The Official Chronology of the U.S. Navy in World War II

Chapter VI: 1944

January

  1 January, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Naval Air Facility, Honolulu, Oahu, T.H., is established.

TG 37.2 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman) attacks Japanese convoy off Kavieng, New Ireland. Planes from carrier Bunker Hill (CV-17) and small carrier Monterey (CVL-26), bomb shipping escorted by cruisers and destroyers, damaging light cruiser Noshiro.

Destroyers Smith (DD-378) and Hutchins (DD-476) are damaged in collision off eastern New Guinea, 05°00'S, 146°00'E.

Tank landing ship LST-446 is damaged by accidental explosion, Solomon Islands, 06°15'S, 155°02'E.

Submarine Balao (SS-285) damages Japanese transport Kiyosumi Maru south of Truk, Caroline Islands, 04°32'N, 147°23'E.

Submarine Herring (SS-233), pursuing Japanese convoy spotted the previous day, sinks aircraft transport Nagoya Maru 220 miles south-southwest of Tokyo Bay, 32°10'N, 138°37'E. Counterattack by escorting destroyer Ikazuchi is unsuccessful.

Submarine Puffer (SS-268), in attack on Japanese convoy at the western entrance of the Mindanao Sea, sinks army cargo ship Ryuyo Maru about 40 miles south of Negros Island, 08°36'N, 122°52'E.

Submarine Ray (SS-271) sinks Japanese gunboat Okuyo Maru at mouth of Ambon Bay, N.E.I., 03°51'S, 128°04'E.

PBYs sink Japanese cargo ship Kanaiyama Maru near Lorengau, Admiralty islands, 02°03'S, 147°27'E.

Aerial minelaying operations in the Marshalls continue: four PB4Y-1s (VB 108), flying from Apamama, mine Enijun Channel, Maleolap; flying from Tarawa, three PV-1s (VB 137) mine the waters off Jaluit; two PBY-5s (VP 72) mine Jabor Anchorage, Jaluit.

  2 January, Sun. 1944

Atlantic
PB4Y (VB 107) sights and tracks German blockade runner Weserland, en route from Japan to Germany, 595 miles south-southwest of Ascension Island. Destroyer Somers (DD-381) intercepts Weserland and opens fire (see 3 January).

Pacific
TF 76 (Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey) lands U.S. Sixth Army troops (126th Regimental Combat Team, 32d Division, Reinforced) at Saidor, New Guinea, in Operation MICHAELMAS. Insertion of American troops at Saidor leap-frogs the Japanese garrison at Sio, 75 miles to the east. U.S. cruisers and destroyers provide cover.

Submarine Finback (SS-230) sinks Japanese merchant tanker Isshin Maru in East China Sea about 30 miles northwest of Takara Jima, Nansei Shoto, 29°30'N, 128°50'E.

Aerial minelaying operations in the Marshalls continue: flying from Tarawa, five PV-1s (VB 137) and one PBY-5 (VP 72) mine Jabor Anchorage.

Japanese planes bomb advanced base on Apamama Atoll, demolishing one PB4Y; exploding ammunition in the burning aircraft damages two additional PB4Ys.

Indian Ocean
U.S. freighter Albert Gallatin is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-26 about 60 miles off the Arabian coast, 21°21'N, 59°58'E; there are no casualties among the complement (including the 28-man Armed Guard, who remain at their posts until the ship literally sinks beneath them). Norwegian tanker Britannia rescues the survivors.

  3 January, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Bluefish (SS-222) lays mines off eastern Malayan coast.

Submarine Kingfish (SS-234) attacks Japanese convoy northwest of Miri, Sarawak, Borneo, and sinks fleet tankers Bokuei Maru, 06°58'N, 112°02'E, and Ryuei Maru, 08°06'N, 112°30'E.

Submarine Raton (SS-270) damages Japanese fleet tanker Akebono Maru east of Mindanao, P.I., 08°18'N, 129°59'E.

Submarine Scorpion (SS-278) departs Midway for her fourth war patrol. She will rendezvous with Herring (SS-233) on 5 January, but will never be seen again.

Submarine Tautog (SS-199) sinks Japanese transport Saishu Maru south of Honshu, 33°44'N, 136°02'E.

Aerial minelaying operations in the Marshalls continue: seven PB4Y-1s (VB 108 and VB 109), flying from Apemama, mine the waters northwest of Enijun Island, off west side of Taroa, and outside lagoon off Kumaru Island, and strafe shipping anchored off Taroa; four PV-1s (VB 137), flying from Tarawa, mine southeast pass, Jaluit.

Japanese planes again bomb advanced base at Apamama, but inflict neither casualties nor serious damage to installations.

Atlantic
Destroyer Turner (DD-648) is sunk by internal explosion, three miles north of Ambrose Lightship, New York Harbor. During efforts to help the injured, a Coast Guard helicopter transports needed blood plasma in the Navy's first operational use of the helicopter in treating casualties.

Destroyer Somers (DD-381) sinks German blockade runner Weserland, 14°55'S, 21°39'W, and recovers 130 survivors.

  4 January, Tue. 1944

Pacific
TG 37.2 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman) planes bomb Japanese shipping at Kavieng, damaging destroyers Fumizuki and Satsuki in Stephen Strait.

Motor torpedo boat PT-145, damaged by grounding off Mindiri, 05°34'S, 146°10'E, is scuttled by motor torpedo boat PT-370. The latter suffers damage during the attempt to tow PT-145 out of the area.

Escort carrier Tripoli (CVE-64) is damaged by accidental gasoline fire, Naval Repair Base, San Diego, California.

Submarines Bluefish (SS-222) and Rasher (SS-269) attack Japanese convoy off coast of French Indochina. Bluefish sinks merchant tanker Hakko Maru, 07°10'N, 108°28'E; Rasher damages tanker Kiyo Maru (ex-Norwegian Vigrid), 06°44'N, 108°43'E (see 5 January 1945). Third ship in convoy, Konsan Maru, escapes unharmed. Rasher also carries out mining operation in waters off Cochin China the same day.

Submarine Cabrilla (SS-288) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship No.8 Tamon Maru off Cape Padaran, French Indochina, 11°05'N, 109°10'E.

Submarine Tautog (SS-199), despite presence of two escort vessels, sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Usa Maru off southern Honshu, 34°09'N, 136°50'E.

Aerial minelaying operations in the Marshalls continue: two PV-1s (VB 137) and one PBY-5 (VP 72), flying from Tarawa, mine southeast pass, Jaluit.

USAAF B-25s (5th Air Force), covered by RAAF Beaufighters, attack Japanese shipping in Tenau harbor, Timor, sinking army cargo ship Heimei Maru, 10°10'S, 123°35'E.

Atlantic
Light cruiser Omaha (CL 4) and destroyer Jouett (DD- 396) intercept German blockade runner Rio Grande about 55 miles northeast of the coast of Brazil, 06°41'S, 25°36'W. Gunfire and scuttling charges sink Rio Grande (see 8 January).

  5 January, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Rasher (SS-269) sinks Japanese tanker Kiyo Maru (ex-Norwegian Vigrid), in South China Sea, 05°46'N, 108°36'E.

Aerial minelaying operations in the Marshalls continue: one PBY-5 (VP 72), flying from Tarawa, mines Schischmarov Strait, Wotje.

Japanese guardboat No.5 Fukuyoshi Maru is wrecked following attack by USAAF B-24, Wotje Atoll, Marshalls.

Atlantic
PBM-3S (VP 203) sights German blockade runner Burgenland and summons light cruiser Omaha (CL 4) and destroyer Jouett (DD-396). Gunfire and scuttling charges sink Burgenland, 07°29'S, 25°37'W.

  6 January, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Aerial minelaying operations in the Marshalls continue: One PBY-5 (VP 72), flying from Tarawa, mines Schischmarov Strait, Wotje; a second Catalina, vexed by engine trouble, brings its mines back and does not carry out the mission.

Atlantic
Gunboat St. Augustine (PG-54) is sunk in collision with U.S. merchant tanker Camas Meadows, 73 miles south- southwest of Cape May, New Jersey, 38°01'N, 74°05'W.

Mediterranean
U.S. freighter William S. Rosecrans drags anchor during storm south of Naples, Italy, and strikes a mine that starts a fire that dooms the ship. She sinks later that afternoon but there are no casualties to either the merchant complement or the 27-man Armed Guard, who are all rescued by British naval vessels.

  7 January, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Small carrier Belleau Wood (CVL-24) and destroyer Dunlap (DD-384) are damaged in collision during exercises off Oahu, T.H.

Submarine Kingfish (SS-234) attacks Japanese convoy southwest of Palawan, sinking merchant tanker No.3 Fushimi Maru, 09°27'N, 117°36'E.

Eight PB4Y-1s (VB 108 and VB 109), flying from Apemama, encounter bad weather that forces cancellation of their minelaying mission to the Marshalls.

USAAF B-25s sink Vichy French merchant ship Kai Ping, Ben Thuy, French Indochina.

Japanese cargo vessel Katsuragisan Maru is sunk by Japanese mine in northwest channel of Truk harbor, 07°30'N, 151°50'E.

Atlantic
Fleet tug Carib (ATF-82) stops and boards Spanish merchant ship Monte Amiboto and removes a stowaway, an alleged German internee in Argentina from the armored ship Admiral Graf Spee.

Destroyer Davis (DD-395) rescues 21 survivors of sunken German blockade runner Burgenland, 08°06'S, 26°45'W.

  8 January, Sat. 1944

Pacific
TF 38 (Rear Admiral Walden L. Ainsworth), consisting of two light cruisers and five destroyers, bombards Japanese shore installations on Faisi, Poporang, and Shortland Islands, Solomons.

Aerial minelaying operations in the Marshalls continue: eight PB4Y-1s (VB 108 and VB 109), flying from Apemama, mine the waters off Wotje and then strafe enemy facilities on the island and shipping offshore; seven PBY-5s (VP 72), flying from Tarawa, mine Wotje anchorage and Schischmarov Strait.

Atlantic
Light cruiser Marblehead (CL-12) rescues 72 survivors of sunken German blockade runner Rio Grande, 07°45'S, 33°00'W. Destroyer Winslow (DD-359) rescues 35 survivors of sunken German blockade runner Burgenland,08°14'S, 29°22'W.

  9 January, Sun. 1944

Pacific
District patrol craft YP-281 founders in heavy weather west of the Society Islands, 16°53'S, 177°18'W, and is scuttled by submarine chaser PC-1134.

  10 January, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Motor minesweeper YMS-127 sinks after running aground, Aleutian Islands.

Submarine Seawolf (SS-197) begins series of attacks on Japanese convoy about 70 miles north of Naha, Okinawa, sinking army cargo ship Asuka Maru, 27°30'N, 127°45'E, and merchant cargo ship Getsuyo Maru at 27°10'N, 127°28'E (see 11 January).

Submarine Steelhead (SS-280), in the midst of a "full- fledged typhoon," attacks Japanese convoy south of Honshu, sinking repair ship Yamabiko Maru, 31°28'N, 137°44'E.

Aerial minelaying operations in the Marshalls continue: two PBY-5s (VP 72), flying from Tarawa, mine Meichen Channel and Legediak Strait, Wotje.

Japanese planes again bomb advanced base at Apamama, but inflict neither casualties nor serious damage to installations.

Mediterranean
U.S. freighter Daniel Webster is damaged by German aerial torpedo during air attack on convoy KMS 37 while en route from Gibraltar to Augusta and Naples, 36°04'N, 00°14'W (see 11 January).

  11 January, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Seawolf (SS-197) concludes operations against Japanese convoy attacked the previous day, sinking army cargo ship Yahiko Maru about 50 miles north of Naha, Okinawa, 27°10'N, 127°28'E.

Submarine Sturgeon (SS-187) attacks Japanese convoy in approaches to Bungo Suido, sinking army cargo ship Erie Maru about 20 miles east of Saeki, Kyushu, 32°56'N, 132°02'E, and survives ensuing depth-charging by escorts.

Submarine Tautog (SS-199) damages Japanese ammunition ship Kogyo Maru off Honshu, 34°10'N, 136°56'E.

British submarine HMS Tally Ho sinks Japanese light cruiser Kuma (en route to conduct torpedo practice) 10 miles northwest of Penang, Malaya, 06°00'N, 39°00'E.

Aerial minelaying operations in the Marshalls continue: four PBYs (VP 72), flying from Tarawa, mine Meichen Channel and Schischmarov Strait, Wotje; Enibin and Torappu channels, Maleolap.

USAAF B-25Gs strike Japanese shipping and installations at Maleolap and Wotje, damaging destroyer Ushio.

Atlantic
Brazilian 10th Military Region forces take custody of 22 survivors of German blockade runner Rio Grande who reach Fortaleza, Brazil.

Mediterranean
U.S. freighter Daniel Webster, damaged by German aerial torpedo the previous day, reaches Oran under escort of British frigate HMS Barle; rescue tug ATR-47 brings Daniel Webster into port where she is subsequently written off as a total loss. There are no fatalities among the ship's complement (which includes a 29-man Armed Guard).

  12 January, Wed. 1944

Pacific
PB4Ys (VB 108 and VB 109) bomb Japanese shipping in Kwajalein lagoon, sinking gunboat Ikuta Maru, 08°42'N, 167°44'E. Aerial minelaying operations continue in the Marshalls as five PBY-5s, flying from Tarawa, mine Tokowa and Torappu channels and the south entrance to Maleolap; one Catalina goes on to bomb Jabor but is forced down by antiaircraft fire six miles east of Jaluit (see 14 January).

Submarine Albacore (SS-218) sinks Japanese gunboat No.2 Choko Maru about 350 miles southwest of Truk, 03°30'N, 147°27'E; she also damages motor gunboat Hayabusa-Tei No.4, under tow of No.12 Choko Maru, so badly that the smaller craft has to be scuttled, 03°37'N, 147°27'E.

Submarine Hake (SS-256) sinks Japanese aircraft transport Nigitsu Maru about 300 miles southeast of Okinawa, 23°15'N, 133°49'E.

Japanese army cargo vessel Kanjo Maru is sunk by USAAF mine in Takao harbor, Formosa, 22°37'N, 120°15'E.

Mediterranean
Naval Air Station, Port Lyautey, French Morocco, is established.

  13 January, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Swordfish (SS-193) is damaged by depth charges off central Honshu, 33°16'N, 139°30'E, but remains on patrol.

USAAF B-24 (5th Air Force) sinks Japanese transport Haguro Maru 35 miles northwest of New Hanover, 02°43'N, 149°25'E.

Thai ship Valaya is sunk by mine in Menam River, Thailand.

Atlantic
Brazilian minelayer Camocim while escorting convoy JT 19, picks up the last 34 survivors (26 German and 8 Italian) of the three German blockade runners sunk on 3, 4, and 5 January.

  14 January, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Fuel oil barge (self-propelled) YO-159, under tow of U.S. tanker Gulf Star, is torpedoed by Japanese submarine RO-42, 250 miles east of Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, 15°27'S, 171°28'E (see 15 January).

Submarine Scamp (SS-277) attacks Japanese convoy about 400 miles east-southeast of the Palaus, sinking fleet tanker Nippon Maru south of Sorol Island, 05°02'N, 140°50'E; Albacore (SS-218), nearby, sinks destroyer Sazanami, 05°30'N, 141°34'E; Guardfish (SS-217) sets upon same convoy attacked earlier by Scamp and sinks fleet tanker Ken'yo Maru 520 miles southeast of Palau, 05°23'N, 141°57'E.

Submarine Seawolf (SS-197) attacks Japanese convoy approximately 300 miles northeast of Okinawa, sinking fleet tanker Yamazuru Maru, 25°00'N, 132°00'E.

Submarine Swordfish (SS-193) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking transport Yamakuni Maru off Hachijo Jima, south of Honshu, 33°16'N, 139°30'E.

SBDs and TBFs, supported by Allied fighters, bomb Japanese shipping in Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, damaging destroyer Matsukaze and fleet tanker Naruto.

PBY-5 (VP 72) shot down attacking Jabor on 12 January is located and its crew rescued about 40 miles southwest of Jaluit.

USAAF B-25s strike Japanese shipping and installations at Wotje atoll, Marshalls, sinking guardboat Tama Maru.

USAAF B-24s (14th Air Force) sink army cargo ship Gyoei Maru in South China Sea, 20°35'N, 113°44'E.

Atlantic
Destroyers Bulmer (DD-222) and Parrott (DD-218) damage German submarine U-382, 560 miles west-northwest of Cape Finisterre, Spain.

  15 January, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Service Squadron 10 (Captain Worrall R. Carter) is activated at Pearl Harbor to provide mobile logistics support for a projected advanced major fleet anchorage in the Central Pacific Area.3

Fuel oil barge (self-propelled) YO-159, torpedoed the previous day by Japanese submarine RO-42, is scuttled by gunfire of submarine chaser PC-1138 (see 14 January).

Submarine Crevalle (SS-291) lays mines east of Saigon, French Indochina.

Submarine Thresher (SS-200), in attack on Japanese convoy, sinks army cargo ship Toho Maru and merchant tanker Tatsuno Maru about 75 miles north of Luzon, 20°00'N, 120°51'E.

British submarine HMS Tally Ho sinks Japanese army cargo ship Ry_k_ Maru south of Port Blair, Andaman Islands, 10°03'N, 93°05'E.

USAAF B-25 sinks Vichy French coast patrol craft Ping Sung off Hongay, French Indochina.

  16 January, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Blackfish (SS-221) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks transport Kaika Maru about 275 miles southwest of Truk, 04°03'N, 148°41'E.

Submarine Flier (SS-250) runs aground and is damaged as she transits channel at Midway Island; submarine rescue vessel Macaw (ASR-17) becomes stranded as she attempts to assist the stranded fleet boat (see 12 February).

Submarine Redfin (SS-272) damages Japanese destroyer Amatsukaze, 250 miles north of the Spratly Islands, 14°40'N, 113°50'E.

Submarine Seahorse (SS-304) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Nikko Maru southeast of the Marianas, 12°49'N, 150°19'E.

Submarine Sturgeon (SS-187) damages Japanese destroyer Suzutsuki in Bungo Channel, 32°15'N, 132°29'E but fails to hit the destroyer's charge, cargo vessel Azaki Maru. Submarine Swordfish (SS-193), despite presence of escort vessel, sinks Japanese gunboat Delhi Maru off Honshu, 34°04'N, 139°56'E.4

Submarine Whale (SS-239) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks army cargo ship Denmark Maru about 400 miles southeast of Okinawa, 23°09'N, 135°14'E; Seawolf (SS-197), nearby, damages transport Tarushima Maru, 23°00'N, 135°00'E, which Whale later finishes off, 22°50'N, 135°40'E.

PBYs attack Rabaul-bound Japanese convoy O-905, sinking army cargo ships Shunko Maru, 02°30'S, 149°42'E, and Hozugawa Maru and transport Meisho Maru about 45 miles northwest of New Hanover, 02°20'S, 149°42'E. Kosei Maru (see 17 January) and escorting submarine chasers Ch 24 and Ch 29 emerge unscathed.

U.S. forces sink Japanese submarine I-181 in Gidiagu Strait.

Atlantic
TBF (VC 13) from escort carrier Guadalcanal (CVE-60) sinks German submarine U-544 in mid-Atlantic, 40°30'N, 37°20'W.5

U.S. freighter Sumner I. Kimball, straggling from New York-bound convoy ON 219, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-960 in the North Atlantic, 52°35'N, 35°00'W. There are no survivors from either the 40-man merchant complement or the 29-man Armed Guard.

  17 January, Mon. 1944

Pacific
SBDs and TBFs, covered by fighters, bomb Japanese shipping at Rabaul, sinking repair ship Hakkai Maru, transport Kenshin Maru (ex-British Celebes), and army cargo ship Kosei Maru (which had escaped damage the previous day), and damaging aircraft transport Lyon Maru. Kosei Maru sinks with 14 landing barges still on board, 04°13'S, 152°11'E.

Japanese sources indicate guardboat No.6 Shinko Maru is sunk, but offers no location other than "South Seas area." The only naval air activity on this day that may have been responsible for the loss of a ship the size of No.6 Shinko Maru is a raid by PB4Y aircraft upon Kusaie in the Carolines.

Submarine Bowfin (SS-287) attacks Japanese convoy, gunboat Delhi Maru off west coast of Palawan, 00°18'N, 118°37'E.

USAAF B-24s (5th Air Force) sink Japanese merchant cargo ship Chiburi Maru 80 miles east of Manus, 02°27'S, 148°58'E, and No.9 Fukei Maru at 02°00'S, 149°00'E.

Atlantic
Airship K 36 crashes in a fog on the lee side of Ilha de Cabo Frio, Brazil.

  18 January, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Tropical hurricane batters Noumea, New Caledonia, damaging high speed transport Noa (APD-24), district patrol vessel YP-239, district auxiliary (miscellaneous) YAG-25, and a crane barge.

Submarine Bowfin (SS-287) sinks Japanese merchant tanker Shoyu Maru off west coast of Palawan, 00°18'N, 118°37'E.6

Submarine Flasher (SS-249) sinks Japanese oiler Yoshida Maru about 140 miles west-southwest of Marcus Island, 23°50'N, 151°28'E.

PB4Y-1 (VB 108), to simulate minelaying operations, sows unfuzed 100-pound bombs in Mellu, Gegibu and Onemak channels, Kwajalein.

USAAF A-24s and P-40s bomb Japanese installations at Jaluit, sinking merchant tanker No.1 Nanyu Maru.

  19 January, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Haddock (SS-231) damages Japanese carrier Unyo 140 miles east-southeast of Guam, 12°50'N, 146°23'E.

USAAF B-24 (5th Air Force) sinks Japanese cargo vessel Kaishu Maru at Manus, Admiralty Islands.

  20 January, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Batfish (SS-310) attacks Japanese convoy off southern Honshu, sinking transport Hidaka Maru south of Shiono Misaki, 31°28'N, 134°52'E.

Submarine Gar (SS-206) attacks Japanese convoy on the New Guinea-to-Palau route, sinking army cargo ship K_y_ Maru about 50 miles south-southwest of Palau, 06°40'N, 134°17'E.

Submarine Seadragon (SS-194) damages Japanese stores ship Irako northwest of Truk, 08°04'N, 152°40'E.

Submarine Tinosa (SS-283) lands men and equipment in northeast Borneo.

USAAF B-24s (14th Air Force) sink Japanese transports Menado Maru and Kuzan Maru 140 miles southeast of Swatow, China, 22°10'N, 118°15'E.

USAAF B-25s sink transport Ogashima Maru at Namu Atoll, Marshalls, 08°07'N, 168°00'E.

USAAF planes sink Japanese dredge Jintsu Maru at 03°04'S, 142°10'E.

Atlantic
Tank landing ship LST-228 sinks after running aground off the Azores, 38°39'N, 27°12'W.

  21 January, Fri. 1944

Pacific
PBY-5As, flying from Attu, bomb and photograph Japanese installations in the Kurabu Zaki area, south Paramushiru, and in the Musashi Wan-Otomaye area, south coast of Paramushiru; PV-1s bomb and photograph enemy installations in the north Paramushiru area.

Submarine Seahorse (SS-304) attacks Japanese convoy on the Palau-Hollandia track, sinking army transport Ikoma Maru and cargo ship Yasukuni Maru 280 miles east- southeast of Palau, 03°19'N, 137°02'E.

British submarine HMS Tally Ho sinks Japanese cargo ship No.67 Daigen Maru at 03°15'N, 100°40'E.

  22 January, Sat. 1944

Pacific
At Midway, efforts to refloat submarine Flier (SS-250) succeed, and she is taken in tow by submarine rescue vessel Florikan (ASR-9); submarine rescue vessel Macaw (ASR-17), however, remains stranded.

Oiler Cache (AO-67) is torpedoed by Japanese submarine RO-37 about 155 miles southeast of San Cristobal, Solomons, 12°08'S, 164°33'E. Destroyer Buchanan (DD-484) then sinks RO 37 about 130 miles east-southeast of San Cristobal, 11°47'S, 164°17'E.

Submarine Tinosa (SS-283) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking merchant tankers Seinan Maru and Koshin Maru about 120 miles north of Labuan, Borneo, 07°22'N, 115°05'E.

USAAF B-25s and P-38s attack Japanese shipping in Lorengau harbor, Manus, Admiralties, sinking auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 40, 01°50'S, 147°20'E, and damaging cargo vessel No.3 Kurebame Maru.

Atlantic
Tank landing craft LCT-582 sinks after running aground, Azores.

Mediterranean
Elements of the British First Army and U.S. Third Army (Major General Lucian K. Truscott, USA) land on the Italian coast at Anzio, in Operation SHINGLE; naval commander is Rear Admiral Frank K. Lowry. Initial landings progress as scheduled with little opposition, and the troops are landed with small loss. Enemy opposition, however, will mount over the ensuing weeks, and naval gunfire support will prove crucial to troops holding the beachhead. Off Anzio, minesweeper Portent (AM-106) is sunk by mine, 41°24'N, 12°44'E; infantry landing craft LCI-20 is sunk by aircraft.

  23 January, Sun. 1944

Pacific
PBY-5As and PV-1s, flying from Attu, bomb Japanese installations on the west and south coasts of Paramushiro.

Submarine Gar (SS-206), in attack on Japanese convoy, sinks transport Taian Maru about 75 miles south of Palau, 05°45'N, 134°45'E.

Submarine Snook (SS-279) sinks Japanese gunboat Magane Maru about 175 miles north-northwest of Chichi Jima, 29°49'N, 140°08'E.

USAAF B-25s (14th Air Force) attack Japanese convoy off Foochow, China, sinking army cargo ship Panama Maru, 27°15'N, 120°45'E.

USAAF B-24s (10th Air Force) sink Japanese cargo ship Seikai Maru in Mergui harbor, 12°26'N, 98°36'E.

  24 January, Mon. 1944

Pacific
USMC TBFs, supported by large concentration of USN, USMC, USAAF and RNZAF fighters, attack Japanese shipping at Rabaul, sinking water tanker Koan Maru, aircraft transport Lyon Maru (previously rendered unnavigable on 17 January) and army cargo ships Taisho Maru and Yamayuri Maru, 04°13'S, 152°11'E.

PB4Ys damage cargo ship Ogashima Maru south of Kwajalein, 08°14'N, 168°02'E; deemed beyond salvage, Ogashima Maru is scuttled by auxiliary minesweeper No.5 Tama Maru. PB4Ys also sink auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 14 70 miles east-southeast of Eniwetok, 11°10'N, 163°25'E.

USAAF B-25s bomb Japanese shipping and harbor installations at Manus, sinking transport Heiwa Maru and auxiliary minelayer Tatsu Maru, and damaging auxiliary minelayer Matsu Maru.

USAAF B-25s (14th Air Force) sink Japanese ship Liu Hsing in Lishen Bay, China, 26°58'N, 120°04'E.

Submarine Sturgeon (SS-187) attacks Japanese convoy in eastern approaches to Bungo Suido, sinking army cargo ship Chosen Maru, 32°28'N, 132°23'E.

Japanese planes bomb U.S. shipping in Dreger Bay, New Guinea, damaging freighter John Muir at 06°32'08"N, 147°53'05"E, with one direct hit and at least four near-misses that injure 2 of 42 merchant sailors, one of the 28-man Armed Guard and 13 of the 40 Construction Battalion stevedores embarked to work cargo.

Mediterranean
Tank landing craft LCT-185 founders and sinks in heavy weather off Bizerte, Tunisia.

German planes attack invasion shipping off the Anzio beachhead: bombs damage destroyer Plunkett (DD-431), 41°15'N, 12°37'E, and minesweeper Prevail (AM-107), 41°00'N, 12°00'E; aerial torpedo damages destroyer Mayo (DD-422), 41°24'N, 12°43'E;

During German air raid on Allied shipping at Naples, Italy, U.S. freighter F.A.C. Muhlenberg is damaged by bomb and by near-miss of bomb; ship's crew and port firefighting crews extinguish the fires thus started. Of the ship's complement, 6 of 46 merchant sailors die; 1 of the 31-man Armed Guard perishes in the blaze.

Arctic
German submarines attack Murmansk-bound convoy JW 56A. U.S. freighter Penelope Barker is torpedoed and sunk by U-278 about 115 miles from North Cape, Norway, 72°23'N, 23°10'E; 10 merchant sailors and 5 Armed Guard men (of the 43-man merchant complement and the 28-man Armed Guard, respectively) perish in the explosions. British destroyer HMS Savage rescues the survivors (see 26 January).

  25 January, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Escort carrier Sangamon (CVE-26) is damaged by fire following a TBM (VC 37) barrier crash, en route to the Marshalls.

Japanese cargo ship Nanshin Maru sinks after running aground on a shoal off Miyagiken peninsula, 35°31'N, 133°09'E.

Mediterranean
Off Anzio, motor minesweeper YMS-30 is sunk by mine, 41°23'N, 12°45'E; submarine chaser PC-676 is damaged by near-miss of bomb.

  26 January, Wed. 1944

Pacific
TG 74.2 (Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey), consisting of two light cruisers and three destroyers, bombards Japanese installations in Madang-Alexischafen area of New Guinea.

Motor torpedo boat PT-110 is sunk by depth charge explosion following collision with motor torpedo boat PT-114, Ablingi Harbor, New Britain, 06°17'S, 150°09'E; PT-114 is damaged.

Escort carriers Suwanee (CVE-27) and Sangamon (CVE-26) are damaged in collision while en route to the Marshalls.

Submarine Crevalle (SS-291) sinks Japanese gunboat Busho Maru in South China Sea, about 175 miles southeast of Cape St. Jacques, French Indochina, 08°30'N, 109°10'E.

Submarine Hake (SS-256) sinks Japanese auxiliary netlayer Shuko Maru off Ambon, N.E.I., 05°50'N, 126°00'E.

Submarine Skipjack (SS-184) sinks Japanese destroyer Suzukaze 140 miles northwest of Ponape, Carolines, 09°00'N, 157°27'E, and transport Okitsu Maru 150 miles northwest of Ponape, 09°22'N, 157°26'E.

British submarine HMS Templar damages Japanese light cruiser Kitakami southwest of Penang, Malaya, 04°54'N, 98°28'E.

Mediterranean
Off Anzio, mines sink Infantry landing craft LCI-32 and damage tank landing ship LST-422. During German air raid on shipping off the invasion beaches, U.S. freighter John Banyard is damaged by near-miss of aerial bomb. While there are no casualties to those on board (including the 27-man Armed Guard), the ship will later be written off as a total loss. Off Nettuno, a German fighter plane crashes into freighter Hilary A. Herbert shortly before the freighter is further damaged by the near-miss of a bomb. Beached to prevent her loss, Hilary A. Herbert is later repaired and returned to service.

