Chronology of World War II
Wednesday, November 1, 1944
On the Western Front... A brigade of the British 52nd Division and the 41st, 47th and 48th Commando Brigades land on the Walcheren. The landings receive naval support from the HMS Warspite, 2 monitors as well as other vessels. The German garrison on the island consists of the 70th Division (General Daser). Many landing craft are lost on the approach but British forces penetrate Flushing and approach Westkapelle during the first day of fighting.
In Italy... The British 5th Corps (part of British 8th Army) records a limited advance near Forli.
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, Soviet forces capture Kecskemet, 50 miles southeast of Budapest.
In Greece... German forces evacuate Florina in the continuing withdrawal.
In Liberated Greece... Food distribution begins around Athens. Famine relief measures are necessary because food imports have been severely reduced by the recent fighting and significant damage has been done to the indigenous agriculture.
In Liberated Yugoslavia... The partisan leader, Tito, and the prime minister of the government in exile sign agreements on the future constitution of the country.
In the Philippines... On Leyte, Japanese forces in the line are reinforced by 2000 men for the base at Ormoc. The defending Japanese forces now consists of forces of the 36th Army (General Suzuki) including the original 16th Division and the new 30th and 102nd Divisions. The attacking US 7th Division (part of US 24th Corps) captures Baybay. Offshore, an American destroyer is sunk, and 5 others are badly damaged by Japanese Kamikaze and bombing attacks.
In Japan... The first of some 9000 paper balloons, carrying bombs intended to be dropped over North American land, are released near Tokyo.
Over Japan... The US B-29 Superfortress "Tokyo Rose" of the 3rd Photo Reconnaissance Squadron makes the first American flight over Tokyo since 1942.
Thursday, November 2, 1944
In Italy... Elements of the US 5th Army take Casseta, south of Bologna.
On the Western Front... The Canadian 1st Army continues the battle of the Scheldt. Intense fighting is recorded on the island of Walcheren. Elements of the British 52nd Division capture Flushing. To the rear, on the English Channel coast, Zeebrugge and Heyst are cleared of German resistance. Meanwhile, British 7th Armored Division (an element of British 2nd Army) begins new attacks and achieves a limited advance. Forces of US 3rd Army launch a new attack as well.
Over Germany... During the day, the US 8th Air Force attacks the Leuna synthetic oil plant at Merseburg. The Americans claim 183 German fighters (including 4 jets) destroyed for the loss of 40 bombers and 28 fighters (including losses to antiaircraft defenses). During the night, Bomber Command attacks Dusseldorf with 992 bombers as well as sending smaller forces to strike other targets. A total of 20 planes are reported lost in all operations.
On the Eastern Front... The German 2nd Panzer Army consolidates its position along the Drina River to the west of Belgrade.
In Yugoslavia... Partisan forces capture Zadar in Croatia.
From Washington... President Roosevelt sends Donald M. Nelson, the former chief of the War Production Board, to reorganize Chinese war production.
Friday, November 3, 1944
On the Western Front... German resistance at Breskens is eliminated by forces of Canadian 1st Army. On Walcheren, British and Canadian forces achieve limited advances. Polish 1st Division and Canadian 4th Armored Division also record limited advances. The US 1st Army captures Schmidt, near Aachen.
From London... Lieutenant General McCreery is appointed to command British 8th Army in Italy. He replaces Lt. Gen. Leese.
Saturday, November 4, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, Soviet forces capture Szolnok and later Cegled, 40 miles southeast of Budapest. Long-range Soviet artillery bombards Budapest.
In Yugoslavia... Partisan forces take Sebenico.
On the Western Front... Elements of British 1st Corps (part of Canadian 1st Army) continues to advance toward the Maas estuary with the capture of Geertruidenberg. The fighting on Walcheren continues. British minesweepers reach Antwerp in the ongoing effort to clear the port and approaches. Most Allied supplies continue to be landed in Normandy at this time. Meanwhile, a German counterattack recovers Schmidt from the US 1st Army.
In Burma... The British 5th Indian Division, leading the advance of British 14th Army, captures Kennedy Peak, south of Tiddim.
