian aircraft bombed Atamboea (Timor) and Geser (off Ceram). 2. Formations totalling 64 Allied bombers and fighters attacked supply dumps and piers in the Rabaul area on 9 June. New Zealand bombers and fighters raided the Bougainville-Buka area. 3. On 8 and 9 June, Central Pacific aircraft raided Maloelap, Jaluit, Wotje, Mille, in the Marshalls, Nauru and Ocean Island in the Gilberts and Puluwat in the Carolines. At night on both days B-24 missions attacked Truk and Ponape. EASTERN FRONT On the Karelian Isthmus, Soviet forces penetrated 15 miles through the Finnish defenses on a 22-mile front on 11 June. GENERAL The War Department has authorized the award of battle credit to units participating in the campaign "Western Europe" beginning 6 June 1944. - 6 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 914 0700 June 10 to 0700 June 11, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) CENTRAL EUROPE PLOESTI NIS 150 COTENTIN PENINSULA 9 e o or 20 so MILES CHERBOURG ETRETAT 8 MONTEBOURG FONTENAY-SUR-MER LE HAVRE TREVIERES TROUVILLE CARENTAN e b CAMBES A LESSAY GAREUX JERSEY TILLY-SUR-SEULLES SISTED COUNTANCES GRANNILLE VIRE ST MALD THRANDALE FLERS 9 AVRANCHES e ALENCON WENNEE LIAVAL LE MANS DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER 1. On the night of 8-9 June, 532 RAF bombers operated against five railroad centers between Paris and Rennes and a railway tunnel west of Tours. Reports indicate that well-concentrated bombing was accomplished, 836 tons of bombs being dropped on two of these targets. Two bombers are missing. Continued unfavorable flying weather limited the Allied Expedi- tionary Air Force to only 514 sorties in support of our beachhead operations during the 24-hour period ending at sunrise 10 June; five (probably six) enemy planes were destroyed for a loss of seven of our fighters. Enemy air activity, during this 24-hour period, was confined to about 150 fighter sorties; 100 long-range bombers were over our beachhead during the night. Adverse weather conditions on 9 June prevented all major operations by the 8th and 9th Air Forces. However, on 10 June, 730 bombers, escorted by 323 fighters, of the 8th Air Force, operated against defended localities in the Calais area and four airdromes in the Paris area and two in Brittany. Fighters, escorting these bombers, attacked and dive-bombed bridges, railroads, and troop movements in France. No bombers were lost but three fighters are missing. 2. The US First Army continued to expand its beachhead on the Cherbourg Peninsula during 10 June. On the right our troops occupied Fontenay-sur-Mer and advanced to the edge of Montebourg. In the center, US units made further gains beyond the railroad. On the left flank a US Airborne - 1 - COMO MESTRE BRESCIA PORTO MARGHERA MILAN VERONA VENICE PADUA TURIN CREMONA ALESSANDRIA FERRARA 9 PARMA BOLOGNA GRAVENNA GENOA SAVONA RIMINI SPEZIA IMPERIA a PESARO PISA FLORENCE PO VALLEY LEGHORN 10 o 20 40 60 APPROXIMATE MILES 92% CASTON BASE MAP NO 2604 (FREE) R a A,OSS 4 NOVEMBER 1943 REPRODUCED, oss DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 Division established contact with American forces east of the Vire who had advanced south of the flooded areas of the lower Aure valley. Gains up to three miles were registered along the US battle line east of the Vire River except at Trevieres. Advances were made by the right of the British Second Army during the day and Tilly-Sur-Seulles was occupied. On the left the British captured Cambes after two days of heavy fighting. At the eastern end of the British battle line, several enemy attacks have been withstood. Unloading continues at all beaches, despite sporadic shelling and some air attacks. MEDITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 8-9 June, 52 Allied bombers attacked the Nis railroad yards with over 100 tons of explosives with observed effect. Other bombers continued their night attacks against communications in central Italy. The next day, 252 medium bombers of the Tactical Air Force effectively attacked bridges near Florence and Grosseto, in the Lago di Bolsena area, and along the Adriatic coast. In some 1200 sorties, light and fighter bombers and fighters continued attacks on railroads, highways, and motor traffic throughout the battle area. Five enemy planes were shot down for a loss of six fighters. Seven enemy sorties were observed during the day. On 10 June, formations totalling 824 aircraft of the 15th Air Force dropped 1,350 tons of explosives on the railroad yards at Mestre - 2 - . ORVIETO LAGO DI BOLSENA TERNI PESCARA CAN ING ONIE VITERBO ORIETI ORTONA 9 SH LET TUSCANIA OPOPOLI MONTALTO 01 CASTRO SULMONA 1948 AVEZZANO ROME OVELLETHI OFROSINONE ARGE CASSINO ANZIO APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT 10 JUNE - 9 JUNE - TERRACINA CENTRAL ITALY 9GAETA o 5 10 15 20 25 APPROXIMATE MILES DECLASSIFIED 69D Letter, 5-3-72 and Ferrara, the Porto Marghera oil storage, the Trieste and Ploesti oil refineries, and the Ferrara airdrome. Forty-six P-38's, covered by 48 others (included in the above total), dropped 46 half-ton bombs in a low-level attack on a Ploesti oil refinery scoring hits on a cracking plant, setting fire to two oil tanks; 18 (probably 22) of about 100 aircraft encountered were shot down and seven parked enemy aircraft were destroyed on the return flight. Elsewhere five (probably six) other enemy planes were shot down. Our day's loss totalled three bombers and 22 P-38's. 2. During the night of 8-9 June eight B-24's attacked the harbor at Heraklion; next day three RAF Wellingtons bombed Navarino (Greece). 