Arctic
German submarines continue attacks against Murmansk- bound convoy JW 56A. U.S. freighter Andrew G. Curtin is torpedoed and sunk by U-716, 73°25'N, 25°16'E; two of the merchant crew and one Armed Guard sailor (of the 43-man merchant complement and the 28-man Armed Guard, respectively) perish. British destroyer HMS Inconstant rescues the survivors.

Indian Ocean
U.S. freighter Walter Camp is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-532 at 10°00'N, 71°40'E; all hands (40 merchant crew, 28 Armed Guards and one passenger) survive. British light cruiser HMS Danae rescues them four and a half days later.

  27 January, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Swordfish (SS-193), in attack on Japanese convoy about 130 miles south of Tokyo Bay, sinks gunboat Kasagi Maru, 33°31'N, 139°36'E.

Submarine Thresher (SS-200) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking transport Kosei Maru and merchant cargo ship Kikuzuki Maru about 70 miles southwest of Formosa, 22°11'N, 119°12'E.

Mediterranean
German air opposition to landings at Anzio begins to increase; submarine chaser SC-534 is damaged by near- miss of bomb. Adverse weather conditions there cause damage to one large infantry landing craft (LCI[L]) and eleven tank landing craft (LCT).

  28 January, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Bowfin (SS-287) damages Japanese oiler Kamoi off Makassar, N.E.I., 03°25'S, 118°15'E.

USAAF B-24 (13th Air Force) and USN PBYs sink Japanese transport Neikai Maru south of Kavieng, 03°45'S, 150°38'E; midget submarine Ha.49, carried on board Neikai Maru, is lost as well.

Atlantic
PB4Y-1 (VB 103) sinks German submarine U-271 off Limerick, Eire, 53°15'N, 15°52'W.

Mediterranean
Off Anzio, motor torpedo boat PT-201--that has Lieutenant General Mark Clark, Commanding General of the U.S. Fifth Army, on board--is damaged by friendly fire from minesweeper Sway (AM-120); submarine chaser SC-534 is damaged by near-miss of bomb.

  29 January, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Aircraft from fast carrier force TF 58 (Rear Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) begin series of strikes to destroy Japanese air power and shipping in the Marshalls. Aircraft from TG 58.1 sink Japanese auxiliary netlayer Uji Maru. Attacks continue daily until 6 February.

Submarine Bowfin (SS-287) lays mines off southeastern coast of Borneo.

Submarine Tambor (SS-198) attacks Japanese convoy in the Nansei Shoto, sinking merchant cargo ship Shuntai Maru north of Okinawa, 27°51'N, 128°24'E.

During Japanese bombing raid on U.S. shipping off Cape Cretin, New Guinea, freighter George Sterling is damaged by near-miss, 06°41'S, 147°52'E. There are no fatalities among complement (including the 26-man Armed Guard).

Mediterranean
German planes bomb U.S. shipping off the invasion beaches at Anzio and Nettuno; off the former place, rescue tug ATR-1 is damaged by near-miss of bomb, 41°27'N, 12°40'E. freighter Alexander Martin is damaged by strafing but there are no fatalities among the ship's complement (including the 24-man Armed Guard). Off Nettuno, freighter Samuel Huntington is sunk by bombs; three merchant sailors die in the explosions, one will die of his wounds later. Her survivors are rescued by tank landing craft LCT-277. There are no casualties among the 39-man Armed Guard; the ship will later be written off as a total loss. LCT-198 rescues survivors from British light AA cruiser HMS Spartan [along with HMS Dido and HMS Delhi, among others.]

  30 January, Sun. 1944

Pacific
PB2Ys (VP 13, VP 102) from Midway Island carry out nocturnal bombing raid on Wake Island to neutralize Japanese airfield installations there that could threaten the imminent Marshalls operations. Motor torpedo boats Gyoraitei No.5 and Gyoraitei No.6 are sunk during the raid. The strike marks the first time that Coronados are used as bombers, and strikes are repeated on the nights of 4, 8, and 9 February.

During preinvasion bombardment of Wotje, Marshalls, destroyer Anderson (DD-411) is damaged by shore battery, 09°33'N, 170°18'E.

SBDs and F6Fs from TG 52.8, comprising carriers Enterprise (CV-6), Yorktown (CV-10) and Bunker Hill (CV- 17) and small carrier Belleau Wood (CVL-24) sink Japanese auxiliary submarine chasers Cha 18 and Cha 21 at Kwajalein Atoll, Marshalls; auxiliary submarine chasers Cha 14, Cha 19, and Cha 28 at Mili; and damage cargo vessel Katsura Maru at Eniwetok. Destroyer Phelps (DD-360) subsequently finishes off the crippled enemy merchantman.

Battleships Washington (BB 55), Indiana (BB 58) and Massachusetts (BB 59) and destroyers Ingersoll (DD- 652), Knapp (DD-653), Caperton (DD-650), and Cogswell (DD-651) bombard Japanese installations at Kwajalein. Battleship North Carolina (BB 55) sinks transport Eiko Maru off west coast of Roi, 09°10'N, 167°20'E (see 14 February).

Destroyer Burns (DD-588) sinks Japanese transport Akibasan Maru and guardboat Nichiei Maru off Ujae Atoll, Marshalls.

Navy SBDs and TBFs, supported by Allied fighters, bomb Japanese shipping at Rabaul, sinking water supply ship Iwata Maru and damaging auxiliary vessel Juzan Maru, 04°12'S, 152°12'E.

TG 31.8 (four destroyers, three high speed transports, and two motor torpedo boats) lands 30th New Zealand Battalion and U.S. Navy personnel on the Green Islands, north of Bougainville, to locate areas suitable for airstrips and landing beaches. The reconnoitering force is recovered the next day.

Submarine Seahorse (SS-304) attacks Japanese convoy on the Palau-Rabaul track, sinking army cargo ship Toko Maru southeast of Palau, 06°10'N, 138°14'E.

Submarine Spearfish (SS-190) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking transport Tamashima Maru about 400 miles north- northeast of Saipan, 21°15'N, 149°18'E.

  31 January, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Marines and Army troops (Major General Holland M. Smith, USMC) land on atolls of Kwajalein and Majuro, in the Marshalls, in Operation FLINTLOCK. The operation is under the overall command of Commander Central Pacific force TF 50 (Vice Admiral Raymond A. Spruance) and is composed of Southern Attack force TF 51 (Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner), Northern Attack Force TF 53 (Rear Admiral Richard L. Conolly), and Reserve Force and Majuro Attack Group TF 51.2 (Rear Admiral Harry W. Hill). Landings are supported by carrier-based aircraft TF 58 (Rear Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) and land-based aircraft TF 57 (Rear Admiral John H. Hoover).

Aircraft from fast carrier group TG 58.3 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman) bomb aircraft and airfield facilities at Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshalls. Attacks by this carrier group continue on the first three days of February and afterward by Rear Admiral Samuel P. Ginder's carrier group TG 58.4 through 7 February. TG 58.3 aircraft and destroyer Harrison (DD-573) sink Japanese auxiliary netlayer Katsura Maru off Eniwetok.

U.S. air strike on Nauru, in support of the Marshalls operations, sinks Japanese auxiliary submarine chasers Cha 25 and Cha 33.

Cargo ship Enceladus (AK-80) is damaged by storm, Solomons, 08°09'N, 157°38'E.

Submarine Trigger (SS-237) sinks Japanese auxiliary submarine depot ship Yasukuni Maru northwest of Truk, 09°21'N, 147°02'E, and damages destroyer Michisio, 09°50'N, 147°06'E.

Submarine Tullibee (SS-284) sinks Japanese auxiliary netlayer Hiro Maru north-northwest of Saipan, 15°23'N, 145°35'E.

USAAF B-24 sinks Japanese guardboat Seisho Maru off Celebes.

Japanese plane carries out high-level bombing raid on U.S. shipping in Langemak Bay, New Guinea; freighter Stephen Crane is damaged by bomb that glances off her stack and explodes in the water nearby. One Army passenger is killed; 22 men (including one merchant seaman and one of the 29-man Armed Guard) are injured.

February

1 February, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Command designated Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet, with headquarters at Pearl Harbor, is established. Vice Admiral Richmond K. Turner, Commander Fifth Amphibious Force, is ordered to assume this command as additional duty.

Naval Base, Finschhafen, New Guinea, is established.

Invasion of the Marshalls continues as Marines land on Roi and Namur and Army troops land on Kwajalein under cover of heavy naval gunfire from battleships, cruisers and destroyers. During this day, heavy cruiser Louisville (CA-28) is damaged by richocheting 8-inch shell from heavy cruiser Indianapolis (CA-35), 09°00'N, 167°00'E; destroyer Anderson (DD-411) is damaged when she runs aground in northern Kwajalein lagoon, 09°10'N, 167°25'E; destroyer Haggard (DD-555) is damaged by accidental explosion, off northwestern end of Kwajalein, 09°00'N, 167°00'E; destroyer Colahan (DD- 658) is damaged when she runs aground on a coral reef at the north end of Enubuj Island, Kwajalein, 08°52'N, 167°38'E; battleships Washington (BB 56) and Indiana (BB 58), operating in TG 58.1, are damaged in collision, 07°00'N, 167°00'E; and minesweeper Chief (AM-135) is damaged by grounding, Marshalls, 09°00'N, 167°00'E.

Japanese naval vessels destroyed in the preinvasion shelling and bombing at Kwajalein include auxiliary submarine chaser No.11 Fuji Maru and guardboats Kikyo Maru, Meiho Maru, Palau Maru, Takeura Maru, and Yamashiro Maru.

Destroyers Guest (DD-472) and Hudson (DD-475) sink Japanese submarine I-171, 15 miles west of Buka Island, 05°37'S, 154°14'E.

Submarine Guardfish (SS-217) attacks Japanese convoy heading for Truk's south pass, just off the reef, and sinks destroyer Umikaze, 07°11'N, 151°44'E.

Submarine Hake (SS-256) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Nanka Maru and transport Tacoma Maru off northeast coast of Halmahera, 01°32'N, 128°50'E.

Submarine Seahorse (SS-304) attacks Japanese convoy on the Palau-Rabaul track, sinking transport Toei Maru about 175 miles south of Woleai, 04°24'N, 143°15'E.

USAAF B-24s damage Japanese ship Hakka Maru, 02°43'S, 141°28'E, as she is en route from Hollandia to Aitape.

Mediterranean
German planes carry out torpedo attack on convoy UGS 30, freighter Richmond P. Hobson is damaged at 36°40'N, 01°10'E. There are no casualties among the crew (including the Armed Guard) and the ship reaches Port Said, Egypt, on 10 February. Freighter Edward Bates is torpedoed 65 miles from Oran, 36°34'N, 01°14'E, and is abandoned; one of the 46-man merchant complement iskilled, but there are no casualties among the 38-man Armed Guard or the seven passengers.

  2 February, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Roi and Namur Islands in the Marshalls are secured.

Destroyer Walker (DD-517) sinks Japanese submarine RO-39 10 miles east of Wotje, Marshalls, 09°24'N, 170°32'E.

Submarine Plunger (SS-179) attacks Japanese convoy south of Honshu, and sinks merchant cargo ships No.5 Toyo Maru and No.8 Toyo Maru off Kushimoto, 33°29'N, 135°59'E, and survives resultant depth-charging.

Japanese transport Katsura Maru sinks after running aground off Futsing, China, 25°37'N, 119°47'E.

  3 February, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Cruiser and destroyer gunfire supports landing of Army troops on Ebeye, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshalls.

Submarine Tambor (SS-198) attacks Japanese convoy in East China Sea, sinking fleet tanker Goyo Maru and merchant fleet tanker Ariake Maru about 200 miles southeast of Shanghai, 28°53'N, 124°19'E. Although damaged by depth charges from escort vessels, the submarine remains on patrol.

PBYs and USAAF B-25s (5th Air Force) attack Japanese convoy west of New Hanover and sink cargo ship Nichiai Maru, 03°27'S, 149°32'E.

Europe
USAAF planes (8th Air Force) bomb German naval base at Wilhelmshaven, sinking accommodation ship Monte Pasqual and damaging minesweepers M 18 and M 19.

  4 February, Fri. 1944

Pacific
TG 94.6 cruisers and destroyers (Rear Admiral Wilder D. Baker) bombard Japanese installations at Paramushiro, Kuril Islands, damaging cargo ship Kokai Maru.

Destroyers bombard Sarine Plantation, northwest coast of Bougainville, Solomon Islands; destroyer Claxton (DD- 571) is damaged by return fire from Japanese shore battery, 05°49'S, 154°39'E.

Destroyer Charrette (DD-581) and destroyer escort Fair (DE-35) sink Japanese submarine I-175, 100 miles north of Jaluit, Marshalls, 06°48'N, 168°08'E.

PV-1s sink Japanese water tanker Goryu Maru off Emidj Island, Jaluit, 06°00'N, 169°44'E.

USMC PB4Ys (VMD 154) reconnoiter Truk in the first general reconnaissance of that important Japanese fleet base by U.S. planes.

  5 February, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Flasher (SS-249) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Taishin Maru about 60 miles west of Mindoro, 13°09'N, 120°24'E.

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) delivers supplies and evacuates certain personnel from near Libertad, Panay, P.I.

British submarine HMS Stonehenge sinks Japanese ship No.2 Koryo Maru north of Sumatra.

USAAF B-24s and B-25s (14th Air Force) attack convoy in South China Sea, sinking gunboat Rozan Maru and merchant cargo ships Lushan Maru and Seikyo Maru off Swatow, China, 22°00'N, 116°00'E.

USAAF B-25s sink Fatsumi Maru off Wewak.

  6 February, Sun. 1944

Pacific
USAAF A-20s and P-40s sink Japanese ships Kaiyu Maru and Takegiku Maru and damage Torihime Maru off Wewak.

Atlantic
PB4Y-1 (VB 107) sinks German submarine U-177 west of Ascension Island, 10°35'S, 23°12'W.

  7 February, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Kwajalein Atoll is declared secured.

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) delivers supplies and evacuates certain people from near Balatong Point, Negros, P.I.

Escort carrier White Plains (CVE-66) and destroyer Caldwell (DD-605) are damaged in collision while transferring people at sea, Marshalls area.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Ludlow (DD-438) is damaged by dud shell from German shore battery off Anzio, Italy.

  8 February, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Snook (SS-279), in attack on Japanese convoy off the west coast of Kyushu, sinks transport Lima Maru about 30 miles southeast of the Goto Archipelago, 31°05'N, 127°37'E, damages army cargo ship Shiranesan Maru, and survives depth-charging by one or more of the convoy's escorts that include Patrol Boat No.38, auxiliary submarine chaser No.5 Kyoei Maru and torpedoboat Sagi.

Atlantic
Light cruiser Marblehead (CL-12) rescues the survivors of German submarine U-177, sunk by PB4Y (VB 107) on 6 February.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Ludlow (DD-438) is damaged by shore battery fire off Anzio, 41°28'N, 12°30'E.

  9 February, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Bonefish (SS-223) damages Japanese merchant tanker No.2 Tonan Maru off French Indochina, 11°30'N, 109°10'E.

  10 February, Thu. 1944

Pacific
TG 58.4 (Rear Admiral Samuel P. Ginder) planes bomb Japanese installations on Eniwetok Atoll, Marshalls; similar strikes are made on 11 and 12 February.

Tank landing ship LST-170 is damaged by horizontal bomber, off eastern New Guinea, 08°39'S, 148°27'E.

Submarine Hake (SS-256) attacks Japanese mine/netlayer Wakatake, escorting a convoy to Manokwari, 01°43'N, 129°30'E, but achieves no damage. Wakatake's depth charge counterattack is also unsuccessful.

Submarine Pogy (SS-266) sinks Japanese destroyer Minekaze and merchant cargo ship Malta Maru, 85 miles north-northeast of Formosa, 23°20'N, 121°30'E.

Submarine Spearfish (SS-190) damages Japanese transport Tatsuwa Maru southwest of Formosa, 21°53'N, 119°13'E.

PBY sinks Japanese fishing boat Inawa Maru off Wewak.

Japanese fishing vessel Kirishima Maru is damaged by mine off Moulmein.

Japanese cargo ship Waka Maru is sunk by "sea trouble" near Bokai Bay, western Korea, 35°40'N, 126°20'E.

  11 February, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Motor torpedo boat PT-279 is sunk in collision with PT-282, Solomons, 05°30'S, 154°15'E.

Submarine Gudgeon (SS-211) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Satsuma Maru (previously damaged by Chinese B-25s off Wenchow, China, at 28°01'N, 121°30'E), 27°38'N, 121°15'E.

U.S. aircraft damage Japanese guardboat Miyo Maru off Leyte, P.I.

  12 February, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Marines land on Arno Atoll, beginning a series of "mopping-up" operations in the minor atolls of the Marshalls.

Japanese flying boats bomb and destroy supply concentrations on Roi Island, Marshalls; tank landing craft LCT-346 and LCT-347 are damaged.

Submarine rescue vessel Macaw (ASR-17), stranded at entrance to Midway Channel since 16 January, slips off the reef and sinks.

Submarine Tambor (SS-198) sinks Japanese merchant tanker Ronsan Maru in East China Sea about 40 miles southwest of Amami O Shima, 27°45'N, 128°42'E.

British submarine HMS Stonehenge sinks Japanese netlayer Choko Maru off west coast of Malaya, 05°46'N, 99°52'E.

USAAF B-25 aircraft attack Japanese fishing boats operating in Tonkin Gulf, sinking No.12 Kainan Maru and damaging No.11 Kainan Maru, 20°44'N, 107°02'E.

  13 February, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Permit (SS-178) is damaged by depth charges off western Carolines, 07°42'N, 148°18'E, but remains on patrol.

Submarine Robalo (SS-273) conducts unsuccessful attack on Japanese army cargo ships Minryu Maru and Sekino Maru (see 14 February).

USAAF A-20s (5th Air Force) sink Japanese army cargo ship Yoshino Maru and motor sailboat Tok_n Maru (in tow of the cargo ship) off Aitape, 03°20'S, 143°00'E.

USAAF B-25s (14th Air Force) sink Japanese cargo ship Shoka Maru and damage Kokoku Maru off Hainan Island, 18°35'N, 108°30'E; USAAF and Chinese aircraft sink fishing vessel Meiji Maru off the China Coast, 26°40'N, 121°40'E.

Mediterranean
Tank landing craft LCT-220 founders in heavy weather and sinks off Anzio.

  14 February, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Command designated Central Pacific Forward Area (Rear Admiral John H. Hoover) is established; Rear Admiral Hoover flies his flag in seaplane tender Curtiss (AV-4).

Light cruiser St. Louis (CL-49), covering the unopposed landing at Pakonian Plantation, west side of Green Island, is damaged by bomb dropped by Japanese dive bomber, 06°15'S, 153°29'E.

Submarine Flasher (SS-249) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Minryo Maru (which had escaped Robalo's attack the day before) off Cape Santiago, Luzon, 13°43'N, 120°39'E, and tanker Hokuan Maru, 13°44'N, 120°29'E.

Submarine Snook (SS-279) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Nittoku Maru southwest of Tsushima, Japan, 33°48'N, 128°50'E.

British submarine HMS Tally Ho sinks Japanese submarine UIT 23 (ex-Italian Reginaldo Giuliani) off Penang, Malaya, 04°25'N, 100°09'E.

PBY damages Japanese cargo ship Mitsu Maru and forces her aground east of Sepik, New Guinea. Allied air attacks subsequently destroy Mitsu Maru.

USAAF B-25 aircraft sink Japanese ship Satsuma Maru off Wenchow, 28°00'N, 121°30'E.

Salvage of Eiko Maru (sunk on 30 January) by U.S. Navy divers yields a large number of Japanese charts of the Pacific area and other intelligence material.

  15 February, Tue. 1944

Pacific
TF 31 (Rear Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson) lands Third New Zealand Division (Major General H. E. Barraclough) on Green Island, east off New Ireland. TF 38 (Rear Admiral Walden C. Ainsworth) (two light cruisers and five destroyers) covers the operation from the south; TF 39 (Rear Admiral Aaron S. Merrill) (two light cruisers and five destroyers) from the north and east; Solomons-based aircraft also operate in support. During Japanese air attack on invasion shipping, tank landing ship LST-486 is damaged by near-miss of bomb off Green Island.

Naval aircraft from Abemama, Gilbert Islands, bomb Wake Island.

Submarine Aspro (SS-309) sinks Japanese submarine I-43, transporting sailors from the Sasebo Special Landing Force to Truk, 280 miles east-southeast of Guam, 10°23'N, 150°23'E.

Submarine Gato (SS-212) sinks Japanese guardboat No.3 Taiyo Maru off Rabaul, New Britain, 04°00'N, 150°10'E.

Submarine Snook (SS-283) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship No.2 Hoshi Maru off south coast of Korea, 34°23'N, 128°23'E.

Submarine Steelhead (SS-280) damages Japanese cargo ship Enju Maru 110 miles from Chichi Jima.

Submarine Tinosa (SS-283) attacks Japanese convoy east of Mindanao, P.I., sinking army cargo ship Odatsuki Maru east of Dinagat Island, 09°30'N, 127°00'E (see 16 February 1944).

British submarine HMS Tally Ho sinks German-manned Italian cargo submarine UIT-23, 04°53'N, 100°15'E.

USAAF B-25s and A-20s damage auxiliary netlayer Matsu Maru at Rabaul.

USAAF B-25s (14th Air Force) sink Vichy French patrol craft Ping Sang off Hongay, French Indochina, 21°00'N, 107°22'E.

Mine laid by 14th Air Force B-24s on 10 February sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Ryoka Maru off entrance to Yangtze River, 31°16'N, 121°46'E; a mine also sinks merchant cargo ship Hoshi Maru off south coast of Korea, 34°27'N, 128°45'E;

Mediterranean
Off Anzio, destroyer escort Herbert C. Jones (DE-137) is damaged by radio-controlled bomb, 41°27'N, 12°35'E, and large infantry landing craft LCI(L)-2 is damaged by mine, 41°24'N, 12°43'E. Bomb holes freighter Elihu Yale; the explosion start fires that spread to tank landing craft LCT-35 alongside, destroying that vessel as well. Firefighting efforts by fleet tug Hopi (ATF-71) ultimately prove successful but Elihu Yale is later written off as a total loss. Two of the 40-man Armed Guard perish in the attack, as do three of the 45-man merchant complement and seven of the 182 stevedores working cargo. Tank landing craft LCT-152 rescues survivors from Elihu Yale and LCT-35.

  16 February, Wed. 1944

Pacific
TG 58.4 (Rear Admiral Samuel P. Ginder) planes bomb Eniwetok.

Destroyer Phelps (DD-360) and minesweeper Sage (AM-111) sink Japanese submarine RO-40, 45 miles northwest of Kwajalein, Marshalls, 09°50'N, 166°35'E.

Submarine Skate (SS-305) sinks Japanese light cruiser Agano 170 miles north of Dublon Island, Truk, 10°10'N, 151°40'E.

Submarine Tinosa (SS-283) continues pursuit of convoy engaged the previous day, and sinks Japanese army cargo ship Chojo Maru off Sarangani Island, 09°15'N, 127°05'E.

USAAF B-25s (38th and 345th Bomb Groups) carry out succession of attacks on Japanese convoy off New Hanover and Kavieng, sinking submarine chaser Ch 39, auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 16, and transport Sanko Maru, 02°24'S, 150°06'E.

Japanese transport Sanko Maru is sunk by aircraft off New Hanover Island, 02°24'S, 150°06'E.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Hilary P. Jones (DD-427) is damaged by near- miss of bomb off Anzio.

  17 February, Thu. 1944

Pacific
TF 58 (Vice Admiral Raymond A. Spruance), which includes nine carriers and six battleships, strikes Japanese installations and shipping at Truk, in Operation HAILSTONE inflicting massive damage; enemy air attacks in response succeed in only damaging carrier Intrepid (CV-11) with an aerial torpedo, 07°23'N, 153°32'E.

SB2Cs and TBFs from carrier Bunker Hill (CV-17) and TBFs from small carrier Cowpens (CVL-25) sink Japanese light cruiser Naka 35 miles west of Truk, 07°15'N, 151°15'E, while battleships New Jersey (BB-62) and Iowa (BB-61), heavy cruisers Minneapolis (CA-36) and New Orleans (CA-32) and destroyers Radford (DD-446) and Burns (DD-588) sink training cruiser Katori northwest of Truk, 07°45'N, 151°20'E, after she had been damaged by planes from carriers Yorktown (CV-10), Intrepid (CV- 11) and Bunker Hill (CV-17) and small carrier Cowpens. TG 50.3 gunfire sinks destroyer Maikaze 40 miles northwest of Truk, 07°45'N, 151°20'E. Destroyer Burns (DD-588), detached from TG 50.9, sinks Japanese submarine chaser Ch 24 west of Truk, 07°24'N, 150°30'E.

TF 58 planes sink Japanese destroyer Oite (carrying survivors of light cruiser Agano sunk the day before), 07°40'N, 151°45'E; destroyer Tachikaze, 07°40'N, 151°55'E; armed merchant cruiser Akagi Maru, 07°54'N, 151°25'E; auxiliary submarine depot ship Heian Maru; aircraft transport Fujikawa Maru; transports Rio de Janeiro Maru, Kiyozumi Maru, Aikoku Maru, Gosei Maru, Hanakawa Maru, Hokuyo Maru, Amagisan Maru, and Kensho Maru; Matsutani Maru, 07°23'N, 151°05'E; Momokawa Maru, 07°20'N, 151°53'E; Reiyo Maru, 07°25'N, 151°45'E; San Francisco Maru, 07°22'N, 151°54'E; Seiko Maru, 07°22'N, 151°45'E; Taiho Maru, 07°22'N, 151°34'E; Zukai Maru,07°46'N, 150°27'E; No.6 Unkai Maru; Yamagiri Maru, 07°23'N, 151°51'E; fleet tankers Fujisan Maru, Hoyo Maru (damaged on 4 November 1943 by submarine Scorpion), Shinkoku Maru, and No.3 Tonan Maru; water carrier Nippo Maru, 07°20'N, 151°40'E; auxiliary vessel Yamakisan Maru, 07°25'N, 151°45'E; army cargo ships Nagano Maru and Yubai Maru; merchant cargo ship Taikichi Maru; and motor torpedo boat Gyoraitei No.10, 07°31'N, 151°59'E.

TF 58 aircraft damage Japanese destroyers Shigure and Matsukaze, submarines I 10 and RO 37, target ship Hakachi, repair ship Akashi, ammunition ship Soya, seaplane tender Akitsushima, and auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 20.

Destroyer Nicholas (DD-449) sinks Japanese submarine I-11 northwest of the Marshalls, 10°34'N, 173°31'E.

Submarine Cero (SS-225) sinks Japanese transport Jozan Maru between Truk and New Ireland, 00°53'N, 146°26'E.

Submarine Sargo (SS-188), in attack on Japanese convoy about 150 miles northeast of Palau, sinks ammunition ship Nichiro Maru and damages oiler Sata, 08°50'N, 135°40'E.

Submarine Tang (SS-306) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking army cargo ship Gyoten Maru and merchant tanker Kuniei Maru about 130 miles west-northwest of Truk, 08°00'N, 149°17'E, and survives depth-charging by escorts (escort vessel Amakusa, submarine chaser Ch 31, auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 24 and auxiliary minesweeper Hagoromo Maru are screening the merchantmen).

Navy SBDs and TBFs bomb Japanese shipping in Keravia Bay, near Rabaul, sinking minesweeper W.26 (which had been damaged previously, 2 November 1943, and had been beached at that time to prevent her loss), guardboat No.2 Fuku Maru, and army cargo ship Iwate Maru.

USAAF B-25s attack Japanese ships going to the aid of convoy attacked north of New Hanover the day before (see 16 February), damaging Kashi Maru and forcing her to be run aground to prevent sinking.

USAAF P-40s attack Japanese shipping at Jaluit atoll, damaging cargo ship Chosen Maru.

Japanese merchant tanker Zuih_ Maru is damaged by mine downstream from Woosung, China.

  18 February, Fri. 1944

Pacific
After preliminary landings had been made the previous day, TG 51.11 (Rear Admiral Harry W. Hill) lands Marines and Army troops on Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll, in Operation CATCHPOLE.

TF 58 (Vice Admiral Raymond A. Spruance) repeats strike on Japanese installations and vessels at Truk; TF 58 planes sink destroyer Fumizuki, 07°24'N, 151°44'E; submarine chaser Ch 29, 07°25'N, 151°45'E; and motor torpedo boat Gyoraitei No.10, 07°31'N, 151°59'E.

Destroyer Squadron 23 (TG 39.4) (Captain Arleigh A. Burke) bombards Japanese positions at Kavieng; destroyer Squadron 12 (Captain Rodger W. Simpson) shells Rabaul, Japanese installations on the Crater Peninsula, and bivuoac and supply areas at Vunapope and Cape Gazelle.

British submarine HMS Trespasser sinks Japanese gunboat Eifuku Maru off Burma, 07°55'N, 93°03'E.

USAAf B-25s (14th Air Force) sink Japanese transport Shinsoku Maru south of Takhow Island, Wenchow, China, 28°23'N, 121°51'E.

U.S. aircraft sink Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 17 off Kavieng, 02°30'S, 150°30'E.

Japanese cargo ship Gokenzan Maru is stranded and sunk off northwestern Hokkaido, 44°01'N, 141°38'E.

Mediterranean
Heavy German air attacks, as well as artillery fire, continue on beachhead at Anzio on an almost daily basis; harbor tug YT-198 is sunk by mine off Anzio, 41°27'N, 12°38'E. Elsewhere in the Mediterranean theater, tank landing craft LCT-205 capsizes in Gulf of Tunis, while being towed; tank landing craft LCT-340 is stranded by heavy weather at Pantelleria, Italy. Heavy weather also damages large infantry landing craft LCI(L)-211, resulting in her being towed to Palermo, Italy; and minesweeper Pilot (AM-104) is accidentally rammed by U.S. merchant ship Samuel Ashe and damaged off Naples, Italy, 40°48.7'N, 14°16.5'E.

  19 February, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Marines and Army troops (Brigadier General Thomas E. Watson, USMC) supported by naval bombardment land on Eniwetok Island. The operation is under the command of Rear Admiral Harry W. Hill.

USAAF, USN and USMC land-based aircraft bomb airfield and other Japanese installations at Rabaul. The area has been repeatedly pounded, and after this date theJapanese abandon air defense of Rabaul.

Submarine Cero (SS-225) attacks Japanese cargo ship No.18 Shinsei Maru while en route to Palau, 03°34'N, 136°36'E, but does not score any damage on her quarry.

Submarine Grayback (SS-208) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Taikei Maru southwest of Takao, Formosa, 21°48'N, 119°50'E; subsequently, Grayback sinks army cargo ship Toshin Maru, 21°46'N, 120°06'E, which had arrived on the scene and rescued Taikei Maru's survivors.

