01/01 Sat. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. F. C.
Sherman) bomb Japanese convoy escorted by cruisers
and destroyers off Kavieng, New Ireland.
Naval Air Facility, Honolulu, Oahu, T. H., is
established.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Destroyers SMITH (DD-378) and HUTCHINGS (DD-476),
by collision, eastern New Guinea area,
05 d. 00' S., 146 d. 00' E.
LST 446, by accidental explosion, Solomon Islands
area,
06 d. 15' S., 155 d. 02' E.
01/02 Sun. Army troops land at Saidor, New Guinea, under cover
of cruisers and destroyers (Rear Adm. D. E. Barbey).
01/03 Mon. Submarine BLUEFISH (SS-222) lays mines off eastern
Malayan coast.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer TURNER (DD-648), by explosion, Ambrose
Channel, New York Harbor.
01/04 Tue. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. F. C.
Sherman) bomb enemy shipping at Kavieng, New Ireland.
Submarine RASHER (SS-269) lays mines off Cochin
China.
United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-145, damaged by grounding, eastern New Guinea
area,
05 d. 34' S., 146 d. 10' E.;
sunk by United States forces.
01/06 Thu. United States naval vessels sunk:
Gunboat ST. AUGUSTINE (PG-54), by collision, off
North Carolina,
38 d. 01' N., 74 d. 05' W.
01/08 Sat. Cruiser and destroyer task force (Rear Adm. W. L.
Ainsworth) bombards enemy shore installations on
Faisi, Poporang, and Shortland Islands in the Solomon
Islands Group.
01/09 Sun. German submarine sunk:
U-81, by Army aircraft, Pola, Italy.
01/10 Mon. United States naval vessel sunk:
Motor minesweeper YMS-127, by grounding, Aleutian
Islands area.
01/11 Tue. Naval land-based aircraft (Rear Adm. J. H. Hoover)
from Gilbert and Ellice Islands bomb Japanese
shipping and installations at Kwajalein, Marshall
Islands.
01/12 Wed. United States Naval Air Station, Port Lyautey, French
Morocco, is established.
01/14 Fri. United States naval vessel sunk:
Fuel oil barge (self-propelled) YO-159, damaged by
submarine torpedo, South Pacific area,
15 d. 27' S., 171 d. 28' E.;
sunk by United States forces.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer SAZANAMI, by submarine ALBACORE (SS-218),
Central Pacific area,
05 d. 15' N., 141 d. 15' E.
01/15 Sat. Submarine CREVALLE (SS-291) lays mines east of
Saigon, French Indochina.
01/16 Sun. German submarine sunk:
U-544, by aircraft (VC-13) from escort carrier
GUADALCANAL (CVE-60), mid-Atlantic area,
40 d. 30' N., 37 d. 20' W.
01/19 Wed. Naval land-based aircraft from Attu, Aleutian
Islands, bomb Paramushiro-Shimushu area, Kurile
Islands; similar attacks are made on three succeeding
nights.
01/20 Thu. Submarine TINOSA (SS-283) lands personnel and
equipment in northeast Borneo.
United States naval vessel sunk:
LST 228, by grounding, Azores area,
38 d. 39' N., 27 d. 12' W.
01/22 Sat. Combined United States-British Army force under the
command of Maj. Gen. J. P. Lucas, USA, lands at
Anzio-Nettuno area, Italy; the naval commander is
Rear Adm. F. J. Lowry, USN. Naval gunfire continues
to support the troops ashore during the 3-months
struggle for the beachhead.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Minesweeper PORTENT (AM-106), by mine, Anzio,
Italy,
41 d. 24' N., 12 d. 44' E.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Oiler CACHE (AO-67), by submarine torpedo, South
Pacific area,
12 d. 08' S., 164 d. 33' E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine RO-37, by destroyer BUCHANAN (DD-484),
South Pacific area,
11 d. 47' S., 164 d. 17' E.
Auxiliary submarine chaser No. 40, by Army aircraft,
off Admiralty Islands,
01 d. 50' s., 147 d. 20' E.
01/24 Mon. United States naval vessels damaged, Anzio, Italy,
area:
Destroyer PLUNKETT (DD-431), by dive bomber,
41 d. 15' N., 12 d. 37' E.
Destroyer MAYO (DD-422), by external explosion,
41 d. 24' N., 12 d. 43' E.
Minesweeper PREVAIL (AM-107), by horizontal bomber,
41 d. 00; N., 12 d. 00' E.
01/25 Tue. United States naval vessel sunk:
Motor minesweeper YMS-30, by mine, Anzio, Italy,
41 d. 23' N., 12 d. 45' E.
01/26 Wed. Cruiser and destroyer task group (Rear Adm. R. S.
Berkey) bombards enemy installations in Madang-
Alexischafen area of New Guinea.
United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-110, by collision, off New Britain,
06 d. 17' S., 150 d. 09' E.
United States naval vessel damaged:
PT-114, by collision, off New Britain,
06 d. 17' S., 150 d. 09' E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Destroyer SUZUKAZE, by submarine SKIPJACK (SS-184),
Caroline Islands area,
08 d. 51' N., 157 d. 10' E.
Submarine chaser No. 14, by naval land-based
aircraft, Central Pacific area,
11 d. 10' N., 163 d. 25' E.
01/28 Fri. German submarine sunk:
U-271, by naval land-based aircraft (VB-103), North
Atlantic area,
53 d. 15' N., 15 d. 52' W.
01/29 Sat. Aircraft from fast carrier force (Read Adm. M. A.
Mitscher) begin series of strikes to destroy Japanese
air power and shipping in the Marshall Islands.
Attacks continue daily until 6 February 1944.
Submarine BOWFIN (SS-287) lays mines off southeastern
coast of Borneo.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Ocean tug ATR-1, by horizontal bomber, Anzio,
Italy,
41 d. 27' N., 12 d. 40' E.
01/30 Sun. Naval land-based aircraft from Midway Island bomb
Wake Island.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer ANDERSON (DD-411), by coastal defense
gun, Marshall Islands area,
09 d. 33' N., 170 d. 18' E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine chasers Nos. 18, 19, 21, and 28,
auxiliary submarine chaser No. 25, by carrier-based
aircraft and surface vessel, Marshall Islands area.
01/31 Mon. Marines and Army troops (Maj. Gen. H. M. Smith, USMC)
land on Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls in the Marshall
Islands. The operation is under the overall command
of Commander Central Pacific Force (Vice Adm. R. A.
Spruance) and is composed of Southern Attack Force
(Rear Adm. R. K. Turner), Northern Attack Force (Rear
Adm. R. L. Conolly), and Reserve Force and Majuro
Attack Group (Rear Adm. H. W. Hill). Landings are
supported by carrier-based aircraft (Rear Adm. M. A.
Mitscher) and land-based aircraft (Rear Adm. J. H.
Hoover).
Aircraft from fast carrier group (Read Adm. F. C.
Sherman) bomb aircraft and airfield facilities at
Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall
Islands. Attacks by this carrier group continue on
the first three days of February and afterward by
Rear Adm. S. P. Ginder's carrier group through 7
February.
Carrier FRANKLIN (CV-13) is commissioned at Newport
News, Va.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Heavy cruiser LOUISVILLE (CA-28), by naval gunfire,
Marshall Islands invasion,
09 d. 00' N., 167 d. 00' E.
Destroyer COLAHAN (DD-658), by grounding, Marshall
Islands invasion,
08 d. 52' N., 167 d. 38' E.
Cargo ship ENCELADUS (AK-80), by storm, Solomon
Islands area,
08 d. 09' S., 157, 38' E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine I-171, by destroyers GUEST (DD-472), and
HUDSON (DD-475), Bismarck Archipelago area,
05 d. 37' S., 154 d. 14' E.
Minelayer NASAMI, by submarine TRIGGER (SS-237),
Central Pacific area,
09 d. 50' N., 147 d. 06' E.
Auxiliary submarine chaser No. 33, by aircraft,
Central Pacific area.
02/01 Tue. Invasion of the Marshall Islands continues as Marines
land on Roi and Namur Islands, and Army troops land
on Kwajalein Island under cover of heavy naval
gunfire from battleships, cruisers and destroyers.
Command designated Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet,
with headquarters at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, T. H., is
established. Vice Admiral R. K. Turner, Commander
Fifth Amphibious Force, is ordered to assume this
command as additional duty.
United States Naval Base, Finschhafen, New Guinea, is
established.
United States naval vessels damaged, Marshall
Islands invasion:
Destroyer ANDERSON (DD-411), by grounding,
09 d. 10' N., 167 d. 25' E.
Destroyer HAGGARD (DD-555), by accidental
explosion,
09 d. 00' N., 167 d. 00' E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer UMIKAZE, by submarine GUARDFISH (SS-
217), Caroline Islands area,
07 d. 10' N., 151 d. 43' E.
Submarine RO-39, by destroyer WALKER (DD-517),
Marshall Islands area,
09 d. 24' N., 170 d. 32' E.
02/02 Wed. Roi and Namur Islands in the Marshall Islands are
secured.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Battleships WASHINGTON (BB-56) and INDIANA (BB-
58), by collision, Marshall Islands operation,
07 d. 00' N., 167 d. 00' E.
02/03 Thu. Cruiser and destroyer gunfire supports landing of
Army troops on Ebeye, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall
Islands.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Destroyer CLAXTON (DD-571), by coastal defense
gun, Solomon Islands area,
05 d. 49' S., 154 d. 39' E.
Minesweeper CHIEF (AM-135), by grounding, Marshall
Islands area,
09 d. 00' N., 167 d. 00' E.
02/04 Fri. Cruisers and destroyers (Rear Adm. W. D. Baker)
bombard enemy installations at Paramushiro, Kurile
Islands.
02/05 Sat. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167), delivers supplies and
evacuates certain personnel from near Libertad,
Panay, P. I.
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-21, by destroyer CHARRETTE (DD-581) and
destroyer escort FAIR (DE-35), Marshall Islands
area,
06 d. 48' N., 168 d. 08' E.
02/06 Sun. German submarine sunk:
U-177, by naval land-based aircraft (VB-107), South
Atlantic area,
10 d. 35' S., 23 d. 15' W.
02/07 Mon. Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands, is declared
secured.
Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167), delivers supplies and
evacuates certain personnel from near Balatong Point,
Negros, P. I.
02/08 Tue. United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer LUDLOW (DD-438), by coastal defense gun,
Italian area,
41 d. 28' N., 12 d. 30' E.
02/10 Thu. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. S. P.
Ginder) bomb enemy installations on Eniwetok Atoll,
Marshall Islands; similar strikes are made on 11 and
12 February.
United States naval vessel damaged:
LST 170, by horizontal bomber, eastern New Guinea
area,
08 d. 39' S., 148 d. 27' E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer MINEKAZE, by submarine POGY (SS-266), off
Formosa,
23 d. 12' N., 121 d. 30' E.
02/11 Fri. United States naval vessels sunk:
PT-279, by collision with PT-282, Solomon Islands
area,
05 d. 30' S., 154 d. 15' E.
02/12 Sat. Marines land on Arno Atoll, Marshall Islands; this
begins a series of "mopping-up" operations in minor
atolls of the Marshall Islands.
Japanese aircraft bomb and destroy supply
concentrations on Roi Islands, Marshall Islands.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Submarine rescue vessel MACAW (ASR-11), by
grounding, entrance to Midway Channel.
02/14 Mon. United States naval vessel damaged:
Light cruiser ST. LOUIS (CL-49), by dive bomber,
Bismarck Archipelago area,
06 d. 15' S., 153 d. 29' E.
02/15 Thu. United States Third Amphibious Force (Rear Adm. T. S.
Wilkinson) lands New Zealand troops in the Green
Islands off New Ireland. The operation is covered by
cruisers, destroyers and Solomon Islands-based
aircraft.
Command designated Central Pacific Forward Area (Rear
Adm. J. H. Hoover) is established; Rear Admiral
Hoover flies his lag in the seaplane tender CURTISS
(AV-4).
Naval aircraft from Abemama, Gilbert Islands, bomb
Wake Island.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer escort HERBERT C. JONES (DE-137), by
radio controlled bomb, Anzio, Italy,
41 d. 27' N., 12 d. 35' E.
Japanese submarines sunk:
I-43, by submarine ASPRO (SS-309), Central Pacific
area,
12 d. 42' N., 149 d. 17' E.
RO-40, by destroyer PHELPS (DD-360) and minesweeper
SAGE (AM-111), Marshall Islands area,
09 d. 50' N., 166 d. 35' E.
02/16 Wed. Aircraft from carrier group (Rear Adm. S. P. Ginder)
bomb Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Light cruiser AGANO, by submarine SKATE (SS-305),
Central Pacific area,
10 d. 11' N., 151 d. 42' E.
Submarine chasers Nos. 16 and 39, by Army
aircraft, north of New Ireland,
02 d. 24' S., 150 d. 06' E.
02/17 Thu. Naval task force (Vice Adm. R. A. Spruance), which
includes 9 carriers and 6 battleships, strikes
Japanese installations and vessels at Truk, Caroline
Islands; attack is repeated on 18 February.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Carrier INTREPID (CV-11), by aircraft torpedo,
Truk, Caroline Islands,
07 d. 23' N., 153 d. 32' E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Light cruiser NAKA, by carrier-based aircraft, Truk
area, Caroline Islands,
07 d. 15' N., 151 d. 15' E.
Training cruiser KATORI, by carrier-based aircraft
and surface craft, Truk area, Caroline Islands,
07 d. 45' N., 151 d. 20' E.
Destroyer MAIKAZE, by carrier-based aircraft and
surface craft, Truk area, Caroline Islands,
07 d. 45' N., 151 d. 45' E.
Destroyer OITE, by carrier-based aircraft, Truk
area, Caroline Islands,
07 d. 40' N., 151 d. 45' E.
Destroyer TACHIKAZE, by carrier-based aircraft,
Truk area, Caroline Islands,
07 d. 40' N., 151 d. 55' E.
Minesweeper No. 26, by aircraft, Rabaul, New
Britain.
Submarine I-11, by destroyer NICHOLAS, (DD-449),
Marshall Islands area,
10 d. 34' N., 173 d. 31' E.