3. Our Fifth Army, pursuing retreating German forces in western Italy during 10 June, captured Montalto di Castro and occupied Canino and Tuscania. South African armored units of the British Eighth Army found stiff opposition north of Viterbo on the road to Orvieto. American troops east of Viterbo cleared the enemy from the western bank of the Tiber as far as Orte. In the center of the trans-Italian battle front New Zealanders advanced to the outskirts of Avezzano. On the Adriatic Indian troops captured Chieti and advanced to within four miles of Pescara; the enemy has destroyed all bridges over the Pescara River. ASIATIC THEATER On the Salween front, Chinese forces on 8 June were attacking the - 3 - LEGOV RIVER Pudit MOGAUNG VALLEY KOHIMA KAMAING MANIPUR SETON SAFARHAINA, MOGAUNG SECTOR CHENANSO Applicant ALEWA CARCUTTA MANDACARD MAUNGDAW AKYABA ATOUNDOO APROME < BENGAL B E N 6 P REASSEIN RAMBOON SULF of MARTABAN ANOVEMEN of 18 4 0 APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 15 o 50 100 IDO APPROXIMATE MILES WPORT BLAIR - I Sorong Manokwari BIAK I o PARAI MOKMER VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR I. OWI |. JAPEN 1. MAFFIN BAY ADMIRALTY IS. WAKDE 1. TIRFOAM B Geelvink Boy Kavieng Babo Hollendia Fak Fak Altape Wewak Hansa Boy Roboul Senit DALUA RATAVAL Madang c. Gloucester, alasso KEI IS. 1 oSelder AROE IS. Gasmata Loe TANIMBAR IS. Meroukeo oBuno NEW GUINEA Port Moresbye 100 60 0 100 200 300 MILES SE DECLASSIFIED 0SD Letter, 5-3-72 town of Lungling from three sides and had reached its gates. To the east, along the Burma Road, they occupied Chenanso. Repeated enemy assaults against an Allied road block on the Mogaung- Kamaing road, near Seton, were thrown back. Chinese units were mopping up an area seven miles east of Kamaing. In the Manipur sector, British forces continued to follow up enemy withdrawals on 8 and 9 June south and southeast of Kohima. During this period a northward advance from Imphal towards Kohima made some progress, Safarmaina, 17 miles north of Imphal, being occupied on the first day. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. In the Maffin Bay area, our patrols, with tank support, cleared out enemy pill-boxes east of the Tirfoam River on 9 June. Australian patrols reached Dalua without contact. 2. During the night of 9 June two Japanese planes bombed the Wakde area, destroying ten of our aircraft. Our positions on Biak and Owi Islands were also bombed and machine-gunned during the night without damage. On 8 June 18 B-24's again attacked Japanese installations in the Truk Group with 444 tons of explosives; five others bombed Satawan with 11 tons. Of some 15 to 20 intercepting enemy planes over Truk, one (probably two) was shot down. On 9 June three B-24's bombed Palau-with observed effect. Patrolling B-24's shot down two enemy air transport planes northeast of Halmahera. Other Southwest Pacific aircraft including 22 - 4 - DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 B-24's, continued to pound targets in the Wewak-Sepik River area and at Hansa Bay. Seventeen light bombers carried out a successful attack on coastal shipping off Manokwari. Our medium bombers attacked Babo airdrome and destroyed three freighters. 3. Forty-seven South Pacific bombers and fighters attacked the Rataval supply areas at Rabaul on 8 June. Five New Zealand bombers attacked targets in New Ireland and missions were flown against enemy installations in the Buka Passage area. EASTERN FRONT A Soviet offensive on the Karelian Isthmus achieved some penetrations on 10 June. Elsewhere along the eastern front only minor activity was reported. - 5 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 913 0700 June 9 to 0700 June 10, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) (2) DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 GENERAL The War Department has directed that news copy gathered by military personnel in the US for transmission to servicemen's publications over- seas be cleared through the Army News Service for political content in order to comply with restrictions imposed by legislation pertaining to the federal voting law. WESTERN HEMISPHERE Three radar stations in Lower California, formerly a part of the west coast Aircraft Warning system, ceased operations on or about 1 June. EUROPEAN THEATER 1. During 7 June about 20 German aircraft attacked British troops in the Caen beachhead, while more than 200 others operated over the Le Havre-Cherbourg area. That night, German fighter activity consisted of about 250 sorties; 160 long-range bombers, including torpedo-carrying aircraft from southern France, attacked our beachhead activities along Cherbourg Peninsula. Glide bombs seem to have been used. Ten bombers operated over East Anglia attacking scattered points in Suffolk, including four American airfields, causing about 10 casualties to flying officers at one field. On the next night between 50 and 100 German aircraft con- tinued their efforts against our operations in France. 