In the Philippines... On Leyte, American forces advance west of Dagami around "Bloody Ridge".
In Washington... The head of the British Chiefs of Staff Mission, Field Marshal Sir John Dill, dies at 63 years of age.
Sunday, November 5, 1944
In the Philippines... Three groups of US Task Force 38 (Admiral McCain) strike Japanese targets on Luzon and in the nearby waters. American losses are listed as 25 planes and the aircraft carrier USS Lexington is badly damaged by Kamikaze attacks. The Japanese losses are estimated at about 400 planes, 1 cruiser sunk (by an American submarine) and another cruiser badly damaged and beached.
In Greece... British forces land at Salonika.
Monday, November 6, 1944
In Yugoslavia... Partisan forces enter Monastir. The partisans, under the leadership of Tito, now control most the Greek-Yugoslavian border area.
On the Western Front... Attacks by forces of the Canadian 2nd Corps (part of Canadian 1st Army), on Walcheren, result in the capture of Middleburg.
In Egypt... In Cairo, Lord Moyne, British Resident Minister in the Middle East, dies after being shot by Zionits terrorists. The assassins, Eliahou Bet-Zouri and Eliahou Al Hakim, both in their early twenties, are members of the Stern Gang then under the control of Yitzhak Shamir
Tuesday, November 7, 1944
In the United States... Roosevelt is elected to an unprecedented fourth term as president, winning over Republican candidate Dewey with 36 states and 53 percent of the vote. The elections for the House of Representative result in 243 Democrats, 190 Republicans and 2 others.
In the Philippines... On Leyte, the US 96th Division captures Bloody Ridge. Near the north coast, the American advance is held by Japanese defenses.
Wednesday, November 8, 1944
In Burma... In the advance of British 14th Army over Kennedy Peak, Fort White, to the south of Tiddim, is captured.
On the Western Front... German resistance on Walcharen ceases and the garrison survivors surrender to the forces of the Canadian 1st Army. The US 3rd Army begins a new offensive around Metz and to the south. During the day, the Seille River is crossed, and Nomony captured.
In Italy... British 8th Corps (part of British 8th Army) launches new attacks south of Forli.
In Germany... Austrian fighter ace (258 victories), Major Walter Nowotny, is killed in his Me262 which crashes near Achmer.
In London... After the German propagandist Joseph Goebbels publicly announces the V2 rocket campaign on Britain, Prime Minister Churchill admits that the mysterious explosions in southeast England, in recent weeks, are in fact the result of the missile strikes.
Thursday, November 9, 1944
On the Western Front... Elements of US 3rd Army cross the Moselle River around Metz. Further south, US 12th Corps continues advancing beyond the Seille River, capturing Chateau Salins.
In Italy... British 4th Division (an element of British 8th Army) captures Forli.
In the Philippines... On Leyte, another 2000 troops of the Japanese 26th Division arrive at Ormoc. The transporting warships are forced to withdraw before all the supplies can landed.
In Japan... The Japanese hang the Soviet spy Richard Sorge at Sugamo Prison in Tokyo. Sorge has been working for 8 years as the Tokyo correspondent for a German newspaper and during that time he has sent detailed information concerning German and Japanese plans to the Soviet Union. Among the information sent is a warning of the German attack on the USSR in 1941.
Friday, November 10, 1944
In the Philippines... On Leyte, heavy fighting is reported near Carigara. Elements of the US 24th Division (part of US 10th Corps) are amphibiously transported west along the north coast from Carigara toward Belen.
On the Western Front... Forces of US 3rd Army continue to advance beyond the Moselle River to the south of Thionville and farther south beyond Metz.
Saturday, November 11, 1944
In the Philippines... Aircraft from 8 carriers of US Task Force 38 attack a Japanese convoy off Leyte, near Ormoc. Four destroyers, 1 minesweeper and 5 transports (carrying nearly 10,000 troops) are sunk.
In the Bonin Islands... An American cruiser and destroyer task force, commanded by Admiral Smith, shells the island of Iwo Jima during the night (November 11-12).
In China... Japanese forces capture the Allied airbases at Kweilin and Liuchow. American forces have rendered the base at Liuchow unusable prior to withdrawing.