Submarine Jack (SS-259) attacks Japanese convoy of six tankers shepherded by escort vessel Shimushu in South China Sea about 300 miles west of Luzon, sinking merchant tankers Kokuei Maru and Nanei Maru, 14°34'N, 114°11'E; Nichirin Maru, 15°40'N, 115°48'E; and Ichiyo Maru 15°46'N, 115°57'E.

USAAF B-25s (5th Air Force) sink auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 34 west of Kavieng, 02°45'S, 150°47'E; B- 25s, A-20s, and P-38s (5th Air Force) wipe out Japanese convoy O-902 off Kavieng, sinking submarine chasers Ch 22 and Ch 40, 03°04'S, 150°42'E, and cargo vessels No.1 Shinto Maru and Shinkiku Maru, 02°46'N, 150°42'E.

USAAF B-24s and B-25s sink Japanese cargo vessel Ebon Maru at Kusaie.

USAAF B-24s (14th Air Force) sink Japanese cargo ship Tairyu Maru and damage auxiliary submarine chaser Chikuzen Maru in Formosa Strait, 25°25'N, 121°30'E.

Japanese cargo ship Kogen Maru is sunk in collision in Kii Channel, 35°00'N, 135°00'E.

Mediterranean
Motor torpedo boats engage German convoy southeast of Elba.

Light cruiser Philadelphia (CL-41) arrives off Anzio to provide gunfire support; she is thrice under shore battery fire but suffers no damage in the encounters.

Destroyer Madison (DD-425) conducts unsuccessful hunt for enemy submarine believed off Anzio.

  20 February, Sun. 1944

Pacific
TG 58.1 (Rear Admiral John W. Reeves Jr.) planes bomb Japanese installations on Jaluit Atoll, Marshalls.

Submarine Pogy (SS-266) sinks Japanese cable layer Nanyo Maru about 100 miles east of Formosa, 24°12'N, 123°20'E, and merchant cargo ship Taijin Maru northeast of Formosa, 24°14'N, 123°17'E.

USAAF B-24 damages Japanese cargo vessel Tasmania Maru northwest of Wewak.

Mediterranean
Tank landing ship LST-348 is sunk by German submarine U-410, 40 miles south of Naples, Italy, 40°57'N, 13°14'E.

LCT-340 founders and sinks in heavy weather off coast of Algeria, 36°49'N, 01°55'E.

  21 February, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Navy SBDs and TBFs bomb antiaircraft positions at Lakunai aerodrome and shore installations at Rabaul, sinking guardboat No.2 Yawata Maru.

USAAF B-25s (5th Air Force) strike Japanese five-ship convoy (evacuating 751st Air Group maintenance people to Japan, via Palau) off New Hanover, sinking auxiliary submarine chasers Cha 38 and Cha 48, 02°30'S, 149°55'E, transport Kokai Maru and gunboat Kowa Maru, 02°30'S, 150°15'E, and damaging tug Nagaura, which, after effecting repairs, rescues some of the survivors of the two Marus and continues on her voyage north (see 22 February).

Submarine Cero (SS-225) damages Japanese army cargo ship Hasshu Maru north of New Guinea, 00°10'S, 139°45'E.

British submarine HMS Tally Ho sinks Japanese army cargo ship No.6 Taigen Maru in Strait of Malacca, 04°00'N, 101°00'E.

  22 February, Tue. 1944

Pacific
TF 58 (Rear Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) planes bomb Saipan, Tinian, Rota, and Guam, in first strike against the Marianas. TF 58 planes sink Japanese transport Shoan Maru off Saipan, 15°15'N, 145°42'E; planes from TG 58.2 and TG 58.3 sink transport Seizan Maru off Saipan, 15°00'N, 145°30'E.

Marines land on Parry Island, Eniwetok Atoll, under cover of naval bombardment and carrier-aircraft bombing; this operation completes U.S. control of Eniwetok Atoll. Infantry landing craft LCI-365, LCI-440, and LCI-442 are damaged by friendly fire.

TG 39.4 (Captain Arleigh A. Burke) bombards Japanese airstrips, pier area, and anchorages at Kavieng; destroyers Charles Ausburne (DD-570), Dyson (DD-572), and Stanly (DD-478) sink Japanese minelayer Natsushima off New Ireland, 02°40'S, 149°40'E; the same three destroyers, joined by Conway (DD-507) and Spence (DD-512), sink tug Nagaura about 160 miles northwest of Kavieng, 00°54'S, 148°38'E. Other Japanese ships sunk during this action include auxiliary submarine chaser No.8 Tama Maru and small cargo vessels Choryu Maru and No.9 Tokuyama Maru. Destroyer Division 45 sinks Japanese auxiliary netlayer Kyosei Maru in Isabel Channel, New Hanover.

Submarine Gato (SS-212) sinks Japanese repair ship Yamashiro Maru off Truk, 07°13'N, 151°38'E.

Submarine Puffer (SS-268), despite presence of escort vessel, sinks Japanese army transport Teiko Maru (ex- French passenger liner D'Artagnan) about 120 miles northwest of Kuching, Borneo, 03°10'N, 109°15'E.

Submarine Ray (SS-271) lays mines off Saigon, French Indochina.

Submarine Tang (SS-306), in attack on Japanese convoy, sinks gunboat Fukuyama Maru about 60 miles southwest of Saipan, 15°14'N, 144°55'E.

Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 29 is sunk by mine (possibly laid by submarine Silversides (SS-236) on 4 June 1943) near Kavieng.

Navy SBD and TBF aircraft pound Japanese shipping in Keravia Bay, Rabaul, sinking guardboats No.2 Fuku Maru and No.2 Tenjin Maru, army cargo ship Taisho Maru, merchant tanker Takatori Maru, and damaging minelayer Nasami.

Vichy French river gunboat Francis Garnier is sunk by mine sown by USAAF planes (14th Air Force) in South China Sea off Cape St. Jacques, French Indochina, 10°30'N, 108°00'E.

Atlantic
Motor torpedo boat PT-200 is sunk in collision with unknown object off Long Island, N.Y., 41°23'N, 71°01'W.

Mediterranean
Five German E-boats approach Anzio beachhead during the night, but all are driven off without inflicting any damage. Submarine chaser PC-621 claims destruction of one E-boat and drives another ashore.

German submarine U-969 attacks convoy GUS 31 off the coast of Algeria, irreparably damaging U.S. freighters Peter Skene Ogden and George Cleeve, 37°18'N, 06°59'E; other than one fatality on board the former, there are no casualties to the American ships. Both ships are towed and beached to facilitate salvage: Peter Skene Ogden at Herbillon and George Cleeve to Bone, Tunisia. Both are later written off as total losses.

  23 February, Wed. 1944

Pacific
During strikes on Japanese shipping in Tanapag harbor, Saipan, F6Fs, TBFs and SBDs from carriers Essex (CV-9) and Yorktown (CV-10) (in TG 58.2) damage cargo ship Shoan Maru, 15°15'N, 145°45'E; planes from carrier Bunker Hill (CV-17) (in TG 58.3) sink cargo vessel Seizan Maru off Tinian, 15°00'N, 145°30'E.

Submarine Balao (SS-285), in attack on Japanese convoy about 35 miles north of Biak, New Guinea, sinks army cargo ship Nikki Maru, 00°11'S, 135°00'E.

Submarine Cod (SS-224) sinks Japanese fleet tanker No.3 Ogura Maru off Halmahera, 04°23'N, 129°05'E.

Submarine Plunger (SS-179), in attack on Japanese convoy, sinks transport Kimishima Maru about 200 miles northwest of Chichi Jima, 30°11'N, 140°49'E.

Submarine Pogy (SS-266) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking merchant cargo ship Horei Maru, 26°20'N, 126°11'E, and damaging merchant tanker Teikon Maru, 26°22'N, 126°16'E, about 60 miles west of Okinawa.

Submarine Snook (SS-279) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking transport Kayo Maru about 120 miles north- northwest of Chichi Jima, 28°49'N, 141°13'E.

Submarine Sunfish (SS-281) and planes from carrier Yorktown (CV-10) sink Japanese collier Shinyubari Maru about 40 miles west of Saipan, 15°23'N, 145°03'E.

Submarine Tang (SS-306) sinks Japanese repair ship Yamashimo Maru west of Saipan, 14°45'N, 144°32'E. The cataclysmic explosion of the enemy auxiliary damages Tang, but not badly enough to prevent the boat from remaining on patrol.

Japanese gunboat Eiko Maru is sunk by aircraft north of Saipan, 15°12'N, 144°52'E, as she proceeds to the position of the loss of Fukuyama Maru that had been sunk by Tang (SS-306) on 22 February.

Japanese cargo ship Gyoko Maru is destroyed by accidental explosion in Naha harbor, Okinawa, 26°13'N, 127°40'E.

Indian Ocean
U.S. tanker E.G. Seubert, in convoy PA 69, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-510 about 200 miles fromAden, 13°45'N, 48°56'E; three of the 27-man Armed Guard (including its commander) perish, as do three of the ship's merchant complement. Australian minesweeper HMAS Tamworth and Indian Navy corvette RINS Orissa rescue survivors.

  24 February, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Destroyers Buchanan (DD-484) and Farenholt (DD-491) are damaged by shore battery, north of New Ireland, 02°20'S, 151°02'E.

Submarine Grayback (SS-208) sinks Japanese oiler Nanho Maru about 20 miles east of Formosa, 24°20'N, 122°25'E, and damages transport Asama Maru, 24°15'N, 122°19'E. Escort vessel Shimushu's counterattack is ineffective.

Submarine Pogy (SS-266) bombards phosphate plant on Rasa Island.

Submarine Sand Lance (SS-381) is damaged by ice and heavy seas, Kurils.

Submarine Tang (SS-306), in attack on Japanese convoy west of Saipan, sinks merchant cargo ship Echizen Maru, 15°45'N, 143°29'E.

USAAF B-25s, P-40s, and P-38s hit targets of opportunity along the Yangtze, damaging Japanese guardboat Yoko Maru.

U.S. aircraft sink Japanese transport No.2 Shunzan Maru off Kusaie, Carolines, 05°20'N, 162°58'E.

British submarine HMS Tally Ho damages Japanese torpedo boat Kari in Strait of Malacca.

Atlantic
PBY-5As (VP-63), employing Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD) gear, and a PV-1 (VB-127), together with RAF Catalina (No. 202 Squadron) bomb German submarine U-761 as she attempts to transit the Straits of Gibraltar, 35°55'N, 05°45'W. British destroyers HMS Anthony and HMS Wishart rescue the 51 survivors who abandon their badly damaged U-boat after scuttling her to avoid capture. U-761 is the first U-boat destroyed through the employment of MAD equipment.

Open lighter YC-523 sinks after grounding off Portsmouth, N.H.

  25 February, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer Division 90 (Commander Edmund B. Taylor) bombards Rabaul.

Destroyer Squadron 12 (Captain Rodger W. Simpson), en route to bombard Kavieng and its airstrips, shipping, and fortifications, encounters Japanese army cargo ship Tatsugiko Maru. In the ensuing action, destroyers Farenholt (DD-491), Buchanan (DD-484), Lansdowne (DD- 486), Woodworth (DD-460), and Lardner (DD-487) sink the enemy freighter at 02°46'N, 150°42'E. Japanese shore batteries subsequently give DESRON 12 a warm reception, damaging Buchanan and Farenholt, 02°20'S, 151°02'E.

Submarine Hoe (SS-258) attacks Japanese convoy at the mouth of Davao Gulf, 75 miles south of Davao, P.I., sinking fleet tanker Nissho Maru, 05°50'N, 126°00'E and damaging fleet tanker Kyokuto Maru, 05°38'N, 126°00'E, south of Davao Gulf.

Submarine Rasher (SS-269) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Ryusei Maru, 07°55'S, 115°15'E and merchant cargo ship Tango Maru, 07°41'S, 115°10'E off north coast of Bali.

Submarine Tang (SS-306) continues pursuit of Japanese convoy engaged the previous day, and sinks fleet tanker Choko Maru west of Saipan, 15°46'N, 144°10'E.

Mediterranean
Tank landing craft LCT-26 founders and sinks in heavy weather off Anzio, Italy, 41°04'N, 13°30'E.

  26 February, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Gato (SS-212) attacks Japanese convoy Wewak No.20 as it proceeds along the Palau-Hollandia track, and sinks passenger-cargo ship No.3 Daigen Maru about 140 miles northwest of Hollandia, 01°51'N, 139°00'E. Narita Maru rescues over 700 of the 1,200 troops being transported in No.3 Daigen Maru.

Submarine Grayback (SS-208) is damaged by land-based Japanese naval aircraft, East China Sea, 25°47'N, 128°45'E.8

Motor torpedo boat PT-251 runs aground during action with Japanese barges in southern Empress Augusta Bay;and is then sunk by shore battery, Solomons, 06°30'S, 155°10'E.

USAAF B-25s (14th Air Force) attack shipping in port of Tourane, French Indochina, sinking Vichy French surveying vessel Astrolabe and dredging ship Gilmot, 16°04'N, 108°13'E. Vichy officials consider Astrolabe a total loss, given the absolute impossibility of raising her with the means available in French Indochina.

Mediterranean
Tank landing ship LST-349 sinks after running aground off south coast of Italy, 40°55'N, 12°58'E; LCT-36 sinks after grounding off Naples.

  27 February, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Cod (SS-224) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Taisoku Maru west of Halmahera, 02°00'S, 127°40'E.

Submarine Trout (SS-202) sinks Japanese cargo ship Aki Maru east of Formosa, 22°40'N, 131°50'E. Submarine Grayback (SS-208) sinks Japanese cargo ship Ceylon Maru in the East China Sea, 31°50'N, 127°45'E.

Covered by large infantry landing craft LCI(L)-24, Army units carry out unopposed occupation of the Magine Islands.

Mediterranean
Light cruiser Philadelphia (CL-41) carries out seven gunfire support missions off Anzio.

  28 February, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer Abner Read (DD-526) is damaged by grounding off eastern New Guinea, 08°44'S, 148°27'E.

Submarine Sand Lance (SS-381) sinks Japanese transport Kaiko Maru just east of Musashi Wan, off Paramushiro, Kurils, 50°20'N, 155°26'E, but is later damaged when she runs aground off Paramushiro.

Submarine Balao (SS-285), in attack on Japanese convoy, sinks army cargo ship Akiura Maru and transport Sh_h_ Maru about 90 miles northwest of Manokwari, New Guinea, 00°06'N, 132°53'E.

  29 February, Tue. 1944

Pacific
TG 76.1 (Rear Admiral William M. Fechteler), comprising nine destroyers and three high speed transports, lands Army troops (First Cavalry Division) on Los Negros Island, Admiralty Islands, in Operation BREWER, continuing the strategic encirclement of Rabaul. The two light cruisers and four destroyers of TF 74 providecover and bombard Japanese positions on Los Negros and Manus.

Destroyer Division 44 (Commander James R. Pahl) bombards wharf areas and installations at Rabaul.

PB4Y-1s (VB 108, VB 109, VD 3), flying from Apamama and staging through Kwajalein and Roi, carry out low-level bombing raid on Japanese installations on Wake Island.

Submarine Rock (SS-274), while making a night surface attack on a convoy of three Japanese freighters, is damaged by surface gunfire off Nansei Shoto Islands, 25°33'N, 130°42'E, and is forced to terminate her patrol.

Submarine Sargo (SS-188) attacks Japanese convoy and damages army cargo ship Uchide Maru about 120 miles west of Palau, 08°57'N, 132°52'E (see 1 and 2 March 1944).

Submarine Trout (SS-202) attacks Guam-bound Japanese convoy about 625 miles east of Formosa. She sinks army transport Sakito Maru southeast of Okinawa, 22°40'N, 131°50'E, and damages transport Aki Maru, but Trout is later sunk, most probably by Japanese destroyer Asashimo, 22°40'N, 131°45'E.9

USAAF B-25s sink Japanese merchant tow boat Choka Maru on the Yangtze near Chiuhsienchen.

USAAF B-24s damage Japanese cargo ship Narita Maru 45 miles east of Hollandia.

Mediterranean
Tank landing ship LST-197 is damaged by shore battery off Anzio.

March

  1 March, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Naval Base, Milne Bay, New Guinea, and Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, Tanaga, Alaska, are established.

Japanese army cargo ship Uchide Maru, damaged by submarine Sargo (SS-188) the previous day, is abandoned. Her crew transfers to torpedo boat Sagi and Patrol Boat No.31 (see 2 March).

Atlantic
Destroyer escort Bronstein (DE-189) sinks German submarine U-603 in the North Atlantic, 48°55'N, 26°10'W, and teams with destroyer escorts Thomas (DE-102) and Bostwick (DE-103) to sink U-709 at 49°10'N, 26°00'W.

  2 March, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) delivers ammunition and supplies, and evacuates people from Butuan Bay, Nasipit, Mindanao.

After submarine Burrfish (SS-312) attacks Japanese army cargo ship Shinkyo Maru without success, submarine Picuda (SS-382) sinks Shinkyo Maru about 200 miles southwest of Truk, 06°22'N, 148°27'E; escort vessel Amakusa's counterattack upon Picuda is unsuccessful.

Japanese army cargo ship Uchide Maru sinks as the result of damage inflicted by submarine Sargo (SS-188) on 29 February.

Navy SBDs and TBFs damage small Japanese cargo vessel Ransei Maru south of Keravia, Rabaul.

  3 March, Fri. 1944

President Roosevelt announces that the Italian Fleet will be distributed among the United States, Great Britain, and Soviet Union.

Pacific
TF 94 (Rear Admiral Wilder D. Baker), comprising light cruiser Richmond (CL-9) and eight destroyers, begins two-day sweep of the Kurils. Adverse weather, however, not only results in the cancellation of the scheduled bombardments of Japanese positions in the Musashi Wan area but causes damage to the ships. The poor weather plays no favorites: Japanese minelayer Shirakami is sunk in collision with army transport Nichiran Maru in a gale south of Urup Island, 45°30'N, 150°00'E; Japanese supply ship No.2 Ten-Yo Maru is sunk by storm south of Paramushiro, 50°17'N, 155°55'E.

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) damages Japanese river gunboat Karatsu (ex-Luzon (PR-7)) in Sulu Sea, 08°55'N, 123°20'E; ironically, Karatsu had been engaged in hunting down an enemy submarine at the time.

Submarine Rasher (SS-269) attacks Japanese convoy in Celebes Sea, sinking army transport Nittai Maru about 290 miles northwest of Waisile, Halmahera, 03°18'N, 123°56'E. Ironically, one of the escorts for the convoy is Patrol Boat No.103 (ex-minesweeper WHICH).

Submarine Sand Lance (SS-381) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks transport Akashisan Maru west of Uruppu, Japan, 46°00'N, 149°10'E; later that same day, however, the submarine accidentally sinks Soviet cargo ship Belorussia at 46°28'N, 149°18'E, mistaking the ship for an earlier victim Akashisan Maru.

British submarine HMS Sea Rover sinks Japanese army cargo vessel No.1 Matsu Maru in Strait of Malacca, 04°56'N, 100°17'E.

  4 March, Sat. 1944

Pacific
USAAF and USN land-based planes bomb Japanese installations on Choiseul Island, Solomons.

TF 74 (Rear Admiral Victor A. C. Crutchley, RN), composed of Australian heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire, U.S. light cruisers Phoenix (CL-46) and Nashville (CL-43) and four U.S. destroyers, bombards Japanese shore batteries and positions on Hauwei and Norilo Islands in the Admiralty Islands (see 6 and 7 March).

Light cruiser Richmond (CL-9) and destroyers Luce (DD- 522), Kimberly (DD-521), Isherwood (DD-520), Sproston (DD-577), Wickes (DD-578), Picking (DD-685), William D. Porter (DD-579), and Young (DD-580) are all damaged by heavy weather during sweep of the Kurils (see 3 March).

Submarine Bluefish (SS-222) attacks Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, sinks oiler Ominesan Maru about 300 miles west of Miri, Sarawak, 05°29'N, 108°46'E, and survives ensuing depth-charging by escorts.

Submarine Peto (SS-265) attacks Japanese convoy, and sinks army cargo ship Kay_ Maru 75 miles west-northwest of Hollandia, 01°28'S, 138°40'E. Escorts (one of which is submarine chaser Ch 34) depth-charge Peto but do not inflict damage.

Japanese submarine I-10 is damaged by depth charges (attacker unknown), 06°10'N, 177°50'E.

Japanese army transport Ryoyo Maru is damaged when struck by a huge wave and driven aground off Matsuwa Jima, Kurils, 48°04'N, 153°16'E (see 22 May).

  5 March, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) delivers cargo and evacuates people from Tawi Tawi, P.I.

Submarine Rasher (SS-269), still pursuing same Japanese convoy attacked on 3 March, damages cargo ship Ryuwa Maru.

  6 March, Mon. 1944

Pacific
TF 74 (Rear Admiral Victor A. C. Crutchley, RN), repeats shelling of Japanese shore batteries and positions on Hauwei and Norilo Islands. Despite the bombardment, the enemy guns at the mouth of Seeadler Bay damage destroyer Nicholson (DD-442), operating in TG 76.1, 02°00'S, 147°00'E (see 7 March).

Submarine Nautilus (SS-168), in attack on Japanese convoy about 420 miles north-northwest of Saipan, sinks transport (ex-hospital ship) America Maru, 22°19'N, 143°54'E, and survives counterattack by torpedo boat Otori.

Mediterranean
Convoy UGS 33, bound from New York to Alexandria, Egypt, strays into Allied minefield off Tunis. U.S. freighter Daniel Chester French is sunk by mines at 37°18'N, 10°22'; four Armed Guard sailors (of the 28- man detachment), nine of the merchant crew (of 44 men) and 24 of the 86 Army passengers perish with the ship. British rescue tug Charon, steamer Thelma, and tug Rescue pick up the surviving crew and passengers. Freighter Virginia Dare is irreparably damaged at approximately 37°18'N, 10°22'E. There are no casualties (including among the 28-man Armed Guard) (see 8 March).

  7 March, Tue. 1944

Pacific
As the result of the Japanese shore battery damaging destroyer Nicholson (DD-442) the day before, TF 74 (Rear Admiral Victor A. C. Crutchley, RN), repeats shelling of Japanese shore batteries and positions on Hauwei and Norilo Islands.

Japanese shore battery sinks motor torpedo boat PT-337, Hansa Bay, New Guinea, 04°09'S, 144°50'E; PBY (VP 34) rescues survivors on 11 March.

USAAF B-24s (10th Air Force) mine waters off Koh Chang, Thailand, harbor; mines sink merchant cargo ship Juy_ Maru, 13°10'N, 100°50'E.

  8 March, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Japanese planes bomb Eniwetok, Engebi Island, destroying ammunition, petroleum products and distillation units but leaving airstrip undamaged.

Submarine Lapon (SS-260), in attack on Japanese convoy southeast of Hong Kong, damages merchant cargo ship Toyokuni Maru in South China Sea, 19°21'N, 116°09'E; merchant cargo ship Nicherei Maru takes the damaged freighter in tow (see 9 March).

British submarine HMS Sea Rover, in attack on Japanese convoy, sinks transport Sh_bu Maru in Strait of Malacca, 03°38'N, 99°12'E.

PBY sinks Japanese fishing boat No.5 Ebisu Maru off Tadji, 03°10'S, 142°13'E.

USAAF P-38s sink Japanese fishing boat No.38 Taigyo Maru off Aitape.

U.S. aircraft sink Japanese guardboat No.2 Nanshu Maru off Duke of York Isle, St. George Channel, 04°12'S, 152°30'E.

Mediterranean
U.S. freighter Virginia Dare, irreparably damaged by Allied mine on 6 March off Tunis, breaks up after encountering heavy weather; she is subsequently written off as a total loss.

  9 March, Thu. 1944

Pacific
In the South China Sea, submarine Lapon (SS-260), continuing her pursuit of Japanese convoy engaged the previous day, sinks merchant cargo ships Toyokuni Maru, 19°21'N, 116°09'E, and Nicherei Maru (the ship that was towing her) 19°21'N, 116°09'E (see 8 March). Gunboat Peking Maru carries out ineffective counterattack against Lapon.

PBYs bomb Japanese shipping off Hollandia, sinking the previously damaged Hasshu Maru and small cargo ships Yashima Maru and No.12 Genei Maru, and damaging Tenryu Maru.

USAAF B-25s bomb Japanese installations and dock area, Simpson Harbor, Rabaul, sinking small cargo vessels Mankei Maru and Kinka Maru.

USAAF B-24 sinks small Japanese cargo vessel No.1 Kissho Maru off Greenwich Island.

Atlantic
Naval Air Facility (Lighter than Air), Santa Cruz, Brazil, is established.

Destroyer escort Leopold (DE-319) is torpedoed by German submarine U-255, 650 miles west of Scotland.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Edison (DD-439) sinks German submarine U-450 off Anzio, 41°11'N, 12°27'E..

U.S. freighter Clark Mills is damaged by mine off North African coast, 37°18'N, 10°13'E; beached off Bizerte,the ship is later written off as a total loss. There are no casualties to either the merchant crew, passengers, or the 42-man Armed Guard.

  10 March, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Bowfin (SS-287) in attack on Japanese convoy in Tabalai Strait, damages army cargo ship Tsukikawa Maru at 01°28'S, 128°12'E. Escorts carry out ineffective counterattack.

Submarine chaser SC-700 is destroyed and fuel oil barge YO-44 is damaged by fire, Vella Lavella, Solomon Islands.

PBY bombs and sinks Japanese army cargo ship Hasshu Maru (see 21 February) off Hollandia, New Guinea.

Atlantic
Destroyer escort Leopold (DE-319) irreparably damaged by German submarine U-255, 650 miles west of Scotland, on 9 March, is scuttled by destroyer escort Joyce (DE-317).

Mediterranean
U.S. freighter William B. Woods is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-952 approximately 47 miles off Palermo, Sicily, 38°43'N, 13°50'E; one of the 28-man Armed Guard and 51 of the 407 Army troops being transported in the ship perish. There are no casualties among the 43-man merchant complement. Escorting Italian destroyer escort Aretusa provides no help.

  11 March, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Japanese submarine RO-110 is sunk by Indian Navy sloop HMIS Jumna and Australian minesweepers HMAS Ipswich and HMAS Launceston 17 miles south of Vizagapatam, 17°25'N, 83°21'E.

Submarine Bowfin (SS-287) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Tsukikawa Maru, west of Halmahera Island, 01°25'S, 128°14'E. Japanese minelayer Wakatake and army aircraft carry out ineffective counterattack on Bowfin, which attacks, unsuccessfully, Asaka Maru, which is rescuing Tsukikawa Maru's survivors.

Japanese cargo ship Daitoku Maru is sunk in collision with cargo ship No.6 Daiboshi Maru in the Sea of Japan, 40°10'N, 137°41'E.

Mediterranean
Commander Cruiser Division 8 breaks flag in French light cruiser Emile Bertin and takes operational command of Emile Bertin, Gloire, Georges Leygues, and Duguay-Trouin for training purposes (see 24 March1944).

USAAF aircraft sink German submarines U-380 and U-410, Toulon, France.

  12 March, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Flying Fish (SS-229) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Taijin Maru about 10 miles northwest of Daito Jima, approximately 175 miles southeast of the Ryukyus, 25°53'N, 131°19'E.

Submarine Gato (SS-212) sinks Japanese army cargo ship No.3 Okinoyama Maru north of New Guinea, 01°15'S, 133°20'E.

PBYs attack Japanese convoy en route to Hollandia, sinking motor sailboat Hosho Maru.

Mediterranean
Submarine chaser PC-624 is damaged when she runs aground three miles east of Palermo, Sicily.

Light cruisers Philadelphia (CL-41) and Brooklyn (CL-40) provide gunfire support off Anzio; they repeat the missions on the 13th. On both occasions they encounter shore battery fire without damage.

  13 March, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Sand Lance (SS-381) attacks Japanese convoy off Honshu, sinking light cruiser Tatsuta and cargo ship Kokuyo Maru 150 miles south-southwest of Yokosuka, 32°48'N, 139°08'E. Following those attacks, Japanese escort vessels drop 105 depth charges and keep Sand Lance at deep submergence for 18.5 hours.

Submarine Tautog (SS-199) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Ry_a Maru and transport Shojin Maru about 20 miles west of Rashuwa Island, Kurils, 47°38'N, 152°38'E.

PBYs bomb Japanese shipping off Pelillo Island, 02°09'S, 140°19'E, sinking small cargo ship Hara Maru.

Indian Ocean
U.S. tanker H.D.Collier is torpedoed and shelled by Japanese submarine I-26 at 21°30'N, 66°11'E, and abandoned; of the 28-man Armed Guard, 12 perish in the action (see 16-17 March).

Atlantic
TBF (VC 95) from escort carrier Bogue (CVE-9), along with destroyer Hobson (DD-464), destroyer escort Haverfield (DE-393), Canadian armed merchant cruiser HMCS Prince Rupert, and British Flying Fortress (No.220 Squadron) sink German submarine U-575, North Atlantic,46°18'N, 27°34'W.

  14 March, Tue. 1944

Pacific
USAAF B-24 damages Japanese hospital ship Tachibana Maru, en route from Wewak to Palau, 02°14'S, 142°37'E.

Japanese seaplane carrier Sanuki Maru is damaged by mine, 10°31'N, 105°04'E.

Japanese cargo ship Fuki Maru is sunk, by stranding, off east coast of Honshu, near Fukushima, 37°29'N, 141°35'E.

15 March, Wed. Atlantic Destroyer escort McAnn (DE-179), coordinating her operations with USN and USAAF planes, rescues survivors of a crashed B-17 off coast of Brazil, 01°31'N, 32°35'W.

Pacific
USAAF B-25s sink small Japanese cargo vessel Konpira Maru off Hollandia.

Mediterranean
U.S. freighter China Mail is damaged by bomb fragments during German air raid on Naples, Italy. There are no casualties among the ship's complement, which includes 13 Armed Guard sailors.

  16 March, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Flying Fish (SS-229) attacks Japanese convoy in the Nansei Shoto, sinking merchant cargo ship Anzan Maru about 20 miles north of Okinoeradu Jima, 27°38'N, 128°38'E, and unsuccessfully attacks tanker Teikon Maru (ex-German Winnetou).

Submarine Lapon (SS-260) carries out unsuccessful attack on Japanese seaplane tender Kunikawa Maru, 18°14'N, 117°44'E.

Submarine Silversides (SS-236) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks army cargo ship K_fuku Maru about 225 miles southeast of Palau, 05°00'N, 136°46'E.

Submarine Tautog (SS-199) sinks Japanese destroyer Shirakumo and army cargo ship Nichiren Maru off east coast of Hokkaido, southeast of Kushiro harbor, 42°18'N, 145°11'E; destroyers Kamikaze and Namikaze conduct unsuccessful hunt for Tautog.