2. Despite poor flying weather during the 36-hour period from - 1 - COTENTIN PENINSULA 10 5 o ID to 30 MILES APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT - CHERBOURG ETRETAT MONTEBOURG LE HAVRE STGNY GARENTAN é TROUVILLE LEASAY BATEUX CAMBES LES BUY SSONS JERSEY ST LD COUNTANCES GRANVILLE VIRE ST. MALO GRANGALE IFLERS 6, AVRANCHES ALENCON AENNES MANS DECLASSIFIER 0SD Letter, 5-3-72 2100 7 June to sunrise 9 June, the Allied Expeditionary Air Force flew nearly 6,700 sorties. Rail centers, coastal batteries, bridges, radar installations, and other targets behind enemy lines were attacked with over 1,100 tons of explosives as well as rockets. During this period 42 (probably 47) enemy planes were shot down for a loss of 13 bombers and 21 fighters. Later reports on 8th Air Force operations for 8 June (reported yesterday) indicate that 735 heavy bombers carrying out attacks against targets in northwest France dropped 1,932 tons of explosives. Unfavorable weather prevented 8th Air Force operations on the morning of 9 June. 3. Despite growing enemy strength our beachheads were expanded in nearly all sectors during the 24-hour period ending at noon 9 June. West of the Vire, American forces continued to advance on Cherbourg from the south, cutting the main railroad serving that port, and pushing elements to within 2,000 yards of Montebourg. American airborne troops moving southeast were within two miles of Carentan and had crossed the Vire. East of that stream an American division supported by armored units captured Isigny early on the morning of the 9th, and moved west- ward to establish contact with our VII Corps. Elsewhere in this sector US troops continued to extend their positions, consolidating their junction with the British XXX Corps on their east flank. Two US Infantry Divisions completed their landings in the US First Army sector during the night of 7 June. - 2 - POLA BOLOGNÁ GENOA SPEZIA RIMINI LORE OF ANCONA LEGHORN ELBA GRETO ERNI PESCARA CORSICA CIVITAVECCHIA TERMOLI SULM CENTRAL ITALY o 5 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 TERRACINA APPROXIMATE MILES SARDINIA BASE MAP NO. 2769 (FREE) RBA, oss 26 OCTOBER 1943 REPRODUCED, 058 LAGO-DL BOLSEN PERNI PESCARA SORIANO O H PE TUSCANT RIP 2 ORTONA GRIET © ACOUICA 101 IANICO VETRALL TARQUINIA RAPINO OPOPOLI NEROLA CARSOLI SULMONA o AVEZZANO MONTAGNA CAMPO 01 GIOVE 4 DELLA MAJELLA ROME OVELLETRI OFROSINONE ARGE ©CASSINO o ANZIO APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT as 9 JUNE 8 JUNE - TERRACINA CENTRAL ITALY PGAETA o 5 10 15 20 25 APPROXIMATE MILES DECLASSIFIED GSD Letter, 5-3-72 The west flank of the British Second Army continued to move forward. In the center Canadian and English troops were heavily engaged with German infantry and armor in the vicinity of Les Buissons. High- way 13 is in our hands from Montebury to the western outskirts of Caen save for a short gap in the vicinity of Carentan. Heavy British naval units supported the Second Army with bombardments that assisted in breaking up German counterattacks. ) MEDITERRANEAN 1. On 8 June more than 1,300 sorties were flown by the Tactical Air Force, chiefly against road and rail communications and other targets in the battle area. The Bucine central viaduct was hit and rail bridges in the Grosseto-Pisa-Florence area were additional targets for 166 medium bombers. Other bombers and fighters attacked enemy shipping and communications in Albania, Yugoslavia and southern France. Only four ) enemy aircraft were observed during the day of which two enemy were des- troyed as were two others on the ground; we lost one bomber and six fighters. Six hundred and four heavy bombers of the 15th Air Force, escorted by 300 fighters, attacked the Munich industrial area with 1,142 tons of explosives on 9 June. Over 100 German fighters were encountered and we shot down 30 (probably 48) for a loss of 19 bombers and one fighter. 2. The advance of the Fifth Army continued during 9 June, American - 3 - LEDO RIVER MOGAUNG VALLEY KOHIMA CHANRAO KAMAING.RU BISHENAUR WUNTHO 7100) N SKALEWA WALEHYO CALCUTTA SHWEBO MANDALAYD MAUNGDAW MONT AKYABA OPTION > P 6 z *BASSCIN E RAMBOON B BULF d MARTABAN of F + 7 0 OBANGEOR APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANOS 50 25 o 50 100 150 APPROXIMATE MILES *PORT BLAIR DECLASSIFIED 0SD Letter, 5-3-72 infantry occupying Tarquinia and armored columns capturing Vetralla and Viterbo and advancing to within one mile of Tuscania. Other American units captured Soriano and were three miles from Orte. South African armored units reached the eastern shore of Lago di Bolsena. Eighth Army units continued to clear the enemy from the west bank of the Tiber, and at last report were within four miles of Nerola. Indian and New Zealand columns each gained four miles in their drives on Carsoli and Avezzano. Near the Adriatic Allied units pushing into the Montagna della Majella massif, reached Campo di Giove without opposition while along the coast a general advance of four miles resulted in the occupation of Ripa and Miglianico. ASIATIC THEATER 1. Heavy fighting gave us some limited gains around Myitkyina on 7 June. In the Mogaung Valley, Chakrao, five miles southwest of Kamaing, has been captured and Chinese forces continued to close in on the latter town. On the Assam front, British troops followed a Jap withdrawal east and south from Kohima but were forced back southwest of Bishenpur. The Chinese gained a local success east of Lungling. 2. On 7 June, 20 heavy and medium bombers dropped 46 tons of bombs on Wuntho, Kalemyo and the Burma railroad north of Shwebo. Fighters damaged or destroyed 26 river craft in central Burma and supported ground operations on the various fronts. - 4 - Sorong Monohwari BIAK I. o KAMER MANDOM VOGELKOP NAMBER MOKMER NOEMFOOR JAPEN L SORIDO ADMIRALTY IS. WAKDE 1. Geelvink Bay Bobo Hollandia Kavieng Fox Fak Altape NABIRE Hansa Bay Roboul Sepit KEI IS. Madang C.Gloucester, Talaseo R. Island oSoldor AROE IS. Gosmoto Los TANIMBAR IS Merouks, oBuno NEW GUINEA Port Moresbye 100 50 o 100 200 300 MILES 24-85654-270 DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. A light Japanese counterattack against our Wakde defenses during the night of 6 June was repulsed. On Biak Island, enemy forces east of the airdromes are contained in a strip one mile wide, extending northward from Moloner Village and are under our air and artillery attacks. Northwest of Mandom we destroyed an enemy strong point. Ten B-24's bombed Truk on 7 June; three intercepting enemy planes were shot down; one B-24 is missing. Eight P-47's glide-bombed targets at Hansa Bay. The next day, ten B-25's sank four Japanese des- troyers and damaged a fifth, during an attack against an enemy task force 100 miles northwest of Manokwari. Escorting fighters shot down five (probably six) of ten intercepting enemy fighters; three B-25's were lost. In other operations during the day, heavy Southwest Pacific aircraft attacked targets in the Wewak area, started large fires at Kamiri, bombed the Nabire and Namber (Noemfoor) airdromes and raided Lingat (Tanimbars) and Dobo (Aroe Islands). A B-24 shot down an enemy bomber north of Halmahera. 