Submarine chaser No. 24, by destroyer BURNS (DD-
588),
07 D. 24' N., 150 d. 30' E.
02/18 Fri. Marines and Army forces land on Engebi Island,
Eniwetok Atoll, in the Marshall Islands. Preliminary
landings are made 17 February on several nearby
islets. The operation is under the command of Rear
Adm. H. W. Hill and is supported by naval gunfire and
carrier-based aircraft.
Destroyers bombard enemy positions at Kavieng, New
Ireland, and Rabaul, New Britain.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Tug YT-198, by mine, Italian area,
41 d. 27' N., 12 d. 38' E.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Minesweeper PILOT (AM-104), by collision, Italian
area,
40 d. 48' N., 14 d. 16' E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk, Truk area, Caroline
Islands:
Destroyer FUMIZUKI, by carrier-based aircraft,
07 d. 24' N., 151 d. 44' E.
Submarine chaser No. 29, by carrier-based NO. 29,
by carrier-based aircraft,
07 d. 25' N., 151 d. 45' E.
02/19 Sat. Marines and Army troops supported by naval
bombardment land on Eniwetok Island, Eniwetok Atoll,
Marshall Islands. The operation is under the command
of Rear Adm. H. W. Hill. (P)Army, Naval, and Marine
land-based aircraft heavily attack airfield and other
Japanese installations at Rabaul, New Britain.
The area is repeatedly bombed, and after this date
the enemy abandons air defense of Rabaul.
Motor torpedo boats engage German convoy southeast of
Elba.
Allied cruiser and destroyer gunfire supports United
States positions at Anzio, Italy.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine chasers Nos. 22, 34, and 40 by Army
aircraft, off New Ireland.
02/20 Sun. Carrier task group (Rear Adm. J. W. Reeves) bombs
Japanese installations on Jaluit Atoll, Marshall
Islands.
United States naval vessel sunk:
LST 348, by submarine torpedo, Italian area,
40 d. 57' N., 13 s. 14' E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Submarine chaser No. 48, by Army aircraft, off New
Ireland.
02/22 Tue. Marines land on Perry Island, Eniwetok Atoll,
Marshall Islands, under cover of naval bombardment
and carrier-aircraft bombing; this operation
completes United States control of Eniwetok Atoll.
Destroyers bombard Japanese airstrips, pier area, and
anchorages at Kavieng, New Ireland.
Submarine RAY (SS-271), lays mines off Saigon, French
Indochina.
United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-200, by collision with unknown object, off Long
Island, N. Y.,
41 d. 23' N., 71 d. 01; W.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Minelayer NATSUSHIMA, by destroyers, off New
Ireland,
02 d. 40' S., 149 d. 40' E.
Tug NAGAURA, by destroyers, off New Ireland,
06 d. 54' S., 148 d. 38' E.
River gunboat FRANCIS GARNIER, by mine, South China
Sea,
10 d. 30' N., 108 d. 00' E.
[What the heck is this? LWJ]
02/23 Wed. Aircraft from fast carrier task force (Rear Adm. M.
A. Mitscher) bomb Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam, in
first strike against the Marianas Islands.
02/24 Thu. United States naval vessels damaged:
Destroyer BUCHANAN (DD-484) and FARENHOLT (DD-491),
by coastal defense gun, north of New Ireland,
02 d. 20' S., 151 d. 02' S.
German submarine sunk:
U-761, by United States naval land-based aircraft
(VP-63 and VB-127), British aircraft and ships,
off Gibraltar,
35 d. 55' N., 05 d. 45' W.
02/25 Fri. Destroyers bombard enemy positions at Kavieng, New
Ireland and Rabaul, New Britain.
02/26 Sat. United States naval vessels sunk:
PT-251, by coastal defense gun, Solomon Islands
area,
06 d. 30' S., 155 d. 10' E.
LST 349, by grounding, Italian area,
40 d. 55' N, 12 d. 58' W.
02/28 Mon. United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer ABNER READ (DD-526), by grounding,
eastern New Guinea area,
08 d. 44' S., 148 d. 27' E.
02/29 Tue. Destroyer task group (Rear Adm. W. M Fechteler) lands
Army troops on Los Negros Island, Admiralty Islands.
Destroyers bombard wharf area and buildings at
Rabaul, New Britain.
03/01 Wed. United States Naval Base, Milne Bay, New Guinea, and
Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, Tanaga, Alaska, are
established.
German submarines sunk:
U-603, by destroyer escort BRONSTEIN (DE-189),
North Atlantic area,
48 d. 55' N., 26 d. 10' W.
U-709, by destroyer escorts THOMAS (DE-102),
BOSTWICK (DE-103), North Atlantic area,
49 d. 10' N., 26 d. 00' W.
03/02 Thu. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) delivers ammunition and
supplies and evacuates certain personnel from Butuan
Bay, Nasipit, Mindanao, P. I.
03/03 Fri. President announces that the Italian Fleet will be
distributed among the United States, Great Britain,
and Russia.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
River boat KARATSU, by submarine NARWHAL (SS-167),
Philippine Islands area,
08 d. 52' N., 123 d. 23' E.
03/04 Sat. Army and Naval land-based aircraft attack Choiseul
Island, Solomon Islands.
Allied task force (Rear Adm. V. A. C. Crutchley, RN)
including 2 United States cruisers and 4 United
States destroyers, bombards Japanese shore batteries
and positions on Hauwei and Norilo Islands in the
Admiralty Islands; bombardment is repeated on 6 and 7
March.
03/05 Sun. NARWHAL (SS-167) delivers cargo and evacuates certain
personnel from Tawi Tawi, P. I.
03/06 Mon. United States naval vessels sunk:
Submarine SCORPION (SS-278), Pacific Ocean area,
reported as presumed lost.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer NICHOLSON (DD-442), by coastal defense
gun, Bismarck Archipelago area,
02 d. 00' S., 147 d. 00' E.
03/07 Tue. United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-337, by coastal defense gun, eastern New Guinea
area,
04 d. 09' S., 144 d. 50' E.
03/08 Wed. Japanese aircraft attack United States position on
Eniwetok Atoll, Marshall Islands.
03/09 Thu. United States Naval Air Facility (Lighter than Air),
Santa Cruz, Brazil, is established.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer LEOPOLD (DE-319), by submarine torpedo,
south of Iceland.
03/10 Fri. United States naval vessel sunk:
Submarine chaser SC-700, by fire, Vella Lavella,
Solomon Islands.
03/11 Sat. German submarine sunk:
U-380 and U-410, by Army aircraft, Toulon, France.
03/13 Mon. Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Light cruiser TATSUTA, by submarine SANDLANCE (SS-
381), off Honshu, Japan,
32 d. 58' N., 138 d. 52' E.
German submarine sunk:
U-575, by aircraft (VC-95) from escort carrier
BOGUE (CVE-9), destroyer HOBSON (DD-464),
destroyer escort HAVERFIELD (DE-393), Canadian
vessel, and British aircraft, North Atlantic area,
46 d. 18' N., 27 d. 34' W.
03/16 Thu. Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Destroyer SHIRAKUMO, by submarine TAUTOG (SS-199),
off Japan,
42 d. 25' N., 144 d. 55' E.
German submarines sunk:
U-392, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-63) and
British surface craft, western Mediterranean area,
35 d. 55' N., 05 d. 41' W.
U-801, by aircraft (VC-6) from escort carrier BLOCK
ISLAND (CVE-21), destroyer CORRY (DD-463),
destroyer escort BRONSTEIN (DE-189), west of Cape
Verde Islands,
16 d. 42' N., 30 d. 26' W.
03/17 Fri. United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-283, by coastal defense gun, Solomon Islands
area,
06 d. 27' S., 155 d. 08' E.
03/18 Sat. Task group including 1 carrier, 2 battleships, and
destroyers (Rear Adm. W. A. Lee) bombs and bombards
Japanese installations on Mili Island in the Marshall
Islands.
Destroyers bombard enemy in Wewak area, New Guinea;
bombardment continues on 19 March.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Battleship IOWA (BB-61), by coastal defense gun,
Mili Island, Marshall Islands.
03/19 Sun. German submarine sunk:
U-1059, by aircraft (VC-6) from escort carrier
BLOCK ISLAND (CVE-21), Atlantic area,
13 d. 10' N., 33 d. 44' W.
03/20 Mon. Naval attack group (Commodore L. F. Reifsnider) lands
4th Marine Division (Brig. Gen. A. H. Noble) on
Emirau Island, Bismarck Archipelago.
Task force including 4 battleships, 2 escort
carriers, and destroyers (Rear Adm. R. M. Griffin)
bombards and bombs Kavieng, New Ireland.
Submarine ANGLER (SS-240) evacuates 58 persons
including women and children from west coast of
Panay, P. I.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Auxiliary submarine chasers Nos. 47 and 49, by Army
aircraft, north of New Guinea,
02 d. 55' S., 143 d. 40' E.
03/23 Thu. Destroyers bombard enemy installations on Mussau
Islands in the St. Matthias group, Bismarck
Archipelago.
United States Naval Air Facility, Dunkeswell,
England, is established.
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-42, by submarine TUNNY (SS-282), off Palau
Islands,
06 d. 40' N., 134 d. 03' E.
03/24 Fri. Japanese submarine sunk:
I-32, by destroyer escort MANLOVE (DE-36), and
submarine chaser PC-1135, Marshall Islands area,
08 d. 30' N., 170 d. 10' E.
03/25 Sat. Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine chaser No. 54, by submarine POLLACK (SS-
180), north of Bonin Islands,
28 d. 34' N., 142 d. 14' E.
03/26 Sun. United States naval vessel sunk:
Submarine TULLIBEE (SS-284), probably by circular
run of own torpedo, north of Palau Islands,
Caroline Islands.
03/27 Mon. United States naval vessels sunk:
PT-121 and PT-353, accidentally by friendly bomber,
Bismarck Archipelago area,
05 d. 17' S., 151 d. 01' E.
United States naval vessel damaged:
PT-207, by naval gunfire, Italian area,
41 d. 27' N., 12 d. 40' E.
03/28 Tue. Destroyers bombard Japanese positions on
Kapingamarangi Atoll, north of New Ireland.
03/30 Thu. Fast carrier forces under Commander Fifth Fleet (Adm.
R. A. Spruance) commence intensive bombing of
Japanese airfields, shipping, fleet service
facilities, and other installations at Palau, Yap,
Ulithi, and Woleai in the Caroline Islands group.
Extensive minefields are planted by carrier-based
aircraft in and around the channels and approaches to
the Palau Islands. Attacks continue until 1 April.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Submarine GRAYBACK (SS-208), Pacific Ocean area,
reported as presumed lost.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Submarine TUNNEY, (SS-282), accidentally by
friendly aircraft off Palau Islands,
07 d. 29' N., 134 d. 26' E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk, Palau, Caroline Islands
raid:
Repair ship AKASHI, oilers OSE, SATA, and IRO,
submarine chasers Nos. 6 and 26, auxiliary
submarine chasers Nos. 22 and 53, and patrol boat
No. 31, by carrier-based aircraft.
03/31 Fri. Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Old destroyer WAKATAKE, by carrier-based aircraft,
off Palau Islands, Caroline Islands.
04/04 Tue. United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer HALL (DD-583), by coastal defense gun,
Marshall Islands area,
09 d. 30' N., 170 d. 00' E.
04/05 Wed. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Auxiliary submarine chaser No. 46, by carrier-based
aircraft, Caroline Islands area.
04/07 Fri. United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer CHAMPLIN (DD-601), by intentional ramming
of German submarine and by gunfire, North Atlantic
area,
40 d. 18' N., 62 d. 22' W.
[Who rammed who? LWJ]
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-2, by destroyer SAUFLEY (DD-465), north of New
Ireland,
02 d. 17' S., 149 d. 14' E.
German submarine sunk:
U-856, by destroyer CHAMPLIN (DD-601) and destroyer
escort (DE-145), North Atlantic area,
40 d. 18' N., 62 d. 22' W.
04/09 Sun. United States naval vessel sunk:
Submarine chaser SC-984, by grounding in New
Hebrides.
German submarine sunk:
U-515, by aircraft (VC-58) from escort carrier
GUADALCANAL (CVE-60), and destroyer escorts
PILLSBURY (DE-133), POPE (DE-134), FLAHERTY (DE-
135), and CHATELIN (DE-149), off Madeira Island,
34 d. 35' N., 19 d. 18' W.
04/10 Mon. German submarine sunk:
U-68, by aircraft (VC-58)from escort carrier
GUADALCANAL (CVE-60), off Madeira Island,
33 d. 25' N., 03 d. 58' W.
04/11 Tue. United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer escort HOLDER (DE-401), by submarine
torpedo, western Mediterranean area,
37 d. 03' N., 03 d. 58' E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer AKIGUMO, by submarine REDFIN (SS-272),
Celebes Sea,
06 d. 43' N., 122 d. 23' E.
04/12 Wed. United States naval vessels sunk:
PT-135, damaged by grounding, Bismarck Archipelago
area,
05 d. 29' s., 152 d. 09' E.;
sunk by United States forces.
Rescue tug ATR-98, by collision, Azores area,
44 d. 05' N., 24 d. 08' W.
04/13 Thu. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer IKAZUCHI, by submarine HARDER (SS-257),
Central Pacific area,
10 d. 13' N., 143 51' E.
04/15 Sat. Alaskan Sea Frontier (Vice Adm. F. J. Fletcher) with
headquarters at Adak, Aleutian Islands, and
Seventeenth Naval District (Rear Adm. F. E. M.
Whiting) with temporary headquarters in Adak and
permanent headquarters at Kodiak, Alaska, are
established.
United States Naval Base, Abemama, Gilbert Islands,
is established.
Carrier HANCOCK (CV-19) is commissioned at Fore
River, Mass.
04/16 Sat. Battleship WISCONSIN (BB-64) is commissioned at
Philadelphia, Pa.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer escort GANDY (DE-764), by intentional
ramming of German submarine, North Atlantic area,
40 d. 09' N., 69 d. 44' W.
German submarine sunk:
U-550, by destroyer escorts PETERSON (DE-152),
JOYCE (DE-317), and GANDY (DE-764), North
Atlantic area,
40 d. 09' N., 69 d. 44' W.
04/17 Mon. United States naval vessel sunk:
Submarine TROUT (SS-202), Pacific Ocean area,
reported as presumed lost.
German submarine sunk:
U-986, by minesweeper SWIFT (AM-122), and submarine
chaser PC-619, North Atlantic area,
50 d. 09' N., 12 d. 51' W.