PBYs (and later USAAF B-24s) attack Japanese convoy north of Hollandia, damaging submarine chaser Ch 35 and cargo ships Taiei Maru, Yakumo Maru, and Teshio Maru (see 19 March).

Indian Ocean
U.S. tanker H.D.Collier, torpedoed and shelled by Japanese submarine I-26 on 13 March, sinks; British ship Empire Raja rescues 14 survivors (see 17 March).

Mediterranean
PBY-5As (VP 63) employ MAD gear to detect German submarine U-392 as the enemy boat attempts to transit the Straits of Gibraltar; the PBYs bomb the U-boat, and British frigate HMS Affleck and destroyer HMS Vanoc depth charge her. Affleck delivers the coup de grace to sink U-392 at 35°55'N, 05°41'W.

  17 March, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Motor torpedo boat PT-283 is sunk by friendly fire from destroyer Guest (DD-472), Solomons, 06°27'S, 155°08'E.

Mediterranean
Off Anzio, destroyers Madison (DD-425) and Eberle (DD- 430) make sound contact 25 miles southwest of the port; five-hour search yields no result. Tank landing craft LCT-277 is damaged in air raid.

During German air raid on the port of Naples, Italy, U.S. freighter James Guthrie is damaged by bomb; there are no casualties among the ship's company.

German submarine U-371 attacks Naples-bound convoy SNF 17 about 30 miles north-northeast of Bougie, Algeria, and torpedoes U.S. freighter Maiden Creek, 37°08'N, 05°27'E. Initially, the ship is abandoned, but is reboarded and prepared for towing. U-371 again torpedoes Maiden Creek, the resulting explosion killing six merchant seamen and two of the 29-man Armed Guard.

Destroyer MacKenzie (DD-614) joins three British escort vessels for submarine hunt off Philippeville, with no results.

Indian Ocean
Last survivors of U.S. tanker H.D.Collier, torpedoed and shelled by Japanese submarine I-26 on 13 March 1944, are rescued by steamship Karagola.

Atlantic
Aircraft (VC 6) from escort carrier Block Island (CVE- 21), along with destroyer Corry (DD-463), and destroyer escort Bronstein (DE-189) sink German submarine U-801 west of the Cape Verdes, 16°42'N, 30°26'W.

  18 March, Sat. 1944

Pacific
TG 50.10 (Rear Admiral Willis A. Lee), formed around carrier Lexington (CV-16) and battleships Iowa (BB-61)and New Jersey (BB-62), screened by seven destroyers, pounds Japanese installations on Mille Island in the Marshalls; Iowa is damaged by shore battery off Mille.

TG 74.5 (Captain Kenmore M. McManes) commences bombardment of Japanese installations in Wewak area, New Guinea (see 19 March).

Submarine Lapon (SS-260) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking transport Hokoroku Maru about 250 miles southwest of Hong Kong, 19°24'N, 116°50'E.

Submarine Rock (SS-274) is damaged by depth charges off North Borneo, 07°25'N, 115°20'E, but remains on patrol.

Submarine Picuda (SS-382) conducts unsuccessful attack against Japanese cargo ship Kasuga Maru, 12°33'N, 141°08'E.

Large infantry landing craft LCI(L)-330 is accidentally rammed by freighter Richard Mosczowski off Koli Point, Guadalcanal. The latter suffers damage in the encounter.

USAAF B-25s bomb Japanese installations on Ponape, sinking small cargo vessel No.2 Kasuga Maru.

Japanese cargo ship Shinten Maru is damaged by mine off Kaimana, 03°40'S, 133°47'E.

Japanese motor torpedo boats Gyoraitei No.402 and Gyoraitei No.453 are sunk by British aircraft off Boronga, Burma.

Mediterranean
U.S. freighter Maiden Creek, torpedoed the previous day by German submarine U-371 about 30 miles north- northeast of Bougie, Algeria, is towed into Bougie where she is beached to facilitate salvage. Subsequently, however, she is swept off the beach by a storm and breaks up in the heavy weather, a total loss.

Atlantic
U.S. tanker Seakay, in Avonmouth, England-bound convoy CU 17, is torpedoed by German submarine U-311 at 51°10'N, 20°20'W, and abandoned. One Armed Guard sailor perishes in the abandonment; destroyer escort Reeves (DE-156) rescues survivors. Escort ships scuttle the irreparably damaged tanker with shells and depth charges.

  19 March, Sun. 1944

Pacific
TG 74.5 concludes its bombardment of Japanese positions in Wewak area. Destroyer Daly (DD-519) sinks auxiliarysubmarine chaser Cha 10 off Mushu, Wewak, 03°33'S, 143°38'E.

USAAF B-24s, B-25s, A-20s, and P-38s (5th Air Force) destroy four-ship Japanese convoy 50 miles northwest of Wewak, sinking cargo ships Yakumo Maru and Taiei Maru and their escorts, auxiliary submarine chasers Cha 47 and Cha 49, 02°55'S, 143°40'E.

USAAF planes sink Japanese ship Kaen Maru off Wuhu, China.

U.S. freighter Oriental is damaged by mine east of Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, 15°31'36"S, 167°17'49"E, but makes port under own power; there are no casualties among the ship's complement, which includes a 28-man Armed Guard.

Indian Ocean
U.S. freighter John A. Poor is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-510 at 13°58'N, 70°30'E; 25 of the 43-man merchant complement perish with the ship, as do 9 of the 30-man Armed Guard (see 20 March).

Atlantic
TBF and FM-2 aircraft (VC 6) from escort carrier Block Island sink German submarine U-1059, Atlantic area, 13°10'N, 33°44'W.

Mediterranean
Submarine chaser PC-545, on patrol west of Anzio, sinks a German E-boat.

  20 March, Mon. 1944

Pacific
TG 31.2 (Commodore Lawrence F. Reifsnider) lands 4th Marine Division (Brigadier General Alfred H. Noble, USMC) on undefended Emirau Island, Bismarck Archipelago, thus completing the strategic encirclement of Rabaul.

TF 37, including four battleships, two escort carriers, and destroyers (Rear Admiral Robert M. Griffin) bombards Kavieng, New Ireland.

Submarine Angler (SS-240) evacuates 58 people, including women and children, from the west coast of Panay, P.I.

Submarine Picuda (SS-382) sinks Japanese victualling stores ship H_k_ Maru about 40 miles north of Yap, Carolines, 10°09'N, 138°10'E.

Submarine Pollack (SS-180) sinks Japanese auxiliary netlayer Hakuy_ Maru about 30 miles northeast ofTorishima, 30°53'N, 140°42'E. Accompanying submarine chaser Ch 44 carries out unsuccessful counterattack on Pollack.

Japanese submarine chaser Ch 35, sent out from Hollandia to rescue survivors of cargo ships Yakumo Maru and Taiei Maru and auxiliary submarine chasers Cha 47 and Cha 49, sunk by USAAF planes the previous day, finds no trace of the four lost ships.

USAAF planes sink Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 62 130 nautical miles east of Hollandia, New Guinea, 02°55'S, 143°40'E.

U.S. aircraft sink Japanese guardboats Kaiun Maru and No.2 Taiho Maru off southern tip of Rabaul.

Indian Ocean
Survivors (who include 21 Armed Guard sailors) of U.S. freighter John A. Poor that had been sunk by German submarine U-510 the previous day, are rescued by British freighter Fort Worth.

  21 March, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Bashaw (SS-241) damages Japanese salvage vessel Urakami Maru in the Palaus, 06°55'N, 136°29'E.

U.S. aircraft sink Japanese transport Atsu Maru, north of New Guinea.

  22 March, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Growler (SS-215) carries out unsuccessful attack on Japanese cargo vessel Teizui Maru, 27°55'N, 129°15'E

Submarine Tunny (SS-282) damages Japanese tanker Iro west of the Palaus, 07°22'N, 132°08'E.

  23 March, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Destroyers Franks (DD-554) and Haggard (DD-555) bombard Japanese installations on Mussau Islands in the St. Matthias group, Bismarck Archipelago.

Tank landing craft LCT-315 is sunk by explosion of undetermined origin, Eniwetok Atoll. The blast levels buildings and tents nearby.

Submarine Tunny (SS-282) sinks Japanese submarine I-42 six miles southwest of Angaur, Palaus, 06°40'N, 134°03'E.

Atlantic
Naval Air Facility, Dunkeswell, England, is established.

District patrol craft YP-331 founders and sinks in heavy weather off Key West, Florida, 24°56'30"N, 81°57'35"W.

  24 March, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Bowfin (SS-287) attacks Japanese convoy about 15 miles off the south coast of Mindanao and approximately 95 miles south of Davao, sinks transport Shinkyo Maru, 05°38'N, 125°50'E, and army cargo ship Bengal Maru, 05°37'N, 125°58'E. Minesweeper W.30 carries out ineffective counterattack against Bowfin.

USAAF B-24s bomb Wake Island, sinking Japanese motor torpedo boat Gyoraitei No.4.

Mediterranean
ComCruDiv 8 reports results of his inspection of French naval vessels: he considers Emile Bertin, Montcalm, and Georges Leygues ready for independent or joint duty; Duguay-Trouin, however, an older ship, is deemed as needing repairs. French battleship Lorraine, also inspected, is deemed in very good materiel condition; with a brief period of training and target practice, she is deemed ready for combatant service.

  25 March, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer escort Manlove (DE-36) and submarine chaser PC-1135 sink Japanese submarine I-32, 50 miles south of Wotje, 08°30'N, 170°10'E.

Submarine Pollack (SS-180) attacks Japanese convoy, and sinks submarine chaser Ch 54, about 50 miles north of Muko Jima, Bonins, 28°44'N, 141°45'E.

Atlantic
Oiler Salamonie (AO-26) is accidentally rammed by U.S. tug Joseph O'Brien, and damaged, off the Naval Supply Depot, Bayonne, New Jersey.

  26 March, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Tullibee (SS-284) is sunk by circular run of own torpedo, north of the Palaus, 134°45'E, 09°30'N.

Japanese guardboat No.3 Tenjin Maru is sunk by U.S. aircraft off Mapia Island, Dutch New Guinea, 02°00'N, 135°00'E.

Japanese army cargo ship Shimotsuki Maru is sunk by mine off Murotozaki.

  27 March, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer Hoel (DD-533) encounters and sinks outrigger canoe bound from Mussau, St. Matthias Group, Bismarck Archipelago, to Tingwon Island, part of the effort to evacuate the Mussau garrison by any means available.

Motor torpedo boats PT-121 and PT-353 are mistakenly sunk by friendly bomber, Bismarck Archipelago, 05°17'S, 151°01'E.

Submarine Hake (SS-256) sinks Japanese merchant tanker Yamamizu Maru about 75 miles south of Borneo, 03°53'S, 109°42'E.

Submarine Rasher (SS-269), in attack on Japanese convoy in the Java Sea, sinks army cargo ship Nichinan Maru about 50 miles north of Bali, 07°27'S, 115°55'E.

RAAF Catalinas sink Japanese merchant cargo vessel Shinsei Maru in Banda Sea north of Dowalger Island, 07°44'S, 130°02'E

Mediterranean
Destroyer Livermore (DD-429) provides gunfire support at Anzio.

Motor torpedo boat PT-207 is damaged by naval gunfire off Anzio-Nettuno, Italy, 41°27'N, 12°40'E.

Allied force of American and British motor torpedo boats and British motor gunboats (Commander Allen, RN) destroys six German ferry barges off Vada Rocks, Corsica. U.S. motor torpedo boats PT-208, PT-214 and PT-218 participate in the battle.

  28 March, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Destroyers of DESDIV 94 bombard Japanese positions on Kapingamarangi Atoll, north of New Ireland, demolishing a radio and meteorological station.

Submarine Barb (SS-220) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Fukusei Maru off Rasa Island, 24°25'N, 131°11'E.

Submarine Silversides (SS-236) sinks Japanese cargo ship Kairyu Maru off Manokwari.

British submarine HMS Truculent, in attack on Japanese convoy, sinks army cargo ship Yasushima Maru in Strait of Malacca, 03°38'N, 100°50'E.

  29 March, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Motor gunboat PGM-8 is damaged when she runs aground off Kundu Kundu Island.

Submarine Haddo (SS-255) damages Japanese army cargo ship Nichian Maru in South China Sea, 17°42'N, 109°57'E.

Submarine Tunny (SS-282) damages Japanese battleship Musashi off Palau, 07°30'N, 134°30'E.

Indian Ocean
U.S. freighter Richard Hovey is torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-26 at 16°40'N, 64°30'E, and abandoned. I-26 then surfaces and after shelling the ship and setting her afire (Richard Hovey sinks subsequently), fires upon the lifeboats and rafts, killing one Armed Guard sailor. The Japanese submarine then rams and sinks one of the boats before taking four POWs and clearing the area (see 2 and 14 April).

Mediterranean
Destroyer John D. Ford (DD-228) is damaged when accidentally rammed by British armed trawler HMS Kingston Agate while departing Gibraltar, British Crown Colony.

Destroyers Ericsson (DD-440) and Kearny (DD-432), along with submarine chasers PC-626, PC-556, and PC-558, and four British destroyers--HMS Laforey, HMS Tumult, HMS Hambledon, and HMS Blencathra--begin submarine hunt 30 miles northeast of Palermo, Sicily. Their efforts culminate in the sinking of German submarine U-223, 38°48'N, 14°10'E.

  30 March, Thu. 1944

Pacific
TF 58 under Commander Fifth Fleet (Admiral Raymond A. Spruance) begins intensive bombing of Japanese airfields, shipping, fleet servicing facilities, and other installations at Palau, Yap, Ulithi, and Woleai in the Carolines. During these attacks (that continue until 1 April), planes from carriers Lexington (CV-16), Bunker Hill (CV-19) and Hornet (CV-12) sow extensive minefields in and around the channels and approaches to the Palaus in the first tactical use of mines laid by carrier aircraft.

TF 58 planes sink destroyer Wakatake; repair ship Akashi; fleet tankers Ose, Sata, Iro, Akebono Maru, and Amatsu Maru; submarine chaser Ch 6; auxiliary submarine chasers Cha 22, Cha 26, Cha 53, and No.5 Showa Maru; Patrol Boat No.31; netlayer No.5 Nissho Maru; aircraft transport Goshu Maru; transports Gozan Maru, Nagisan Maru, Raizan Maru, Ryuko Maru, and No.18 Shinsei Maru; tankers Amatsu Maru and Asashio Maru; guardboats Ibaraki Maru and No.2 Seiei Maru; salvage vessel Urakami Maru; torpedo transport and repair ship Kamikaze Maru; army cargo ships Chuyo Maru, Kibi Maru, and Shoei Maru; army tanker No.2 Unyo Maru; and army cargo ships Bichu Maru (outside Palau harbor) and Teisho Maru (in the channel west of Palau), and, at Angaur, small craft No.3 Akita Maru, Chichibu Maru, Yae Maru, Toku Maru, Kiku Maru, Hinode Maru, Yamato Maru, Ume Maru, and Akebono Maru. TF 58 planes damage submarine chaser Ch 35, netlayer Shosei Maru, tanker No.2 Hishi Maru, and army cargo ship Hokutai Maru at Palau, 07°30'N, 134°30'E.

Submarine Tunny (SS-282), while on lifeguard duty off the Palaus, is attacked accidentally by TBF from carrier Yorktown (CV-10) 07°40'N, 134°00'E. Damage suffered in the friendly fire encounter forces Tunny to terminate her patrol.

Submarine Darter (SS-227), despite presence of one escort vessel, sinks Japanese army cargo ship Fujikawa Maru about 175 miles northwest of Manokwari, New Guinea, 01°50'N, 133°00'E.

Submarine Picuda (SS-382) attacks Japanese convoy, and sinks transport Atlantic Maru about 90 miles south- southwest of Guam, 12°20'N, 145°55'E.

Submarine Stingray (SS-186) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks transport Ikushima Maru about 350 miles north- northwest of Saipan, 20°43'N, 143°04'E.

Japanese minelayer Nasami is damaged by aircraft off Rabaul.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Eberle (DD-430) provides gunfire support off Anzio.

  31 March, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Admiral Koga Mineichi, Commander in Chief of the Combined Fleet, en route to Davao, P.I., is killed in a plane crash.

TF 58 aircraft sink Japanese guardboat Hakko Maru, Palaus.

April

  1 April, Sat. 1944

Pacific
TU 57.10.9, composed of destroyer escort Sanders (DE-40), tank landing ship LST-127, and infantry landing craft LCI-346 and LCI-449 occupies Ailuk Atoll, Marshalls. The landing is unopposed.

Submarine Flying Fish (SS-229) sinks Japanese cargo ship Minami Maru at Kaito Daito Jima, 25°57'N, 131°19'E.

Japanese minelayer Nasami sinks as the result of damage suffered off Rabaul, New Britain, on 30 March.

Mediterranean
Convoy UGS 36 is attacked by German torpedo bombers off Algiers; tank landing ship LST-526 is damaged when low- flying enemy plane knocks off radio antenna. U.S. freighter Jared Ingersoll is torpedoed; destroyer escort Mills (DE-383) and British tug Mindful rescue the crew (including the 29-man Armed Guard) from the sinking ship. After one attempt to quell the fires consuming the ship fails, Mills places a firefighting party on board which succeeds in its attempt; the destroyer escort then assists in towing Jared Ingersoll out of danger. Beached off Algiers, the freighter is subsequently returned to service.

  2 April, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Greenling (SS-213) begins reconnoitering the Marianas, taking photographs, obtaining tidal data, and making soundings. She will be engaged in that work until 29 April 1944. Simultaneously, submarine Salmon (SS-182) will reconnoiter the western Carolines, spending about a week at three successive places: Ulithi, Yap, and Woleai.

Submarine Hake (SS-256) damages Japanese tanker Tarakan Maru in South China Sea, 01°58'N, 106°20'E.

TU 57.10.9, composed of destroyer escort Sanders (DE-40), tank landing ship LST-127 and infantry landing craft LCI-346 and LCI-449 occupies Mejit Island, Marshalls. The small Japanese force that opposes the occupation is wiped out by gunfire support provided by the LCIs.

USAAF B-24s and B-25s bomb Truk, sinking small Japanese vessel No.3 Akebono Maru.

Mediterranean
Submarine chaser PC-621 is damaged by aerial mine, and harbor tug YT-207 is damaged by near-miss from shore battery off Anzio.

Indian Ocean
British freighter Samcalia rescues 25 survivors of U.S. freighter Richard Hovey that had been torpedoed, shelled, and sunk by Japanese submarine I-26 on 29 March (see 14 April).

  3 April, Mon. 1944

Pacific
TU 57.10.9, composed of destroyer escort Sanders (DE-40), tank landing ship LST-127 and infantry landing craft LCI-346 and LCI-449 occupies Mejit Island, Marshalls. The occupation is unopposed.

Transport Kenmore (AP-162) is damaged by grounding, Nawiliwili, T.H.

Submarine Pollack (SS-180), in attack on Japanese convoy, sinks army cargo ship Tosei Maru about 325 miles south of Yokohama, Japan, 30°14'N, 139°44'E.

  4 April, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer Hall (DD-583) is damaged by shore battery off Wotje, 09°30'N, 170°00'E.

Japanese submarine I-169 is sunk by accidental flooding during PB4Y bombing of Truk; efforts to save trapped crewmen (the last of whom live until 7 April) prove unsuccessful.

Other Japanese losses include provision ship Sapporo Maru sunk as the result of near-miss of bomb; and army cargo ships Choun Maru and Iwakuni Maru sunk by USAAF B-24 or B-25 aircraft at Rabaul.

5 April, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Harbor tug YT-247 is swamped, founders and sinks while in tow of tug Sunnadin (ATO-28) en route from Pearl Harbor to Palmyra, 425 miles south by west of Oahu, 14°14'N, 158°59'W.

PB4Y (VB 109) sinks Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 46 off Moen island, Truk, 07°26'N, 151°52'E.

TBMs and FM-2s (VC 66) damage Japanese submarine I-45, 650 miles northeast of Majuro, 14°27'N, 176°37'E.

Japanese army cargo ship Tenryu Maru is sunk by aircraft at Rabaul.

  6 April, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Japanese cargo vessel Arabia Maru is damaged by mine off Takao.

Japanese transport Hsing Yun Maru is sunk by USAAF mine in the Yangtze River near Chinkiang, 32°05'N, 119°56'E.

Mediterranean
Infantry landing craft LCI-34 is damaged by shore battery off Anzio.

U.S. motor torpedo boats engage German E-boats and a flak ship south of Vada Rocks, sinking one E-boat; flak ship later explodes as the result of gunfire damage. Enemy shore batteries take the motor torpedo boats under fire but inflict no damage.

  7 April, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer Saufley (DD-465) sinks Japanese submarine I-2, 50 miles west-northwest of New Hanover, 02°17'S, 149°14'E.

Submarine Pampanito (SS-383) is damaged by depth charges off the Marianas, 12°46'N, 143°49'E, but remains on patrol.

Submarine Scamp (SS-277) is damaged by bomb from Japanese floatplane off Mindanao, 05°02'N, 126°07'E, and is forced to terminate her patrol.

Atlantic
Destroyer Champlin (DD-601) is damaged when she intentionally rams German submarine U-856, 380 miles southeast of Cape Sable, 40°18'N, 62°22'W; Champlin and destroyer escort Huse (DE-145) team to sink U-856.

  8 April, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Seahorse (SS-304) attacks Japanese convoy seven miles off Guam, torpedoing ammunition ship Aratama Maru; explosion in turn damages destroyer Asakaze. Seahorse also torpedoes water tanker Kizugawa Maru, 13°16'N, 145°11'E. Counterattacks by destroyer Minazuki and submarine chaser Ch 30 prove unsuccessful; Minazuki tows Kizugawa Maru to port while the crippled Aratama Maru, burning, drifts ashore. She explodes and sinks the next day.

Submarine Trigger (SS-237) is damaged by depth charges off the Marianas, 19°06'N, 142°36'E, but remains on patrol.

  9 April, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Submarine chaser SC-984 is damaged by grounding, Cooks Reef, near Mai Island, New Hebrides. She is abandoned the following day, a total loss.

Submarine Seahorse (SS-304) attacks Japanese convoy MATSU No.4, and sinks transport Misaku Maru about 40 miles west of Saipan, 15°32'N, 145°00'E.

Submarine Trigger (SS-237) is again damaged by depth charges off the Marianas, 19°03'N, 142°31'E, but remains on patrol.

Submarine Whale (SS-239) sinks Japanese army cargo ship H_nan Maru off northwestern coast of Kyushu, 33°45'N, 128°42'E.

USAAF B-25s (14th Air Force) sink Japanese merchant vessel Hokurei Maru off southern tip of Hainan Island, 19°00'N, 110°00'E

Japanese hospital ship Takasago Maru is damaged by mine off Palau.

Atlantic
TBMs and FM-2s (VC 58) from escort carrier Guadalcanal (CVE-60), together with destroyer escorts Pillsbury (DE-133), Pope (DE-134), Flaherty (DE-135), and Chatelain (DE-149) sink German submarine U-515 off Madeira Island, 34°35'N, 19°18'W.

Destroyer Hilary P. Jones (DD-427) provides gunfire support off Anzio.

  10 April, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Small seaplane tender Chincoteague (AVP-24) is damaged by grounding near entrance to Funafuti channel.

Atlantic
Aircraft (VC 58) from escort carrier Guadalcanal (CVE- 60) sink German submarine U-68 off Madeira Island, 33°25'N, 18°59'W.

Mediterranean
Convoy UGS 37 transits Straits of Gibraltar (60 merchantmen and six tank landing ships), escorted by TF 65 (Commander William R. Headden): four destroyers, eight destroyer escorts and British antiaircraft cruiser HMS Delhi and frigate HMS Nadder, in addition to radar jamming ships, destroyer Lansdale (DD-462) and British corvette HMS Jonquil (see 11 April). Escorts keep German submarines U-421, U-471 and U-969 at bay.

  11 April, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Redfin (SS-272) sinks Japanese destroyer Akigumo in eastern entrance to Basilan Strait, 06°43'N, 122°23'E.

PB4Y sinks Japanese ship Sh_sei Maru off Vanimo.

Mediterranean
Convoy GUS 37 is attacked by German bombers and torpedo bombers east of Algiers. Destroyer escort Holder (DE-401) is damaged by aerial torpedo 35 miles northeast of Algiers, 37°03'N, 03°58'E, as she lays smoke ahead of the convoy. Freighter Charles Piez is damaged by strafing, 37°10'N, 03°45'E; her crew (including a 28- man Armed Guard), however, suffers no casualties. Aerial torpedoes narrowly miss destroyer escorts Stanton (DE-247) and Swasey (DE-248).

Increased German aerial mining activities are noted off Anzio.

  12 April, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Motor torpedo boat PT-135, damaged by grounding one- half mile north of Crater Point, New Britain, 05°21'S, 152°09'E, is scuttled by crew and motor torpedo boat PT-137.

Submarine Halibut (SS-232), despite presence of at least three escort vessels, sinks Japanese army passenger/cargo ship Taichu Maru about 20 miles southwest of the Nansei Shoto, 28°08'N, 128°57'E.

USAAF B-24s, B-25s, B-26s, and P-38s bomb Japanese installations in Hollandia, sinking army cargo ship Narita Maru and fishing vessels Aik_ Maru, Kompira Maru, and Ky_ei Maru.

USSAAF A-20s (5th Air Force) sink Japanese army cargo ship Narita Maru in Humboldt Bay, Hollandia, 02°30'S, 140°52'E.

Atlantic
Rescue tug ATR-98 is sunk in collision with ocean-going tug Abnaki (AT-96) off the Azores, 44°04.8'N, 24°08'W.

Mediterranean
U.S. freighter Horace H. Lurton, steaming in convoy west of Algiers, is damaged by shell fired by nearby ship, injuring five men of the 44 merchant sailors and 28-man Armed Guard. Destroyer Breckinridge (DD-148) provides medical assistance.

  13 April, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Harder (SS-257) sinks Japanese destroyer Ikazuchi 180 miles south-southwest of Guam, 10°13'N, 143°51'E.

  14 April, Fri. 1944

Mediterranean
Three U.S. motor torpedo boats and two British Fairmile "D" patrol craft brave intense German shore battery fire to carry out two torpedo attacks on north-bound German F-lighters off San Vincenzio, Italy. No hits are observed.

Indian Ocean
British freighter Samuta rescues 38 survivors of U.S. freighter Richard Hovey, sunk by Japanese submarine I-26 on 29 March.

  15 April, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Alaskan Sea Frontier (Vice Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher) with headquarters at Adak, Aleutian Islands, and Seventeenth Naval District (Rear Admiral Francis E. M. Whiting) with temporary headquarters at Adak and permanent headquarters at Kodiak, Alaska, are established.

Naval Base, Abemama, Gilbert Islands, is established.

Submarine Redfin (SS-272), in attack on Japanese convoy southwest of Mindanao, damages army cargo ship Shinyu Maru, 06°22'N, 123°42'E (see 16 April).

Japanese merchant cargo ship Sumida Maru is sunk, probably by mine laid by submarine Steelhead (SS-280), off Honshu, 42°07'N, 143°10'E;

British submarine HMS Storm sinks Japanese minesweeper W.7 in Andaman Islands, 11°56'N, 093°06'E.

  16 April, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Paddle (SS-263) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks Japanese army transport Mito Maru and merchant cargo ship No.1 Hino Maru in the Ceram Sea, 02°25'S, 127°24'E.

Submarine Redfin (SS-272) continues to pursue the convoy attacked the previous day, sinking army cargo ship Yamagata Maru in Moro Gulf, southwest of Mindanao, 06°52'N, 123°47'E.

RAAF Catalinas mine the principal entrances to Woleai to prevent the Japanese from using them during the projected Hollandia operations. The evolution is repeated on 18 and 19 April.

Movement of Japanese convoy TAKE No.1, carrying elements of the Imperial Army's 32d and 35th Divisions to reinforce garrisons in the Halmaheras and in northwestern New Guinea, gets underway as four transports, and escorts, depart Pusan, Korea (see 18 April).

Battleship Colorado (BB-45) runs aground on Kuia Shoal, off Kahoolawe, T.H., but suffers no serious damage.

Atlantic
Battleship Wisconsin (BB-64)--the last battleship in the U.S. Navy--is commissioned at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

U.S. tanker Pan Pennsylvania, in United Kingdom-bound convoy CU 1, is torpedoed by German submarine U-550 150 miles east of Ambrose Light, 40°05'N, 69°40'W, and abandoned. Ten of the 31-man Armed Guard sailors perish in the action, as do 15 of the 50-man merchant complement; survivors are picked up by destroyer escorts Joyce (DE-317) and Peterson (DE-152). Later, destroyer escort Gandy (DE-764) is damaged when she intentionally rams German submarine U-550 off Nantucket Shoals, 40°09'N, 69°44'W, and teams with Peterson and Joyce to sink the U-boat. During the action, shells from the destroyer escorts set afire Pan Pennsylvania's abandoned wreck (see 18 April).

Mediterranean
German submarine U-407 attacks convoy UGS 37 about 17 miles off Derna, Libya, torpedoing U.S. freighters Meyer London and Thomas G. Masaryk, 32°51'N, 23°00'E; the latter, out of control at one point, nearly rams Meyer London. There are no casualties on board either ship (including the 27-man Armed Guard in each freighter). French-manned British corvette HMS La Malouine rescues Meyer London's crew; another escort vessel rescues the other ship's complement. British rescue tug HMS Captive later tows Thomas G. Masaryk and beaches her in Maneloa Bay, Libya, where the damaged ship is subsequently written off as a total loss. Meyer London sinks.

  17 April, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Submarines Barb (SS-220) and Steelhead (SS-280) shell phosphate works on Rasa Island.

Submarine Harder (SS-257), in attack on Japanese convoy, sinks army cargo ship Matsue Maru about 150 miles northwest of Woleai, Carolines, 09°30'N, 142°35'E.

Submarine Searaven (SS-196) sinks Japanese auxiliary minesweeper No.2 Noshiro Maru 120 miles south of Haha Jima, Bonins, 26°01'N, 142°14'E.

USAAF planes sink Japanese army vessel No.2 Mikage Maru off Aitape, New Guinea, 02°41'S, 141°18'E.

Atlantic
Minesweeper Swift (AM-122) and submarine chaser PC-619 sink German submarine U-986, North Atlantic, 50°09'N, 12°51'W.

Mediterranean
U.S. freighters James Guthrie and Alexander Graham Bell, in convoy NV 33, are damaged by Allied mines off Isle of Capri, James Guthrie at 40°34'10"N, 14°16'50"E, and Alexander Graham Bell at 40°34'150"N, 14°17'20"E. James Guthrie is abandoned and taken in tow by salvage vessel Weight (ARS-35). Towed to Naples, James Guthrie is subsequently written off as a total loss. There are no casualties among either the merchant complement or the 28-man Armed Guard. Alexander Graham Bell returns to Naples under her own power and is repaired and returned to service. There are no casualties among the 42-man Armed Guard and only two injured from the merchant crew.