2. During the night of 6-7 June our aircraft maintained the neutralization of Rabaul. The next day 57 fighter planes attacked targets on Bougainville. Other Allied patrol planes raided New Ireland and shot down an enemy bomber 250 miles northeast of Mussau Island. 3. During 7 June a total of 83 Central Pacific bombers and fighter bombers continued to harass Mille, Taroa and Wotje in the Marshalls, - 5 - DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 Ponape and Pakin in the Carolines, and Nauru in the Gilberts. EASTERN FRONT There were no significant changes on the eastern front during 9 June. - 6 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 912 0700 June 8 to 0700 June 9, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 8 IO 12 14 16 18 20 Kiel 54 52 PEmden 8109 Bremen with London OBerlin o o ORotterdom 52 50 OSNABRUCK 6 o Brussels Cologne OLeipzig o 20 Abbeville o Frankfurt Progue 50 o 48 o LUDWIGSHAFEN LE MANS Paris Rennes o Noncy o ORLEANS a ANGERS Leice Danube Tours o Munich 48 NANTES Vienno Budopest o 46 o Bern o o Bolzono 46 4 Lyon a Bordeaux OMilan Trieste 44 o o Toulouse Bologna O 44 CENTRAL EUROPE o o OSplit 42 50 o 50 100 150 200 0. STATUTE MILES 2 o 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 24-87117-300 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE Orders have been issued for the movement of the Headquarters, Ninth Army (Lt. Gen. William H. Simpson) from Fort Sam Houston, Texas, to an eastern Port of Embarkation for further movement overseas on or about 10 June 1944. EUROPEAN THEATER 1. In unreported RAF operations for the nights of 5 and 6 June, nearly 2,000 bombers dropped an aggregate bombload of 9,692 tons of explosives on coastal batteries, rail and highway centers in support of the invasion; smaller formations harassed Ludwigshafen and Osnabruck. Aircraft of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force flew more than 6,000 sorties during the night of the 6th and the following day, hitting tactical targets and communications with over 2,000 tons of bombs. Seventeen (probably 19) enemy planes were shot down; we lost 14 bombers and 32 fighters during these operations. Additional information on 8th and 9th Air Force attacks carried out during 7 June indicate that 860 heavy bombers, 595 medium and light bombers and 3,910 fighters operated during the day in support of our ground operations, concentrating on enemy bottle necks, traffic, and communications behind the battle lines, and dropping over 2,850 tons of explosives. Forty (probably 42) enemy aircraft were destroyed in the air and 25 others on the ground for a loss of 10 bombers and 46 fighters. That night 548 RAF bombers were dispatched to attack troop and - 1 - COTENTIN PENINSULA 10 5 0 2 to so MILES PATROL ACTION .... CHERBOURG ETRETAT MONTEBOURG LE HAVRE PORT EN BESSIN HBR. CARENTAN ESCURES TROUVILLE OUISTREHAM ESSAY ANJUX JERSEY CAE PSTED COUNTANGES GRANVILLE VIRE ST MALO SEANSALE 0 AVRANCHES ALENCON RENNES LE MANS DECLASSIFIES OSD Letter, 5-3-72 motor transport concentrations in the Caen area and rail installations controlling traffic to the Normandy coast. Twenty-nine of these bombers are missing. On 8 June, 1,177 heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force escorted by over 500 fighters operated against the Rennes and Le Mans airdromes, and rail installations at Angers, Tours, Orleans and Nantes with observed effect. Of some 30 German aircraft encountered, 18 were shot down; 12 others were destroyed on the ground. Three bombers and six fighters were lost. Our aircraft are now operating from French fields. 2. Our forces continued to expand their beachheads in the face of German resistance during 8 June. West of the Vire River US troops were pushing northwest towards Cherbourg; by the end of the day they had cut highway 13, the main road, north of Carentan and were close to the main railroad. They had established contact with an American airborne division which, pushing south, was about three miles northwest of Carentan. East of the Vire the US V Corps which had landed on beaches occupied by a German division on maneuvers continued to encounter stiff resistance but cut highway 13 west of Bayeux. In the British Second Army sector, small gains were scored during the day in the face of stiff opposition. Late on 7 June there was heavy fighting northeast of Caen between German armored elements and advanced British units but the British positions were substantially maintained. - 2 - OTERNI PESCARA ONTE VITERBO VIGNANELLO ORIETI ORTONA TOLLO Vo LAGO D1 OPOPOLI BRACCIANO CIVITAVECCHIA SULMONA o MANZIANA PALOMBARA AVEZZANO MONTERO ONDO ROVIANO ROME o OVELLETRI FROSINONE ARGE OCASSINO o o APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANZIO 8 JUNE 7 JUNE TERRACINA CENTRAL ITALY ©GAETA 0 5 10 15 20 25 APPROXIMATE MILES DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 Landings over the beaches and the build-up of forces and supplies continues despite rough water and mines; weather is improving. During