04/19 Wed. Allied naval force (Adm. J. F. Sommerville, RN),
including United States carrier SARATOGA (CV-3) and
three United States destroyers, strikes enemy
positions at Sabang, Netherlands East Indies.
04/20 Thu. United States naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer LANDSDALE (DD-426), by aircraft torpedo,
western Mediterranean area,
37 d. 03' N., 03 d. 51' E.
Japanese submarine sunk:
RO-45, by submarine SEAHORSE (SS-304), off Marianas
Islands,
15 d. 19' N., 145 d. 31' E.
04/21 Fri. Naval task force (Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher),
including carriers, battleships, cruisers, and
destroyers, bombs and bombards enemy airfields and
defensive positions at Hollandia, Wakde, Sawar, and
Sarmi areas of New Guinea; attacks continue on 22
April.
04/22 Sat. Army forces land at Aitape, Tanahmerah Bay, and
Humboldt Bay in New Guinea. The assault operation is
under the control of Rear Adm. D. E. Barbey and
supported by gunfire and carrier-based aircraft from
Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher's carrier task force.
Submarine REDFIN (SS-272) lays mines off Sarawak,
Borneo.
04/23 Sun. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer AMAGIRI, by mine, Makassar Strait,
Netherlands East Indies area,
02 d. 12' S., 116 d. 45' E.
04/26 Wed. Japanese submarine sunk:
I-180, by destroyer escort GILMORE (DE-18), North
Pacific area,
55 d. 10' N., 155 d. 40' W.
German submarine sunk:
U-488, by destroyer escorts FROST (DE-144), HUSE
(DE-145), BARBER (DE-161), and SNOWDEN (DE-246),
mid-Atlantic area,
17 d. 54' N., 38 d. 05' W.
04/27 Thu. United States naval vessel sunk:
Cargo ship ETAMIN (AK-93), by aircraft torpedo,
western New Guinea area,
03 d. 09' S., 142 d. 24' E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Light cruiser YUBARI, by submarine BLUEGILL (SS-
242), southwest of the Palau Islands,
05 d. 20' N., 132 d. 16' E.
Minelayer KAMONE, by submarine HALIBUT (SS-232),
off Ryukyu Islands,
27 d. 37' N., 128 d. 11' E.
04/28 Fri. Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox dies at Washington,
D. C.
United States naval vessels sunk:
LST 507, and LST 531, by torpedoes from surface
craft, English Channel,
50 d. 28' N., 02 d. 51' W.
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-183, by submarine POGY (SS-266), off Kyushu,
Japan,
32 d. 07' N., 133 d. 03' E.
04/29 Sat. Aircraft from fast carrier task force (Vice Adm. M.
A. Mitscher), including 12 carriers, commence 2-day
bombing attack on Japanese shipping, oil and
ammunition bumps, aircraft facilities, and other
installations at Truk, Caroline Islands.
United States naval vessels sunk:
PT-346 and PT-347, accidentally by friendly
aircraft, Bismarck Archipelago area,
04 d. 13' S., 151 d. 27' E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine I-174, by aircraft from light carrier
MONTEREY (CVL-26) and destroyers MACDONOUGH (DD-
351) and STEPHEN POTTER (DD-538), Caroline Islands
area,
06 d. 13' N., 151 d. 19' E.
River gunboat TAHURE, by submarine FLASHER (SS-
249), South China Sea,
13 d. 02' N., 109 d. 28' E.
German submarine sunk:
U-421, by Army aircraft, Toulon, France.
04/30 Sun. Cruiser and destroyer force (Rear Adm. J. B.
Oldendorf) bombards enemy positions on Satawan
Island, in the Namoi Group, Caroline Islands.
05/01 Mon. Battleship and carrier group (Vice Adm. W. A. Lee)
bombards and bombs wharf area, enemy seaplane base,
and other facilities on Ponape Island in the Caroline
Islands.
05/02 Tue. United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer PARROTT (DD-218), by collision off
Norfolk, Va.,
36 d. 41' N., 76 d. 18' W.
05/03 Wed. United States naval vessels damaged:
Destroyer escort DONNELL (DE-56), by submarine
torpedo, North Atlantic area.
Destroyer escort MENGES (DE-320), by submarine
torpedo, western Mediterranean area.
05/04 Thu. United States Naval Base and Naval Air Facility,
Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands, are established.
German submarine sunk:
U-371, by destroyer escorts JOSEPH E. CAMPBELL (DE-
70), PRIDE (DE-323), and British and French
surface craft, western Mediterranean.
05/05 Fri. Admiral S. Toyoda's appointment as Commander in Chief
of Japanese Combined Fleet is announced; he succeeds
Admiral Koga, killed in an airplane crash on 31 March
1944.
United States naval vessels sunk:
Destroyer escort FECHTELER (DE-157), by submarine
torpedo, western Mediterranean area,
36 d. 07' N., 02 d. 40' W.
PT-247, by coastal defense gun, Solomon Islands
area,
06 d. 38' s., 156 d. 01' E.
05/06 Sat. United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer escort BUCKLEY (DE-51), by intentional
ramming of German submarine, mid-Atlantic area,
17 d. 17' N., 32 d. 24' W.
05/08 Mon. Carrier TICONDEROGA (CV-14), is commissioned at
Newport News, Va.
05/09 Tue. United States naval vessel sunk:
Submarine chaser PC-558, by submarine torpedo,
38 d. 41' N., 13 d. 43' E.
05/10 Wed. United States Naval Base, Eniwetok, Marshall Islands,
is established.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Old destroyer KARUKAYA, by submarine COD (SS-224),
Philippine Islands area,
15 d. 38' N., 119 d. 25' E.
05/11 Thu. Submarine CREVALLE (SS-291) evacuates 28 women and
children from Negros, P. I.
United States Naval Advanced Amphibious Base,
Southampton, England, is established.
05/13 Sat. Naval land-based and Army aircraft stage heavy
bombing attack on Japanese installations at Jaluit
Atoll, Marshall Islands; attack continues on 14 May.
Japanese submarine sunk:
RO-501 (ex German U-1224), by destroyer escort
FRANCIS M. ROBINSON (DE-220), mid-Atlantic area,
18 d. 08' N., 33 d. 13' W.
05/14 Sun. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer INAZUMA, by submarine BONEFISH (SS-223),
Celebes Sea,
03 d. 08' N., 119 d. 38' E.
05/15 Mon. United States Naval Air Bases, Ebeye and Roi-namur,
Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands, are
established.
German submarine sunk:
U-731, by United States naval land-based aircraft
(VP-63) and British surface craft, western
Mediterranean area,
35 d.54' N., 05 d. 45' W.
05/16 Tue. Japanese submarine sunk:
I-176, by destroyers FRANKS (DD-554) and HAGGARD
(DD-555), north of Solomon Islands,
04 d. 01' S., 156 d. 29' E.
05/17 Wed. Army troops land at Wakde-Toem area, New Guinea,
preceded by cruiser and destroyer bombardment (Rear
Adm. R. S. Berkey).
Allied task force (Adm. J. F. Somerville, RN)
including United States carrier SARATOGA (CV-3) bombs
enemy shipping and harbor installations at Surabaya,
Java.
Destroyers bombard Japanese defenses on Eniben
Island, Maloelap Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
German submarine sunk:
U-616, by destroyers GLEAVES (DD-423), HILARY P.
JONES (DD-427), ELLYSON (DD0454), HAMBLETON (DD-
455), RODMAN (DD-456), EMMONS (DD0457), MACOMB
(458), NIELDS (DD-616), and British aircraft,
western Mediterranean area,
36 d. 46' N., 00 d. 52' E.
05/18 Thu. United States Naval Base and Naval Air Station, Manus
Island, Admiralty Islands, are established.
05/19 Fri. James Forrestal of New York, Under Secretary of the
Navy since 1940, becomes Secretary of the Navy.
Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. A. E.
Montgomery) bomb Marcus Island; attack continues on
20 May.
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-16, by destroyer escort ENGLAND (DE-635), Solomon
Islands area
05 d. 10' S., 158 d. 10' E.
German submarine sunk:
U-960, by destroyers NIBLACK (DD-424), LUDLOW (SS-
438), and British aircraft, western Mediterranean
area,
37 d. 20' N., 01 d. 35' E.
05/21 Sun. Naval land-based and Army aircraft heavily attack
enemy positions on Wotje Atoll in the Marshall
Islands.
United States naval vessels sunk:
LST 43, LST 69, LST 179, LST 353, LST 480, by
accidental explosion, Pearl Harbor. T. H.
[Anyone got background on this? LWJ]
05/22 Mon. Destroyers bombard installations in the Wotje Atoll,
Marshall Islands.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Destroyer ASANAGI, by submarine POLLACK (SS-180),
southeast of Japan,
28 d. 20' N., 138 d. 57' E.
Submarine RO-106, by destroyer escort ENGLAND (DE-
635), north of Bismarck Archipelago,
01 d. 40' N., 150 d. 31' E.
05/23 Tue. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. A. E.
Montgomery) bomb buildings and other targets on Wake
Island.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Light cruiser PHILADELPHIA (CL-41), and destroyer
LAUB (DD-613), by collision, Italian area,
41 d. 11' N., 12 d. 30' e.
Japanese submarine sunk:
RO-104, by destroyer escort ENGLAND (DE-635), north
of Bismarck Archipelago,
01 d. 26' N., 149 d. 20' E.
05/24 Wed. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) lands men and supplies on
Samar, P. I.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine RO-116. by destroyer escort ENGLAND (DE-
635), north of Bismarck Archipelago,
00 d. 53' N., 149 d. 14' E.
Frigate IKI, by submarine RATON (SS-270),
Netherlands East Indies area,
01 d. 17' N., 107 d. 50' E.
05/26 Fri. Destroyer bombard enemy shore batteries and
installations on Mili Atoll, Marshall Islands.
Japanese naval submarine sunk:
RO-108, by destroyer escort ENGLAND (DE-635), north
of Bismarck Archipelago,
00 d.32' S., 149 d. 56' E.
05/27 Sat. Army forces land on Biak in the Schouten Islands off
New Guinea under cover of naval gunfire from cruiser
and destroyer force (Rear Adm. W. M. Fechteler).
United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-339, damaged by grounding in western New Guinea
area,
04 d. 01' S., 144 d. 41' E.;
sunk by United States forces.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Submarine chaser SC-699, by suicide plane, western
New Guinea area,
01 d. 12 S., 136 d. 13' E.
05/28 Sun. United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer STOCKTON (DD-646), by coastal defense
gun, Biak Island, Schouten Islands, off New
Guinea,
01 d. 00' S., 136 d. 00' E.
05/29 Mon. Destroyers bombard enemy installations on northern
coast of New Ireland.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Escort carrier BLOCK ISLAND (CVE-21), by submarine
torpedo, northwest of Canary Islands,
31 d. 13' N., 23 d. 03' W.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer escort BARR (DE-576), by submarine
torpedo, northwest of Canary Islands,
31 d. 13' N., 23 d. 03' W.
German submarine sunk:
U-549, by destroyer escorts ABRENS (DE-575), and
EUGENE E. ELMORE (DE-686), by submarine torpedo,
northwest of Canary Islands,
31 d. 13' N., 23 d. 03' W.
05/31 Wed. Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine RO-105, by destroyers HAZELWOOD (DD-531)
and MCCORD (DD-534), destroyer escorts ENGLAND
(DD-635), GEORGE (DE-697), and RABY (de-698),
north of Bismarck Archipelago,
00 d. 47' N., 149 d. 56' E.
Frigate ISHIGAKI, by submarine HERRING (SS-233),
North Pacific area,
48 d. 36' N., 151 30' E.
06/01 Thu. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167), lands men and supplies on
southwest coast of Mindanao, P. I.
06/02 Fri. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Frigate AWAJI, by submarine GUITARRO (SS-363), off
Formosa,
22 d. 34' N., 121 d. 51' E.
06/03 Sat. United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer REID (DD-369), by dive bomber, western
New Guinea area,
01 d. 13' S., 136 d. 13' E.
06/04 Sun. German submarine U-505 is captured by hunter-killer
group 150 miles off the coast of Rio de Oro, Africa.
Hunter-killer group (Capt. D. V. Gallery) consists of
escort carrier GUADALCANAL (CVE-60, Capt. D. V.
Gallery), and escort division (Comdr. F. S. Hall),
composed of destroyer escorts PILLSBURY (DE-133, Lt.
G. W. Casselman), POPE (DE-134, Lt. Comdr. E. H.
Headland), FLAHERTY (De-135, Lt. Comdr. M. Johnston),
CHATELAIN (DE-149, Lt. Comdr. D. S. Knox), and JENKS
(DE-665, Lt. Comdr. J. F. Way).
Japanese aircraft attack Allied cruiser and destroyer
force (Rear Adm. V. A. C. Crutchley, RN) off Biak,
New Guinea; two United States light cruisers area
damaged.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Light cruiser NASHVILLE (CL-43), by horizontal
bomber, western New Guinea area,
01 d. 05' S., 136 d. 05' E.
Light cruiser PHOENIX (CL-46), by horizontal
bomber, western New Guinea area,
01 d. 00' S., 136 d. 00' E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Transport No. 128, by Army aircraft, Philippine
Sea,
04 d. 09' N., 129 d. 45' E.
06/05 Mon. Submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168) lands supplies at
Tucuran, Mindanao, P. I.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Minesweeper OSPREY (AM-56), by mine, off Normandy,
France,
50 d. 12 N., 01 d. 20' W.
United States naval vessel damaged:
LST 981, by mine, off Normandy, France,
50 d. 45' N., 00 d.43' E.
06/06 Tue. Allied Expeditionary Force under the supreme command
of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA, invades Western
Europe. Landings are made on beaches of Normandy,
France, following pre-invasion minesweeping and
bombardment by Allied warships, and under the cover
of Allied aircraft and naval gunfire. The invasion
fleet of thousands of naval vessels, merchant ships,
and landing craft under the command of Adm. Sir
Bertram H. Ramsay, RN, is divided into a Western
(American) Task Force and an Eastern (British) Task
Force. The Western Task Force, commanded by Rear
Adm. A. G. Kirk, USN, and composed to two assault
forces, "O" under the command of Rear Adm. J. L Hall,
USN, and "U" under the command of Read Adm. D. P.