  18 April, Tues. 1944

Pacific
PB4Ys (VD 3) conduct long-range reconnaissance of Saipan, Tinian and Aguijan Islands, Marshalls, obtaining complete photographic coverage. USAAF B-24s provide close air support; battle damage forces one B- 24 to ditch (see 22 April).

Submarine Gudgeon (SS-211) is sunk, probably by Japanese naval aircraft (901st Air Group), southwest of Iwo Jima, 22°44'N, 143°25'E.

Submarine Tambor (SS-198) sinks Japanese guardboat No.3 Shink_ Maru 300 miles northwest of Wake Island.

Second element of Japanese TAKE No.1 convoy sails from Shanghai and effects rendezvous with the first group that had departed Pusan, Korea, on 16 April.

U.S. freighter John Straub hits a mine off Sanak Island, Aleutians, 54°15'N, 163°30'W and sinks, breaking in two; 14 of the 27-man Armed Guard perish, as do 40 merchant seamen and the ship's solitary passenger. Army coastal freighter FP 41 rescues the survivors; frigate Albuquerque (PF-7) later scuttles the stern half with gunfire.

Atlantic
Abandoned U.S. merchant tanker Pan Pennsylvania, torpedoed by German submarine U-550 on 16 April, is scuttled by aircraft, 40°24'N, 69°37'W.

  19 April, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Allied naval force (Admiral Sir James F. Somerville, RN, Commander in Chief, British Eastern Fleet), including U.S. carrier Saratoga (CV-3) and three U.S. destroyers, strikes Japanese positions and shipping at Sabang, N.E.I., in Operation COCKPIT. In this, the first operation in which Pacific Fleet units operate alongside British units in offensive action in the Indian Ocean, carrier aircraft from Saratoga and HMS Illustrious sink minelayer Hatsutaka, transport Kunitsu Maru and army transport Haruno Maru. Pilot (VF 12) of only plane (from Saratoga) shot down by antiaircraft fire is picked up by British submarine HMS Tactician, which braves shore battery fire to do so.

Submarine Finback (SS-230) sinks Japanese sampan Ryoho Maru at 08°22'N, 151°41'E. British submarine HMS Tantalus sinks tug Kampung Besar (nationality unspecified) in Strait of Malacca.

Atlantic
TBF (VC 13) from escort carrier Tripoli (CVE-64), in TG21.4, attacks German submarine U-543 with rockets and depth bombs in the face of heavy antiaircraft fire; U-543 escapes.

  20 April, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Seahorse (SS-304) sinks Japanese submarine RO-45 off the Marianas, 15°19'N, 145°31'E. Seahorse's sinking RO 45 is a testimony to effective training. During passage to the patrol area with submarine Harder (SS-257), the boats had practiced approaches on each other.

USAAF planes sink Japanese merchant cargo ship Iwakuni Maru.

Mediterranean
German torpedo planes, on the heels of an unsuccessful attack by submarine U-969, attack 87-ship convoy UGS 38 off coast of French Morocco. Destroyer Lansdale (DD- 462) is sunk by aerial torpedo about 15 miles northeast of Algiers, 37°03'N, 03°51'E; Coast Guard cutter Taney (WPG-37), destroyer escort Lowe (DE-325) and Dutch antiaircraft cruiser Van Heemskerk, however, escape torpedo attacks. Ammunition-carrying U.S. freighter Paul Hamilton, struck by aerial torpedo at 36°55'N, 03°54'E, disintegrates, killing all on board: the 47- man merchant complement, the 29-man Armed Guard, and 504 troops. Illuminated by the explosion, freighter Stephen F. Austin, at 37°02'N, 03°38'E, is torpedoed and abandoned. Reboarded, the ship receives assistance from British rescue tug HMS Hengist and proceeds to Algiers under her own power. By contrast with the disaster that has befallen her sistership Paul Hamilton, there are no casualties on board Stephen F. Austin.

  21 April, Fri. 1944

Pacific
TF 58 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher), including carriers, battleships, cruisers, and destroyers, bombs and bombards Japanese airfields and defensive positions at Hollandia, Wakde, Sawar, and Sarmi areas of New Guinea; attacks continue the following day in preparation for Operations PERSECUTION and RECKLESS (see 22 April 1944). During these operations, Japanese army cargo ship Kansei Maru is sunk by aircraft off Sarmi. Navy aircraft sink small Japanese cargo vessels No.51 Ume Maru and No.2 Hihode Maru, Mapia Island, New Guinea.

Submarine Stingray (SS-186) is sunk when she strikes submerged pinnacle west of the Marianas, 20°30'N, 142°22'E.

Japanese cargo vessel No.2 Y_ei Maru is sunk by aircraft off Murilo Island, Carolines.

Mediterranean
U.S. freighter John Armstrong is damaged by mine at 41°12'N, 12°32'E, while en route from Anzio to Naples, Italy. One Armed Guard sailor perishes in the incident, but the ship reaches her original destination unaided.

  22 April, Sat. 1944

Pacific
TF 77 (Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey) lands two divisions of the I Army Corps (Lieutenant General Robert L. Eichelberger, USA) at Aitape and Tanahmerah Bay in Operation PERSECUTION, and Humboldt Bay, Hollandia, New Guinea, in Operation RECKLESS, 300 miles inside the outer Japanese defensive perimeter. TG 77.1 (Rear Admiral Barbey) lands the 163rd RCT, 41st Infantry Division (Brigadier General Doe) at Aitape; TG 77.2 (Rear Admiral Fechteler) lands the 24th Infantry Division (Major General Irving) at Tanamerah Bay; TG 77.3 (Captain Alfred G. Noble) lands the 41st Infantry Division (Major General Irving) at Humboldt Bay. Escort carrier force (TF 78) (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison) provides close air support while TF 74 (Rear Admiral Victor A. C. Crutchley, RN) and TF 75 (Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey) provide gunfire support in landings that proceed against slight resistance. Fast carrier task force TF 58 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) also provides support. Hollandia becomes a major staging area for the next phase of the New Guinea campaign.

PB4Y sights survivors of USAAF B-24 that had been damaged over the Marianas and had ditched on 18 April; PBY sent to rescue the aviators, however, suffers damage in landing and is unable to take off (see 23 April).

Army landing force (Company "I", 3rd Battalion, 111th Infantry) occupies Ujelang Atoll, Marshalls; operation to extend U.S. control over the westernmost atoll is supported by small seaplane tender Onslow (AVP-48) and motor minesweeper YMS-91.

USAAF B-24s (14th Air Force) attack Japanese Singapore- to-Saigon convoy anchored off Cape St. Jacques, French Indochina, sinking transport (ex-gunboat) Nagata Maru, 10°19'N, 107°05'E; fleet tanker K_ry_ Maru; army cargo vessel London Maru, and merchant tanker No.3 Sansui Maru; and damaging tanker Nisshin Maru. Only escort vessel, submarine chaser Ch 9, escapes the low-level onslaught unscathed.

U.S. aircraft sink Japanese transport Suiten Maru off Murilo Island, Carolines.

British submarine HMS Taurus sinks salvage vessel Hokuan I-Go off Malaya, 07°10'N, 99°20'E.

Europe
U.S. freighter George Popham, in convoy FS 28, is damaged by mine while en route from Methel, Scotland, to London, England, at 51 11'20"N, 01 48'40"E, but reaches her destination under her own power. There are no casualties to the merchant complement or the 29-man Armed Guard.

  23 April, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer Gansevoort (DD-608) rescues USAAF B-24 crew as well as their Navy would-be rescuers (see 18 and 22 April).

Submarine Seadragon (SS-194) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks merchant cargo ship Danju Maru off Shionomisaki, Honshu, 33°26'N, 135°46'E.

Dutch submarine HNMS K-XV, operating under U.S. control for the Netherlands Intelligence Service, sinks a prau and a coaster off New Guinea.

Japanese destroyer Amagiri (transporting air base materiel) is sunk by USAAF mine in Makassar Strait about 50 miles south of Balikpapan, 02°12'S, 116°45'E.

  24 April, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Destroyers Benham (DD-796) and Uhlmann (DD-687) are damaged in collision during night maneuvers with carriers, south of Oahu.

Submarine Robalo (SS-273) is damaged by aerial bomb off French Indochina, 10°29'N, 109°26'E, but remains on patrol.

Navy aircraft sink Japanese fishing vessel No.5 Shinh_ Maru and Mizuno Maru off north coast of Vogelkop.

Japanese army cargo ship Taka Maru is sunk by aircraft north of New Guinea, 01°36'S, 138°47'E.

USAAF B-24s damage Japanese fishing vessels No.5 Takara Maru and No.25 Sumiyoshi Maru off western New Guinea.

  25 April, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Crevalle (SS-291) sinks Japanese army cargoship Kashiwa Maru north of Borneo, 07°11'N, 116°46'E.

Submarine Guavina (SS-362) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Tetsuyo Maru northwest of Chichi Jima, 28°55'N, 140°28'E.

Japanese auxiliary minesweeper No.32 Kafuku Maru is sunk by mine, location unspecied.

Mediterranean
German mining operations commence off Capreira, Italy; minelayer TA 23 sinks after striking a mine. TA 26 and TA 29 battle U.S. motor torpedo boats PT-202, PT-213, and PT-218.

  26 April, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer escort Gilmore (DE-18) sinks Japanese submarine I-180, southwest of Cherikof Island, Aleutians, 55°10'N, 155°40'W.

Submarine Bonefish (SS-223) sinks Japanese transport Tokiwa Maru at entrance to Davao gulf, 06°13'N, 125°49'E.

Submarine Guavina (SS-362) attacks Japanese convoy, and sinks transport Noshiro Maru I-G_ off Miko Jima, 28°42'N, 141°26'E, and attacks cargo ship No.2 Asahi Maru unsuccessfully.

Submarine Jack (SS-259) encounters Japanese TAKE No.1 convoy off west coast of Luzon, and sinks army transport No.1 Yoshida Maru, 18°06'N, 119°40'E, and damages army cargo ship Wales Maru, 18°14'N, 119°53'E.

Submarine Sargo (SS-188) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks army cargo ship Wazan Maru (ex-British Vitorlock) off Ichiye Zaki, Honshu, 33°31'N, 135°24'E.

Atlantic
Destroyer escorts Frost (DE-144), Huse (DE-145), Barber (DE-161), and Snowden (DE-246) sink German submarine U-488 in mid-Atlantic, 17°54'N, 38°05'W.

  27 April, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Cargo ship Etamin (AK-93) is damaged by aerial torpedo off Aitape, New Guinea, 03°09'S, 142°24'E.

Japanese convoy TAKE No. 1 convoy reaches Manila.

Submarine Bluegill (SS-242) sinks Japanese light cruiser Y_bari west of the Sonsorol Islands, 05°20'N, 132°16'E.

Submarine Halibut (SS-232) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks minelayer Kamome west of the Nansei Shoto chain, about 40 miles north of Okinawa, 27°28'N, 128°02'E, and merchant transport Genbu Maru, 27°16'N, 128°21'E.

Submarine Seadragon (SS-194) damages Japanese merchant cargo ship Hawaii Maru off Shikoku, 33°16'N, 135°48'E.

Submarine Seahorse (SS-304) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks transport Akikawa Maru about 150 miles west of Saipan, 14°46'N, 143°22'E, and evades depth-charging by escorts.

Submarine Trigger (SS-237) attacks Japanese convoy about 90 miles north of Palau, and sinks transport M_ke Maru, 08°34'N, 134°53'E, and damages escort vessel Kasado and army cargo ship Asosan Maru, 08°32'N, 134°42'E.

Japanese submarine I-37 is damaged by mine laid by British submarine HMS Taurus on 18 April, south of Penang, Malaya.

USAAF B-24s damage Japanese cargo vessel Anshu Maru off Biak.

Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Hadayoshi Maru is damaged by mine off Balikpapan.

  28 April, Fri. 1944

Secretary of the Navy Knox dies in Washington, D.C.

Atlantic
German motor torpedo boats S 100, S 130, S 136, S 138, S 140, S 142, S 143, S 145, and S 150 (5th and 9th Motor Torpedo Boat flotilla) attacks convoy of eight U.S. tank landing ships entering Lyme Bay, torpedoing and sinking LST-507 and LST-531 off Portland Bill, England, 50°28'N, 02°51'W; and damaging LST-289.

  29 April, Sat. 1944

Pacific
After completing its support of the Hollandia landings TF 58 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher), including five carriers (CV) and seven small carriers (CVL), begins two-day attack on Japanese shipping, oil and ammunition dumps, aircraft facilities, and other installations at Truk. Japanese naval aircraft mount strong counter- attack on the U.S. formations during which destroyer Tingey (DD-539), in TG 58.2. is damaged by friendly fire.

TBF from small carrier Monterey (CVL-26), with destroyers MacDonough (DD-351) and Stephen Potter (DD- 538), sink Japanese submarine I-174 north of Truk, 06°13'N, 151°19'E.

Motor torpedo boats PT-346 and PT-347 are accidentally sunk by F4Us (VMF 215) and F6Fs (VF 34), and SBDs and TBFs off Cape Lambert, Bismarck Archipelago, 04°13'S, 151°27'E. PBY (VP 91) rescues survivors from the two PT-boats.

Submarines Bang (SS-285), Parche (SS-384) and Tinosa (SS-283) attack Japanese convoy off northwest coast of Luzon. Bang sinks army cargo ship Takegawa Maru in South China Sea, 19°20'N, 118°50'E, and damages Yashima Maru (see 30 April).

Submarine Flasher (SS-249) damages Vichy French cargo ship Song Giang Go in South China Sea, five miles off Cape Varella, French Indochina, 13°02'N, 109°28'E (see 30 April).

Submarine Halibut (SS-232) bombards Japanese installations on Kure Jima.

Submarine Pogy (SS-266) sinks Japanese submarine I-183, 30 miles south of Cape Ashizuri, Japan, 32°07'N, 133°03'E.

Japanese transport Kunikawa Maru is sunk by mine laid by RAAF Catalinas (mining operations take place on 20, 24, and 27 April) near Balikpapan, Borneo, 01°17'S, 116°49'E.

British submarine HMS Tantalus sinks coaster Pulo Salanama in Strait of Malacca.

Japanese ship Hasshu Maru is sunk by aircraft southeast of Formosa, 20°00'N, 130°50'E.

Mediterranean
USAAF B-17s and B-24s bomb targets in northern Italy and in southern France; during the raid on Toulon, German submarine U-421 is sunk in harbor.

  30 April, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Task force (Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf) of nine heavy cruisers and eight destroyers detached from TF 58 bombards Japanese positions on Satawan Island in the Namoi Group, Carolines.

Japanese TAKE No.1 convoy, one group of ships destined for Manokwari, the other for Halmahera, sails from Manila (see 6 May).

Submarine Bang (SS-285) continues attack on convoy engaged the previous night, and sinks Japanese merchant tanker Nittatsu Maru off northwest coast of Luzon, 19°04'N, 119°14'E.

Submarine Flasher (SS-249) sinks French gunboat Tahure in South China Sea off Cape Varella, French Indochina, 13°02'N, 109°28'E. Damaged French cargo ship, Song Giang, torpedoed the day before by Flasher, sinks.

TF 58 air strikes against Japanese installations in the Carolines continue. Reflecting an expected paucity of shipping targets in the area, TF 58 planes operating over the waters off Palau can only sink transport Nagisan Maru, 07°30'N, 134°30'E, and merchant vessel No.2 Tenyu Maru.

Planes from small carrier Cabot (CVL-28) damage gunboat No.2 Hino Maru at Truk.

Arctic
U.S. freighter William S. Thayer, in convoy RA 59, is torpedoed by German submarine U-711, 50 miles south of Bear Island. 73°46'N, 19°10'E, and breaks into thirds; 23 of the 41-man merchant complement perish, as do 7 of the 28-man Armed Guard and 20 of the 165 Soviet Navy passengers. Freighter Robert Eden and British destroyer HMS Whitehall rescue the survivors, while escorts scuttle the stern section of the ship with gunfire.

May

  1 May, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Supported by carrier planes from TG 58.1, TG 58.7 (Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee), consisting of seven battleships screened by 14 destroyers, bombards wharf areas, seaplane base, and other Japanese installations on Ponape Island, Carolines.

District patrol craft YP-95 sinks after running aground in Beyer Bay, south shore of Adak, Aleutian Islands, while assisting in a minesweeping mission.

Submarine Bluegill (SS-242) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Asosan Maru [repaired after her encounter with Trigger (SS-237) on 19 April] east of Mindanao, 07°05'N, 130°00'E.

PB4Y damages Japanese cargo cessel Anshu Maru off Biak.

  2 May, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Tautog (SS-199) completes destruction of Japanese army transport Ryoyo Maru Matsuwa Jima, Kurils, 48°04'N, 153°16'E.

Atlantic
Destroyer Parrott (DD-218) is damaged in collision with U.S. merchantman John Morton off Norfolk, Virginia, 36°51'N, 76°18'W.

  3 May, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Flasher (SS-249) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Teisen Maru in the South China Sea about 300 miles east of Cape Varella, French Indochina, 12°54'N, 114°07'E.

Submarine Sand Lance (SS-381) sinks Japanese transport Kenan Maru about 15 miles northwest of Saipan, 15°20'N, 145°34'E.

Submarine Tautog (SS-199) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Fushimi Maru off south coast of Uruppu Island, Kurils, 45°28'N, 149°56'E.

Submarine Tinosa (SS-283) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Toyohi Maru west of Bashi Channel between Formosa and Luzon, 20°51'N, 118°02'E.

British submarine HMS Tantalus sinks Japanese army cargo ship Amagi Maru 40 miles south of Port Blair, 11°00'N, 92°00'E.

USAAF B-24s (14th Air Force) attack Japanese convoy southwest of Takao, Formosa, sinking cargo ship Shingu Maru, 22°05'N, 117°50'E

Atlantic
Destroyer escort Donnell (DE-56) is damaged by German submarine U-765, 450 miles southwest of Cape Clear, Ireland.

Mediterranean
As convoy GUS 38 heads west toward the Straits of Gibraltar, German submarine U-371 closes in; destroyer escort Menges (DE-320) locates the enemy but is torpedoed and damaged by her quarry off Bougie, Algeria. Consequently, destroyer escorts Pride (DE-323) and Joseph E. Campbell (DE-70) hunt for U-371, joined by British destroyer HMS Blankney, French destroyer L'Alycon and destroyer escort Senegalais, and minesweeper Sustain (AM-119). U-371, however, escapes (see 4 May).

  4 May, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Naval Base and Naval Air Facility, Majuro, are established.

Submarines Bang (SS-385), Parche (SS-384) and Tinosa (SS-283) attack Japanese convoy of merchant cargo ships in Luzon Strait. Bang sinks Kinrei Maru, 20°58'N, 117°59'E; Parche sinks Shoryu Maru and Taiyoku Maru, 20°48'N, 118°03'E, and Tinosa sinks Taibu Maru and Toyohi Maru, 20°55'N, 118°12'E.

Submarine Pargo (SS-264) sinks Japanese auxiliary netlayer Eiry_ Maru east of Mindanao, 07°14'N, 129°12'E.

Submarine Tuna (SS-203) sinks Japanese guardboat Tajima Maru north of Wake Island, 22°06'N, 166°47'E.

At Truk, Japanese guardboat Sapporo Maru is sunk by aircraft; gunboat No.2 Hino Maru sinks as the result of damage inflicted by TF 58 planes on 30 April.

Japanese merchant vessel Akira Maru is sunk by gunfire, 00°53'S, 134°55'E.

Japanese convoy No.3503 (ten Marus and six escort vessels) leaves Tateyama, bound for the Marshalls (see 10-20 May 1944).

Mediterranean
While convoy GUS 38 continues on its way, destroyer escorts Joseph E. Campbell (DE-70) and Pride (DE-323), French destroyer escort Senegalais, and British destroyer HMS Blankney continue the hunt for German submarine U-371 in the western Mediterranean. Senegalais attacks the U-boat, 37°49'N, 05°39'E, which is scuttled by her crew and abandoned, but not before U-371 has torpedoed and damaged Senegalais.

  5 May, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Appointment of Admiral Toyoda Soemu as Commander in Chief of the Combined Fleet is announced.

U.S. motor torpedo boats blockading the southeastern coast of Bougainville encounter five or more heavily armed Japanese barges. In the ensuing action, the barges and enemy shore batteries on Rantan and Bougainville catch the three PTs in a cross fire, sinking PT-247, 06°38'S, 156°01'E.

Submarine Pogy (SS-266) attacks Japanese convoy, sinks transport Shirane Maru off Shionomisaki, Honshu, 33°27'N, 135°32'E.

Mediterranean
During convoy GUS 38's continued passage westward, destroyer escort Laning (DE-159) locates German submarine U-967, but the U-boat torpedoes and sinks destroyer escort Fechteler (DE-157) 120 miles northwest of Oran, Algeria, 36°07'N, 02°40'W.

  6 May, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Crevalle (SS-291) attacks Japanese convoy off northern Borneo, sinking fleet tanker Nisshin Maru about 40 miles west of Kalutan Island, 07°19'N,116°52'E.

Submarine Gurnard (SS-254) encounters Japanese TAKE No.1 convoy in the Celebes Sea, sinking Manokwari-bound troop-carrying army cargo ships Aden Maru, Amatsuzan Maru and Tajima Maru, 02°42'N, 124°07'E.

Submarine Spearfish (SS-190) attacks Japanese shipping in East China Sea west of Kyushu, and sinks merchant cargo ship Toyoura Maru and damages supply ship Mamiya, 32°16'N, 127°08'E.

Atlantic
Destroyer escort Buckley (DE-51) is damaged when she intentionally rams German submarine U-66, which has been damaged by aircraft (VC 55) from escort carrier Block Island (CVE-21), about 390 miles west of the Cape Verdes. The battle echoes close-quarters fights of the age of sail, as Buckley's sailors employ small arms, hand grenades, fists and even coffee mugs. U-66 sinks as the result of the multi-faceted pounding she has taken in mid-Atlantic, 17°17'N, 32°29'W.

  7 May, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Submarines Bonefish (SS-223) and Flasher (SS-249) damage Japanese army cargo ship Aobasan Maru in Sulu Sea off Zamboanga, 07°07'N, 121°50'E.

Submarine Burrfish (SS-312) sinks German oiler Rossbach, bound for Balikpapan, south of Murotosaki, Japan, 33°15'N, 134°11'E.

Japanese TAKE No.1 convoy reaches Bangka Island, Celebes, where it will pause before continuing on toward Halmahera, while efforts continue to rescue survivors of the three ships (army cargo ships Aden Maru, Amatsuzan Maru and Tajima Maru) sunk by Gurnard (SS-254) the day before.

  8 May, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Hoe (SS-258) damages Japanese escort vessel Sado and army tanker Akane Maru in South China Sea west of Luzon Strait, 19°22'N, 120°13'E.

Submarine Tautog (SS-199) attacks Japanese convoy in Tsugaru Strait, sinking army cargo ship Miyazaki Maru off Ominato, northern Honshu, 41°52'N, 141°12'E.

  9 May, Tue. 1944

Mediterranean
Submarine chaser PC-558 is sunk by German submarine U-230, 28 miles northeast by north of Palermo, Sicily.

Japanese TAKE No.1 convoy reaches Wasile Bay, Halmahera, having lost four of its original nine Marus during its passage to its destination.

  10 May, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Naval Base, Eniwetok, Marshalls, is established.

Motor torpedo boat PT-79 is damaged in collision, Cold Bay.

Submarine Cod (SS-224) attacks large Japanese convoy off west coast of Luzon, sinking destroyer Karukaya and transport Shohei Maru about 150 miles northwest of Manila, 15°38'N, 119°32'E.

Submarine Silversides (SS-236) attacks Japanese convoy about 120 miles south-southwest of Guam, sinking auxiliary cable ship Okinawa Maru, gunboat No.2 Choan Maru, and collier No.18 Mikage Maru, 11°26'N, 143°46'E, and forces it to return whence it comes. Silversides survives depth-charging by one or more of the following ships: escort vessel Momi, submarine chaser Ch 30, auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 66 and auxiliary minelayer Wa 5.

Submarine Tambor (SS-198) encounters Japanese convoy 3503 (see 4 May 1944), and torpedoes aircraft transport Keiyo Maru about 420 miles northwest of Saipan, 19°26'N, 140°19'E.

Mediterranean
Off Anzio, submarine chaser PC-556 is damaged by bomb; destroyers Charles F. Hughes (DD-428) and Hilary P. Jones (DD-427) bombard German supply dumps.

  11 May, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Crevalle (SS-291) evacuates 28 women and children from Negros, P.I.

Submarine Rasher (SS-269) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking auxiliary vessel Choi Maru in the Molucca Sea northwest of Boeroe Island, 03°30'S, 126°06'E.

Submarine Sand Lance (SS-381) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking transport Mitakesan Maru off Tinian, 14°57'N, 145°15'E.

Submarine Sturgeon (SS-187) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking army cargo ship Seiryu Maru about 140 miles north of Chichi Jima, 29°41'N, 141°35'E.

Europe
Naval Advanced Amphibious Base, Southhampton, England, is established.

Atlantic
Covered lighter YF-415 is destroyed by explosion of undetermined origin in North Atlantic off east coast of the United States, 42°24'N, 70°36'W.

  12 May, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Tautog (SS-199) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking merchant collier No.2 Banei Maru off northeast Honshu, 40°01'N, 141°58'E.

Japanese transport Kasumi Maru is sunk by mine (probably Japanese) in Straits of Malacca, 03°50'N, 99°30'E.

Japanese river gunboat Saga is damaged by aircraft, South China Sea.

  13 May, Sat. 1944

Pacific
F4Us, F6Fs, and SBDs, and USAAF B-24s and B-25s bomb Japanese installations at Jaluit; attacks will continue on 14 May.

Submarine Pogy (SS-266) sinks Japanese cargo ship Anb_ Maru off Suruga Bay, Honshu, 34°31'N, 138°33'E.

Japanese landing ships T.128 and T.150 are damaged by mines, Palau.

Atlantic
Destroyer escort Francis M. Robinson (DE-220) sinks Japanese submarine RO-501 (ex-German U-1224), en route to Japan on her maiden voyage, 400 miles south- southwest of the Azores, 18°08'N, 33°13'W.

  14 May, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Submarines Aspro (SS-309) and Bowfin (SS-287) attack Japanese convoy, and sink cargo ship Bisan Maru about 90 miles northwest of Palau, 08°55'N, 133°42'E.

Submarine Bonefish (SS-223) attacks Japanese convoy bound for the Sibitu Passage, sinking destroyer Inazuma near Tawi Tawi, east of Borneo, 05°03'N, 119°36'E, and evades counterattacks by what is most likely destroyer Hibiki. Ironically, Bonefish had aimed her initial torpedo at a tanker (Nichiei Maru, Azusa Maru, or Tatekawa Maru) but ended up hitting Inazuma instead.

Submarine Crevalle (SS-291), en route to her base, is damaged by depth charges off northern Celebes, 00°57'N, 125°51'E.

Submarine Sand Lance (SS-381) encounters that portion of convoy 3503 that had been detached to proceed to Guam, and sinks army cargo ship K_ho Maru southwest of Apra harbor, 13°43'N, 144°42'E. Sand Lance survives resultant depth-charging from one or more of the escorts: escort vessel Oki, torpedo boat Otori, and auxiliary submarine chaser No.8 Shonan Maru.

Mediterranean
German submarine U-616 attacks convoy GUS 39 off Cape Tenes, Morocco, prompting a search by Oran-based U.S. destroyers (see 17 May 1944) (Captain Adelbert F. Converse).

  15 May, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Naval Air Bases, Ebeye and Roi-Namur, Kwajalein Atoll, Marshalls, are established.

During amphibious training exercises in the Hawaiian Operating Area, heavy seas break the moorings of three LCTs carried as deck cargo on board three tank landing craft. LCT-988 sinks, 20°00'N, 157°00'W; LCT-984 founders and is scuttled by submarine chaser PC-1079; LCT-999 is salvaged.

Submarine Aspro (SS-309) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking transport Jokuja Maru about 175 miles northwest of Palau, 10°10'N, 131°48'E.

Japanese destroyer Shiratsuyu is sunk in collision with Seiyo Maru west of Mindanao, 09°09'N, 126°51'E.

Mediterranean
PBY-5s (VP 63) and British escort vessels HMS Kilmarnock and HMS Blackfly sink German submarine U-731, western Mediterranean, 35°54'N, 05°45'W.

  16 May, Tue. 1944

Pacific
During exercises, battleship Colorado (BB-45) is damaged when she accidentally runs aground on a pinnacle off Kahoolawe, T.H.

Destroyers Franks (DD-554), Haggard (DD-555), and Johnston (DD-557) sink Japanese submarine I-176, 150 miles north of Cape Alexander, Solomons, 04°01'S, 156°29'E. Haggard suffers slight damage from exploding depth charges. The sinking of I-176 prompts the Japanese to shift the position of a cordon of submarines (the NA line) in the New Guinea-Carolines area; much radio traffic accompanies the move (see 19 May 1944).

Japanese minelayer Aotaka is damaged by mine, Kaoe Bay.

Atlantic
Non-rigid airship K 5 is destroyed in crash into number one hangar, Lakehurst, New Jersey.

  17 May, Wed. 1944

Pacific
TF 77 (Rear Admiral William M. Fechteler) lands Army 163d Regimental Combat Team (Reinforced) in Wakde-Toem area, New Guinea, preceded by cruiser and destroyer bombardment (Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey, Captain Albert G. Noble) in Operation STRAIGHTLINE.

In an operation timed to coincide with the Wakde landings, planes from an Allied task force (Admiral James F. Somerville, RN) that includes carrier Saratoga (CV-3) and British carrier HMS Illustrious bomb Japanese shipping and harbor installations at Surabaya, Java, in Operation TRANSOM. British planes sink transport Shinrei Maru; Saratroga's damage Patrol Boat No.36, auxiliary submarine chasers Cha 107 and Cha 108, cargo ships Ch_ka Maru and Tencho Maru, and tanker Y_sei Maru.

Destroyers Frazier (DD-607) and Meade (DD-602) bombard Japanese defenses on Eniben Island, Maloelap Atoll, Marshalls.

Submarines Sand Lance (SS-381) and Tunny (SS-282) attack convoy 3503, the four Marus carrying Japanese soldiers earmarked for service at Yap and Palau, and the three escorts. Sand Lance torpedoes and sinks transport Taikoku Maru about 60 miles west of Saipan, 14°57'N, 144°47'E; Tunny torpedoes and sinks army cargo ship Nichiwa Maru west of the Marianas, 14°49'N, 142°39'E. Sand Lance torpedoes army cargo ship Fukko Maru, 14°49'N, 142°23'E when she stops to pick up Nichiwa Maru's survivors. Although destroyer Minazuki and submarine chasers Ch 31 and Ch 32 claim the destruction of Sand Lance and Tunny, both boats survive enemy depth-chargings.