the night of 8-9 June German E-boats attacked our shipping; we lost one LCI (military personnel and crew being saved). MEDITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 6-7 June, Allied aircraft continued to bomb road junctions and motor transportation in central Italy. The next. day, despite adverse weather, the Tactical Air Force flew more than 1,000 sorties against enemy communications in the battle area. Fighters over Yugoslavia attacked enemy transportation and hit shipping off the Dalmatian coast. Only one enemy aircraft was reported over Italy during the period; our losses for the day were two bombers and six fighters. During 8 June, 56 B-17's of the 15th Air Force bombed the Pola submarine base with 156 tons of explosives without air opposition or losses. Allied naval forces successfully evacuated partisan and Allied troops from Brac Island on 4 June and the following night. Gibraltar was attacked by German aircraft during the night of 4-5 June, some damage being caused to a mole. 2. During 8 June, our VI Corps pushed past Civitavecchia and made further gains in the Lago di Bracciano area, capturing Manziana. Our II Corps made minor advances to the east. Eighth Army armored and infantry units, maintaining their drive up the Tiber Valley, reached Vignanello, 10 miles east of Viterbo; - 3 - LEDO, LONKIN SANHYA KOHIMA KAMAING ANG-TSD CALOUTTA MAUNGDAW AKYABA *TOUNGOO PROME > BENGAL 6 N E RARBOON B SULF of MARTABAN 0 YES -1 7 0 APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 25 o 50 100 (50 APPROXIMATE WILES *PORT BLAIR - - DECLASSIFIED 08D Letter, 5-3-72 they cleared the enemy from the valley to a distance of six miles north- east of Monterotondo, and occupied Palombara. Indian troops, in a six- mile gain, reached Roviano; New Zealanders advanced nine miles, arriving within seven miles of Avezzano. Allied units near the Adriatic, taking up the advance, occupied Tollo and pushed forward one mile along the coast. 3. Seven B-34's effectively bombed Rhodes and its harbor during the night of 6-7 June. ASIATIC THEATER 1. Allied forces in northern Burma, on 6 June, scored minor gains in Myitkyina and continued to close in on Kamaing. On the west flank of this sector our troops occupied Sanhka and sent patrols into Lonkin, three miles to the south. British troops scored local gains southeast of Kohima. Along the Burma Road, Chinese units continued to gain ground towards Lungling. 2. During 5 and 6 June, our escorted medium bombers effectively attacked Bhamo and a railroad bridge near Myitkyina. Tactical aircraft supported ground operations on the western and northern Burma battle fronts, and, in sweeps against two enemy airfields, destroyed two (probably three) planes in the air and two on the ground, for a loss of two fighters. 3. During 5, 6, and 7 June, the 14th Air Force supported Chinese ground operations in the Yellow River area and raided enemy lines of - 4 - SCHOUTEN IS. BOSNEK BIAK MOKMER PARAI JAPEN I. IBDI HERMIT IS. WAKDE 1. MOERIS HOLLANDIA GEELVINK Identify BAY Toditing 4 AITAPE WEWAK HANSA BAY NUBIA MADANG Island KEREMA MERAUKE Q GULF OF PAPUA 50 25 o 50 100 150 MILES DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter. 5-3-72 communication in China. A large number of loaded barges were destroyed on Tungting Lake. In strikes against Pailuchi airdrome and other targets, two (probably three) enemy aircraft were destroyed. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. In the Aitape area, US Infantry troops established themselves on the west bank of the Drinumor River. During the night of 6-7 June, Japanese planes raided Bosnek and Wakde without causing damage. The next day adverse weather curtailed air operations; however, heavy bombers supported our forces on Biak Island, and medium and light aircraft harassed the Wewak-Sepik River area. Additional reports on our attack against a Japanese convoy off Manokwari early on 4 June indicate that 10 B-24's sank two destroyers and two (probably three) light cruisers. 2. Fiji troops gained local success in the vicinity of Mawaraka on 6 June. Thirty-seven P-39's destroyed a pier and scored hits on an enemy artillery convoy on Bougainville. B-25's continued to harass Rabaul during the night; other planes maintained the attacks during the day. Medium bombers and fighters raided targets on New Ireland. 3. During 6 June, two Navy fighters probably destroyed four Japanese seaplanes in a raid on Jaluit. Nauru, Ponape, and Mille were also attacked during the day. EASTERN FRONT The situation on the eastern front remained unchanged during 8 June. - 5 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 911 0700 June 7 to 0700 June 8, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) (2) PARIS CHARTIES MANS NANTES AMIENS ST NAZAIRE ROUEN ABBEVICLE RENNES . DIEPPE CAEN LE HAVRE BAYEUX KERL IN- CORTENT BASTARD A/D JERSEY CHERBOURG BRIGHTON GUERNSEY BRE LONDO SOUTHAMPTON NORTHWESTERN FRANCE BOURNEMOUTH 10 o 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 SCALE OF MILES R a A, oss BASE MAP NO. 2995 (FREE) JANUARY 14, 1944 REPRODUCED, 055 DECLASSIFIED OBD Letter, 5-3-72 EUROPEAN THEATER 1. During the 8th and 9th Air Force operations on 6 June an aggregate bombload of 6,417 tons of explosives was dropped by 1,622 heavy bombers, 741 medium bombers, 268 light bombers and 3,562 fighters which participated in the day's close-support operations. Enemy air reaction was relatively slight. Twenty-nine (probably 30) enemy aircraft were destroyed in the air and four others on the ground; we lost eleven bombers, 24 transport planes and 33 fighters. During the night of 6-7 June, 208 tug planes towing an equal number of gliders again successfully transported airborne units to the Continent. In the initial mission for 7 June, 474 escorted heavy bombers of the 8th Air Force took off to support our ground troops, sustaining no loss. Eight groups of escorting fighters machine-gunned and bombed rail facilities, trains, and airdromes, shooting down nine German planes and destroying 24 others on the ground. On the second mission of the day, 594 heavy bombers operated against the Kerlin-Bastard air- drome as well as rail facilities at Nantes. During the morning 10 groups of medium and light bombers from the 9th Air Force attacked communications in France. 