Moon, USN, lands the First United States Army
commanded by Lt. Gen. O. N. Bradley, USA, on "Omaha"
and "Utah" beaches. Naval gunfire support groups
commanded by Rear Adm. M. L. Deyo, USN, and Rear Adm.
C. F. Bryant, USN effectively prevent the Germans
from moving up reinforcements and cover the troops
advancing inland. After the beachheads are
established, the primary naval responsibility is the
landing of men and supplies.
United States naval vessels sunk, Normandy invasion:
Destroyer CORRY (DD-463) by mine,
49 d. 31' N., 01 d. 12' W.
Submarine chaser PC-1261, by mine,
49 d. 30' N., 01 d. 10' W.
United States naval vessel damaged, Normandy
invasion:
LST 375, by collision,
42 d. 31' N., 00 d. 50' W.
[United States naval vessels listed as sunk or
damaged in the Normandy invasion do not include
amphibious types smaller than the LST.]
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Destroyer MINAZUKI, by submarine HARDER (SS-257),
Celebes Sea,
04 d. 05' N., 119 d. 30' E.
Coastal defense vessel No. 15, by submarine RATON
(SS-270), South China Sea,
08 d. 58' N., 109 d. 30' E.
06/07 Wed. Construction of artificial harbors and sheltered
anchorages from sunken blockships and concrete
caissons begins off Normandy beachheads.
United States Naval Advanced Base, Hollandia, New
Guinea, is established.
United States naval vessels sunk:
Submarine GUDGEON (SS-211), Pacific Ocean area,
reported as presumed lost.
Minesweeper TIDE (AM-125), by mine, Normandy area,
49 d. 37' N., 01 d. 05' W.
Transport SUSAN B. ANTHONTY (AP-72), by mine,
Normandy area,
49 d. 33' N., 00 d. 49' W.
United States naval vessels damaged, Normandy area:
Destroyer HARDING (DD-625), by grounding,
49 d. 31' N., 00 d. 50' E.
Minesweeper PHEASANT (AM-61), by collision,
49 d. 37' N., 01 d. 05' W.
PT-505, by mine,
49 d. 30' N., 01 d., 09' W.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer HAYANAMI, by submarine HARDER (SS-257),
Celebes Sea,
04 d. 43' N., 120 03' E.
06/08 Thu. Beginning shortly before midnight and continuing on 9
June, an Allied naval force (Rear Adm. V. A. C.
Crutchley, RN), including 2 United States light
cruisers and destroyers, intercepts and turns back 5
Japanese destroyers attempting to reinforce Biak
Island, in the Schouten Islands off New Guinea.
Submarine HARDER (SS-257) evacuates coast-watchers
from northeast coast of North Borneo.
United States naval vessels sunk, Normandy area:
Destroyer escort RICH (DE-695), by mine,
49 d. 31' N., 01 d. 10' W.
LST-499, by mine,
49 d. 30' N., 01 d. 10' W.
United States naval vessels damaged, Normandy area:
Destroyer GLENNON (DD-620), by mine,
50 d. 32' N., 01 d. 12' W.
Destroyer MEREDITH (DD-726), by mine,
49 d. 33' N., 01 d. 06' W.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Destroyer HARUSAME, by Army aircraft, Biak area,
New Guinea.
Destroyer KAZAGUMO, by submarine HAKE (SS-256),
Mindanao, P. I.,
06 d. 03' N., 125 d. 57' E.
06/09 Fri. Destroyers bombard Japanese repair facilities in the
Fangelawa Bay area, New Ireland.
United States naval vessel sunk, Normandy area:
Destroyer MEREDITH (DD-726), by horizontal bomber
and as a result of mine damage suffered 8 June,
49 d. 26' N., 01 d. 04' W.
LST 314, by torpedo from surface craft,
49 d. 43' N., 00 d. 52' W.
LST 376, damaged by torpedo from surface craft,
49 d. 50' N., 00 d. 50' W.;
sunk by United States forces.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Motor minesweeper YMS-305, by coastal defense gun,
Normandy area,
49 d. 31' N., 00 d. 50' W.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Destroyer MATSUKAZE, by submarine SWORDFISH (SS-
193), off Bonin Islands,
26 D. 59' N., 143 d. 13' E.
Destroyer TANIKAZE, by submarine HARDER (SS-257),
Celebes Sea,
05 d. 42' N., 120 d. 41' E.
06/10 Sat. United States naval vessels sunk, Normandy area:
Destroyer GLENNON (DD0620), by coastal defense gun,
50 d. 32' N., 01 d. 12' W.
Japanese submarine sunk:
RO-42, by destroyer escort BANGUST (DE-739),
Marshall Islands area,
10 d. 05' N., 168 d. 22' E.
06/11 Sun. United States battleships off Normandy give gunfire
support to Army forces 10 miles inland at Carentan,
France.
United States Naval Base, Biak Island, Schouten
Islands, is established.
Battleship MISSOURI (BB-63) is commissioned at New
York, N. Y.
United States naval vessels sunk, Normandy area:
LST 496, by mine,
49 d. 30' N., 00 d. 50' W.
Ocean tug PARTRIDGE (ATO-138), by torpedo,
49 d. 30' N., 00 d. 30' W.
United States naval vessels damaged, Normandy area:
Destroyer NELSON (DD-623), by torpedo,
49 d. 31' N., 00 d. 50' W.
LST 538, by torpedo,
49 d. 48' N., 00 d. 31' W.
Japanese submarine sunk:
RO-111, by destroyer TAYLOR (DD-468), north of
Bismarck Archipelago,
00 d. 26' N., 149 d. 16' E.
German submarine sunk:
U-490, by aircraft (VC-95) from escort carrier
CROATAN (CVE-25), and destroyer escorts FROST (DE-
144), HUSE (DE-145), and INCH (DE-146), North
Atlantic area,
42 d. 47' N., 40 d. 08' w.
06/12 Mon. Aircraft from 15 carriers of fast carrier task force
(Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher) bomb enemy air facilities
and coast defenses on Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Rota, and
Pagan Islands in the Marianas Islands. Two Japanese
convoys area attacked and damaged. Carrier aircraft
continue strikes in the Marianas Islands on 13 and 14
June.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer KALK (DD-611), by horizontal bomber,
western New Guinea area,
01 d. 19' S., 136 d. 19' E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Torpedo boat OTORI, by carrier-based aircraft,
Marianas Islands area.
06/13 Tue. Battleship and destroyer task group (Vice Adm. W. A.
Lee) bombards Japanese installations on Saipan and
Tinian, Marianas Islands.
Cruiser and destroyer force (Rear Adm. E. G. Small)
bombards enemy positions on Matsuwa Island in the
Kurile Islands.
Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167), shells oil tanks at Bula,
Ceram Island, Netherlands East Indies.
Japanese submarine sunk:
RO-36, by destroyer MELVIN (DD-680), Marianas
Islands area,
15 d. 21' N., 147 d. 00' E.
06/14 Wed. Two task groups of battleships, cruisers, and
destroyers (Rear Adm. J. B. Oldendorf and Rear Adm.
W. L. Ainsworth) bombard Japanese installation on
Saipan and Tinian, Marianas Islands.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Battleship CALIFORNIA (BB-44), by coastal defense
gun, Marianas Islands area,
15 d. 12' N., 145 d. 42' E.
Destroyer BRAINE (DD-630), by coastal defense gun,
Marianas Islands area,
15 d.02' N., 145 d. 50' E.
LST 280, by submarine torpedo, Normandy area,
49 d. 55' N., 00 d. 30' W.
06/15 Thu. Naval task force (Vice Adm. R. K. Turner) lands
Marines (Lt. Gen. H. M. Smith) on Saipan, Marianas
Islands, under cover of intensive naval gunfire and
carrier-based aircraft.
Carrier-based aircraft from two task groups (Rear
Adm. J. J. Clark and Rear Adm. W. K. Harrill) bomb
Japanese installations on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands,
and Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonin Islands;
attack on Iwo Jima is repeated 16 June.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Battleship TENNESSEE (BB-43), by coastal defense
gun, Saipan, Marianas Islands,
15 d. 02' N., 143 d.50' E.
United States naval vessels damaged, Normandy area:
LST 2, LST 266, LST 307, LST 331, LST 360 by
coastal defense guns, and LST 133, by mine.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Minelayer No. 101, by surface craft, Marianas
Islands area,
15 d. 15' N., 145 d. 45' E.
German submarine sunk:
U-860, by aircraft (VC-9) from escort carrier
SOLOMONS (CVE-67), South Atlantic area,
25 d. 27' S., 05 d. 30' W.
06/16 Fri. Battleship, cruiser and destroyer force (Rear Adm. W.
L. Ainsworth) bombards Japanese installations on
Guam, Marianas Islands.
Japanese submarines sunk:
RO-44, by destroyer escort BURDEN R. HASTINGS (DE-
19), Marshall Islands area,
11 d. 13' N., 164 d. 15' E.
RO-114, by destroyer MELVIN (DD-680) and WADLEIGH
(DD-689), Marianas Islands area,
15 d. 02' N., 144 d. 10' E.
06/17 Sat. Allied task force (Rear Adm. T. H. Troubridge, RN),
including United States naval vessels, lands French
troops on island of Elba off Italy.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Escort carrier FANSHAW BAY (CVE-70), by horizontal
bomber, off Marianas Islands,
15 d. 00' N., 145 d. 00' E.
Motor minesweeper YMS-377, by mine, Normandy area,
49 d. 29' N., 01 d. 08' W.
LST 84, accidentally by United States naval
gunfire, Marianas Islands,
15 d. 10' N., 145 d. 58' E.
Japanese submarine sunk:
RO-117, by naval land-based aircraft (VB-109) from
Eniwetok,
11 d. 05' N., 150 d. 31' E.
06/18 Sun. United States naval vessels sunk:
PT-63 and PT-107, fire, off New Ireland,
01 d. 45' s., 150 d. 01' E.
United States naval vessels damaged, Marianas
Islands area:
Destroyer PHELPS (DD-360), by coastal defense gun,
14 d. 58' N., 146 d. 21' E.
Oilers NESHANIC (AO-71), and SARANAC (AO-74), by
horizontal bomber,
14 d. 45' N., 146 d. 10' E.
06/19 Mon. Battle of the Philippine Sea (19-20 June) opens as
Japanese carrier-based aircraft attack Fifth Fleet
(Adm. R. A. Spruance) covering Saipan operation. Two
United States battleships, two carriers, and a heavy
cruiser are damaged. Japanese lose over 300
aircraft, and two aircraft carriers are sunk by
United States submarines.
[Do we refer to this as "the Marianas Turkey-Shoot?
LWJ]
Artificial harbor area Normandy, France, is severely
damaged by storm. (See 7 June 1994.)
United States naval vessel sunk:
LST 523, by mine, Normandy area,
49 d. 30' N., 01 d. 10' W.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Battleship SOUTH DAKOTA (BB-57), by dive bomber,
Battle of the Philippine Sea,
14 d. 10' N., 143 d. 15' E.
Battleship INDIANA (BB-58), by suicide plane,
Battle of the Philippine Sea,
14 d. 04' N., 143 d. 23' E.
Carrier BUNKER HILL (CV-17), by dive bomber, Battle
of the Philippine Sea,
14 d. 46' N., 143 d. 02' E.
Carrier WASP (CV-18), by dive bomber, Battle of the
Philippine Sea,
14 d. 19' N., 143 d. 48' E.
Heavy cruiser MINNEAPOLIS (CA-36), by horizontal
bomber, Battle of the Philippine Sea,
14 d. 11' N., 143 d. 09' E.
Destroyer HUDSON (DD-475), accidentally by United
States naval gunfire, Battle of the Philippine
Sea,
14 d. 11' N., 143 d. 09' E.
Motor minesweeper YMS-323, by coastal defense gun,
Saipan, Marianas Islands,
15 d. 10' N., 145 d. 58' E.
Ocean tug ATR-15, by grounding, Normandy area,
49 d. 22' N., 00 d. 26' W.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Carrier SHOKAKU, by submarine CAVALLA (SS-244),
Battle of the Philippine Sea,
11 d. 50' N., 137 d. 57' E.
Carrier TAIHO, by submarine ALBACORE (SS-218),
Battle of the Philippine Sea,
12 d. 22' N., 137 d. 04' E.
I-184, by aircraft (vt-60) from escort carrier
SUWANNEE (CVE-27), Central Pacific area,
13 d. 01' N., 149 d. 53' E.
06/20 Tue. Battle of the Philippine Sea (19-20 June) continues.
Aircraft from Fifth Fleet carrier task force (Vice
Adm. M. A. Mitscher) strike Japanese fleet. One
enemy carrier is sunk. In the 2-day Battle of the
Philippine Sea the engaged Japanese Fleet loses 395
(92%) of its carrier planes, and 31 (72%) of its
float planes. Only 35 carrier planes and 12 float
planes remain operational. Besides the losses
afloat, an estimated 50 land-based Japanese aircraft
from Guam are destroyed. The United States Fleet
loss is 130 planes and a total of 76 pilots and
crewmen for the 2 days. [After the Battle of the
Philippine Sea the Japanese high command thoroughly
understood that the war was lost. Adm. R. A.
Spruance and Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher won a great
victory.]
Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) and NAUTILUS (SS-168) land
supplies and evacuate certain personnel from Negros
and Panay, P. I.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer PHELPS (DD-360), by coastal defense gun,
Marianas Islands area,
15 d. 10' N., 145 d. 58' E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Carrier HIYO, by carrier-based aircraft, Battle of
the Philippine Sea.
06/21 Wed. United States Coast Guard vessels sunk:
Cutters 83415 and 83471, by storm, off Normandy.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer DAVIS (DD-395), by mine, Normandy area,
49 d. 23' N., 00 d. 46' W.
06/22 Thu. United States naval vessels damaged:
Battleship MARYLAND (BB-46), by aircraft torpedo,
Marianas Islands area,
15 d. 13' N., 145 d. 39' E.
LST 119, by coastal defense gun, Marianas Islands
area,
15 d. 10' N., 145 d. 58' E.
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-185, by destroyer NEWCOMB (DD-586) and high-speed
minesweeper CHANDLER (DMS-9), Marianas Islands
area,
15 d. 50' N., 145 d. 08' E.
06/23 Fri. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. J. J.
Clark) bomb enemy air facilities on Pagan Island in
the Marianas Islands.