USAAF P-38s, P-39s and P-40s carry out sweeps for targets in the Bismarck Archipelago; these operations may account for the sinking of Japanese guardboat Zuiho Maru off Duke of York Isle, 04°12'S, 152°20'E.

Mediterranean
Destroyers Gleaves (DD-423), Hilary P. Jones (DD-427), Ellyson (DD-454), Hambleton (DD-455), Rodman (DD-456), Emmons (DD-457), Macomb (DD-458), Nields (DD-616), and RAF Wellington (No. 36 Squadron) sink German submarine U-616 in western Mediterranean, 37°52'N, 00°11'E. U-960 attacks Ellyson without success (see 19 May 1944).

  18 May, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Naval base and Naval Air Station, Manus Island,Admiralty Islands, are established.

Submarine Puffer (SS-268) attacks Japanese convoy in Java Sea, sinking army cargo ship Shinryu Maru about 40 miles east-southeast of Surabaya, 07°33'S, 113°16'E.

Japanese merchant tanker Nichiyoku Maru is sunk by mine (laid by British submarine HMS Tally Ho on 14 May), 03°41'N, 99°04'E.

Japanese army cargo ship Fukko Maru sinks as the result of damage inflicted by submarine Sand Lance (SS-381) the previous day.

USAAF B-25s damage Japanese cargo ship No.3 Shinnan Maru.

  19 May, Fri. -- James V. Forrestal of New York, Under Secretary of the Navy since 1940, becomes Secretary of the Navy.

Pacific
Aircraft from TG 58.6 (Rear Admiral Alfred E. Montgomery) bomb Marcus Island; attacks continue on 20 May.

Japanese radio traffic intercepted by U.S. Navy intelligence allows deductions to be made as to where the new submarine cordon established to intercept American carriers (see 16 May 1944) will be; consequently, destroyer escort England (DE-635) sinks Japanese submarine I-16, on a resupply run to Buka, 140 miles northeast of Cape Alexander, Solomon Islands, 05°10'S, 158°10'E. I-16 is the first of five Japanese submarines that England will sink in a week's time as U.S. antisubmarine forces work their way down the NA line (see 22, 23, 24, 26, and 31 May 1944).

Submarine Skate (SS-305) sinks Japanese guardboat Meisho Maru off Ogasawara-Gunto, 28°56'N, 141°38'E.

USAAF B-24s (14th Air Force) on antishipping sweep of the South China Sea bomb Japanese convoy no.87, but only succeed in inflicting minor damage upon cargo ship Yamadori Maru (see 20 May 1944 et.seq.).

Mediterranean
Light cruiser Brooklyn (CL-40) shells German supply dumps at Terracina, Sperlonga, and Ganta, Italy.

Motor torpedo boat PT-204 is mistakenly torpedoed and damaged by PT-304 off Vada Rocks, Corsica.

Destroyers Niblack (DD-424) and Ludlow (DD-438) and British aircraft sink German submarine U-960, western Mediterranean, 37°20'N, 01°35'E.

  20 May, Sat. 1944

Pacific
TG 53.18 (three light cruisers and eight destroyers) bombards Japanese shore installations on Alu, Poporang, and Morgusia Islands, Shortlands. Enemy return fire damages light cruiser Montpelier (CL-57) and straddles light cruiser Cleveland (CL-55)

Submarine Angler (SS-240) sinks Japanese transport _tori Maru (ex-Panamanian Boyaca), 05°57'N, 105°12'E, and survives depth-charging by escort ship.

Submarine Bluegill (SS-242) despite presence of two escort vessels, sinks Japanese army cargo ship Miyaura Maru in the narrow passage between Halmahera and Morotai, 02°14'N, 128°05'E.

Submarine Picuda (SS-382) is damaged by depth charges, Luzon Strait, 19°00'N, 120°45'E, but remains on patrol.

Submarine Silversides (SS-236) sinks Japanese gunboat Shosei Maru off Saipan, 13°32'N, 144°36'E.

Planes from small carrier San Jacinto (CVL-30) sink guardboat Yawata Maru 150 miles north of Marcus Island, 31°22'N, 154°59'E.

USAAF B-24s (14th Air Force) bomb Takao-bound Japanese convoy no. 88 in South China Sea south of Hong Kong, sinking army cargo ship Shinju Maru, 21°20'N, 117°10'E, and damaging Tsukuba Maru and Kori Maru. Gunboat Hashidate takes the crippled Tsukuba Maru in tow; Kori Maru reaches Takao unaided. Salvage vessel (ex-Chinese) Sonjo Maru is dispatched to aid Hashidate (see 22 May 1944).

Other USAAF B-24s (14th Air Force) attack Japanese warships sent to aid convoy no. 87, attacked the previous day, damaging auxiliary submarine chaser Kinsui Maru in the South China Sea, 22°00'N, 118°25'E,

  21 May, Sun. 1944

Pacific
In a reprise of the type of raid conducted on Jaluit on 13-14 May, Navy F4Us and PV-1s and USAAF B-24s and B- 25s bomb Japanese positions on Wotje atoll. Navy PB2Ys had harassed the atoll the previous night.

Accidental explosion occurs in tank landing ship LST-353 as she is being loaded with mortar ammunition at West Loch, Pearl Harbor. The cataclysmic blasts result in the loss of LST-39, LST-43, LST-69, LST-179, LST-353, and LST-480; tank landing craft LCT-961, LCT-963, and LCT-983; 17 tracked landing vehicles (LVT); and eight 155-millimeter guns. LST-205 and LST-225 are damaged. During firefighting efforts, big harbor tugs Osceola (YTB-129) and Hoga (YTB-146); medium harbor tug Geronimo (YTM-119); little harbor tugs YTL-233, YTL-306, YTL-307, YTL-308, YTL-309, and YTL-339; net tender (tug class) Tamaha (YTM-12); and Navy-chartered tug Mikioi suffer varying degrees of damage.

Oiler Neches (AO-47) is damaged by mine about 630 miles west of Los Angeles.

Submarine Billfish (SS-286) damages Japanese cargo ship Bokuy_ Maru west-southwest of the Marianas, 13°42'N, 140°41'E; Coast Defense Vessel No.12 counterattacks unsuccessfully.

Submarine Cero (SS-225) attacks, unsuccessfully, Japanese convoy, and survives enemy antisubmarine efforts conducted by Anshu Maru, No.5 Takunan Maru, and No.17 Shonan Maru, 05°15'N, 128°55'E.

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) attacks, unsuccessfully, 12- ship Japanese convoy en route from Cebu to Wasile, 08°15'N, 127°15'E.

  22 May, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Destroyers Bancroft (DD-598) and Edwards (DD-619) bombard installations at Wotje Atoll, Marshalls.

Destroyer escort England sinks Japanese submarine RO-106, 250 miles north of Kavieng, New Ireland, 01°40'N, 150°31'E.

Submarine Bluegill (SS-242) is damaged by aerial bombs off Halmahera, 04°00'N, 128°06'E, but remains on patrol.

Submarine Picuda (SS-382), patrolling the South China Sea, comes across Japanese gunboat Hashidate towing crippled merchant passenger/cargo ship Tsukuba Maru [the latter had been damaged by USAAF B-24s (14th Air Force) on 20 May 1944], accompanied by salvage vessel Sonju Maru. Picuda sinks Hashidate and Tsukuba Maru off Pratas Island, 21°08'N, 117°20'E; Sonju Maru flees in haste and reaches Hong Kong without further incident.

Submarine Pollack (SS-180) attacks Japanese convoy, and sinks destroyer Asanagi, 180 miles west-northwest of Chichi Jima, Bonins, 28°19'N, 138°54'E.

Submarine Ray (SS-271) attacks same Japanese convoy sought by Cero (SS-225) the day before, and sinks army cargo ship Tempei Maru off south coast of Mindanao, 05°42'N, 127°37'E.

British submarine HMS Sea Rover sinks Japanese gunboat Koshu Maru off southern entrance to Penang harbor, Malaya, in Strait of Malacca, 04°52'N, 100°18'E.

  23 May, Tue. 1944

Pacific
TG 58.3 (Rear Admiral Alfred E. Montgomery) planes bomb Japanese installations on Wake Island.

Destroyer escort England sinks Japanese submarine RO-104, 250 miles north-northwest of Kavieng, 01°26'N, 149°20'E.

Submarine Cero (SS-225) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Taijun Maru and teams with Ray (SS-271) to torpedo and damage army tanker Kenwa Maru off Halmahera Island, 02°42'N, 128°08'E.

Submarine Raton (SS-270) sinks Japanese merchant vessel Koshin Maru west of Borneo, 00°25'S, 107°34'E.

PB4Y damages Japanese cargo vessel Hakko Maru near Helen Reef, 00°25'S, 107°34'E.

Mediterranean
Light cruiser Brooklyn (CL-40) and destroyers Kearny (DD-432) and Ericsson (DD-440) shell enemy positions in vicinity of Ardea, Italy, with good results. The three ships repeat bombardment of troop concentrations and supply dumps on 24 and 26 May with equal success.

Light cruiser Philadelphia (CL-41) and destroyer Laub (DD-613) are damaged in collision 20 miles southwest of Nettuno, Italy, 41°11'N, 12°30'E.

Submarine chaser PC-626 captures German speedboat off Anzio and takes crew prisoner.

  24 May, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Operations against the Japanese NA line continue; destroyer escort England (DE-635) sinks submarine RO-116, 225 miles north-northwest of Kavieng, 00°53'N, 149°14'E.

Submarine Flying Fish (SS-229) is damaged by premature explosion of own torpedo, Philippine Sea, 12°54'N, 134°52'E, but remains on patrol.

Submarine Gurnard (SS-254), in attack on Japanese convoy in the Celebes Sea, sinks fleet tanker Tatekawa Maru just off the coast of Mindanao, 05°45'N, 125°43'E.

Submarine Lapon (SS-260), in South China Sea, sinks Japanese cargo ship Bizen Maru 07°20'N, 109°20'E and merchant cargo ship Wales Maru07°16'N, 109°04'E.

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) lands men and supplies on Samar, P.I.

Submarine Perch (SS-313) attacks Japanese convoy no. 88 in South China Sea, 22°15'N, 118°05'E, but without success. It is the convoy's last adventure with U.S. forces.

Submarine Raton (SS-270) attacks Japanese convoy about 220 miles east of Singapore and 150 miles west of Sarawak, sinking escort vessel Iki and damaging escort vessel Matsuwa, 01°17'N, 107°53'E.

Japanese transport Taichi Maru is sunk in collision near Chinhai, China, 30°00'N, 116°48'E.

Mediterranean
U.S. motor torpedo boats PT-202, PT-213 and PT-218 (Lieutenant Commander Robert A. Allan, RNVR) sink German corvette UJ.2223 (ex-Italian Navy corvette Maragone) and damage corvette UJ.2222 (ex-Italian Navy corvette Tuffeto) off Vada Rocks.

  25 May, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Flying Fish (SS-229) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking guardboat Dait_ Maru and merchant cargo ship _saka Maru north of Palau, 11°14'N, 135°12'E.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Kendrick (DD-612) shells German positions in the Ardea, Italy, area; enemy shore battery fire improved but inflicts no damage.

  26 May, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Destroyers (TG 57.8) bombard Japanese shore batteries and installations on Mille Atoll, Marshalls.

Operations against NA line continue; destroyer escort England sinks Japanese submarine RO-108 110 miles northeast of Manus, 00°32'S, 148°35'E.

Submarine Cabrilla (SS-288) sinks Japanese transport (ex-seaplane carrier) Sany_ Maru about 80 miles north of Menado, Celebes, 02°40'N, 124°35'E.

Submarine Permit (SS-178) torpedoes and damages Japanese submarine I-44 west-southwest of Truk, 07°05'N, 152°00'E.

Submarine Tambor (SS-198) sinks Japanese stores ship Chiy_ Maru west of the Marianas, 20°40'N, 141°50'E.

  27 May, Sat. 1944

Pacific
TF 77 (Rear Admiral William M. Fechteler) lands U.S. Army 41st Division (Major General Horace H. Fuller, USA) on Biak in the Schouten Islands off New Guinea, in Operation HORLICKS. Heavy and light cruisers and destroyers of TG 77.2 (Rear Admiral Victor A.C. Crutchley, RN) and TG 77.3 (Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey) provide gunfire support.

Motor torpedo boat PT-339, damaged by grounding off Pur Pur, western New Guinea, 04°01'S, 144°41'E, is scuttled by her crew to prevent capture.

Submarine chaser SC-699 is damaged by crashing Japanese plane off western New Guinea, 01°12'S, 136°13'E.

British submarine HMS Templar sinks Japanese cargo ship Tyokai Maru in Strait of Malacca.

Mediterranean
U.S. motor torpedo boats attack three German F-lighters in vicinity of Vada Rocks, sinking two and damaging one; PTs also attack an enemy motor vessel.

  28 May, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer Stockton (DD-646) is damaged by shore battery, Biak Island, Schouten Islands, New Guinea, 01°00'S, 136°00'E.

PV-1 (VB 148) accidentally bombs submarine Permit (SS-178) off Truk, 06°45'N, 151°52'E, but the damage sustained by Permit does not prevent her from continuing her war patrol.

Mediterranean
U.S. motor torpedo boats sink German corvette UJ.2210 in Ligurian Sea.

  29 May, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Destroyers (Destroyer Squadron 41) bombard Japanese installations on northern coast of New Ireland, shelling the Medina Plantation area.

Submarine Rasher (SS-269) attacks Japanese convoy in the eastern Celebes Sea, damaging gunboat Anshu Maru about 110 miles north-northwest of Halmahera, 03°32'N, 127°07'E (see 30 May 1944).

Submarine Silversides (SS-236), despite the proximity of four escort vessels and aircraft, sinks Japanese transports H_raisan Maru and Sh_ken Maru about 100 miles north-northwest of Saipan, 16°23'N, 144°59'E.

Japanese convoy no. 3530 sails from Yokohama, bound for Saipan. The seven transports/cargo ships carry men and equipment of the Japanese Army's 118th Infantry (see 4- 7 June 1944).

Atlantic
German submarine U-549 sinks escort carrier Block Island (CVE-21) and damages destroyer escort Barr (DE-576) but is sunk by destroyer escorts Ahrens (DE-575) and Eugene E. Elmore (DE-686) northwest of Canary Islands, 31°13'N, 23°03'W.

  30 May, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Guitarro (SS-363), despite proximity of at least three escort vessels, sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Shisen Maru 60 miles southeast of Keelung, Formosa, 24°32'N, 123°24'E.

Submarine Pompon (SS-267) sinks Japanese merchant passenger/cargo ship Shiga Maru off Murotosaki, Japan, 33°15'N, 134°11'E.

Submarine Rasher (SS-269) continues attack on Japanese convoy in the eastern Celebes Sea, sinking gunboat Anshu Maru about 110 miles north-northwest of Halmahera, 03°40'N, 126°58'E.

USAAF B-25s (11th Air Force) sink Japanese guardboat Shinyo Maru northeast of Paramushiro, Kurils, and damage guardboat No.3 Sh_wa Maru east of the Kurils.

USAAF B-25s damage Japanese cargo vessel Nansei Maru west of Manokwari.

  31 May, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Operations against the Japanese NA line continue: destroyer escort England (DE-635), assisted by destroyers McCord (DD-534) and Hazelwood (DD-531) and destroyer escorts George (DE-697), Raby (DE-698), and Spangler (DE-696), sink submarine RO-105 200 miles north-northwest of Kavieng, 00°47'N, 151°30'E.

Submarines Barb (SS-220) and Herring (SS-233) rendezvous in Sea of Okhotsk about 150 miles west of Matsuwa Island, Kurils, to plan operations against Japanese shipping in the vicinity. Subsequently, Herring attacks convoy NE, sinking escort vessel Ishigaki and army cargo ship Hokuyo Maru west of Matsuwa Island, 48°00'N, 153°00'E' (see 1 June 1944); Barb comes across convoy NE and sinks army cargo ship Madras Maru, 48°21'N, 151°20'E, and transport K_t_ Maru southwest of Paramushiro, 47°55'N, 151°42'E.

Japanese river gunboat Kotaka is sunk by Chinese aircraft in the Yangtze River.

June

  1 June, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) lands men and supplies on southwest coast of Mindanao.

Submarine Herring (SS-233) continues attacks against Japanese shipping in the Kurils, sinking transport Iwaki Maru [the lone surviving ship of convoy NE attacked the previous day by Herring and Barb (SS-220)] and merchant cargo ship Hiburi Maru off Matsuwa Island, 48°00'N, 153°00'E, but is sunk by shore battery (Guards Division 52, Matsuwa Detachment).

Submarine Pintado (SS-387) sinks Japanese transport T_h_ Maru about 250 miles northwest of Saipan, 18°08'N, 141°14'E, and damages transport Kinshu Maru (see 17 June 1944).

Big harbor tug Shahaka (YTB-368) sinks after collision with Section "A" of advance base section dock ABSD-2, about midway between the coast of California and the Hawaiian Islands, 27°21'N, 136°29'W.

Mediterranean
Destroyers Champlin (DD-601) and MacKenzie (DD-614) shell German strongpoints and shore batteries in the vicinity of Anzio; Champlin and Parker (DD-604) will alternate covering minesweeping operations west of Anzio and will also do so on 2 and 4 June.

  2 June, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Guitarro (SS-363), in attack on two Japanese warships carrying out an antisubmarine sweep east of Formosa, torpedoes escort vessel Awaji near Yasho Island, 22°34'N, 121°51'E.

Submarine Picuda (SS-382) attacks Japanese Moji-to-Singapore convoy, sinking escort vessel Awaji, 22°48'N, 121°24'E. As the convoy takes evasive action, however, cargo vessel Arimasan Maru accidentally rams Shinshu Maru's stern, setting off depth charges stowed there and damaging Shinshu Maru.

Submarine Shark (SS-314) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking transport No.2 Chiyo Maru about 600 miles northwest of Saipan, 21°00'N, 140°20'E.

Mediterranean
Destroyer MacKenzie (DD-614) shells German guns in the Partecica de Mari area, near Anzio.

  3 June, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer Reid (DD-369) is damaged by dive bomber off western New Guinea, 01°13'S, 136°13'E.

In operations against Japanese shipping off New Guinea, a PBY (VPB 52) damages torpedo boat Kiji 23 miles northwest of Manokwari, 00°40'S, 134°00'E; USAAF A-20s sink fishing boat No.96 Banshu Maru west of Manokwari.

  4, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Japanese horizontal bombers attack Allied cruiser and destroyer forces TF 74 and TF 75 (Rear Admiral Victor A.C. Crutchley, RN) off Biak, New Guinea, damaging light cruisers Nashville (CL-43), 01°05'S, 136°05'E, and Phoenix (CL-46), 01°00'S, 136°00'E.

Submarine Flier (SS-250) sinks Japanese troopship Hakusan Maru about 375 miles southwest of Chichi Jima, Bonins, 22°45'N, 136°50'E.

Submarine Golet (SS-361) sinks Japanese guardboat No.10 Shinko Maru east of Japan, 35°47'N, 154°54'E.

Coordinated submarine attack group, TG 17.12, makes contact with Japanese convoy 3530 (see 29 May). Two of the group's three boats, Shark (SS-314) and Pintado (SS-387), will obtain favorable attack positions; the third, Pilotfish (SS-386), will not. Shark sinks army transport Katsukawa Maru about 475 miles northwest of Saipan, 19°45'N, 138°15'E (see 5 June).

USAAF B-24s sink Japanese landing ship T.128, 110 miles northeast of Morotai, 04°09'N, 129°45'E.

USAAF A-20s bomb Manokwari, New Guinea, and Japanese shipping in Geelvink Bay, sinking auxiliary submarine chaser No.2 Hakusan Maru and guardboats Shimane Maru, No.3 Tokyo Maru, and Gongen Maru.

Atlantic
TG 22.3 (Captain Daniel V. Gallery), a hunter-killer group comprising escort carrier Guadalcanal (CVE-60) and destroyer escorts Pillsbury (DE-133), Pope (DE-134), Flaherty (DE-135), Chatelain (DE-149), and Jenks (DE-665), forces German submarine U-505 to the surface 150 miles off the coast of Rio de Oro, Africa. Lieutenant (j.g.) Albert L. David leads a boarding party from Pillsbury (which is damaged in collision with the out-of-control U-boat during salvage operations) that saves the ship despite the dangers posed by scuttling charges. He later assists more well-equipped salvage parties that make the captured U-boat seaworthy for the tow to Trinidad. For his "gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty," David is awarded the Medal of Honor.

  5 June, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Nautilus (SS-168) lands supplies at Tucuran, Mindanao.

Submarine Puffer (SS-268) attacks Japanese convoy in the Sulu Sea and sinks underway replenishment vessel Ashizuri and oiler Takasaki and damages tanker No.2 Hishi Maru, northeast of Borneo, 06°44'N, 120°54'E.

TG 17.12's operations against Japanese convoy 3530 continue as submarine Shark (SS-314) sinks transport Tamahime Maru and army transport Takaoka Maru west of the Marianas, 17°37'N, 140°32'E.

Atlantic
Off Normandy, France, mines sink minesweeper Osprey (AM-56), 50°12'N, 01°20'W, and damage tank landing ship LST-981, 50°45'N, 00°43'E.

  6 June, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Harder (SS-257) attacks Japanese convoy in the Celebes Sea, and sinks destroyer Minazuki 120 miles east-northeast of Tarakan, Borneo, 04°05'N, 119°30'E; counterattacks by destroyer Wakatsuki prove unsuccessful.

TG 17.12's operations against Japanese convoy 3530 come to a close as submarine Pintado (SS-387) sinks cargo ship Kashimasan Maru and army transport Havre Maru west-northwest of the Marianas, 16°28'N, 142°16'E.

Submarine Raton (SS-270) attacks Japanese convoy, and sinks Coast Defense Vessel No.15 about 160 miles off Cape St. Jacques, French Indochina, 08°57'N, 109°17'E. Raton is damaged by depth charges, but remains on patrol.

USAAF A-20s attack Japanese shipping off Manokwari, sinking motor sailships No.1 Asahi Maru, No.1 Kasuga Maru, and No.5 Taifuku Maru.

Japanese minelayer Yurishima is damaged by aircraft southeast of Woleai, 07°46'N, 147°30'E.

Atlantic
Allied Expeditionary Force under the supreme command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, USA, invades Western Europe in Operation OVERLORD. Landings are made on thebeaches of Normandy, France, following preinvasion minesweeping and bombardment by Allied warships, and under cover of Allied aircraft and naval gunfire. The invasion fleet of thousands of warships, merchantmen, and landing craft under the command of Admiral 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 Admiral Alan G. Kirk and composed of two assault forces, "O" under command of Rear Admiral John L. Hall and "U" under command of Rear Admiral Donald P. Moon, lands the First U.S. Army commanded by Lieutenant General Omar N. Bradley, USA, on OMAHA and UTAH beaches, respectively. Naval gunfire support groups commanded by Rear Admiral Carlton F. Bryant prevent the Germans from moving up reinforcements and cover the Allied troops advancing inland. After the beachheads are established, the primary naval responsibility is the landing of men and supplies. The success of the Normandy landings virtually assures victory in the European theater.

Off Normandy, mines sink destroyer Corry (DD-463), 49°31'N, 01°11'W; submarine chaser PC-1261, 49°30'N, 01°10'W; tank landing craft LCT-25, LCT-197, LCT-294, LCT-305, LCT-332, LCT-364, LCT-555, LCT-593, LCT-597, LCT-703, and LCT-777; and infantry landing craft LCI-85, LCI-91, LCI-92, LCI-232, and LCI-497. LCT-27 and LCT-30 sink after running aground. LCT-362 founders and sinks. LCT-612 and LCI-93 and LCI-553 are sunk by shore batteries. Destroyer Harding (DD-625) sends armed whaleboat in to shore, landing small arms to help the 2d Ranger Battalion; the destroyermen relieve a number of soldiers as guards for German POWs, permitting the rangers to reinforce their comrades.

  7 June, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Naval Advanced Base, Hollandia, New Guinea, is established.

Submarine Harder (SS-257) sinks Japanese destroyer Hayanami as the latter patrols south of the Japanese Fleet anchorage at Tawi Tawi, southeast opf Sibitu Passage, Borneo, 04°43'N, 120°03'E.

Submarine Whale (SS-239) damages Japanese transports Shinroku Maru and Sugiyama Maru north-northeast of the Bonins, 31°06'N, 142°34'E.

Remnants of Japanese convoy 3530 reach Saipan, but because of the work of Shark (SS-314) and Pintado (SS-387), the Imperial Army's 118th Regiment arrives at its destination at half-strength, its weapons and equipment at the bottom of the Pacific.

Atlantic
Construction of artificial harbors and sheltered anchorages ("Mulberries") from sunken blockships and concrete caissons begins off Normandy. Off the beach- heads minesweeper Tide (AM-125) is sunk by a mine. As minesweeper Pheasant (AM-61) rescues Tide's survivors, she fouls the stricken minecraft and is damaged, 49°37'N, 01°05'W. Mines also sink transport Susan B. Anthony (AP-72), 49°33'N, 00°49'W, and tank landing craft LCT-458 and LCT-586; motor torpedo boat PT-505 is damaged by a mine, 49°30'N, 01°09'W, and destroyer Harding (DD-625) is damaged when she runs aground, 49°31'N, 00°50'W. U.S. freighter Francis Harrington, in OMAHA Beach-bound convoy EMB 2, is damaged by mine at 50°10'N, 00°40'W, but manages to discharge her cargo and disembark the troops she is bringing to the beachhead, although 6 of the 515 soldiers perish in the mining, There were no other casualties among the men on board, who include a 28-man Armed Guard.

  8 June, Thu. 1944

Pacific
USAAF B-25s (17th Reconnaissance Squadron), escorted by P-38s (475th Fighter Group), attack Japanese Biak-bound reinforcement convoy (seven destroyers, each towing a large landing barge), sinking Harusame 30 miles northwest of Manokwari, 00°05'S, 132°45'E, and damaging Shiratsuyu and Shikinami; three barges are lost. Later that same day, Allied surface forces, TF 74 and TF 75 (Rear Admiral Victor A.C. Crutchley, RN), including two U.S. light cruisers and accompanying destroyers, intercept the remaining six enemy ships and engage them; the battle continues into 9 June. Although Hamakaze claims damage to a U.S. cruiser none of the Allied ships are damaged; TF 74/TF 75 gunfire, however, damages Shigure, and Crutchley's force turns back the Japanese before they can accomplish their mission.

Submarine Hake (SS-256) sinks Japanese destroyer Kazagumo at mouth of Davao Gulf, about 20 miles southwest of Cape San Augustin, Mindanao, 06°04'N, 125°56'E.

Submarine Harder (SS-257) evacuates coast-watchers from northeast coast of North Borneo.

Submarine Rasher (SS-269) attacks Japanese convoy in the Celebes Sea, sinking underway replenishment vessel Shioya northwest of Menado, 03°15'N, 124°03'E.

Submarine Whale (SS-239) is damaged by depth charges north of the Bonins, 31°00'N, 143°55'E, but remains on patrol.

Japanese army tanker No.5 Nippo Maru is sunk by aircraft off northwest coast of New Guinea, 00°33'S, 132°53'E.

Atlantic
Off Normandy, mines continue to take their toll: destroyer escort Rich (DE-695), 49°31'N, 01°10'W, and tank landing ship LST-499, 49°30'N, 01°10'W, are sunk; destroyers Glennon (DD-620), 50°32'N, 01°12'W, and Meredith (DD-726), 49°33'N, 01°06'W, are damaged.

  9 June, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Destroyers bombard Japanese repair facilities at Fangelawa Bay, New Ireland.

Submarine Harder (SS-257) sinks Japanese destroyer Tanikaze in Sibitu Passage, 90 miles southwest of Basilan Island, 04°50'N, 119°40'E.

Submarine Swordfish (SS-193) attacks Japanese convoy east of the Bonins, sinking destroyer Matsukaze 55 miles east of Chichi Jima, 27°14'N, 142°55'E.

USAAF A-20s bomb Japanese shipping off Manokwari, sinking cargo vessels No.10 Fuku Maru, No.12 Fuku Maru, Ebisu Maru, Fukuda Maru, Atarashi Maru, and Shosei Maru.

Atlantic
Off Normandy, destroyer Meredith (DD-726) is sunk by horizontal bomber and as a result of mine damage suffered off the invasion beaches on 8 June, 49°26'N, 01°04'W. German schnellbootes S 172, S 174, S 175 and S 187 attack convoy in English channel, torpedoing and sinking tank landing ship LST-314, 49°43'N, 00°52'W, and damaging tank landing ship LST-376. The latter is later scuttled by escorts, 49°43'N, 00°53'W. Infantry landing craft LCI-416 is sunk by mine; motor minesweeper YMS-305 is damaged by shore battery, 49°31'N, 00°50'W. U.S. freighter Ezra Weston is damaged by shore battery fire that kills 5 and wounds 11 of her 600 embarked troops; there are no other casualties among the ship's complement, including the 26-man Armed Guard.

  10 June, Sat. 1944

Pacific
PB4Ys (VB 108, VB 109) sweep ahead of TF 58 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) as it approaches the Marianas, to intercept and destroy any Japanese aircraft in the path of the fast carriers. These sweeps will be repeated on 11 June. During these two days of operations, a Privateer from each squadron will shoot down a Japanese plane at some distance away from the task force. The use of PB4Ys is decided upon because sightings of these long-range planes in that region is a commonplace occurrance and would thus arouse no enemy suspicions that a carrier task force is in the area.

High speed transport Talbot (APD-7) is damaged in collision with battleship Pennsylvania (BB-38), en route to the Marianas.

Destroyer Taylor (DD-468) sinks Japanese submarine RO-111, 210 miles north-northwest of Kavieng, New Ireland, 00°26'N, 149°16'E.

Destroyer escort Bangust (DE-739) sinks Japanese submarine RO-42, 70 miles northeast of Kwajalein, Marshalls, 10°05'N, 168°22'E.

British submarine HMS Tantalus sinks Japanese army cargo ship Hiyoshi Maru in Strait of Malacca, 03°05'N, 99°56'E.

USAAF B-25s bomb Japanese shipping off Manokwari, sinking auxiliary sailing vessel Shinei Maru.

Japanese cargo vessel Yozan Maru is damaged by mine off Manila.

Japanese cargo vessel Kinmon Maru is sunk by accidental fire, Singapore, 01°17'N, 103°51'E.