2. Despite unfavorable weather, which caused some delay in unloading and damage to smaller craft, the landing of forces and supplies on the Normandy coast proceeded satisfactorily throughout 6 June. US forces, west of the Vire, secured an initial beachhead and had expanded it to a depth of some six miles by 1600. East of the river other American - 1 - COMO BRESCIA MILAN VERONA VENICE PADUA TURIN CREMONA ALESSANDRIA FERRARA PARMA BOLOGNA DRAVENNA GENOA SAVONA RIMINI SPEZIA IMPERIA PESARO NICE PISA FLORENCE ANTHEOR VIADUCT PO VALLEY LEGHORN 10 o 20 40 60 APPROXIMATE MILES BASE MAP NO. 2804 (FREE) R& A,088 4 NOVEMBER 1945 REPRODUCED, 085 DECLASSIFIED ORD Letter, 5-3-72 forces encountered heavy German opposition. However, the beaches were cleared by 1600 and two coastal villages had been occupied. Farther to the east British units had penetrated some six miles against increas- ing German resistance. A local German armored counterattack was repulsed north of Caen. During the night, troops and equipment continued to arrive by sea and air. All Allied forces continued to expand their beachheads during 7 June and, by noon, elements of the British Second Army had liberated the town of Bayeux, pushed elements south of the Bayeux- Caen road, and established a bridgehead east of the Orne. MEDITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 5-6 June, 51 Allied bombers attacked road junctions at Viterbo and traffic moving north from the Rome area. The next day while Strategic bombers of the 15th Air Force were operating against Balkan targets, the Tactical Air Force flew more than 1,100 sorties; missions totalling nearly 700 planes continued to hammer at highway bridges, enemy traffic and key road junctions north of Rome. Over 900 pieces of enemy transportation were put out of action during the day and six important bridges hit. We lost 27 fighters in the day's strikes. One German plane was destroyed on the ground. No enemy sorties were observed over Italian battle areas during the day. On 7 June, 391 escorted heavy bombers of the Strategic Air Force were sent to attack the Antheor Viaduct where the tracks were - 2 - TERNI PESCARA OOHIE VITERBO QRIET ORTONA 9 0.4000ICA CIVITA CASTELLANA LAGO DI BRACCIANO OPOPOLI SULMONA CIVITAVECCHIA MONTEROTONDO, o S. ANGELO ROMANO AVEZZANO SUBIACO RESCOCOSTANZO ROME FILETTINO BALSORANO nPescasseroli DVELLETRI OFROSINONE ARGE CASSINO ANZIO APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT 76 JUNE JUNE TERRACINA CENTRAL ITALY DOAETA o 5 10 is 20 25 APPROXIMATE MILES 08D DECLASSIFIED Letter/ 5-8-72 cut, the Var River bridge which was probably destroyed, Leghorn harbor where three ships were hit and various targets in the Genoa area where effect was observed on two shipyards, two railroad yards and a viaduct. Nine hundred and fifty-seven tons of explosives were used; only one enemy aircraft was observed. Two B-24's failed to return. 2. Increasing their momentum on 7 June, American troops of the Fifth Anny captured Civitavecchia and reached Lago di Bracciano while ) British armored units fanned out beyond Civita Castellana in their advance on Terni. Probing northeastwards beyond Rome other British troops met stronger opposition beyond Monterotondo and reached San Angelo Romano. Beyond Subiaco British troops made a four-mile gain while their reconnaissance units reached Filettino as they converged toward the New Zealand units which are advancing beyond Balsorano toward Avezzano. Some progress was made in the center of the trans- Italian line where Allied troops reached Pescasseroli and Pescocostanzo. General Alexander has issued orders to both Armies and to the V Corps to push rapidly northward and take advantage of every possi- bility of disruption of the German Armies. ASIATIC THEATER Allied forces in eastern Burma by 5 June had cut the Burma road ten miles northeast of Lungling and had driven to within two miles of that town on the south and east; another Allied column is within nine miles of Mangshih. Other Chinese troops recaptured Chiao-tou. At - 3 - LEGOV RIVER MANSUM KANS KOHIMA MANIPUR FERIAD KAMAINGS MYSTERINA TOU FRONT MOGAUNG VALLEY TENGCHUNG MANUSHER ROHAME CALOUTTA MANDACAYS MAUNGDAW AKYAB4 OPROME < & 6 z ABASSEIN E WARSOON SULF d MARTABAN <MOULHE B F o YES T A 8 OBANEKOK APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 20 o so 100 120 APPROXIMATE MILES *PORT BLAIR - Sorong Manokwori BIAK o SORIDO VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR 1. MOKMER JAPEN I. SARMI POINT ADMIRALTY IS. WAKDE 1. Geelvink Boy Babo Kavieng Hollandia Fek Fok Altope BOELA ,Wewok Hansa Boy CERAM 1. Robaul sepit VUNAPOPE Modang KEI IS. C.Gloucester, Tolasso 1 oSolder AROE IS. DILLI TIMOR 1.) Gosmoto Los TANIMBAR IS. Merouks oBuna NEW GUINEA Port Moresby 100 50 o 100 200 300 MILES 24-85854-200 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 Myitkyina and in the Mogaung Valley local gains were reported and enemy counterattacks near Kamaing were repulsed. Kansi has been occupied and Allied forces are pushing the enemy south of Mansum. In the Manipur area the British improved their positions around Kohima. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. An Allied reconnaissance patrol made an unopposed landing 2,000 yards southwest of Sarmi Point on 6 June. On Biak Island our troops, with air and naval support, have captured Mokmer airdrome. Two Japanese planes attacked the Wakde area during the night of 5 June, destroying six of our aircraft and damaging others. Two B-24's bombed enemy installations in the Truk Group early on 6 June. Thirty-five B-25's and a squadron of B-24's supported our ground activities on Biak Island. Other Allied aircraft attacked targets in the Wewak-Sepik River area, Hansa Bay, Manokwari harbor, and scored two possible hits on a Japanese cruiser west of Vogelkop, and bombed Boela (Ceram). Dutch medium bombers raided the Dilli airdrome and sank a lugger off the coast of Timor. 2. Sixty-six Allied aircraft attacked the Rabaul area during the night of 4-5 June and the next day, while five medium bombers raided New Ireland targets. Forty-five South Pacific bombers and fighters raided targets on Bougainville and Buka. - 4 - DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 3. Thirteen Central Pacific bombers made scattered raids on 5 June attacking enemy bases in the Gilberts, Nauru, Ocean Island, Ponape and Jaluit. Nine US heavy bombers attacked Guam the next day. EASTERN FRONT Only local activity was reported on the eastern front during 7 June. - 5 - WAR DEPARTMENT DAILY OPERATIONAL SUMMARY No. 910 0700 June 6 to 0700 June 7, 1944 COPY FOR THE WHITE HOUSE 203(2) COTENTIN PENINSULA ID 5 o ID 10 to MILES APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ..... CHERBOURG ETRETAT WACOGNES LE HAVRE TROUVILLE ESSAY BAYEUX BENOUVILLE JERSEY GAEN GST LO COUNTANCES SEAL GRANVILLE a VIRE ST. MALO CANGALE (FLERS AVRANCHES ALENCON RENNES BRAVAL LE MANS SEC DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 WESTERN HEMISPHERE 1. Orders have been issued for the movement of the headquarters of the XIII Corps (Maj. Gen. Alvan C. Gillem, Jr.) from Fort Dix, New Jersey, to an eastern Port of Embarkation for further movement overseas on or about 1 July 1944. 2. A Navy plane bombed Kashiwabara airfield, in the northern Kuriles, early on 4 June. EUROPEAN THEATER 1. British and American airborne troops were dropped early on the morning of 6 June along the northern coast of France, beginning the invasion of German-occupied Europe by the Allied Expeditionary Force. At 0630 under the cover of heavy naval and aerial bombardment, naval forces began landing British, American and Canadian troops on beaches on the Normandy coast along a front of some 60 miles. US troops landed astride the Vire River in the face of considerable opposition. Between Bayeux and Caen, British units have established three beachheads from one to three miles deep. Airborne troops seized three bridges intact across the Orne near Benouville. The landings were generally satisfactory and opposition from German coastal batteries and enemy aircraft was less than had been expected. Continuous fighter cover, which met little opposition, was maintained over the shipping and the ground operations. Weather slowed - 1 - 10 6 6 4 2 o 2 4 6 e 10 12 14 16 is 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34 36 & 3a 58 ÷ Hockholm " Paker se " ORige Ovilebak 5g copenhopeh " a Kaundt o OKonigaberg OMinsk XXIII 0 Gomel 52 o PEnelh Gramen STATE + Londong, OBerlin o Warsow o o ORstterdom o 50 Cologne o OLeipzig c Abbeville a 32 o o Frankfurt (Progue OKTokew Less , o o Peris ORennes o Nancy Ogeite o Laine o Munich secure OTours Vienna Budgest 4a 46 o Barn o Beizone BRASOV Lgod e So PLOESTI - (Bordeoux OMlian en Piriesle = PITESTI 44 O Buchorati IRON GATE BELGRADE Toulouse Belogne so o o : Sefie 42 o 0, # o 2 6 . 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 20 24-51892-500 TERNI PESCARA OURTE VITERBO GRIET ORTONA o ACQUILA OPOPOLI CIVITAVECCHIA SULMONA o AVEZZANO o T1 VOLI ROME BALSORANO PESCASSEROL I OPI o OVELLETRIC OFROSINONE ARGE OCASSINO D ANZIO APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT 6 JUNE 5 JUNE - TERRACINA CENTRAL ITALY #GAETA o 5 10 is 20 15 APPROXIMATE MILES DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 down the operation of the smaller landing craft. Losses to naval craft were very light considering the magnitude of the operation. Nine hundred and thirty-four airplanes and 103 gliders were used in dropping airborne troops, 24 airplanes being shot down by enemy fighters. 2. On 5 June more than 2,000 tons of explosives were dropped on targets from Brittany to the Dover Straits by the 8th and 9th Air Forces. We lost six heavy bombers and four fighters during these strikes which operated without enemy fighter opposition. The aerial preparation for the invasion was launched at 2000 5 June when over 1,600 RAF bombers blasted various German headquarters and key installations along the Channel coast in a four-hour attack. Before daylight on 6 June, 432 B-26's bombed the American assault beaches from 3,000 feet. Following this strike, 1,350 bombers of the 8th Air Force were dispatched to attack gun positions between 0655 and 0710. In the second wave of attacks during the morning, 529 heavy bombers, 108 B-26's and 108 A-20's attacked military objectives inshore between 0930 and 1005. Additional operations on a similar scale were scheduled throughout the day. Enemy air activity and antiaircraft fire were relatively light. MEDITERRANEAN 1. During the night of 4-5 June, 48 Allied bombers concentrated 97 tons of explosives on the road junctions in the Terni area. The next day while Strategic bombers of the 15th Air Force were attacking - 2 - DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 