In Paris... Churchill and Eden attend Armistice Day (Remembrance Day) ceremonies.
Sunday, November 12, 1944
In Occupied Norway... The German battleship Tirpitz is attacked at anchor in Tromsofiord by 21 British Lancaster bombers carrying 12,000-pound bombs. The planes are from No. 9 and No. 617 Squadrons. There are several direct hits and near misses which, combined, cause the ship to capsize. A total of 902 German sailors are killed in the attack. Offshore, British Royal Navy cruisers and destroyers attack a German coastal convoy.
Over Italy... Allied bombers attack the Brenner Pass railway.
Monday, November 13, 1944
On the Western Front... Elements of US 3rd Army have crossed the Moselle River north of Thionville and constructed a bridge at Cattenom. South of Metz, other elements from US 12th Corps are attacking toward Morhange and Falquemont. To the south, German forces withdraw from St. Die under pressure from forces of the US 7th Army. Churchill visits French troops in the Vosges.
In the English Channel... German U-978 sinks 3 Liberty ships.
On the Eastern Front... German forces evacuate Skopje in southern Yugoslavia. The Bulgarian 1st Army advances in this area.
In the Philippines... Aircraft from US Task Force 38 (McCain) attack shipping and land targets on Luzon. American planes claim a Japanese cruiser and 4 destroyers sunk.
Tuesday, November 14, 1944
On the Western Front... The British 12th Corps (part of British 2nd Army) launches attacks to eliminate German positions west of the Maas River around Nederweert, near Venlo. On the right flank of the Allied line, the French 1st Army launches attacks on Belfort.
From London... The Norwegian government in exile announces that Norwegian troops are operating alongside the Soviet forces in the far north.
Wednesday, November 15, 1944
On the Eastern Front... In Hungary, Soviet forces capture Jasbereny, 30 miles east of Budapest.
On the Western Front... Forces of the US 3rd Army advance around Metz. To the south of the city, the Metz-Sarrebourg rail line is cut. To the right, the US 7th Army advances along the line north of St. Die. On the right flank of the Allied armies, the French 1st Army continues its offensive toward Belfort.
In the Mapia Atoll... A regiment of the US 31st Division lands and eliminates the small Japanese garrison. Naval support is provided by an Anglo-American force commanded by British Admiral Lord Ashbourne.
From Washington... A number of senior armed forces commanders are promoted to the new ranks of General of the Army and Admiral of the Fleet. The new ranks are identified by a five star insignia.
Thursday, November 16, 1944
On the Western Front... Allied air strikes support offensives of US 9th and 1st Armies; about 10,000 tons of bombs are dropped by some 1200 US 8th Air Force planes and 1100 RAF bombers with the goal of obliterating the fortified towns of Duren, Julich and Heinsberg as well as the German defensive position west of Duren.. The US 9th Army advances toward Geilenkirchen and Eschweiler with the objective of reaching the Roer River. To the right, the US 1st Army attacks toward Duren, east of Aachen.
In Liberated Belgium... Political disagreements between the Belgian government and representatives of the resistance movement results in the resignation of three ministers.
Friday, November 17, 1944
On the Western Front... Around Aachen, both US 1st and 9th Armies advance. To the right, German forces facing US 3rd and 7th Armies conduct withdrawals after which the American forces advance. On the right flank of the Allied line, the French 1st Army reaches Montbeliard in its drive to Belfort.
In the China Sea... The USS Spadefish sinks the Japanese fleet carrier Junyo.
In Liberated Belgium... Allied representatives meet with Belgian government ministers and agree to try to have the resistance members surrender their arms.
Saturday, November 18, 1944
On the Western Front... Around Aachen, the British 30th Corps (part of British 2nd Army) coordinates assaults with the US 9th and 1st Armies. Julich and Duren are penetrated. Meanwhile, US 3rd Army advances approach the German border. Bouzonville on the Nied River is captured. Metz is entered from north and south.
In Liberated Belgium... Belgian resistance representatives agree to surrender their arms.
On the Eastern Front... The Soviet 8th Army (part of Leningrad Front) renews attacks on Saaremaa Island in the north of the Gulf of Riga.