06/24 Sat. Aircraft from carrier task groups (Rear Adm. J. J.
Clark and Rear Adm. A. E. Montgomery) strike Japanese
airfields and facilities on Iwo Jima, Volcano
Islands, and Pagan Island, Marianas Islands.
United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-193, damaged by grounding, western New Guinea
area,
00 d. 55' S., 134 d. 52' E.;
sunk by United States forces.
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-52, by aircraft (VC-69) from escort carrier BOGUE
(CVE-9), Atlantic area,
15 d. 16' N., 39 d. 55' W.
[Any idea of the mission here? LWJ]
06/25 Sun. United States battleship, cruiser, and destroyer
force (Read Adm. M. L. Deyo) bombards German shore
batteries and coastal defenses at Cherbourg, France.
United States naval vessels damaged, Cherbourg
operation:
Battleship TEXAS (BB-35) and destroyers BARTON (DD-
722), LAFFEY (DD-724), and OBRIEN (DD-275), by
coastal defense gun.
06/26 Mon. Cruisers and destroyers (Rear Adm. E. G. Small)
bombard enemy positions at Kurabu Zaki, Paramushiro,
Kurile Islands.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Cargo ship MERCURY (AK-42), by aircraft torpedo,
Marianas Islands area,
15 d. 10; N., 145 d. 58' E.
06/28 Wed. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Coast defense vessel No. 24, by submarine
ARCHERFISH (SS-311), western Pacific area,
24 d. 44' N., 140 d. 20' E.
06/29 Thu. United States naval vessel sunk:
Coast minesweeper VALAOR (AMc-108), by collision,
off Newport, R. I.,
41 d. 28' N., 70 d. 57' W.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Minelayer TSUGARU, by submarine DARTER (SS-227),
Netherlands East Indies area,
02 d. 19' N., 127 d. 57 E.
06/30 Fri. Naval vessels on hand (all types) - 46,032.
Personnel: Navy - 2,981,365; Marine Corps - 472,582;
Coast Guard - 169, 258. Total personnel - 3,623,205.
07/02 Sun. Allied naval force (Rear Adm. W. M. Fechteler, USN) lands
Army troops on Noemfoor Island off Netherlands New Guinea
United States naval vessel sunk
Motor minesweeper YMS-350, by mine, Normandy area,
49 d. 38'N., 01 d. 35'W.
German submarine sunk:
U-543, by aircraft (VC-58) from escort carrier WAKE ISLAND
(CVE-65), southeast of Azores Islands,
25 d. 34'N., 21 d. 36'W.
07/03 Mon. German submarine sunk:
U-154 by destroyer escort FROST (DE-144) and INCH (DE-146),
off Madeira,
34 d. 00'N., 19 d. 30'W.
07/04 Tue. Carrier-based aircraft and naval gunfire from two task groups
(Rear Adm. J. J. Clark and Rear Adm. R. E. Davison) hit
Japanese installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands,
and
Chichi Jima and Haha Jima, Bonin Islands.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Submarine S-28, cause unknown, during training exercises
off Hawaii Islands.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Auxiliary submarine chaser NO. 16, by carrier-based
aircraft,
Bonin Islands area,
27 d. 00 N., 140 50'E.
Coastal minesweeper SARUSHIMA, by carrier-based aircraft,
Bonin Islands area,
27 d. 10 N., 142 d. 10'E.
Transport NO. 103, by carrier-based aircraft, Bonin Islands
area,
27 d. 05'N., 142 d. 09'.
Transport No. 130, by carrier-based aircraft, Iwo Jima
area,
24 d. 47'N., 141 d. 20'E.
Submarine I-10, by destroy DAVID W. TAYLOR (DD-551)
and destroyer escort RIDDLE (DE-185), Marianas Islands
area,
15 d. 26'N., 147 d. 48'E.
07/05 Wed. German submarines sunk:
U-133, by destroyer escorts THOMAS (DD-102) and BAKER
(DE-190), North Atlantic area,
42 d. 16'N., 59 d. 49'W.
U-586, by aircraft, Toulon, France.
07/06 Thu. Carrier-based aircraft commence daily bombings of Japanese
coastal and antiaircraft guns, supply dumps, and airfields
installations on Guam and Rota, Marianas Islands.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroy HOKAZE, by submarine PADDLE (SS-263), Celebes
Sea,
03 d. 24'N., 125 d. 28'E.
07/07 Fri. Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Destroyer USUGUMO, by submarine SKATE (SS-305), Kurile
Islands area,
47 d. 43'N., 147 d. 55'E.
Destroyer, TAMANAMI, by submarine MINGO (SS-261), South
China Sea,
13 d. 55'N., 118 d. 30'E.
07/08 Sat. Cruiser and destroyer task group (Rear Adm. C. T. Joy) com-
mences daily bombardment of enemy defenses on Guam,
Marianas Islands; battleships join the bombardment group
beginning 14 July.
07/09 Sun. Organized enemy resistance ceases on Saipan, Marianas
Islands.
Submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168) lands men and supplies on Pandan
Island off west coast of Mindoro, P. I.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Minesweeper SWERVE (AM-121), by mine, Italian area,
41 d. 31'N., 12 d. 28'E.
07/10 Mon. Command designated United States Ports and Bases France
(Rear Adm. J. Wilkes) is established with headquarters at
Cher-
bourg, France.
07/13 Thu. United States naval vessel sunk:
Submarine HERRING (SS-133), Pacific Ocean area, reported as
presumed lost.
07/14 Fri. Japanese submarine sunk:
I-6, by destroyer escort WILLIAM C. MILLER (DE-259), Mari-
anas Islands area,
15 d. 18'N., 144 d. 26'E.
07/15 Sat. United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-133, coastal defense gun, eastern New Guinea,
03 d. 28'S., 143 d. 34'E.
07/17 Mon. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Minesweeper NO. 25, by submarine GABILAN (SS-252), off
Honshu, Japan,
33 d. 51'N., 138 d. 35'E.
07/18 Tue. Premier Tojo and the Japanese cabinet resign; General Koiso
forms a new cabinet.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Motor boat PGM-7, by collision, Bismarck Sea,
07 d. 15'S., 155 d. 40'E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Submarine chaser No. 50, by submarine PLAICE (SS-390)
south of Honshu, Japan,
29 d. 22'N., 139 d. 14'E.
07/19 Wed. Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Light Cruiser OI, by submarine FLASHER (SS-249), South
China Sea,
12 d. 45'N., 114 d. 20'E.
Submarine RO-48, by destroyer escort WYMAN (DE-38),
Central Pacific area,
13 d. 01'N., 151 d. 58'E.
07/21 Fri. Naval attack force (Rear Adm R. L. Conolly) lands Marines
and Army forces (Maj. Gen. R. S. Geiger, USMC) on Guam,
Marianas Islands. Assault is preceded by intensive naval
gun-
fire and carrier-based aircraft attacks.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Submarine chaser SC-1316, by coastal mortar, Marianas
Islands area,
13 d. 24'N., 144 d. 39'E.
07/23 Sun. United States naval vessels damaged:
Destroyer NORMAN SCOTT (DD-690), by coastal defense gun,
Marianas Islands area,
15 d. 02'N., 145 d. 50'E.
Highspeed minesweeper CHANDLER (DMS-9), by fire, Mari-
anas Islands, area,
15 d. 08'N., 145 d. 28'E.
07/24 Mon. Naval attack force (Rear Adm. H. W. Hill) lands Marines
(Maj. Gen. H. Schmidt) on Tinian, Marianas Islands. Landing
is supported by naval gunfire, carrier aircraft, and land-
based
aircraft from Saipan.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Battleship COLORADO (BB-45), by coastal defense gun,
Marianas Islands area,
15 d. 02'N., 145 d. 50'E.
LST 481, by coastal defense gun, Marianas Islands area,
13 d. 24'N., 144 d. 39'E.
07/25 Tue. Aircraft of fast carrier task force: (Vice Adm. M. A.
Mitscher)
attack enemy positions in the western Caroline Islands of
Yap,
Ulithi, Fais, Ngulu, Sorol, and Palau; strikes continue until
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Minelayer SOKUTEN, by carrier-based aircraft, Palau
Islands,
Caroline Islands,
07 d. 20'N, 134 d. 27'E.
07/26 Wed. United States naval vessels sunk:
Submarine GOLET (SS-361), Pacific Ocean area; reported as
presumed lost.
Submarine ROBALO (SS-273), unknown cause, off western
Palawan, P. I.
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-29, by submarine SAWFISH (SS-276), Luzon Strait, P. I.,
20 d. 10'N., 121 d. 50'E.
07/27 Thu. Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Transports NOs. 1 and 150, by carrier-based aircraft, Palau
Islands, Caroline Islands.
07/28 Fri. Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine I-55, by destroyer escorts WYMAN (DE-38) and
REYNOLDS (DE-42), Central Pacific area,
14 d. 26'N., 152 d. 16'E.
Submarine chaser (name unknown), by carrier-based air-
craft,
07 d. 05'N., 134 d. 20'E.
07/29 Sat. United States naval vessel damaged:
LST 340, by grounding, Marianas Islands area,
15 d. 10'N., 145 d. 58'E.
German submarines sunk:
U-872 and U-2323, by Army aircraft, Bremen, Germany.
07/30 Sun. Naval task force (Rear Adm. W. M. Fechteler) lands Army
troops near Cape Opmarai, northwest New Guinea, and on off-
shore islands of Amsterdam and Middleburg. The following
day troops make shore to shore movement to Cape Sansapor.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Motor minesweeper YMS-304, by mine, Normandy area,
49 d. 33'N., 01 d. 14'W.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Motor minesweeper YMS-378, by mine, Normandy area,
49 d. 33'N., OI d. 14'W.
08/01 Tue. Organized Japanese resistance ends on Tinian, Marianas
Islands.
United States Naval Air Base, Tinian, Marianas Islands,
established.
08/02 Wed. United States naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer escort FISKE (DE-143), by submarine torpedo,
North Atlantic area,
47 d. 11'N., 33 d. 29'W.
08/03 Thu. Office of the General Counsel Navy Department is established;
formerly designated Procurement Legal Division, Navy
Department.
08/04 Fri. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. J. J. Clark) and
cruisers and destroyers (Rear Adm. L. T. DuBose) attack
Japanese convoy and other shipping in the Chichi Jima are
Bonin Islands. At the same time aircraft from the second
carrier task group (Rear Adm. A. E. Montgomery) bomb airfield
facilities on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands.
Japanese naval vessels sunk, Volcano and Bonin Island
attacks:
Destroyer MATSU, by carrier-based aircraft,
27 d. 40'N., 141 d. 48'E.
Transport NO. 4, by carrier-based aircraft,
27 d. 07'N., 142 d. 12'E:
Transport NO. 133, by carrier-based aircraft,
24 d. 47'N., 141 d. 20'E.
08/05 Sat. Aircraft from two carrier task groups (Rear Adm. J. J. Clark
and Rear Adm. A. E. Montgomery) and cruisers and destroyers
(Rear Adm. L. T. DuBose) bomb and bombard enemy installa-
tions on Chichi Jima and Haha Jima, Bonin Islands.
Fast Carrier Task Force is reorganized into First Fast
Carrier
Task Force, Pacific Fleet (Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher) and
Second Fast Carrier Task Force, Pacific Fleet (Vice Adm. J.
S.
McCain).
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Transport NO. 2, by carrier-based aircraft,
27 d. 05'N., 142 09'E.
08/06 Sun. Carrier BENNINGTON (CV-20) is commissioned at New York, N. Y
German submarines sunk:
U-471, U-642, U-952, and U-969, by Army aircraft, Toulon,
France.
08/07 Mon. Submarine SEAWOLF (SS-197) lands men and supplies at Tawi
Tawi, P. I.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Light cruiser NAGARA, by submarine CROAKER (SS-246), west
of Kyushu, Japan,
32 d. 09'N., 129 d. 53'E.
Frigate KURSAGAKI, by submarine GUITARRO (SS-363), Philip-
pine Islands area,
14 d. 51'N., 119 d. 59'E.
08/08 Tue. Destroyers and land-based Marine aircraft from Majuro, Mar-
shall Islands, bombard and bomb Japanese positions on Taro,
Maloelap Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
08/09 Wed. Submarine SEAWOLF (SS-197) lands men and supplies on Palawan,
P. I.
United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-509, by naval gunfire, off the Isle of Jersey, English
Channel,
49 d. 11'N., 02 d. 15'W.
08/10 Thu. Organized Japanese resistance ends on Guam, Marianas Island.
08/13 Sun. United States naval vessel sunk:
Submarine FLIER (SS-250), by external explosion, Balabac
Strait, North Borneo.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Submarine chaser No. 12, by submarine BLUEGILL (SS-242),
Philippine Islands area,
06 d. 17'N., 126 d. 09'E.
08/14 Mon. United States naval vessel sunk:
LST 921, by submarine torpedo, English Channel,
51 d. 05'N., 04 d. 47'W.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Transport NO. 129, by submarine Cod (SS-224), Netherlands
East Indies area,
04 d. 17'S., 126 d. 46'E.
08/15 Tue. Allied troops land on coast of Southern France between Toulon
and Cannes. The assault is preceded by heavy naval gunfire
and
aircraft attack. The operation is under the command of Vice
Adm. H. K. Hewitt, USN, Naval Commander Western Task
Force and Commander Eighth Fleet, and the ground forces are
commanded by Maj. Gen. A. M. Patch, USA. After the landings,
naval gunfire engages German coast defense batteries, and
continues to support the troops ashore.
United States naval vessel lost:
LST 181, by radio-controlled bomb, Southern France area,
43 d. 25'N, 06 d. 50'E.;
beached and abandoned.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Submarine chaser SC-1019, by explosion, Southern France
area,
43 d. 12'N., 06 d. 41'E.
08/16 Wed. United States naval vessels sunk, Southern France area:
PT-202 and PT-218, by mines,
43 d. 23'N., 06 d. 43'E.
Motor minesweeper YMS-24, by mine,
43 d. 25'N., 06 d. 43'E
United States naval vessel damaged:
LST 391, by mine, Normandy area,
49 d. 38'N., 01 d. 37'W.
08/18 Fri. United States naval vessel damaged:
Amphibious force flagship CATOCTIN (AGC-5), by horizontal
bomber, Southern France area,
43 d. 17' N., 06 d. 38'E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Escort carrier ORAKA, by submarine RASHER (SS-269), off
northwestern Luzon, P. I.,
18 d. 16'N., 120 d. 20'E.