targets in the Po Valley, Tactical aircraft concentrated on enemy communications in central Italy. Three hundred and seventy-four medium bombers centered their operations on highway bridges in the Viterbo-Rieti area. Over 500 fighter aircraft made remunerative attacks against jammed highways and railroads beyond Rome; we lost one medium bomber and eleven fighters during the day's operations. Only 34 German sorties were observed. Four hundred sixty-three escorted bombers of the 15th Air Force were dispatched on 6 June to attack the oil refineries at Ploesti, the yards at Brasov, Belgrade and Pitesti, and the canal at the Iron Gates. Bombloads in excess of 1,300 tons were dropped. An effective enemy smoke screen prevented observation of results at Ploesti, but the other targets were well covered. Of the estimated 100 enemy aircraft encoun- tered 34 (probably 43) were shot down; 17 of our bombers failed to return. 2. The Fifth and Eighth Armies pushed rapidly past Rome during 6 June, an American column advancing another six miles westwards toward Civitavecchia while South African armored troops drove 17 miles north- ward on the Via Flaminia toward Terni. To the east, Indian units were in contact with enemy rearguards at Subiaco; the Germans withdrew from Balsorano, and New Zealand troops, occupying Opi, pushed patrols to Pescasseroli. French troops captured Tivoli. 3. During the night of 4-5 June and the next morning, 25 Allied fighters and bombers, including eight B-24's, attacked a landing strip - 3 - SHANGHM Hangchow Changia PG Wenchow CHANGSHA mont Amoy Bechaut Swotow CANTO March HONGKONG APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT MontGo 0 50 100 150 200 Pakhoi MILES HANOI Hsi-ying Haiphong COMPILED AND DRAWN IN THE BRANCH OF RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS. oss MAP NO. 2437 (FREE) 24 JUNE 1943 LITHOGRAPHED IN THE REPRODUCTION BRANCH, oss LEDOV N°1 KONIMA MOGAUNG CHIANG-730 TENGCHUNG HOP IN REHAME NANHKAM CALCUTTA MAUNGDAW AKYABA APROME > BENGAL N REASSEIN RAMBOON BULF of MARTABAN PROVEREING F 0 YE T 7 0 APPROXIMATE LINE OF CONTACT ANDAMAN SCALE ISLANDS 50 12 o 50 100 150 APPROXIMATE MILES SPORT BLAIR Sorong Manokwari BIAK I. o MOKMER VOGELKOP NOEMFOOR L JAPEN L MAFFIN BAY ADMIRALTY IS. Geelvink Bay Babo Kavieng Hollandia Fak Fak Altape YAKAMUL DR NUMOR Wewok Hansa Boy Roboul KEI IS. Modong C.Gloucester, Toloseo Island oSoldor AROE IS. Gasmato Los TANIMBAR IS. Merouka oBune NEW GUINEA Port Moresby 100 50 o 100 200 300 MILES 24-85854-200 STOR DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 on Paros Island, targets in Portolago Bay, Leros, and Rhodes Harbor. One plane failed to return. ASIATIC THEATER 1. During 4 June, Chinese forces crossed the Shweli River, 14 miles northeast of Tengchung, and continued their advance westward. Other Chinese forces made small gains in their attacks on Chiang-tso. 2. Allied fighters supported operations in the Imphal, Kohima, Mogaung and Hopin areas during 4 and 5 June. Other missions raided Burmese rail and river traffic. 3. On 3 June, sixteen 14th Air Force fighters raided Japanese troop-laden barges on Tungting Lake causing many observed casualties. Medium bombers and fighter bombers attacked Pingsiang (east of Changsha). On 5 June, 18 escorted B-24's bombed Lashio with excellent results. Sixty miles to the north, seven other heavy bombers hit barracks and warehouse areas at Namhkam. Fighter missions supported ground operations northeast of Tengchung. PACIFIC AND SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATERS 1. A Japanese attack late on 4 June against our outpost positions near Yakamul (east of Aitape) caused our troops to withdraw by sea to positions about seven miles to the west along the Drinumor River. Next day our troops near Maffin Bay successfully repulsed two enemy attacks. On Biak our forces pushed westward to positions overlooking the Mokmer airdrome without opposition. - 4 - BOUGAINVILLE ISLAND BUKA I. 10 o 10 20 30 Buka Passage MILES BUKA AIRFIELD o o BONIS Banin Boy Tolokh 1. Matchin Teop 1. Boy NUMA NUMA KIAKABA o c. MABIRI Anewa Boy Bakowari L o o PIVA KIETA C. TOROKINA Reboine Boy EMPRESS AUGUSTA BAY MARIRICI R. MAWARAKA MUTUPINA PT. KOMA o KARA Kahili Buino FAURO 1. Balloie L SHORTLAND Faisi I. Alu 1. MONO I. -300 DECLASSIFIED OSD Letter, 5-3-72 Heavy, light and fighter bombers again attacked enemy instal- lations in the Wewak area on 5 June. Light bombers in a strike at Babo destroyed several enemy aircraft. Two B-24's harassed islands in the Truk Group during the early morning. 2. During 4 June our troops continued their advance south of Maririci River to Mawaraka. Night B-25's continued to harass Rabaul; all daylight missions to this area were cancelled because of weather. A total of 79 planes hit Bougainville targets, sinking 22 canoes off Fauro Island and started fires in a truck park near Komai. 3. During the night of 3-4 June (target time) and the evening of the next day, Navy searchplanes attacked an enemy convoy southwest of Truk, sinking a large freighter and an auxiliary ship and heavily damaging another auxiliary vessel. Central Pacific bombers attacked Mille, Wotje, Nauru and Taroa on 4 June. Heavy bombers again returned to strike Truk, dropping over 37 tons on airfields and installations in a night attack; other night bombers hit Ponape and Mille. EASTERN FRONT During 6 June German attacks northwest of Jassy diminished. - 5 - PUBLICATION AND MICROFILM COPYING RESTRICTIONS Reel duplication of the whole or of any part of this film is prohibited. In lieu of transcripts, however, enlarged photocopies of selected items contained on these reels may be made in order to facilitate research.