Atlantic
Destroyer Glennon (DD-620) is sunk off Normandy by German shore battery, 50°32'N, 01°12'W; tank landing craft LCT-209 sinks after running aground off beachhead. U.S. freighter Charles Morgan is damaged by bomb off UTAH Beach that kills 7 of the 64-man Army stevedore unit on board and one merchant crewman; there are no casualties among the 27-man Armed Guard. Fleet tug Kiowa (ATF-72) takes on board the survivors. Charles Morgan, however, despite strenuous efforts to save her, is ultimately declared a total loss.

Mediterranean
Heaviest German air raid since 3 May occurs off Anzio against U.S. shipping off the beachhead. Minesweeper Symbol (AM-123), tank landing ship LST-211, infantry landing craft LCI-41, and U.S. freighter Tarleton Brown are all damaged by near-misses of bombs.

  11, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Naval Base, Biak Island, Schoeten Islands, is established.

F6Fs from TF 58 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher), 16 from each carrier and 12 from each small carrier, accompanied by a TBF or SB2C from each task group (thelatter to lead the fighters in and out), blankets Japanese airfields in the Marianas. This move, which achieves complete surprise, also assures control of the air over the Marianas. Combat air patrol F6Fs from TF 58 begin to intercept and down Japanese planes in the vicinity of TF 58. F6Fs also damage Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No.8 Shonan Maru and cargo vessel Keiyo Maru (see 13 June).14

Submarine Barb (SS-220) sinks Japanese merchant fishing vessels Chihaya Maru and Toten Maru in Sea of Okhotsk, east of Karafuto, 46°50'N, 144°05'E.

Submarine Redfin (SS-272), despite presence of escort vessel, sinks Japanese tanker Asanagi Maru west of Jolo, 06°02'N, 120°50'E.

Atlantic
U.S. battleships off Normandy provide gunfire support to U.S. Army forces ten miles inland at Carentan, France.

Off the invasion beaches, German torpedo boats S 130, S 144, S 146, S 150 and S 167 launch torpedo attacks on U.S. invasion shipping, sinking tank landing ship LST-496 and tug Partridge (ATO-138), 49°30'N, 00°50'N and damaging tank landing ship LST-538, 49°48'N, 00°31'W. German motor torpedo boat S 138 torpedoes and damages destroyer Nelson (DD-623), 49°31'N, 00°50'W; infantry landing craft LCI-219 is sunk by aircraft.

Aircraft (VC 95) from escort carrier Croatan (CVE-25) teams with destroyer escorts Frost (DE-144), Huse (DE-145), and Inch (DE-146) sink German submarine U-490 midway between Flores Island and Flemish Cap, 42°47'N, 40°08'W.

  12 June, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Planes from 15 carriers (CV-and CVL) of TF 58 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) work over Japanese air facilities and coast defenses on Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Rota, and Pagan Islands, Marianas. Carrier strikes are repeated on 13 and 14 June in preparation for the landings on Saipan. Aircraft from carrier Essex (CV-9) and small carriers Langley (CVL-27) and Cowpens (CVL- 25) (TG 58.4) smash Japanese convoy (which had sailed from Tanapag harbor for Japan the previous day) northwest of Saipan, sinking torpedo boat Otori, 17°32'N, 144°00'E, auxiliary netlayer Kokku Maru,17°32'N, 144°01'E, transports Batavia Maru, 17°32'N, 143°17'E, Hinko Maru, 17°28'N, 144°19'E, Kamishima Maru and Imizu Maru, 17°32'N, 144°10'E, Nitcho Maru, 17°32'N, 143°10'E, Reikai Maru, 17°30'N, 144°00'E, and Tenryugawa Maru, 17°32'N, 144°01'E, cargo ship Bokuyo Maru, army cargo ships Fukoku Maru and Moji Maru, and merchant vessel Tsushima Maru; and damaging transport Tatsutakawa Maru (see 15 June 1944), Coast Defense Vessel No.4, 17°20'N, 144°10'E, submarine chaser Ch 50, 17°32'N, 144°10', and submarine chasers Ch 33 and Ch 51, auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 20 and auxiliary minesweeper Wa 6.15 Japanese minelayer Nichiyu Maru [torpedoed by submarine Halibut (SS-232) on 3 March 1943] is further damaged by carrier planes in Apra Harbor.

Destroyer Kalk (DD-611) is damaged by horizontal bomber off western New Guinea, 01°19'S, 136°19'E.

British submarine HMS Stoic attacks Japanese convoy, and sinks transport Kainan Maru off Phuket, Siam, 07°54'N, 98°27'E.

  13 June, Tue. 1944

Pacific
TF 58 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) strikes against Saipan continue; Navy carrier-based planes sink aircraft transport Keiyo Maru, which had been damaged in the 11 June fighter sweep, and destroy convoy of small cargo vessels: No.11 Shinriki Maru, Sekizen Maru, Myogawa Maru, Shigei Maru and Suwa Maru. F6Fs from TF 58 attack Japanese convoy spotted the previous day and damage fast transport T.1 southwest of the Marianas, 11°43'N, 140°42'E.

During the strikes, Commander William I. Martin, commanding officer of Enterprise's VT-10, is shot down and parachutes into the sea off Red Beach Three, Saipan. Before he is rescued, he observes that the Japanese have marked the length of the reef offshore with red and white pennants, indicating pre-sited artillery ranges--valuable intelligence information quickly disseminated to the approaching amphibious forces.

TG 58.7 (Vice Admiral Willis A. Lee) battleships and destroyers conduct an almost day-long bombardment of Japanese installations on Saipan and Tinian.

TF 94 (Rear Admiral Ernest G. Small) cruisers and destroyers bombard Japanese position on Matsuwa Island in the Kurils.

Submarine Barb (SS-220) sinks Japanese army transport Takashima Maru in Sea of Okhotsk, 50°53'N, 151°12'E, despite presence of escorting destroyer Hatsuharu, which carries out ineffective countermeasures.

Submarine Flier (SS-250) damages Japanese merchant tanker Marifu Maru in South China Sea west of Luzon, 15°57'N, 119°42'E (see 6 November 1944).

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) shells oil tanks at Bula, Ceram Island, N.E.I.

Destroyer Melvin (DD-680) sinks Japanese submarine RO-36 between 50 and 75 miles east of Saipan, 15°21'N, 147°00'E.

Atlantic
Unarmed U.S. fishing boat Lark is shelled and machine- gunned by German submarine U-107 32 miles off Cape Sable Light, 42°54'N, 65°25'W, and abandoned with the exception of the master and the cook. Lark remains afloat as the U-boat leaves the scene, whereupon she rescues every man who had abandoned ship at the approach of the enemy submarine.

  14 June, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Bombardment groups, TG 52.17 (Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf) and TG 52.18 (Rear Admiral Walden L. Ainsworth), shell Japanese installations on Saipan and Tinian. Enemy shore battery fire damages battleship California (BB-44) off Saipan, 15°12'N, 145°42'E, and destroyer Braine (DD-630) off Tinian, 15°12'N, 145°42'E; near-misses from shells damage battleship Tennessee (BB-43), heavy cruiser Indianapolis (CA-35), light cruiser Birmingham (CL-62), and destroyer Remey (DD-688). Destroyer Wadleigh (DD-689) covers withdrawal of Underwater Demolition team (UDT) 7 after its beach reconnaissance mission.

Submarine Golet (SS-361) is probably sunk by Japanese guard boat Miya Maru, auxiliary submarine chaser Bunzan Maru, and naval aircraft off northern Honshu, 41°04'N, 141°31'E.16

Submarine Rasher (SS-269), in attack on Japanese convoy in the Celebes Sea, sinks army cargo ship Koan Maru about 130 miles south of Mindanao, 04°33'N, 122°23'E.

Atlantic
Tank landing ship LST-280 is torpedoed by German submarine U-621 off Normandy, 49°55'N, 00°30'W.

  15 June, Thu. 1944

Pacific
TF 52 (Vice Admiral Richmond K. Turner) lands Marines (Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith, USMC) on Saipan in Operation FORAGER, under cover of intensive naval gunfire and carrier-based aircraft. Saipan is the first relatively large and heavily defended land mass in the central Pacific to be assaulted by American amphibious might. Chengtu, China-based USAAF B-29s bomb the Yawata Steel Mills, northern Kyushu, Japan, marking the first time that B-29s are used in distant support of an ongoing amphibious operation.

Battleship Tennessee (BB-43) is damaged by shore battery, northeast of Tinian, 15°02'N, 143°50'E; light cruiser St. Louis (CL-49) is damaged by materiel casualty (dropped no.3 propeller and part of tail shaft), Saipan channel. Infantry landing craft (gunboat) LCI(G)-451 and LCI(G)-726 are damaged by mortar fire off approaches to Saipan landing beaches.

Carrier-based aircraft from TG 58.1 (Rear Admiral Joseph J. Clark) and TG 58.4 (Rear Admiral William K. Harrill) bomb Japanese installations on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, and Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonins; attack on Iwo Jima is repeated 16 June. Destroyers Boyd (DD-544) and Charrette (DD-581) sink transport Tatsutakawa Maru after she had been damaged by TBFs/TBMs and F6Fs from small carrier Bataan (CVL- 29) east of Ogasawara-shoto, 25°02'N, 144°37'E. TF 58 aircraft sink auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 54 off Rota Island, Marianas. Destroyer Halsey Powell (DD-686) sinks minelayer Ma 101 (ex-British netlayer HMS Barlight, captured at Hong Kong in December 1941) in Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, 15°15'N, 145°45'E.

Japanese submarine chaser Ch 7 is sunk by mine south of the Palaus, 04°03'N, 135°08'E.

Submarine Swordfish (SS-193) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking army cargo ship Kanseishi Maru about 150 miles north-northwest of Chichi Jima, 29°30'N, 144°07'E.

Japanese cargo vessel Kanzaki Maru is stranded and sunk off east coast of Korea, 36°01'N, 129°41'E.

Atlantic
TBFs and FM-2s (VC-9) from escort carrier Solomons (CVE- 67) sink German submarine U-860 in South Atlantic, 25°27'S, 05°30'W.

Off Normandy, tank landing ships LST-2, LST-266, LST-307, LST-331, and LST-360 are damaged by shore batteries; LST-133 by mine.

Mediterranean
Motor torpedo boats PT-552, PT-558, and PT-559 sink German torpedo boats TA 26 (ex-Italian Navy Intrepido) and TA 30 (ex-Italian Navy Dragone) off the Italian coast between La Spezia and Genoa, 43°58'N, 09°29'E.

  16 June, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Battleship, cruiser, and destroyer force (Rear Admiral Walden L. Ainsworth) bombards Japanese installations on Guam.

High speed transport Gilmer (APD-11), on radar picket duty 25 miles west of Saipan, encounters Japanese convoy of small cargo vessels (whose sailors are apparently unaware of the presence of American ships in the Marianas) bound for Saipan, and sinks four: No.1 Yusen Maru, No.2 Usen Maru, Toa Maru, and Tatsutaka Maru. Destroyer Shaw (DD-373), ordered to support Gilmer, arrives in time to sink a fifth ship, No.17 Yusen Maru.

Light cruiser Vincennes (CL-91) is damaged by materiel casualty (main Kingsbury thrust bearing, no.3 shaft), at sea with TG 58.4.

Destroyers Melvin (DD-680) and Wadleigh (DD-689) sink Japanese submarine RO-114, 80 miles west of Tinian, 15°02'N, 144°10'E.

Destroyer escort Burden R. Hastings (DE-19) sinks Japanese submarine RO-44, 110 miles east of Eniwetok, 11°13'N, 164°15'E.

Submarine Bluefish (SS-222) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking merchant cargo ship Nanshin Maru in the Celebes Sea southwest of Tarakan, Borneo, 02°22'N, 118°24'E.

Submarine Bream (SS-243) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Y_ki Maru and damages army cargo ship Hinode Maru off Halmahera Island, 02°23'N, 128°43'E.

  17 June, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Escort carrier Fanshaw Bay (CVE-70) is damaged by horizontal bomber off Marianas, 15°00'N, 145°00'E; tank landing ship LST-84 is damaged by friendly fire, Marianas, 15°10'N, 145°58'E; infantry landing craft (gunboat) LCI(G)-468, damaged by Japanese torpedo planes en route to Saipan, is scuttled by destroyer Stembel (DD-644), 13°28'N, 148°18'E. TF 58 aircraft sink Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 56 at Rota; and transport Marudai Maru off Saipan.

PB4Y-1 (VB 109) from Eniwetok sinks Japanese submarine RO-117, 11°05'N, 150°31'E.

Submarine Hake (SS-256) attacks Japanese convoy as it proceeds from Palau to Davao, and sinks transport Kinshu Maru about 65 miles southeast of Davao, 06°10'N, 126°18'E. Later that same day, submarine Flounder (SS-251) attacks the same convoy beset earlier by Hake and sinks torpedo recovery ship Nihonkai Maru south of Mindanao, 06°36'N, 127°55'E. Flounder survives depth- chargings by submarine chasers Ch 35 and Ch 64.

USAAF B-25s (5th Air Force) supported by fighters, work over Japanese shipping in Sorong harbor, sinking army cargo ships Minyu Maru and No.12 Sanko Maru, and merchant cargo ship Shofuku Maru, 00°53'N, 131°15'E.

Japanese tanker Nichiyoko Maru is damaged by mine off Belawan, Sumatra, N.E.I., 03°40'N, 99°07'E.

Atlantic
Motor minesweeper YMS-377 is damaged by mine off Normandy, 49°29'N, 01°08'W.

Aircraft (VC 95) from escort carrier Croatan damage German submarine U-853.

Mediterranean
Allied task force (Rear Admiral Thomas H. Troubridge, RN), including U.S. naval vessels, lands French troops on island of Elba off Italy. U.S. Navy ships participating in the landings include 6 destroyers, 1 destroyer escort, 5 minesweepers, 15 motor minesweepers, 16 submarine chasers, 10 tank landing ships, 20 tank landing craft, and 19 infantry landing craft; one LCI(L) is damaged by shore battery fire. Four U.S. motor torpedo boats sink four German F- lighters loaded with German troops being evacuated from Elba.

  18 June, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer Phelps (DD-360), along with infantry landing craft (gunboat) [LCI(G)] and amphibian tractors [LVT(A)] oppose between 25 and 30 Japanese landing barges, southward-bound off Garapan, Saipan, sinking 13 and putting the rest to flight.

Off Saipan, battleship California (BB-44) is damaged by friendly fire; destroyer Phelps (DD-360), LCI(G)-371, and motor minesweeper YMS-323 are damaged by shore battery off Garapan, 14°58'N, 146°21'E.17 During Japanese bombing raid, oilers Neshanic (AO-71) and Saranac (AO-74) are damaged at 14°45'N, 146°10'E; oiler Saugatuck (AO-75) is near-missed.

Motor torpedo boats PT-63 and PT-107 are destroyed by fire off New Ireland, 01°45'S, 150°01'E.

British submarine HMS Storm attacks Japanese convoy off Penang, Malaya, sinking gunboat Eiko Maru, 05°59'N, 99°10'E.

  19 June, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Battle of the Philippine Sea opens as the Japanese Fleet (Vice Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo) contests the landings on Saipan. Japanese carrier-based aircraft attack Fifth Fleet (Admiral Raymond A. Spruance) covering Saipan operation. Despite the combat air patrol and heavy antiaircraft fire, battleship South Dakota (BB-57) is damaged by dive bomber, 14°10'N, 143°15'E; battleship Indiana (BB-58) is damaged by suicide plane, 14°04'N, 143°23'E; carriers Bunker Hill (CV-17) 14°46'N, 143°02'E and Wasp (CV-18), 14°19'N, 143°48'E are near-missed by dive bombers; heavy cruiser Minneapolis (CA-36) is near-missed by horizontal bomber, 14°11'N, 143°09'E; destroyer Hudson (DD-475) is damaged by friendly fire, 14°11'N, 143°09'E.

Commander David McCampbell, Commander Air Group 15, flying from carrier Essex (CV-9), distinguishes himself in aerial combat, splashing at least seven Japanese planes in defense of TF 58 (see 24 October).

The Japanese lose at least 300 aircraft in what U.S. Navy pilots call the "Marianas Turkey Shoot." Submarine Albacore (SS-244) sinks Japanese carrier Taiho, 180 nautical miles north-northwest of Yap, 12°22'N, 137°04'E; submarine Cavalla (SS-244) sinks Japanese carrier Shokaku, 140 nautical miles north of Yap Island, 11°50'N, 137°57'E. Both boats survive counterattacks by escorts: Albacore counts 75 depth charges, Cavalla 106.

Motor minesweeper YMS-323 is damaged by shore battery, as she carries out survey operations off Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, 15°10'N, 145°58'E.

Aircraft (VT 60) from escort carrier Suwannee (CVE-27) sink Japanese submarine I-184, 20 miles south of Guam, 13°01'N, 149°53'E.

USAAF A-20s raid Manokwari, sinking small Japanese cargo vessels No.5 Masutuko Maru and No.43 Taigyo Maru.

Atlantic
Artificial harbor off Normandy installed on 7 June isseverely damaged by storm. Elsewhere off the invasion beaches, tank landing ship LST-523 is sunk by mine, 49°30'N, 01°10'W; rescue tug ATR-15 is damaged by grounding, 49°22'N, 00°26'W.

  20 June, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Battle of the Philippine Sea concludes as planes from TF 58 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher), launched late in the afternoon from carriers Hornet (CV-12), Yorktown (CV-10), Bunker Hill (CV-17), and Lexington (CV-16), and small carriers Belleau Wood (CVL-24), Monterey (CVL- 26) and San Jacinto (CVL-30), strike Japanese fleet in what becomes known as the "Mission Beyond Darkness." TBFs from Belleau Wood (VT 24) sink carrier Hiyo northwest of Yap Island, 15°30'N, 133°50'E. Fleet tanker Gen'yo Maru, damaged by F6Fs, SB2Cs and TBFs from Wasp, is scuttled by destroyer Uzuki, west of Saipan; likewise, oiler Seiyo Maru, damaged by F6Fs, SB2Cs and TBFs from Wasp, is scuttled by destroyer Yukikaze, 15°35'N, 133°30'E. TF 58 planes also damage carrier Zuikaku, small carriers Chiyoda and Ryuho, battleship Haruna, heavy cruiser Maya, destroyers Samidare and Shigure, and fast fleet tanker/seaplane carrier Hayasui. Vice Admiral Mitscher orders the ships of TF 58 to show lights in order to guide returning strike groups home.

In the two-day Battle of the Philippine Sea the Japanese Fleet loses 395 (92%) of its carrier planes, and 12 float planes remain operational. Besides the losses afloat, an estimated 50 land-based Japanese aircraft from Guam are destroyed. The U.S. Fleet loss is 130 planes and 76 pilots and crewmen for the two days, predominantly from the "Mission Beyond Darkness" on 20 June 1944 (see 23 June 1944).

Destroyer Phelps (DD-360) is damaged by shore battery, Saipan, 15°10'N, 145°58'E.

Submarine Hake (SS-256) attacks Japanese convoy off south coast of Mindanao, and sinks army cargo ship Nichibi Maru in Saragan Strait, 05°36'N, 125°17'E.

Submarines Narwhal (SS-167) and Nautilus (SS-168) land supplies and evacuate people from Negros and Panay, P.I.

USAAF A-20s raid New Guinea coastline, sinking Japanese fishing vessels Shinei Maru and No.3 Kompira Maru at Manokwari and No.31 Taikoko Maru at Windessi.

  21 June, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer Newcomb (DD-586) and high speed minesweeper Chandler (DMS-9) sink Japanese submarine I-185, 90 miles east-northeast of Saipan, 15°50'N, 145°08'E; Japanese guardboat Kompira Maru is sunk by gunfire off Tinian.

Submarine Bluefish (SS-222), despite presence of escort, sinks Japanese army cargo ship Kanan Maru off southern approaches to Makassar Strait, 03°58'S, 116°35'E.

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) sinks Japanese powered sailboat No.2 Shinshu Maru 12 miles southwest of Culasi, 11°22'N, 121°52'E.

Dutch submarine K 14 damages Japanese minelayer Tsugaru between Sorong, New Guinea, and Kau Roads, Moluccas, 01°10'S, 130°30'E.

TBF/Ms and F4Fs from escort carrier White Plains (CVE- 66) sink Japanese cargo ship Shoun Maru off Rota, Saipan, 14°10'N, 145°10'E.

Atlantic
Off Normandy, destroyer Davis (DD-395) is damaged by mine, 49°23'N, 00°46'W; Coast Guard cutters 83415 and 83471 are sunk by storm.

Mediterranean
German torpedo boat TA 25 (ex-Italian Navy Ardito), damaged by U.S. motor torpedo boats southwest of Viareggio, Italy, 43°49'N, 10°12'E, is scuttled by German torpedo boat TA 29 (ex-Italian Navy).

  22 June, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Battleship Maryland (BB-46) is damaged by aerial torpedo off Garapan, Saipan, 15°13'N, 145°39'E; tank landing ship LST-119 is damaged by Tinian shore battery, Saipan, 15°10'N, 145°58'E; transport Prince Georges (AP-165) is damaged by near-miss of bomb off Saipan.

Submarine Batfish (SS-310) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Nagaragawa Maru off Honshu, 34°36'N, 137°56'E.

Submarine Flier (SS-250) torpedoes Japanese army cargo ship Belgium Maru west of Mindoro, 13°11'N, 120°27'E.

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) damages Japanese tanker Itsukushima Maru in Sulu Sea, 09°00'N, 120°55'E.

USAAF aircraft damage Japanese cargo vessel Shoyu Maru off Sorong Island.

Atlantic
U.S. freighter Cyrus H.K. Curtis is damaged by mines off SWORD Beach, Normandy, but discharges her cargo; there are no casualties among the 43-man merchant complement, the 27-man Armed Guard, or the 250 U.S. troops on board.

  23 June, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Aircraft from carrier task group (Rear Admiral Joseph J. Clark) bomb Japanese air facilities and shipping in the Marianas, sinking guardboat Haruta Maru off Pagan Island and cargo ship Shoun Maru off Rota, 14°10'N, 145°10'E.

SB2C crew (VB 14) is rescued by PBM (VH-1); the two men picked up by the flying boat are the last to be recovered in the wake of the "Mission Beyond Darkness" of 20 June 1944. Ironically, the PBM is off course when it recovers the men.

Japanese planes begin night high-level bombing attack on U.S. amphibious shipping off Saipan.

  24 June, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Japanese planes conclude night high-level bombing attack on U.S. amphibious shipping off Saipan. Battle damage repair ship Phaon (ARB-3), submarine chasers PC(S)-1401 and PC(S)-1461, and tank landing craft LCT-998 are all damaged by near-misses.

Aircraft from carrier task groups (Rear Admiral Joseph J. Clark and Rear Admiral Alfred E. Montgomery) strike Japanese airfields and facilities on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, and Pagan Island, Marianas.

Motor torpedo boat PT-193, irreparably damaged by grounding, western New Guinea, 00°55'S, 134°52'E, is burned by her crew.

Submarine Grouper (SS-214) attacks Japanese convoy off coast of central Japan, and sinks cargo ship Kumanoyama Maru and merchant tanker No.6 Nanmei Maru south of Yokosuka, 34°45'N, 139°30'E.

Submarine Redfin (SS-272) attacks Japanese convoy off southern coast of Leyte, and sinks army cargo ship Aso Maru southwest of Surigao Strait, 09°51'N, 125°06'E.

Submarine Tang (SS-306) attacks Japanese convoy leaving Koshiki Straits, and sinks army cargo ships Tamahoko Maru and Kennichi Maru, and merchant tanker Nasuzan Maru and cargo ship Tainan Maru outside Nagasaki harbor, Kyushu, 32°24'N, 129°38'E. Coast Defense Vessel No.1 does not prove fast enough to pursue Tang to counterattack.

Atlantic
TBM (VC 69) from escort carrier Bogue (CVE-9) sinks Japanese submarine I-52, 800 miles southwest of Fayal, Azores, 15°16'N, 39°55'W.

  25 June, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Bashaw (SS-241) attacks Japanese convoy, and sinks army cargo ship Yamamiya Maru between Taland Island and Halmahera, 03°28'N, 127°06'E.

Submarine Jack (SS-259) attacks Japanese convoy, and sinks merchant tanker San Pedro Maru off northwest coast of Luzon, 16°17'N, 119°40'E.

Japanese minelayer Nichiyu Maru (see 3 March 1943 and 12 June 1944) is further damaged by naval gunfire in Apra Harbor, Guam.

Europe
Battleship, cruiser, and destroyer force (Rear Admiral Morton L. Deyo) duels with German shore batteries and coastal defenses at Cherbourg, France; battleship Texas (BB-35) and destroyers Barton (DD-722), Laffey (DD- 724), and O'Brien (DD-725) are all damaged by the enemy gunfire.

  26 June, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Cruiser and destroyers (Rear Admiral Ernest G. Small) bombard Japanese positions at Kurabu Zaki, Paramushiro, Kurils.

Infantry landing craft (gunboat) LCI(G)-438 and LCI(G)-456 repel attack by Japanese barges (some of which fire torpedoes) off Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, but both gunboats are damaged in the battle. Elsewhere off Saipan, cargo ship Mercury (AK-42) is damaged by low- flying Japanese aircraft that flies into cargo boom, and is hit by dud aerial torpedo, 15°10'N, 145°58'E.

British submarine HMS Truculent attacks Japanese convoy, sinking cargo ship Harugiku Maru about 60 miles southeast of Medan, Sumatra, 03°15'N, 99°46'E.

USAAF P-38s sink Japanese army cargo ship Hokushin Maru east of Halmahera Island, 01°03'N, 131°08'E.

USAAF B-25s sink Japanese fishing boat No.1 Daisen Maru off Manokwari.

Europe
German garrison at Cherbourg, France, surrenders.

  27 June, Tue. 1944

Pacific
TF 58 planes complete destruction of Japanese water tanker Kizugawa Maru, already damaged irreparably by submarine Seahorse (SS-304) on 8 April off Guam.

Submarine Seahorse (SS-304) attacks Japanese convoy, and sinks merchant tanker Medan Maru south-southwest of Formosa, 21°10'N, 120°31'E.

  28 June, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Archerfish (SS-311) sinks Japanese Coast Defense Vessel No.24, 30 miles southwest of Iwo Jima, 24°25'N, 141°20'E, as the enemy warship covers unloading operations by what are most likely landing ships.

Submarine Pargo (SS-264) attacks Japanese convoy in Moro Gulf, army cargo ship Yamagiku Maru and damages Coast Defense Vessel No.10 about 35 miles east of Zamboanga, 06°50'N, 121°30'E.

Submarine Sealion (SS-315), despite presence of escorts, sinks Japanese collier Sansei Maru in Tsushima Strait, 33°53'N, 129°01'E.

USAAF B-24s (14th Air Force) attack Japanese convoy MATA 23 southwest of the Pescadores, sinking transport Ussuri Maru off Formosa, 23°49'N, 119°02'E.

Europe
U.S. freighter Charles W. Eliot fouls two mines about four miles off Juno Beach, Normandy, and breaks in two; there are no fatalities among the crew (which includes a 31-man Armed Guard). Survivors are transferred to freighter George W. Woodward and later tank landing craft LCT-527 for transportation to England. Charles W. Eliot is subsequently written off as a total loss.

  29 June, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Bang (SS-385) damages Japanese fleet tanker Miri Maru (see 15 January 1945), and merchant tanker Sarawak Maru west of Luzon, 17°13'N, 118°22'E.

Submarine Darter (SS-227) attacks Japanese convoy off northern tip of Halmahera Island, and sinks minelayer Tsugaru, 02°10'N, 128°05'E.

Submarine Flasher (SS-249) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking merchant cargo ship Niho Maru and damaging oiler Notoro about 125 miles southeast of Singapore, 00°44'N, 105°45'E.

Submarine Growler (SS-215), despite presence of three escort vessels, sinks Japanese transport Katori Maru in Luzon Strait, 19°00'N, 121°42'E.

Submarine Sturgeon (SS-187) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking army cargo ship Toyama Maru in the Nansei Shoto, off Taira Jima, 27°47'N, 129°05'E.

Atlantic
Coastal minesweeper Valor (AMc-108) is sunk in collision with destroyer escort Richard W. Suesens (DE-342) off Newport, R.I., 41°128'N, 70°57'W.

Europe
German submarine U-984 attacks Omaha Beach-bound convoy EMC 17 about 30 miles south of the Isle of Wight, torpedoing U.S. freighters Edward M. House and H.G. Blasdel, James A. Farrell at 50°07'N, 00°47'W, and John A. Treutlen at 50°11'50'N, 00°45'35'W. Edward M. House resumes her voyage and reaches the beachhead to discharge cargo and disembark troops; she suffers only two men injured (one of whom is from the 28-man Armed Guard). H.G. Blasdel suffers the loss of 76 of her embarked troops (180 are wounded) of the 436 on board; tank landing ship LST-326 takes off the surviving troops. The ship is later towed to Southampton where she is written off as a total loss. James A. Farrell is abandoned, survivors transferring to tank landing ship LST-50; four soldiers are killed and 45 wounded from among the 421 embarked on board. There are no casualties among the 42-man merchant complement or the 31-man Armed Guard, but the ship, towed to Spithead, is written off as a total loss. John A. Treutlen is abandoned save for a skeleton crew, the merchant complement and 31-man Armed Guard being picked up by Canadian corvette HMCS Buctouche and tank landing ship LST-336. John A. Treutlen is subsequently written off as a total loss.

Mediterranean
Motor torpedo boats PT-308 and PT-309 (Lieutenant John Newell, USNR), patrolling between Cape Falcone on the Italian mainland and the island of Elba, engage two Italian motor torpedo boats, damaging MAS 562 and forcing its abandonment (see 30 June).

  30 June, Fri. 1944

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.

Pacific
Submarine Jack (SS-259) attacks Japanese convoy about 70 miles west of Manila, and sinks army cargo ships Tsurushima Maru and Matsukawa Maru, 14°15'N, 119°40'E.

Submarine Plaice (SS-390) (despite a debilitating epidemic of intenstinal influenza on board) sinks Japanese gunboat Hyakafuku Maru northwest of Chichi Jima, 28°20'N, 141°23'E. Auxiliary netlayer Kogi Maru's counterattack is unsuccessful.

Submarine Tang (SS-306) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Nikkin Maru in the Yellow Sea off Mokpo, Korea, 35°05'N, 125°00'E.

Japanese guardboat Aikoku Maru is sunk by shore battery off Kwajalein Atoll.

Atlantic
Off Normandy during the month of June 1944 (exact dates unknown), tank landing craft LCT-572, LCT-713, and LCT-714 are sunk by mines; LCT-147 sinks after running aground; LCT-200, LCT-244, and LCT-413 are lost to the rigors of amphibious operations.