Light cruiser NATORI, by submarine HARDHEAD (SS-365), east
of Samar, P. I.,
12 d. 29'N., 128 d. 49'E.
08/19 Sat. Submarine REDFIN (SS-272) lays mines off Sarawak, Borneo
08/20 Sun. German submarine sunk:
U-1229, by aircraft (VC-42) from escort carrier BOGUE (CVE-
9), North Atlantic area,
42 d. 20'N., 51 d. 39'W.
08/22 Tue. Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Frigate SADO, by submarine HADDO (SS-255), and frigates
MATSUWA and HIBURI, by submarine HARDER (SS-257), Philip-
pine Islands area,
14 d. 15'N., 120 d. 05'E.
08/23 Wed. Destroyer and smaller naval vessels bombard enemy
installations and positions on Aguijan Island, Marianas
Islands; bombardment is repeated daily until 26 August.
United States naval vessel damaged:
PT-555, by mine, Southern France area,
43 d. l9'N., 05 d. 30'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Destroyer ASAKAZE, by submarine HADDO (SS-255), Philip-
pine Islands area,
16 d. 06'N., 119 d. 44',E.
Minesweeper NO. 22, by submarine BATFISH (SS-310), Palau
Islands area,
08 d. 09'N., 134 d. 38'E.
08/24 Thu. United States naval vessel sunk:
Submarine HARDER (SS-257), by depth charges, off west
coast of Luzon, P. I.
08/25 Fri. Paris, France, is liberated by United States and French
troops
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer YUNAGI, by submarine PICUDA (SS-382), Philip-
pine Islands area,
18 d. 46'N., 120 d. 46'E.
08/26 Sat. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer SAMIDARE, by submarine BATFISH (SS-310), off
Palau Islands, Caroline Islands.
08/27 Sun. Submarine STINGRAY (SS-186) lands men and supplies on north-
west coast of Luzon, P. I.
08/28 Mon. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Submarine chaser NO. 77, by Army aircraft, Kurile Islands
area.
08/29 Tue. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Minesweeper NO. 28, by submarine JACK (SS-259), off the
Celebes,
02 d. 03'N., 122 d. 28'E.
08/30 Wed. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) lands men and supplies on east
coast of Luzon, P. I.
08/31 Thu. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. R. E. Davison)
commence 3-day attack on Iwo Jima and the Bonin Islands.
Bombardment by cruisers and destroyers on 1 and 2 September
augments air strikes.
Submarine REDFIN (SS-272) lands supplies and evacuates
certain
personnel from Palawan Island, P. I.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Minelayer SHIRATAKA, by submarine SEALION (SS-315), Luzon
Strait, Philippine Islands area,
21 d. 05'N., 121 d. 26'E.
09/01 Fri. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) lands men and supplies on
east coast of Luzon, P. I.
United States Naval Operating Base, Saipan, Marianas
Islands, is established.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Motor minesweeper YMS-21, by mine, Southern France
area,
43 d. 06'N., 05 d. 54'E.
09/03 Sun. Naval task group (Rear Adm. A. E. Smith) consisting
of 1 carrier, 3 cruisers, and 3 destroyers strikes
enemy positions on Wake Island.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Submarine chaser SC-535, by storm, Southern France
area,
43 d. 17'N., 06 d. 38'B.
09/06 Wed. Aircraft from fast carrier force (Vice Adm. M. A.
Mitscher) composed of 16 carriers, and cruisers and
destroyers strike Japanese aircraft installations and
defenses on Yap, Ulithi, and the Palau Islands in the
western Caroline Islands group. Attacks continue
through 8 September.
09/07 Thu. Army forces supported by naval vessels land on
Soepiori Island in the Schouten Islands off New
Guinea.
09/08 Fri. First German V-2 rocket bomb lands in England.
09/09 Sat. Aircraft from fast carrier task force (Vice Adm. M.
A. Mitscher) commence 2-day strike against Japanese
shipping, facilities, and aircraft at Mindanao, P. I.
09/10 Sun. Command designated United States Naval Forces France
(Vice Adm. A. G. Kirk) is established with
headquarters at Paris, France.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Minesweeper SEER (AM-112), by mine, Southern France
area,
42 d. 59'N., 06 d. 20'E.
09/11 Mon. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Submarine chaser NO. 165, by submarine ALBACORE
(SS-218), off Kyushu, Japan,
32 d. 20'N., 131 d. 50'E.
09/12 Tue. Aircraft from fast carrier task force (Vice Adm. M.
A. Mitscher) commence 3-day attack on Japanese
airfields and shipping in the Visayas, P. I. On 14
September one carrier group (Vice Adm. J. S. McCain)
shifts operations to targets on Mindanao, P. I.
Romania signs armistice with United States, Great
Britain and Russia.
United States naval vessels sunk:
High-speed transport NOA (APD-24), by collision,
Palau Islands area, Caroline Islands,
07 d. 01'N., 134 d. 30'E.
Motor minesweeper YMS-409, foundered, off Atlantic
Coast.
United States vessel damaged:
Destroyer FULLAM (DD-474), by collision, Palau
Islands area, Caroline Islands,
07 01'N., 134 d. 30'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Destroyer SHIKINAMI, by submarine GROWLER (SS-215),
South China Sea,
18 d. 16'N., 114 d. 40'E.
Frigate HIRATO, by submarine GROWLER (SS-215),
South China Sea,
17 d. 54'N., 114 d. 49'E.
09/13 Wed. United States naval vessels sunk:
Destroyer WARRINGTON (DD-383), by hurricane, off
Bahama Islands,
27 d. 00'N., 73 d. 00'W.
High-speed minesweeper PERRY (DMS-17), by mine,
Palau Islands area, Caroline Islands,
06 d. 53'N., 134 d. 10'E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Submarine chaser NO. 55, by carrier-based aircraft,
Philippine Islands area,
10 d. 20'N., 124 d. 00'E.
09/14 Thu. Submarine PARGO (SS-264) lays mines near Natuna
Island, South China Sea.
United States Coast Guard vessels sunk:
Cutters BEDLOE (PC-128) and JACKSON (PC-142), by
storm off Cape Hatteras, N. C.
Lightship NO. 71, by storm, Vineyard Sound, Mass.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Transport NO. 5, by carrier-based aircraft,
Philippine Islands area,
06 d. 10'N., 126 d. 00'E.
09/15 Fri. 1st Marine Division (Maj. Gen. W. H. Rupertus) lands
at Peleliu, Palau Islands. The operation is commanded
by Vice Adm. T. S. Wilkinson, and the landing is
preceded by several days of intensive carrier-based
aircraft bombing and ship gunfire bombardment.
Naval task force (Rear Adm. D. E. Barbey) lands Army
troops (Maj. Gen. J. C. Persons) on Morotai Island,
Netherlands East Indies; assault is supported by
cruisers and destroyers (Rear Adm. R. S. Berkey) and
aircraft from escort carriers (Rear Adm. T. L.
Sprague).
Submarine STINGRAY (SS-186) lands men and stores on
Majoe Island, Molucca Sea.
Carrier SHANGRI LA (CV-38) is commissioned at
Norfolk, Va.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Transport NO. 3, by submarine GUAVINA (SS-362),
Philippine Islands area,
05 d. 34'N., 125 d. 23'E.
09/16 Sat. Second Quebec Conference attended by the President
and British Prime Minister ends; conference has been
in session since 11 September 1944.
Marine Air Wings, Pacific is redesignated Aircraft,
Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (Maj. Gen. F. P. Mulcahy)
with headquarters at Ewa, Oahu, T.H.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer WADLEIGH (DD-689), by mine, Palau Islands
area, Caroline Islands,
07 d. 51'N., 134 d. 39'E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Escort carrier UNYO, by submarine BARB (SS-220),
South China Sea,
19 d. 18'N., 116 d. 26'E.
09/17 Sun. Army troops land on Angaur, Palau Islands, supported
by carrier-based aircraft and naval gunfire.
09/19 Tue. United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-371, damaged by grounding, Netherlands East
Indies area,
02 d. 05'N., 127 d. 51'E.;
sunk by United States forces.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Frigate IOSHIMA, by submarine SHAD (SS-235), off
Honshu, Japan,
33 d. 40' N., 138 d. 18'E.
09/21 Thu. Aircraft from 12 carriers (Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher)
commence 2-day attack against Japanese shipping and
airfields on Luzon, P. I.
Japanese naval vessels sunk, Philippine Islands
area:
Destroyer SATSUKI, by carrier-based aircraft,
Manila Bay
Oiler SUNOSAKI, by carrier-based aircraft, Manila
Bay.
Surveying ship KATSURIKI, by submarine HADDO (SS-
255) west of Manila,
13 d. 35'N., 119 d. 06'E.
Coast defense vessel NO. 5, by carrier-based
aircraft, north of Masinloc,
15 d. 25'N., 119 d. 50'E.
Auxiliary submarine chaser NO. 39, by carrier-based
aircraft,
12 d. 18'N., 122 d. 46'E.
Minesweeper NO. 7, carrier-based aircraft,
12 d. 18'N., 122 d. 46'E.
09/22 Fri. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) lands men and supplies on
south west coast of Mindanao, P. I.
09/23 Sat. Naval task group (Rear Adm. W. H. P. Blandy) lands
Army troops at Ulithi Atoll, Caroline Islands.
09/24 Sun. Aircraft from 12 carriers (Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher)
attack aircraft, ground installations, and shipping
in the Visayas, P. I.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Motor minesweeper YMS-19, by mine, Palau Islands
area, Caroline Islands,
06 d. 53'N., 134 d. 10'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk by carrier-based
aircraft, Visayas area raid, Philippine Islands:
Torpedo boat HAYABUSA,
13 d. 00'N., 122 d. 00'E.
Seaplane tender AKITSUSHIMA,
11 d. 59'N., 120 d. 02'E.
Minelayer YAEYAMA,
12 d. 15'N., 121 d. 00'E.
Submarine chaser NO. 32,
12 d. 15'N., 121 d. 00'E.
German submarines sunk:
U-565 and U-596, by Army aircraft, Salamis, Greece.
09/25 Mon. Submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168) lands supplies on Cebu,
P. I.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Minelayer MIANTONOMAH (CM-10), by mine, Normandy
area
49 d. 27'N., 00 d. 17'E.
09/26 Tue. Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine I-175, by destroyer escort MCCOY REYNOLDS
(DE-440), northeast of Palau Islands, Caroline
Islands,
09 d. 19'N., 136 d. 44'E.
Minelayer AOTAKA, by submarine PARGO (SS-264), off
Borneo,
07 d. 00'N., 116 d. 00'E.
09/27 Wed. Submarines NARWHAL (SS-167) and STINGRAY (SS-186)
land supplies on north coast of Mindanao, P, I., and
east coast of Luzon, P. I., respectively.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Coast defense vessel NO. 10, by submarine torpedo,
East China Sea,
29 d. 26'N., 128 d. 50 E.
09/28 Thu. Marines occupy Ngesebus and Kongauru Islands in the
Palau Islands, under cover of naval aircraft and
gunfire support.
09/29 Fri. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) evacuates 81 Allied
prisoners war from Sindangan Bay, Mindanao, P. I.
These men are survivors from the torpedoed Japanese
ship SHINYO MARU.
German submarine sunk:
U-863, by naval land-based aircraft (VP-107), South
Atlantic area,
10 d. 45'S., 25 d. 30'W.
09/30 Sat. Submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168) lands supplies and
evacuates certain personnel from near Libertad,
Panay, P. I.
German submarine sunk:
U-1062, by destroyer escort FESSENDEN (DE-142),
mid-Atlantic area,
11 d. 36'N., 34 d. 44'W.
10/01 Sun. Office of Deputy Commander in Chief United States
Fleet and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Vice Adm.
R. S. Edwards) is established.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Motor minesweeper YMS-385, by mine, western
Caroline Islands area,
09 d. 52'N., 139 d. 37'E.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer FORREST (DD-461), by collision, Southern
France area,
43 d. 20'N., 05 d. 20'E.
Destroyer BAILEY (DD-492), by strafing, Palau
Islands area, Caroline Islands,
06 d. 59'N., 134 d. 13'E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Coastal minelayer AJIRO, by submarine SNAPPER (SS-
185), northwest of Bonin Islands,
28 d. 11'N., 139 d. 30'E.
10/02 Mon. United States naval vessels damaged by storm, Palau
Islands, Caroline Islands:
LST 129, LST 278, and LST 661,
06 d. 59'N., 134 d. 13'E.
10/03 Tue. United States naval vessels sunk:
Submarine SEAWOLF (SS-197), accidentally by United
States forces, off Morotai Island, Netherlands
East Indies.
Destroyer escort SHELTON (DE-407), by submarine
torpedo Netherlands East Indies area,
02 d. 33'N,, 129 d. 18'E.
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-364, by destroyer escort SAMUEL S. MILES (DE-
183), Palau Islands area, Caroline Islands,
07 d. 48'N., 133 d. 18'E.
10/06 Fri. Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Gunboat SAGA, by mine, off Hong Kong,
22 d. 17'N., 114 d. 10'E.
Coast defense vessel NO. 21, by submarine SEAHORSE
(SS-304), South China Sea,
19 d. 17'N, 118 d. 08'E.
10/08 Sun. Land-based aircraft from the Marianas Islands
increase tempo of air strikes on Iwo Jima, Volcano
Islands.
10/09 Mon. Cruiser and destroyer group (Rear Adm. A. E. Smith)
bombards enemy coast defense positions on Marcus
Island.
Carrier RANDOLPH (CV-15) is commissioned at Newport
News, Va.
10/10 Tue. Aircraft from fast carrier task force (Vice Adm. M.
A. Mitscher) composed of 17 carriers, escorted by 5
battleships, 14 cruisers, and 58 destroyers bomb
Japanese shipping and shore facilities on Okinawa and
other islands in the Ryukyus.
Japanese naval vessels sunk, Ryukyu Islands area:
Submarine tender JINGEI, by carrier-based aircraft,
26 d. 39'N., 127 d. 52'E.
Transport NO. 158, by carrier-based aircraft,
26 d. 38'N., 127 d. 52'E.
10/11 Wed. Aircraft from two carrier task groups (Vice Adm. J.