Sunday, November 19, 1944
On the Western Front... Allied forces advance all along the line. British 12th and 7th Corps (parts of British 2nd Army) gain ground near Venlo. Forces of US 9th Army defeat a counterattack by German forces and occupy Geilenkirchen, north of Aachen. US 3rd Army completes the encirclement of Metz. Farther south, French 1st Army forces reach the outskirts of Belfort as well as the Swiss border north of Basle.
In Albania... Partisan forces commanded by Hodja enter Tirana after German forces pull out of the city.
In the Philippines... US Task Force 38 continues air strikes against targets on Luzon and shipping in Manila Bay. Japanese losses are claimed to be 1 cruiser and 3 other vessels.
In Washington... It is estimated that the cost of the war is now about $250 million per day.
Monday, November 20, 1944
In the Occupied Dutch East Indies... The British Eastern Fleet conducts air raids on the Japanese-held airfields on Sabang and oil installations at Belawan Deli on Sumatra. Aircraft from two carriers are involved.
In China... Chiang Kai-shek appoints a new Minister of War in an attempt to stem popular disenchantment with his regime.
In the Ulithi Atoll... A Japanese Kaiten (suicide torpedo) attack sinks the US naval tanker Mississinewa.
On the Western Front... To the east of Aachen, German forces resist US 19th Corps attacks near Julich. Elements of US 3rd Army continue the siege of Metz as other elements capture Dieuze to the east. Most forces of French 1st Army remain engaged at Belfort. Patrols reach Mulhouse and the Rhine River.
In Liberated Greece... British General Scobie is given responsibility for disbanding the Greek guerrilla forces.
In Occupied Albania... German forces evacuate Tirana.
In Liberated Belgium... An agreement to disarm resistance members is made public.
Tuesday, November 21, 1944
In the Philippines... On Leyte, the US 32nd Division, advancing from the north coast, is held in the Ormoc Valley by Japanese forces. US 7th Division begins attacks north from Baybay toward Ormoc.
In the China Sea... Northeast of Formosa, the US submarine Sealion sinks the Japanese battleship Kongo and a destroyer.
On the Western Front... British 2nd Army continues attacks near Venlo. US 1st and 9th Armies meet firm resistance from German forces west of the Roer River. The US 3rd Army continues the siege of Metz while other elements gain ground near Saarebourg.
In Albania... Albanian resistance members occupy Tirana and Durazzo.
Wednesday, November 22, 1944
On the Western Front... Operations of the US 9th Army and the US 1st Army secure Eschweiler. Forces of the US 3rd Army capture Metz. US 7th Army forces take St. Die as others approach Saverne. The French 1st Army occupies Mulhouse, after defeating a counterattack by German forces.
Thursday, November 23, 1944
On the Western Front... On the right flank of the German line, the 15th Army falls back in Holland. Meanwhile, the German 7th Army launches attacks on forces of US 9th Army. To the south, French troops of US 7th Army reach Strasbourg.
On the Eastern Front... In Czechoslovakia, Soviet troops take Cop. In Hungary, Soviet forces capture Tokay in the north of the country.
In Moscow... The government announces that, with the assistance of Finnish forces in accord with the terms of the recent armistice, Finnish Lapland has been cleared of German troops.
From London... The British Eastern Fleet is disbanded. Older ships and the escort carriers a formed into the British East Indies Fleet, while the modern ships are detached for service as the British Pacific Fleet.
Friday, November 24, 1944
On the Western Front... The US 3rd Army captures crossings over the Saar River, about 25 miles north of Saarbrucken. To the south, the French 2nd Division (an element of US 7th Army) takes Strasbourg.
On the Eastern Front... In the Baltic, Soviet forces complete the occupation of Saaremo Island in the Gulf of Riga. About 5000 German troops have been evacuated. Most of the remaining German surface fleet Lutzow, Admiral Scheer and Prinz Eugen provide support for the evacuation, in addition to shelling mainland targets in support of German Army Group North.
Over Japan... The first B-29 Superfortress raid on Tokyo is conducted by 111 planes (2 lost), led by the "Dauntless Dotty" with the nominal target of the Musashi aircraft engine plant. The bombers fly from northeast India via forward bases at Chengtu in China.