S. McCain and Rear Adm. R. E. Davison) attack
airfields and other enemy facilities in northern
Luzon, P. I.
United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-368, by grounding, western New Guinea area,
01 d. 59'N., 127 d. 57'E;
sunk by United States forces.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Transport NO. 105, by submarine TREPANG (SS-412),
off Honshu, Japan,
33 d. 18'N., 137 d. 42'E.
10/12 Thu. Carrier-based aircraft from Third Fleet (Adm. W. F.
Halsey) commence 5-day attack against enemy shipping,
airfield facilities, and industrial plants on Formosa
and northern Luzon, P. I. These strikes meet with
intensive counterattacks by Japanese aircraft.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Destroyer PRICHETT (DD-561), accidentally by United
States naval gunfire, Formosa area,
21 d. 08'N., 123 d. 19'E.
10/13 Fri. Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands is secured.
United States naval vessels damaged, Luzon, P. I.,
and Formosa area:
Carrier FRANKLIN (CV-13), by suicide plane,
22 d. 55'N., 123 d. 12'E.
Heavy cruiser CANBERRA (CA-70), by aircraft
torpedo,
22 d. 48'N., 123 d. 01'E.
10/14 Sat. United States naval vessels damaged, Luzon, P. I.,
and Formosa area:
Carrier HANCOCK (CV-19), by horizontal bomber,
23 d. 30'N., 121 d. 30'E.
Light cruiser HOUSTON (CL-81), by aircraft torpedo,
22 d. 27'N., 124 d. 01'E.
Light cruiser Reno (CL-96), by suicide plane,
22 d. 30'N., 124 d. 50'E.
Destroyer COWELL (DD-547), by collision,
22 d. 27'N., 124 d. 01'E.
Destroyer CASSIN YOUNG (DD-793), by strafing,
22 d. 30'N 124 d. 50'E.
10/15 Sun. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. R. E.
Davison) bomb targets in the Manila area, Luzon, P.
I.
Coast Guard Cutter EASTWIND (AG-279), captures German
trawler, EXTERNSTEINE, off the northeast coast of
Greenland.
Command designated Minecraft, Pacific Fleet (Rear
Adm. A. Sharp), is established.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Carrier FRANKLIN (CV-13), by horizontal bomber,
Philippine Islands area,
16 d. 29'N., 123 d. 57'E.
10/16 Mon. United States naval vessel damaged:
Light cruiser HOUSTON (CL-81), by aircraft torpedo,
off Luzon, P. I.,
20 d. 54'N., 125 d. 09'E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Torpedo boat HATO, by Army aircraft, East China
Sea,
21 d. 49'N., 115 d. 50'E.
10/17 Tue. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. R. E.
Davison bomb Japanese airfields on Luzon, P. I.
Army troops are landed on Suluan and Dinagat Islands
at the entrance to Leyte Gulf, P. I.
Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) lands supplies on
northeast coast of Tawi Tawi, P. I.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Motor minesweeper YMS-70, by storm, off Leyte, P.
I.
10 d. 56'N., 125 d. 12'E.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Minelayer MONTGOMERY (DM-17), by mine, east of
Palau Islands, Caroline Islands,
10 d. 56'N., 125 d. 12'E.
10/18 Wed. Aircraft from three task groups of the Third Fleet
(Adm. W. F. Halsey), including 13 carriers, attack
Japanese installations and shipping in northern Luzon
and the Manila area, P. I.
Cruiser task group (Rear Adm. J. B. Oldendorf)
bombards enemy shore installations on Leyte, P. I.
Army troops land on Homonhon Island at the entrance
to Leyte Gulf, P. I.
United States Naval Advanced Base, Le Havre, France,
is established.
United States naval vessel damaged:
High-speed transport GOLDSBOROUGH (APD-32), by
coastal defense gun, Leyte Gulf area,
10 d. 57'N., 125 d. 02'E.
LST 906, by grounding, off Leghorn, Italy.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Auxiliary submarine chaser NO. 95, by carrier-based
aircraft, Luzon area, P. I.,
18 d. 54'N., 121 d. 51'E.
Transports NOs. 135 and 136, by carrier-based
aircraft, Luzon area P. I.,
17 d. 46'N., 120 d. 25'E.
10/19 Thu. Submarine NARWHAL (SS-167) lands men and supplies on
southwest coast of Negros, P. I.
United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte area, P.
I.:
Escort carrier SANGAMON (CVE-16), by horizontal
bomber,
10 d. 46'N., 126 d. 23'E.
Destroyer ROSS (DD-563), by mine,
10 d. 17'N., 125 d. 40'E.
Destroyer AULICK (DD-569), by coastal defense gun,
11 d. 13'N., 125 d. 02'E.
Salvage vessel PRESERVER (ARS-8), by horizontal
bomber,
10 d. 50'N., 125 d. 25'E.
10/20 Fri. Army forces land on Leyte, P. I., supported by naval
gunfire and carrier-based aircraft. The overall
commander is Gen. Douglas MacArthur, the naval
commander is Vice Adm. T. C. Kinkaid, and the ground
troops are commanded by Lt. Gen. W. Krueger.
Naval Operating Base, Guam, Marianas Islands, is
established.
United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte area, P.
I.:
Light cruiser HONOLULU (CL-48), by aircraft
torpedo,
11 d. 01'N., 125 d. 07'E.
Destroyer BENNION (DD-662), by coastal defense gun,
10 d. 50'N., 125 d. 25'E.
LST 452, by coastal defense gun,
11 d. 10'N., 125 d. 01'E.
10/21 Sat. Carrier-based aircraft (Rear Adm. G. F. Bogan) attack
Panay, Cebu, Negros, and Masbate, P. I.
United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte area, P.
I.:
Transport WARHAWK (AP-168), by collision,
10 d. 57'N., 125 d. 02'E.
LST 269, LST 483, LST 486, and LST 704, by coastal
mortars,
10 d. 50'N., 125 d. 25'E.
10/22 Sun. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Auxiliary submarine chaser NO. 5, by carrier-based
aircraft, Leyte area, P. I.,
12 d. 55'N., 121 d. 35'E.
10/23 Mon. Battle for Leyte Gulf (13-16 October) opens as United
States submarines off Palawan Island sight and attack
the Center Force of three Japanese naval groups
moving on Leyte in a major effort to drive United
States forces from the Philippines. Two enemy
cruisers are sunk.
Submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168) lands men and supplies on
east coast of Luzon, P. I. (Operation continues on 24
and 25 October)
Japanese naval vessels sunk, off Palawan, P. I.:
Heavy cruiser MAYA, by submarine DACE (SS-247),
09 d. 11'N., 117 d. 07'E.
Heavy cruiser ATAGO, by submarine DARTER (SS-227),
09 d. 28'N., 117 d. 17'E.
10/24 Tue. Battle for Leyte Gulf (23-26 October) continues.
Carrier-based aircraft (Vice Adm. M. A. Mitscher)
locate and heavily attack the Japanese Center Force
south of Mindoro in the Sibuyan Sea, and the Southern
Force steaming through the Sulu Sea, Enemy aircraft
counterattack United States forces. During the night,
the United States fast carriers move north from San
Bernardino Strait to be in a position for dawn
strikes against the enemy Northern Force. The
Japanese Center Force moves through San Bernardino
Strait and south toward Leyte Gulf.
United States naval vessels sunk:
Light carrier PRINCETON (CVL-23), damaged by dive
bomber, Battle for Leyte Gulf,
15 d. 12'N., 123 d. 36'E.;
sunk by United States forces.
Submarine DARTER (SS-117), damaged by grounding,
Bombay Shoal, Palawan Passage, P. I.; destroyed by
United States forces.
Submarine TANG (SS-306), by circular run of her own
torpedo, north of Formosa.
Ocean tug SONOMA (ATO-12), by suicide plane,
Battle for Leyte Gulf,
10 d. 57'N., 125 d. 02'E.
United States naval vessels damaged, Battle for
Leyte Gulf:
Light cruiser BIRMINGHAM (CL-62) and destroyers
MORRISON (DD-560), GATLING (DD-671), and IRWIN
(DD-794), by rolling against PRINCETON (CVL-23)
while alongside, and by fragments from her
exploding magazines.
Destroyer LEUTZE (DD-481), by horizontal bomber,
10 d. 50'N., 125 d. 25'E.
Destroyer ALBERT W. GRANT (DD-649), by naval
gunfire,
10 d. 27'N., 125 d. 25'E.
Oiler ASHTABULA (A0-51), by aircraft torpedo,
11 d. 03'N., 125 d. 22'E.
LST 552, by horizontal bomber,
11 d. 11'N., 125 d. 05'E.
LST 695, by underwater explosion,
08 d. 31'N., 128 d. 34'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk, Battle for Leyte Gulf:
Battleship MUSASHI, by carrier-based aircraft,
Sibuyan Sea,
12 d. 50'N., 122 d. 35'E.
Destroyer WAKAHA, by carrier-based aircraft,
11 d. 50'N., 121 d. 25'E.
Submarine I-362, by destroyer escort RICHARD M.
ROWELL (DD-403),
09 d. 45'N., 126 d. 45'E.
10/25 Wed. Battle for Leyte Gulf (13-16 October) continues.
Japanese Southern Force enters Surigao Strait where
it is engaged and virtually destroyed by Rear Adm.
J. B. Oldendorf's force of battleships, cruisers,
destroyers, and motor torpedo boats (Battle of
Surigao Strait). Meanwhile, the Japanese Center
Force, including 4 battleships and 5 cruisers, having
passed into the Philippine Sea during the night,
attacks 6 escort carriers and screening vessels
commanded by Rear Adm. C. A. F. Sprague (Battle off
Samar). After inflicting severe damage on this light
United States force, the enemy Center Force retires
without molesting the landing operations in the Leyte
Gulf area. At the same time, carrier aircraft from
Third Fleet (Adm. W. F. Halsey) locate and strike the
Japanese Northern Force. Four Japanese carriers and
other vessels are sunk (Battle off Gape Engano).
Submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168) lands men and supplies on
east coast of Luzon, P. I.
Untied States and Great Britain resume diplomatic
relations with Italy.
United States naval vessels sunk, Battle for Leyte
Gulf:
Escort carrier ST. LO (CVE-63), by suicide plane,
11 d. 10'N., 126 d. 05'E.
Escort carrier GAMBIER BAY (CVE-73), by naval
gunfire,
11 d. 31'N., 125 d. 12'E.
Destroyer HOEL (DD-533), by naval gunfire,
11 d. 46'N,, 126 d. 33'E.
Destroyer JOHNSTON (DD-557), by naval gunfire,
11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E.
Destroyer escort SAMUEL B. ROBERTS (DE-413), by
naval gunfire,
11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E.
PT-493, by coastal defense gun,
10 d. 15'N., 125 d. 23'E.
United States naval vessels damaged, Battle for
Leyte Gulf:
Escort carrier SANGAMON (CVE-26), by suicide plane,
09 d. 45'N., 126 d. 42'E.
Escort carrier SUWANEE (CVE-27), by suicide plane,
09 d. 45'N., 126 d. 42'E.
Escort carrier SANTEE (CVE-29) by suicide plane and
submarine torpedo,
09 d. 45'N., 126 d. 42'E.
Escort carrier WHITE PLAINS (CVE-66), by suicide
planes and naval gunfire,
11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E.
Escort carrier KALININ BAY (CVE-68), by suicide
plane,
11 d. 10'N., 126 d. 20'E.,
and naval gunfire,
11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E.
Escort carrier FANSHAW BAY (CVE-70), by naval
gunfire,
11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E.
Escort carrier KITKUN BAY (CVE-71), by suicide
plane,
11 d. 10'N., 126 d. 20'E.
Destroyer HEERMAN (DD-523), by naval gunfire,
11 d. 30'N., 126 d. 15'E.
Destroyer escort RICHARD M. ROWELL (DE-403), by
strafing,
10 d. 05'N., 127 d. 10 E.
Destroyer escort DENNIS (DE-405), by naval gunfire,
11 d. 40'N., 126 d. 20'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk, Battle for Leyte Gulf:
Carrier ZUIKAKU, by carrier-based aircraft,
19 d. 20'N., 125 d. 51'E.
Light carrier CHITOSE, by carrier-based aircraft
and surface craft,
19 d. 20'N., 126 20'E.
Light carrier CHIYODA, by carrier-based aircraft,
18 d. 37'N., 126 d. 45'E.
Light carrier ZUIHO, by carrier-based aircraft,
19 d. 20'N., 125 d. 51'E.
Battleships FUSO and YAMASHIRO, by surface craft,
10 d. 25'N., 125 d. 20'E.
Heavy cruisers CHIKUMA, CHOKAI and SUZUYA, by
carrier-based aircraft,
11 d. 30'N., 126 d. 30'E,
Heavy cruiser MOGAMI, by carrier-based aircraft and
surface craft,
09 d. 40'N., 124 d. 50'E.
Light cruiser TAMA, by carrier-based aircraft and
submarine JALLAO (SS-368),
21 d. 23'N., 127 d. 19'E.
Destroyers ASAGUMO, MICHISHIO and YAMAGUMO, by
surface craft,
10 d. 25'N., 125 d. 20'E.
Destroyer AKIZUKI, by submarine HALIBUT (SS-232),
20 d. 29'N., 126 d. 36'E.
Destroyer HATSUZUKI, by surface craft,
20 d. 24'N., 126 d. 20'E.
10/26 Thu. Battle for Leyte Gulf (23-26 October) ends as
carrier-based and Army aircraft bomb the retiring
Japanese ships which have survived the previous
days' action.
United States naval vessels damaged, Battle for
Leyte Gulf.
Escort carrier SUWANNEE (CVE-27), by dive bomber
and suicide plane,
09 d. 37'N., 126 d. 53'E.
PT-131, by dive bomber,
09 d. 00'N., 125 d. 00'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk, Battle for Leyte Gulf:
Light cruiser ABUKUMA, by surface craft,
09 d. 20'N., 122 d. 32'E.
Light cruiser KINU, by carrier-based aircraft,
11 d. 46'N., 123 d. 11'E.
Light cruiser NOSHIRO, by carrier-based aircraft,
11 d. 35'N. 121 d. 45'E.
Destroyer HAYASHIMO, by carrier-based aircraft,
19 d. 05'N., 121 d. 50'E.
Destroyer NOWAKI, by surface craft,
13 d. 00'N., 124 d. 54'E.
Destroyer URANAMI, by carrier-based aircraft,
11 d. 50'N., 123 d. 00'E.
10/27 Fri. Aircraft from two carrier task groups (Rear Adm. F.
C. Sherman and Rear Adm. R. E. Davison) attack enemy
ships and installations in the Visayas and northern
Luzon area, P. I.
Submarine NAUTILUS (SS-168) lands men and supplies on
east coast of Luzon, P. I.
United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte area, P.
I.:
Battleship CALIFORNIA (BB-44), by strafing,
16 d. 57'N., 125 d. 02'E.
Submarine chaser PCER-848, by horizontal bomber,
11 d. 11'N., 125 d. 05'E.
PT-523, by dive bomber,
11 d. 15'N., 124 d. 59'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Destroyers FUJINAMI and SHIRANUI, by carrier-based
aircraft Luzon area, P. I.,
12 d. 00'N., 122 d. 30'E.
Transport No. 138, by submarine KINGFISH (SS-234),
Volcano Islands area,
25 d. 22'N., 141 d. 31'E.
10/28 Sat. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. R. E.
Davison) bomb Japanese shipping near Cebu, P. I.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer escort EVERSOLE (DE-404), by submarine
torpedo, Leyte area, P. I.,
10 d. 18'N., 127 d. 37'E.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Light cruiser DENVER (CL-58), by suicide plane,
Leyte area P. I.,
10 d. 57'N., 125 d. 02'E.
Japanese submarines sunk, Leyte area, P. I.:
I-45, by destroyer escort WHITEHURST (DE-634),
10 d. 10'N., 127 d. 28'E.
I-54, by destroyers GRIDLEY (DD-380) and HELM (DD-
388),
10 d. 56'N., 127 d. 13'E.
10/29 Sun. Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Adm. G. F.
Bogan) strike enemy airfields and shipping in the
Manila area, P. I.
Naval Operating Base, Leyte, and Naval Air Station,
Samar, P. I., are established.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Carrier INTREPID (CV-11), by suicide plane, Leyte
area,
15 d. 07'N., 124 d. 01'E.
10/30 Mon. United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte area, P.
I.:
Carrier FRANKLIN (CV-13), by suicide plane,
10 d. 20'N., 126 d. 40'E.
Light carrier BELLEAU WOOD (CVL-24), by suicide
plant
10 d. 20'N., 126 d. 40'E.
10/31 Tue. Japanese naval vessel sunk:
District craft KAIYO NO. 6, by submarine GABILAN
(SS-252) off Shikoku, Japan,
32 d. 50 N., 134 d. 21'E.
11/01 Wed. Submarine RAY (SS-271) lands men and supplies on west
coast of Mindoro, P. I.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer ABNER ROAD (DD-526), by suicide plane,
Leyte Gulf, P. I.,
10 d. 47'N., 125 d. 22'E.
United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte Gulf, P.
I.:
Destroyer ANDERSON (DD-411), by suicide plane,
10 d. 11'N., 125 d. 02'E.
Destroyer BUSH (DD-529), by horizontal bomber,
10 d. 13'N., 125 d. 21'E.
Destroyers CLAXTON (DD-571) and AMMEN (DD-527), by
suicide planes,
10 d. 40'N., 125 d. 20'E.
Destroyer KILLEN (DD-593), by horizontal bomber,
10 d. 40'N., 125 d. 20'E.
11/02 Thu. Japanese aircraft bomb United States airstrip and
planes on the ground at Tacloban, Leyte, P. I.; raid
is repeated on 3 November.
11/03 Fri. Submarine CERO (SS-215) lands men and supplies on
east coast of Luzon, P. I.
Japanese aircraft attack air facilities on Saipan and
Tinian, Marianas Islands. The enemy makes a series of
strikes in this area from which heavy bombing
missions against the Japanese home islands are
launched.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Light cruiser RENO (CL-96), by submarine torpedo,
Leyte area, P. I.,
13 d. 46'N., 131 d. 27'E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Destroyer AKIKAZE, by submarine PINTADO (SS-387),
South China Sea,
16 d. 48'N., 117 d. 17'E.
11/05 Sun. Aircraft from fast carrier task force (Vice Adm. J.
S. McCain) commence 2-day attack against Japanese
shipping and air installations on Luzon, P. I.
United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-320, by horizontal bomber, Leyte area, P. I.,
11 d. 11'N.. 125 d. 05'E.
United States naval vessel damaged:
carrier LEXINGTON (CV-16), by suicide plane, off
Luzon, P, I.,
16 d. 20 N., 123 d. 59'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Heavy cruiser NACHI, by carrier-based aircraft,
Manila Bay, P. I. Seaplane tender NOTORO, by Army
aircraft, off Singapore,
01 d. 18'N., 103 d. 52'E.
Patrol boat NO. 107, by carrier-based aircraft,
Manila Bay, P. I.
11/06 Mon. Submarine GURNARD (SS-254) lays mines off western
Borneo.
11/07 Tue. United States naval vessel damaged:
PT-301, by accidental explosion, western New Guinea
area,
01 d. 15'S., 136 d. 23'E.
11/08 Wed. United States naval vessel sunk:
Submarine GROWLER (SS-215), unknown cause, west of
Philippine Islands.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Torpedo boat SAGI, by submarine GUNNEL (SS-253),
Philippine Islands area,
16 d. 09'N., 118 d. 56'E.
11/09 Thu. German submarine sunk:
U-537, by submarine FLOUNDER (SS-251), Java Sea,
07 d. 13'S., 115 d. 17'E.
11/10 Fri. United States naval vessels sunk:
PT-321, by grounding, Leyte area, P. I.,
11 d. 25'N., 124 d. 19'E.;
sunk by United States forces.
Ammunition ship MOUNT HOOD (AE-11), by explosion,
Manus, Admiralty Islands.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Coast defense vessel NO. 11, by Army aircraft,
Ormoc Bay area, P, I.
Patrol boat NO. 46, by submarine GREENLING (SS-
213), off Honshu, Japan,
34 d. 30'N., 138 d. 34'E.
11/11 Sat. Aircraft from three carrier task groups (Rear Adm. F.
C. Sherman) attack Japanese convoy in Ormoc Bay,
Leyte, P. I.; four enemy destroyers and a minesweeper
are sunk.
Cruiser and destroyer task group (Rear Adm. A. E.
Smith) bombards airfields and other enemy shore
installations on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands;
bombardment commences shortly before midnight and
continues on 12 November.
Japanese naval vessels sunk, Ormoc Bay, P. I.:
Destroyers HAMANAMI, NAGANAMI, SHIMAKAZE, and
WAKATZUKI and Minesweeper NO. 30, by carrier-
based aircraft,
10 d. 50'N., 124 31'E.
11/12 Sun. German battleship TIRPITZ is sunk by British aircraft
in Tromso Fjord, Norway.
United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte area, P.
I.:
Repair ship EGERIA (ARL-8) and ACHILLES (ARL-41),
by suicide planes,
11 d. 11'N., 125 d. 05'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine I-37, by destroyer NICHOLAS (DD-449),
south of Yap Island,
08 d. 04'N., 138 d. 03'E.
Transport NO. 139, by carrier-based aircraft,
Manila Bay P. I.
11/13 Mon. Aircraft of three carrier task groups (Rear Adm. F.
C. Sherman) commence 2-day bombing of enemy shipping
and facilities in Manila area and central Luzon, P.
I.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Light cruiser KISO, destroyers AKEBONO, AKISHIMO,
HATSUHARU and OKINAMI, and auxiliary submarine
chaser NO. 116, by carrier-based aircraft, Manila
Bay, P. I.
Submarine I-38, by Coast Guard Cutter ROCKFORD (PF-
48), and minelayer ARDENT (AM-340), eastern
Pacific area
31 d. 55'N., 139 d. 45'W.
11/14 Tue. Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Auxiliary KURASAKI, by submarine RATON (SS-270),
South China Sea,
17 d. 27'N., 117 d. 43'E.
Coast defense vessel NO. 7, by submarine RAY (SS-
271), South China Sea,
17 d. 46'N., 117 d. 57'E.
11/15 Wed. Army troops supported by naval gunfire land in the
Mapia Islands off the northwest coast of New Guinea.
11/17 Fri. United States naval vessel damaged:
Attack transport ALPINE (APA-92), by suicide plane,
Leyte area, P. I.,
11 d. 07'N., 125 d. 02'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Escort carrier JINYO, by submarine SPADEFISH (SS-
411), Yellow Sea,
33 d. 02'N., 123 d. 33'E.
Submarine I-26, by aircraft (VC-82) from escort
carrier ANZIO (CVE-57) and destroyer escort
LAWRENCE C. TAYLOR (DE-415), Philippine Sea,
12 d. 44'N., 130 d. 42'E.
Torpedo boat HIYODORI, by submarine GUNNEL (SS-
253), South China Sea,
16 d. 56'N., 110 d. 30'E.
11/18 Sat. United States naval vessels sunk:
LST 6, by mine, Seine River, France.
PT-311, by mine, Mediterranean area,
43 d. 41'N., 09 d. 37'E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Submarine chaser NO. 156, by submarine SPADEFISH
(SS-411), Yellow Sea,
33 d. 07'N., 123 d. 09'E.
11/19 Sun. Aircraft from fast carrier task force (Vice Adm. J,
S. McCain) strike Japanese shipping and aircraft in
the Luzon area, P. I.
Units of the Seventh Amphibious Force land Army
troops on Asia Island off the northwest coast of New
Guinea.
Japanese submarine sunk:
I-177, by destroyer escorts CONKLIN (DE-439) and
MCCOY REYNOLDS (DE-440), Palau Islands area,
08 d. 07'N., 134 d. 16'E.
11/20 Mon. Submarine GAR (SS-206) lands supplies on north coast
of Mindoro, P. I.
United States naval vessel sunk:
Oiler MISSISSINEWA (A0-59), by submarine torpedo,
Marianas Islands area,
10 d. 06'N., 139 d. 43'E.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Minesweeper NO. 38, by submarine ATULE (SS-403),
South CHINA Sea,
21 d. 21'N., 119 d. 45'E.
11/21 Tue. Cruiser and destroyer task force (Rear Adm. J. L.
Mccrea) bombards Japanese naval air installations on
Matsuwa Island. Kurile Islands.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Battleship KONGO and destroyer URAKAZE, by
submarine SEALION (SS-315), northwest of Formosa,
26 d. 09'N., 121 d. 23'E.
11/22 Wed. Aircraft from carrier group (Rear Adm. R. E. Davison)
bomb enemy air facilities on Yap Island, Caroline
Islands.
Japanese naval vessel sunk:
Transport NO. 151, by submarine BESUGO (SS-321),
South China Sea,
11 d. 22'N., 119 d. 07'E.
11/23 Thu. Submarine GAR (SS-206) lands men and supplies on west
coast of Luzon, P. I.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Attack transport JAMES O'HARA (APA-90), by suicide
plane, Leyte area, P. I.,
10 d. 57'N,, 125 d. 02'E.
11/24 Fri. Army aircraft based in the Marianas Islands make
first raid on Tokyo, Japan.
United States naval vessel damaged:
Submarine chaser PC-1124, by dive bomber, Leyte
area, P. I.,
10 d. 50'N., 125 d. 25'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Submarine chaser No, 44 and transports Nos. 111,
141, and 160, by Army aircraft, Cataingan Bay,
Masbate Island, P. I.
11/25 Sat. Aircraft from two carrier groups (Rear Adm. G. F.
Bogan and Rear Adm. F. C. Sherman) bomb enemy
shipping and aircraft in central Luzon area, P. I.
Japanese suicide planes attack United States
carriers.
United States naval vessel sunk:
PT-363, by coastal defense gun, Netherlands East
Indies area,
00 d. 55'N., 127 d. 50'E.
United States naval vessels damaged:
Carrier ESSEX (CV-9), INTREPID (CV-11), and HANCOCK
(CV-19), by suicide planes, Luzon area, P. I.,
15 d. 47'N., 123 d. 14' E.
Light carrier INDEPENDENCE (CVL-22), by crash of
friendly aircraft, Luzon area, P. I.,
15 d. 58'N., 125 d. 14'E.
Light carrier CABOT (CVL-28), by suicide plane,
Luzon area, P. I.,
15 d. 42'N., 123 d. 09'E.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Heavy cruiser KUMANO, by carrier-based aircraft,
Luzon area, P. I.,
15 d. 45'N., 119 d. 48'E.
Cruiser YASOSHIMA, by carrier-based aircraft, Luzon
area, P. I.,
15 d. 40'N., 119 d. 45'E.
Destroyer SHIMOTSUKI, by submarine CAVALLA (SS-
244), west of Borneo,
02 d. 21'N., 107 d. 20'E.
Transports NOs. 6 and 10, by carrier-based
aircraft, Marinduque Island, P. I.,
13 d. 32'N., 121 d. 52'E.
Coast defense vessel NO. 38, by submarine HARDHEAD
(SS-365), west of Luzon, P. I.,
14 d. 22'N., 119 d. 57'E.
Patrol boat NO. 38, by submarine ATULE (SS-403),
Luzon Strait,
20 d. 12'N., 121 d. 51'E.
11/26 Sun. Carrier BON HOMME RICHARD (CV-31), is commissioned at
New York, N. Y.
Japanese naval vessels sunk:
Transport NO. 161, by Army aircraft, Andaman Sea
16 d. 00'N., 97 d. 00'E.
Minesweeper NO. 18, by Army aircraft, South China
Sea,
16 d. 52'N., 108 d. 38'E.
11/27 Mon. Destroyers bombard Japanese positions at Ormoc Bay,
Leyte P. I.; firing continues on 28 November.
Japanese suicide planes attack and damage 1
battleship and 2 cruisers in Leyte Gulf, P. I. Enemy
aircraft also strike airfields and aircraft on the
ground at Saipan, Marianas Islands.
Organized enemy resistance on Peleliu, Palau Islands,
ends.
United States naval vessels sunk:
Submarines ESCOLAR (SS-294) and Shark (SS-314),
Pacific Ocean area, reported as presumed lost.
Submarine chaser SC-744, by suicide plane, Leyte
gulf area
10 d. 44'N., 125 d. 07'E.
United States naval vessels damaged, Leyte Gulf, P.
I:
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