In the North Atlantic... The Royal Canadian Navy corvette HMCS Shawinigan is sunk by U-1228 in the Cabot Strait between Cape Breton Island and Newfoundland. The entire crew of 91 dies.
Saturday, November 25, 1944
In the Philippines... On Leyte, the advance of American forces is contained by Japanese defenses. Some US paratroopers advance across difficult terrain west of Burauen. At sea, Task Group 38.2 and TG38.3 conduct further raids on Luzon and surrounding waters. The air strikes, involving planes from 7 carriers, sink the cruisers Kumano and Yasoshima. Kamikaze attacks damage 4 of the carriers.
On the Western Front... Forces of US 1st Army, to the southeast of Aachen, advance beyond Hurtgen.
Over Germay... Bombers of the US 8th Air Force raid the oil plant at Leuna and the Bingen railroad marshalling yards.
In Italy... The British 8th Army crosses the Cosina River.
In Britain... A German V2 rocket hits the crowed Woolworth department store in Deptford (in east London) resulting in 160 killed.
Sunday, November 26, 1944
Over Germany... The US 8th Air Force attacks Hanover (nominally the Misburg oil plant), Hamm (nominally the marshalling yards) and Bielefeld (nominally the railway viaduct). The Americans claim to have destroyed 138 German fighters for the loss of 36 bombers and 7 fighters.
On the Western Front... The US 1st Army captures Weisweiler to the west of Cologne.
Over Holland... RAF Spitfire fighter bombers attack two suspected V2 rocket sites.
On the Eastern Front... In eastern Slovakia, Soviet forces capture Michaloyce.
From London... General Alexander is promoted to Field Marshal and appointed the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean.
In the Philippines... On Leyte, Japanese forces launch night attacks against US forces west of Burauen.
Monday, November 27, 1944
In the Norwegian Sea... The German prison ship Rigel is sunk by British carrier planes off the coast of Norway. Of the 2248 Soviet prisoners of war on board, 415 survive.
Over Germany... There are raids nominally aimed at railroad marshalling yards in western Germany. The city of Freiburg is severely damaged in a night raid.
Over Japan... The second B-29 Superfortress bombing raid on Tokyo nominally targets the Musashi aircraft engine plant.
In the Philippines... Around Burauen, on Leyte, Japanese force continue to attack and receive a small number of parachute reinforcements. There is heavy fighting around Burauen airfield. At sea, the battleship USS Colorado and 2 light cruisers are damaged in Kamikaze attacks.
In Washington... Cordell Hull resigns his post as Secretary of State. Edward Stettinius is appointed to succeed him.
Tuesday, November 28, 1944
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces reach the Danube River to north of the confluence of the Drava River. Mohacs, on the west bank, is captured and the Soviet advance reaches Pecs.
In Liberated Belgium... The first Allied convoy reaches Antwerp which is now operational after extensive repairs and mine clearing. Distribution of supplies to the Allied armies in the field remains a difficulty.
In the Philippines... On Leyte, Japanese night attacks continue. There is heavy fighting at Kilay Ridge in the north and around Buri and Burauen.
Wednesday, November 29, 1944
In the Philippines... Japanese attacks on Kilay Ridge, on Leyte, continue. American forces successfully counterattack. At sea, the battleship USS Maryland and 2 destroyers are seriously damaged by Kamikaze attacks.
In the North Pacific... The American submarine Archerfish sinks the carrier Shinano in waters off Honshu.
On the Western Front... Heavy fighting is reported by US 9th, 1st and 3rd Armies.
In Albania... German forces withdraw from Scutari. Army Group E (Lohr) is attempting to form a defensive line along the Drina River and then Drava River in its continuing withdrawal.
Thursday, November 30, 1944
On the Western Front... British 2nd Army gains ground west of the Maas River, near Venlo. To the north and south of Aachen, the US 9th and 1st Armies continue attacks. Southern elements of US 3rd Army reach the Saar River.
On the Eastern Front... In northern Hungary, the Soviet 2nd Ukrainian Front launches attacks on German forces northwest of Debrecen.
Copyright © 2018 Ralph Zuljan