Mediterranean
Motor torpedo boat PT-306 captures Italian motor torpedo boat MAS 562 off Elba and tows it into Bastia, Corsica.

July

  1 July, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Batfish (SS-310) sinks Japanese guardboats Kamoi Maru and No.5 Isuzugawa Maru northwest of Mariana Islands, 31°26'N, 141°11'E.

Submarine Tang (SS-306) sinks Japanese fleet tanker No.1 Takatori Maru off Mokpo, Korea, 34°21'N, 123°55'E, and merchant cargo ship No.2 Taiun Maru, 34°42'N, 125°25'E.

Japanese merchant cargo ship Nikko Maru is sunk by mine, possibly laid by submarine Kingfish (SS-234) on 10 October 1943, off Makassar, 05°38'S, 119°28'E.

  2 July, Sun. 1944

Pacific
TF 77 (Rear Admiral William M. Fechteler, USN) lands U.S. Army troops (the reinforced 168th Infantry) on Noemfoor Island off Netherlands New Guinea, in Operation TABLETENNIS, in order to secure the island's three airstrips that will support operations in New Guinea. TF 74 (Commodore John A. Collins, RAN) and TF 75 (Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey), composed of heavy and light cruisers and destroyers, provide gunfire support.

Japanese landing ship T.150 is damaged by mine off Amoy, China.

Indian Ocean
U.S. freighter Jean Nicolet is torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-8 at 03°00'S, 74°30'E and abandoned. I-8 then shells the ship, setting it afire. Survivors (41-man merchant complement, 28-man Armed Guard, and 30 passengers) are then taken on board the submarine, where their captors search them, bind them, and question them. At least one man is shot; some of the POWs are made to run a gauntlet; some are beaten. In the meantime, the Japanese destroy the lifeboats with gunfire. I-8 retains the master, radio operator, and a civilian passenger, and then submerges, leaving the remainder of the survivors on deck to drown. Some of the survivors, however, return to the burning Jean Nicolet (which sinks the following day) to launch rafts (see 4 July).

Atlantic
TBM (VC 58) from escort carrier Wake Island (CVE-65) sinks German submarine U-543 southeast of Azores, 25°34'N, 21°36'W.

Transport General W.A. Mann (AP-112), escorted by Brazilian destroyers Marcilio Dias, Mariz e Barros and Greenhalgh, sails from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with the first elements of the Italy-bound Brazilian Expeditionary Force.

Europe
Motor minesweeper YMS-350 is sunk by mine off Cherbourg, France, 49°38'N, 01°35'W.

  3 July, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Albacore (SS-218) sinks Japanese steamer Taimei Maru, en route from Yap to Palau, 08°10'N, 136°18'E.

Submarine Sturgeon (SS-187), in attack on Japanese convoy, sinks Japanese army transport Tairin Maru north of the Nansei Shoto, 28°58'N, 129°51'E.

Submarine Tinosa (SS-283) attacks Japanese convoy in the East China Sea, and sinks merchant passenger/cargo ship Kamo Maru and tanker Konzan Maru west of Kyushu, 32°25'N, 128°46'E.

Atlantic
Destroyer escorts Frost (DE-144) and Inch (DE-146) sink German submarine U-154 off Madeira, 34°00'N, 19°30'W.

  4 July, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Carrier-based aircraft and naval gunfire from two task groups (Rear Admiral Joseph J. Clark and Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison) hit Japanese installations on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, and Chichi Jima and Haha Jima, Bonins.

Carrier planes sink submarine chaser Ch 16 at Chichi Jima; coastal minelayer Sarushima in the Bonins, 27°10'N, 140°10'E; landing ships T.103, 108 miles off Chichi Jima Retto, 27°05'N, 140°09'E; and T.130 off east coast of Iwo Jima, 24°47'N, 140°20'E; auxiliary netlayer Taiko Maru off Onagawa Retto; minesweeper W.25 [where°]28°35'N, 141°04'E; auxiliary minesweeper No.5 Toshi Maru off Haha Jima, 26°20'N, 141°50'E; transports Shozui Maru, Shima Maru, and Tatsuei Maru, 27°07'N, 142°12'E, and No.8 Un'yo Maru, 27°05'N, 142°09'E, in Takinoura Bay; planes damage landing ship T.153 and victualling stores ship Kaiko Maru off Ani Jima, and submarine chaser Ch 18 off Chichi Jima.

Destroyer David W. Taylor (DD-551) and destroyer escort Riddle (DE-185) sink Japanese submarine I-10, attempting an evacuation mission to Saipan, 100 miles east-northeast of her destination, 15°26'N, 147°48'E.

Submarine Guavina (SS-362), despite presence of four escort vessels, sinks Japanese transport Tama Maru 60 miles northwest of Palau, 07°44'N, 133°17'E.

Submarine Seahorse (SS-304) attacks Japanese convoy in South China Sea and sinks army cargo ship Gy_y_ Maru, cargo ship No.28 Ky_d_ Maru, and merchant cargo ship Nitt_ Maru about 140 miles south of Hong Kong, 20°18'N, 115°02'E.

Submarine Tang (SS-306), operating in the Yellow Sea off the west coast of Korea, sinks Japanese merchant cargo ships Asukasan Maru at 35°22'N, 125°56'E, and Yamaoka Maru at 36°05'N, 125°48'E,

RAAF Mitchells damage Japanese cargo vessel No.1 K_sh_ Maru north of the Kai Islands, 05°05'S, 136°38'E.

Submarine S-28 (SS-133) is lost to unknown cause during training exercises off Oahu.

Indian Ocean
Indian Navy trawler Hoxa rescues survivors (10 of the freighter's merchant complement, ten Armed Guard sailors, and three passengers) of U.S. freighter Jean Nicolet, scourged by Japanese submarine I-8 on 2 July 1944; 18 of Jean Nicolet's 28-man Armed Guard perish in the atrocity wrought by the Japanese. Of the three Americans taken prisoner and retained on board I 8, only one, the passenger, will survive internment.

Caribbean
U.S. tanker Kittanning is torpedoed by German submarine U-539 while returning to Cristobal, Canal Zone, at 09°50'N, 79°40'W; there are no casualties among the 49- man merchant complement or the 25-man Armed Guard, who are rescued by Coast Guard cutter Marion (WPC-145) which, along with cutter Crawford (WPC-134), arrive to provide assistance. Crawford attempts, unsuccessfully, to tow the crippled ship (see 5 July).

  5 July, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Plaice (SS-390) sinks Japanese auxiliary netlayer Kogi Maru off Ototo Jima, 27°43'N, 141°02'E.

Submarine Sunfish (SS-281) sinks Japanese merchant passenger/cargo ship Shinmei Maru off Paramushiro, Kurils, 51°28'N, 156°28'E.

USAAF B-24 sinks Japanese cargo vessel No.1 Koshu Maru off Gorong Island, 04°54'S, 131°28'E. Japanese army cargo ship No.1 Koshu Maru is sunk by aircraft in Java Sea south of Celebes Island, 04°00'S, 121°28'E.

Atlantic
Destroyer escorts Thomas (DE-102) and Baker (DE-190), from TG 22.5, sink German minelayer submarine U-233 off Halifax, Nova Scotia, 42°16'N, 59°49'W.

Europe
U.S. freighter Sea Porpoise, en route from Utah Beach, Normandy, to Southampton, England, is torpedoed byGerman submarine U-390 at 4937'N, 0051'W. There are no fatalities among the 90-man merchant complement, 45- man Armed Guard and 24 passengers, and the ship is ultimately repaired and returned to service.

Caribbean
U.S. tanker Kittanning, torpedoed the previous day by German submarine U-539, is taken in tow by tug Woodcock (ATO-145) before engine trouble compels the ship to abandon the attempt. Panama Canal tugs Tavernilla and Cardenas, and, ultimately, Maritime Commission tug Jupiter Inlet bring the damaged vessel to Cristobal.

Mediterranean
USAAF B-17s and B-24s bomb Montpellier and Beziers marshalling yards, as well as submarine pens and harbor installations at Toulon; German submarines U-586 and U-642 are sunk at the latter port.

  6 July, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Carrier-based aircraft commence daily bombings of Japanese coastal and antiaircraft guns, supply dumps, and airfield installations on Guam and Rota, Marianas.

Submarine Cobia (SS-245) sinks Japanese guardboat Takamiya Maru I-Go east of Ogasawara-gunto, 28°54'N, 150°50'E.

Submarine Paddle (SS-263) attacks Japanese convoy northwest of Halmahera, and sinks destroyer Hokaze off Sangi Island, 03°30'N, 125°25'E.

Submarine Sealion (SS-315) attacks Japanese convoy in East China Sea and sinks merchant passenger/cargo ship Setsuzan Maru off Ningpo, China, 29°55'N, 122°55'E.

Submarine Tang (SS-306) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Dori Maru in Chosen Bay, 38°50'N, 123°35'E.

Caribbean
U.S. tanker Esso Harrisburg, en route from Cartagena, Colombia, to New York, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-516 at 13°56'N, 70°59'W; four of the 44-man merchant complement and four of the 28-man Armed Guard perish (see 8 July).

  7 July, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Bonefish (SS-223) sinks Japanese guardboat Ryuei Maru off Tarakan, Borneo, 02°40'N, 118°22'E.

Submarine Flasher (SS-249), despite presence of escort vessel, sinks Japanese transport No.2 K_t_ Maru off Cape Varella, French Indochina, 13°08'N, 109°28'E.

Submarine Mingo (SS-261) sinks Japanese destroyer Tamanami 150 miles west-southwest of Manila, 14°16'N, 119°50'E.

Submarine Skate (SS-305) attacks Japanese convoy in the southern Sea of Okhotsk, sinking destroyer Usugumo and damaging cargo vessel Kasado Maru about 160 miles north of Etorofu Jima, 47°43'N, 147°55'E.

Submarine Sunfish (SS-281) attacks Japanese fishing boats en route from Matsuwa to Uruppu, sinking No.105 Hokuyo Maru, No.5 Kannon Maru, Ebisu Maru, and Kinei Maru, 47°29'E, 152°29'E.

  8 July, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Cruisers and destroyers of TG 53.18 (Rear Admiral C. Turner Joy) begin daily bombardment of Japanese defenses on Guam; battleships join the bombardment group beginning 14 July.

Submarine Bonefish (SS-223) sinks Japanese guardboat Moji Maru east of Borneo, 02°25'N, 118°14'E.

Submarine Tautog (SS-199) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Matsu Maru off Honshu, 41°17'N, 141°30'E.

U.S. aircraft sink Japanese guardboats No.11 Ebisu Maru, No.3 Fukuei Maru, No.1 Hosei Maru, Kofuku Maru, No.1 Kofuku Maru, No.3 Kofuku Maru, and No.3 Sachitaka Maru off Saipan.

Japanese auxiliary submarine chasers No.19 Nitto Maru and No.20 Nitto Maru are sunk by aircraft off Rabaul, New Britain.

Atlantic
Tank landing ships LST-312 and LST-384 are damaged by V-1 rocket-bomb while moored at Naval Advance Amphibious Base, Deptford, England.

Caribbean
Submarine chaser SC-1299 rescues 18 survivors from U.S. tanker Esso Harrisburg, sunk by German submarine U-516 on 6 July. Dutch escort vessel Queen Wilhelmina rescues 31 Esso Harrisburg survivors that same day. Subsequently, the last group of survivors reaches the Colombian coast.

  9 July, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Organized Japanese resistance ceases on Saipan.

Submarine Dace (SS-247) carries out unsuccessful attack on Japanese cargo vessel Gokoku Maru 06°22'N, 126°18'E

Submarine Nautilus (SS-168) lands men and supplies on Pandan Island off west coast of Mindoro, P.I.

Submarine Sunfish (SS-281) attacks Japanese convoy in the Kurils, sinking army cargo ship Taihei Maru north of Araito Island, 51°19'N, 155°43'E.

Submarine Tautog (SS-199) sinks Japanese fishing boat Yawata Maru southwest of Kushiro, 43°06'N, 144°08'E.

USAAF B-25s (5th Air Force) sink Japanese cargo vessel Oyashima Maru near Halmahera Island, 00°34'N, 128°30'E.

Aircraft damage auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 9, Rabaul.

Mediterranean
Minesweeper Swerve (AM-121) is sunk by mine about 16 miles southwest of Nettuno, Italy, 41°31'N, 12°285'E.

  10 July, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Tinosa (SS-283) sinks Japanese merchant fishing boat No.5 Shosei Maru 30 miles west of Danjo Island, 32°12'N, 127°00'E.

British submarine HMS Tally Ho damages Japanese auxiliary sailing vessel No.3 Choun Maru off Bernam River, Malaya.

RNZAF Corsairs, in strike on Japanese shipping in Keravia Bay, Rabaul, sink auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 23, 04°13'S, 152°11'E.

Europe
Command designated U.S. Ports and Bases, France (Rear Admiral John Wilkes) is established with headquarters at Cherbourg.

  11 July, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Submarine attack group TG 17.16 (Captain William V. O'Regan), as it patrols the South China Sea near Formosa, locates the first of five convoys it will engage in the next two weeks; Thresher (SS-200) makes the initial contact with a seven-ship Japanese convoy bound from Keelung to the Philippines (see 12 July 1944).

Submarine Sealion (SS-315), in the Yellow Sea off the west coast of Korea, near Shosei Jima, sinks Japanese merchant cargo ships No.2 Taiun Maru 37°30'N, 124°34'E, and No.2 Tsukushi Maru, 37°24'N, 124°31'E.

U.S. motor torpedo boats sink small Japanese cargo vessel Yawata Maru off Babo.

Japanese merchant cargo ship Senyo Maru is sunk by aircraft, Yangtze River, China.

  12 July, Wed. 1944

Pacific
TG 17.16 (Captain William V. O'Regan) engages the enemy off north coast of Luzon; submarine Apogon (SS-308) attacks what is most likely army cargo ship Nichiran Maru but is damaged when she is rammed by what is probably cargo ship Mayasan Maru, 19°51'N, 123°04'E; Apogon is forced to terminate her patrol. Submarine Guardfish (SS-217) makes no attacks. Later, however, Piranha (SS-389) sinks Nichiran Maru, 18°50'N, 122°40'E.

Atlantic
Convoy UGS 46 is attacked at dawn by 30 German aircraft off Cape Ivi, but no bombs are dropped and only two torpedoes are sighted; U.S. forces suffer no damage. U.S. freighter Toltec is hit by friendly fire; destroyer escort Leslie L. B. Knox (DE-580) provides medical assistance for the six Armed Guard sailors wounded by shell fragments.

  13 July, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Cobia (SS-245) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking cargo ship Taishi Maru about 190 miles northwest of Chichi Jima, Bonins, 27°25'N, 140°30'E. Among cargo lost on board Taishi Maru are 28 tanks (26th Tank Regiment).

USAAF B-25s attack Japanese cargo ships off Halmahera, sinking T_kai Maru, 01°25'N, 128°42'E, and damaging Taimei Maru, 01°00'N, 128°00'E.

British submarine HMS Stoic sinks Japanese fishing boat No.55 Nanyo Maru 18 miles from Muka Cape, 05°28'N, 100°11'E.

  14 July, Fri. 1944

Pacific
PB4Ys (VB 109) bomb Iwo Jima in the first strike by land-based planes on that Japanese island base.

Supported by two destroyers and four infantry landing craft (gunboat), Underwater Demolition Team (UDT) 3, in high speed transport Dickerson (APD-21), begins reconnoitering prospective landing beaches at Asan, Guam.

Destroyer escort William C. Miller (DE-259) sinks Japanese submarine RO-48, 75 miles east of Saipan, 15°18'N, 144°26'E, and teams with high speed transport Gilmer (APD-11) to sink Japanese submarine I-6 70 miles west of Tinian, 15°18'N, 144°26'E.

Submarine Sand Lance (SS-381) attacks Japanese convoy in the Banda Sea, sinking gunboat Taik_ Maru east of Salajar, 05°56'S, 121°34'E.

Japanese Coast Defense Vessel No.12 is damaged by aircraft off Bonins.

  15 July, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Skate (SS-305) sinks Japanese crabbing ship Miho Maru off Cape Shiretoko, northern Karafuto, Kurils, 48°08'N, 148°06'E.

Motor torpedo boat PT-133 is sunk by Japanese shore battery off eastern New Guinea, 03°28'S, 143°34'E.

  16 July, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Infantry landing craft (gunboat) LCI(G)-469 is damaged by shore battery off Guam, as she supports ongoing UDT operations.

Destroyer Longshaw (DD-559) is damaged when she runs aground on submerged reef, Eniwetok.

TG 17.16 (Captain William V. O'Regan) attacks Japanese convoys off northern Luzon; Piranha (SS-389) sinks army transport Seattle Maru, 19°17'N, 120°15'E, Guardfish (SS-217) (flagship for TG 17.16) sinks transport Mantai Maru and army cargo ship Jinzan Maru off Cape Bojeador, 19°21'N, 119°43'E; Thresher (SS-200) sinks army cargo ship Shozen Maru, 18°23'N, 119°06'E, and damages merchant cargo ships Sainei Maru and Nissan Maru, 18°23'N, 119°32'E.

Submarine Bonefish (SS-223) sinks Borneo-bound Japanese cargo vessel No.3 Tatsu Maru in Sulu Sea 10 nautical miles south of Palawan, 10°20'N, 119°50'E.

Submarine Cabrilla (SS-288) attacks Japanese convoy off the west coast of Mindanao, but is not successful against transport Natsukawa Maru, 08°18'N, 122°49'E; counterattacks by what is most likely submarine chaser Ch 31 and auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 64 (see 17 July 1944) prove equally unproductive.

Submarine Skate (SS-305) sinks Japanese transport Nipp_ Maru, east of South Sakhalin, Kurils, 48°29'N, 147°36'E. Survivors are rescued by Russian ship Dalstroi.

RAAF Beaufighters damage Japanese gunboat Man-Yo Maru, cargo vessel Tensho Maru, and motor sailboat No.14 Sakura Maru off Maumere.

Japanese cargo ship Hozan Maru is sunk by explosion inManila harbor, 14°36'N, 120°57'E.

  17 July, Mon. 1944

Pacific
UDTs begin demolishing natural and artificial obstacles on prospective landing beaches on Guam. UDT 4 arrives in high speed transport Kane (APD-18); UDT 6 in high speed transport Clemson (APD-31). Infantry landing craft (gunboat) LCI(G)-348, damaged by grounding and Japanese shore battery fire off Guam, is abandoned (see 18 July 1944).

Ammunition-carrying U.S. freighter E.A. Bryan explodes at the Port Chicago, California, ammunition depot; the adjacent freighter Quinalt Victory is also destroyed. Armed Guards on board both vessels are wiped out. Among the casualties are 250 African-American sailors. When survivors refuse to return to work in the wake of the blast, they are convicted of mutiny. The explosion destroys the greater part of smoke-making material earmarked for shipment to Pearl Harbor for use in amphibious operations, rendering it impossible to provide that material for Operation STALEMATE before the ships leave for the staging area in the Solomon Islands.

Submarine Cabrilla (SS-288) continues attack on Japanese convoy off west coast of Mindanao, sinking army transport Maya Maru and damaging transport Natsukawa Maru, 07°42'N, 122°05'E.

Submarine Gabilan (SS-252) sinks Japanese minesweeper W.25 northwest of Zenizu, Japan, 33°51'N, 138°35'E.

TG 17.16's attacks on Japanese shipping west of Luzon continue: submarine Guardfish (SS-217) sinks merchant cargo ship Hiyama Maru, 18°21'N, 119°49'E; Thresher (SS-200) sinks cargo ship Nichizan Maru near Luzon Strait; Sainei Maru and Nissan Maru, damaged by Thresher the previous night, sink.

British submarine HMS Telemachus sinks Japanese submarine I-66 in Strait of Malacca, 02°47'N, 101°03'E.

  18 July, Tue. 1944

Pacific Premier Tojo and the Japanese cabinet resign; General Koiso forms a new cabinet.

Fleet tug Apache (ATF-67) retrieves disabled LCI(G)-348 from waters off Guam where she had been abandoned the day before. Cruiser gunfire supports the successful extraction.

Motor gunboat PGM-7 is damaged in collision in Bismarck Sea, 07°15'S, 155°40'E.

Coordinated submarine attack group, TG 17.3 (Captain Warren D. Wilkin), operating near Luzon Strait, attacks Japanese convoy; submarine Tilefish (SS-307), trailing Rock (SS-274) and Sawfish (SS-276), torpedoes Coast Defense Vessel No.17, 21°50'N, 119°55'E as the latter hunts for Rock, whose attack on enemy ships is not successful. Sawfish torpedoes oiler Harima Maru, 21°56'N, 119°50'E.

Submarine Cobia (SS-245) sinks Japanese gunboat No.10 Unkai Maru northwest of Chichi Jima, 29°15'N, 139°10'E, and army cargo ship Nisshu Maru west of Chichi Jima, 28°17'N, 139°00'E.

Submarine Lapon (SS-260) sinks Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Kurama Maru off southern end of Palawan, 08°22'N, 116°40'E; and survey ship No.36 Kyodo Maru and auxiliary submarine chaser Kamo Maru northwest of Labuan, Borneo, 08°22'N, 116°45'E.

Submarine Plaice (SS-390) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking submarine chaser Ch 50, 200 nautical miles northwest of Chichi Jima, 29°22'N, 139°14'E.

Submarine Ray (SS-271) sinks Japanese merchant tanker Jambi Maru (ex-Dutch Djambi) in the Java Sea north of Bawean Island, 05°21'S, 112°30'E.

USAAF B-24 sinks Japanese transport No.3 Kaio Maru northwest of Morotai, 03°14'N, 127°41'E.

USAAF B-25s sink small Japanese cargo vessel Yamahama Maru off Maumere.

  19 July, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer escort Wyman (DE-38) sinks Japanese submarine I-5, 360 miles east of Guam, 13°01'N, 151°58'E.

Submarine Flasher (SS-249) sinks Japanese light cruiser Oi in South China Sea, 280 miles east of Cape Varella, French Indochina, 13°12'N, 114°52'E.

Submarine Guardfish (SS-217) attacks Japanese army cargo ship Teiryu Maru in South China Sea, southwest of Formosa, 20°00'N, 118°29'E.

Submarine Tautog (SS-199) sinks Japanese guardboat No.1 Hokuriku Maru northeast of Tori Jima, 31°30'N, 140°00'E.

RAAF Mitchells sink Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Wa.4 off Dili, Timor, 08°38'S, 125°26'E; small cargo vessel No.53 Ebisu Maru off southwest coast of Alor Island; and motor sailboat Bokkai Maru southwest of Alor,08°30'S, 124°27'E.

Aircraft sink Japanese ship Tenyo Maru off Saipan

USAAF B-24s damage Coast Defense Vessel No.16, 156 miles southwest of Yap, Carolines.

  20 July, Thu. 1944

Pacific
All beach obstacles on Guam have been removed by underwater demolition teams: 640 on Asan beach and over 300 on Agat.

Submarine Cobia (SS-245) engages three-ship Japanese convoy northwest of Chichi Jima, sinking auxiliary submarine chasers No.3 Yusen Maru and No.2 Kaio Maru, 28°06'N, 141°32'E, and damaging cargo vessel Shoei Maru, but not before one of the escorts, however, rams Cobia, causing minor damage.

  21 July, Fri. 1944

Pacific
TF 53 (Rear Admiral Richard L. Conolly) lands Marines (3d Marine Division and 1st Provisional Marine Brigade) and Army forces (77th Infantry) under Major General Roy S. Geiger, USMC, on Guam, in Operation STEVEDORE. Assault, described as having all the characteristics of "a well-rehearsed play" is preceded by intensive naval gunfire and carrier-based aircraft strikes. Simultaneous employment of naval gunfire and aircraft in the same coastal area marks the first time that the two have been used in this fashion in a Pacific amphibious operation. While enemy opposition is small at the outset, determined resistance develops inland. Submarine chaser SC-1326 is damaged by mortar fire, Guam, 13°24'N, 144°39'E.

  22 July, Sat. 1944

Pacific
President Roosevelt sails for Hawaii in heavy cruiser Baltimore (CA-68) to confer with Admiral Nimitz and General MacArthur and focus attention on the Pacific campaign and encourage American armed forces that the President is devoting his personal attention to that theater of war--at a time when the European war appears to be attracting the most headlines.

  23 July, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer Bush (DD-529) is damaged by premature detonation of 5-inch shell during shore bombardment exercises off Kahoolawe, T.H.

High speed minesweeper Chandler (DMS-9) is damaged by fire, Marianas, 15°08'N, 145°28'E.

British submarine HMS Storm sinks Japanese cargo ship Kiso Maru and fishing vessel Taih_ Maru near Port Owen, 14°00'N, 96°50'E.

Japanese guardboat Wakayoshi Maru is sunk by mine, Hayatomo Seto, Inland Sea.

Japanese cargo vessel Takazan Maru is damaged by RAAF mine in Tiore Strait, Celebes, 04°25'S, 122°17'E. Later (indeterminate date) inflicted by what are most likely USAAF planes result in her ultimate sinking by 5 October.

Atlantic
U.S. freighter William Gaston is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-861 while she is en route from Buenos Aires to Baltimore, 26°37'S, 46°13'W; there are no casualties among either the merchant or Armed Guard complements (see 25 July 1944).

  24 July, Mon. 1944

Pacific
TF 52 (Rear Admiral Harry W. Hill) lands 4th Marine Division (Major General Harry Schmidt, USMC) on Tinian. Landing, which initially encounters light opposition, is supported by naval gunfire, carrier aircraft, and land-based aircraft from Saipan. Shore batteries on Tinian damage battleship Colorado (BB-45) and destroyer Norman Scott (DD-690) at 15°02'N, 145°50'E; and tank landing ship LST-481 at 13°24'N, 144°39'E.

USAAF B-24s (5th Air Force) sink Japanese transport Asahisan Maru in Kau Bay, Halmahera, 01°10'N, 127°54'E.

Atlantic
German submarine U-861 attacks convoy JT 99 and eludes search aircraft from escort carrier Solomons (CVE-67).

  25 July, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Aircraft from TF 58 (Vice Adm Marc A. Mitscher) attack Japanese installations and shipping in the western Carolines, at Yap, Ulithi, Fais, Ngulu, Sorol, and Palau; strikes continue until 28 July. F6Fs from small carrier San Jacinto (CVL-30) damage destroyer Samidare 30 miles north of Babelthuap, Palau, 08°15'N, 134°37'E (see 18 and 26 August 1944). F6Fs from carrier Bunker Hill (CV-17) sink guardboat Ryojin Maru, 07°30'N, 134°30'E.

USAAF B-25s sink Japanese salvage vessel Hoshin Maru 70 nautical miles east of Hong Kong, 22°00'N, 115°50'E.

Atlantic
Small seaplane tender Matagorda (AVP-22) rescues all 67 survivors of U.S. freighter William Gaston, sunk on 22 July by German submarine U-861 approximately 150 miles southeast of Florianapolis, Brazil.

U.S. freighter Robin Goodfellow is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-862 while en route from Cape Town, South Africa, to New York, at 20°03'S, 14°21'W. All hands (including the 27 Armed Guard sailors and the 41-man merchant complement) perish.

Europe
U.S. freighter David Starr Jordan is bombed and strafed while anchored off Utah Beach, Normandy; two of the 500 soldiers embarked on board are killed by bomb fragments, while 13 other men from among the 43-man merchant complement and 26-man Armed Guard are injured.

  26 July, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Heavy cruiser Baltimore (CA-68), with President Roosevelt embarked, arrives at Pearl Harbor, T.H.; the President will meet with Admiral Nimitz, Admiral Leahy, and General MacArthur to discuss Pacific strategy.

TF 58 strikes against Japanese installations and shipping in western Carolines continue; planes from carrier Bunker Hill (CV-17) damage landing ship T.150 (see 27 July 1944); planes from Lexington (CV-16) damage minelayer Sokuten, which is then finished off by planes from Bunker Hill at 07°20'N, 134°27'E.

U.S. submarines carry out succession of attacks on Japanese convoy in South China Sea. Angler (SS-240) damages transport (ex-seaplane carrier) Kiyokawa Maru, 18°15'N, 118°00'E; Flasher (SS-249) sinks merchant tanker Otoriyama Maru, 17°56'N, 118°07'E, and teams with Crevalle (SS-291) to sink army cargo ship Tosan Maru, 18°24'N, 118°02'E; Crevalle sinks transport Aki Maru, 18°26'N, 118°02'E.

Submarine Robalo (SS-273) is sunk by mine off western Palawan, Balabac Strait, P.I., 08°25'N, 117°53'E.19

Submarine Sawfish (SS-276) sinks Japanese submarine I-29 in Balintang Channel, Luzon Strait, 20°10'N, 121°55'E.

  27 July, Thu. 1944

Pacific
As TF 58 strikes against Japanese installations and shipping in the western Carolines continue, Navy carrier planes sink fast transport T.1 off Palau; planes from carrier Bunker Hill (CV-17) sink landing ship T.150.

Submarine Dace (SS-247) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks fleet tanker No.2 Ky_ei Maru about 90 miles south of Zamboanga, 05°25'N, 121°42'E.

USAAF B-24s, B-25s and P-38s work over Japanese shipping near Halmahera Island, damaging motor sailboat Genjo Maru.

Japanese escort destroyer Kunashiri is damaged (cause unspecified) west of Paramushiro, Kurils.

  28 July, Fri. 1944

Pacific
President Roosevelt, Admiral Nimitz, Admiral Leahy and General MacArthur meet in Honolulu to discuss Pacific strategy. Ultimately, General MacArthur prevails upon the President and Admiral Nimitz to accord priority to the liberation of the Philippines.

Destroyer escorts Wyman (DE-38) and Reynolds (DE-42) sink Japanese submarine I-55, 400 miles east of Tinian, 14°26'N, 152°16'E.

Submarine Aspro (SS-309) damages previously damaged Japanese gunboat Peking Maru aground off Vigan Point, Luzon, 17°33'N, 120°21'E; Peking Maru remains aground, a total loss, gutted and abandoned.

Submarine Crevalle (SS-291) attacks Japanese convoy off northwestern Luzon, sinking merchant cargo ship Hakubasan Maru off Piedra Point, 16°23'N, 119°40'E.

  29 July, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Heavy cruiser Baltimore (CA-68), with President Roosevelt embarked, departs Pearl Harbor for Adak, Aleutians.

Tank landing ship LST-340 is damaged by grounding, Marianas, 15°10'N, 145°58'E.

Submarine Drum (SS-228) sinks Japanese sampan Asahi Maru 100 miles off Palau, 09°18'N, 133°20'E.

Submarine Perch (SS-313) sinks Japanese guardboat Kannon Maru I-Go in Philippine Sea, east of Dinagat Island, 10°46'N, 127°13'E.

Europe
USAAF B-17s (Eighth Air Force) bomb oil refinery near Bremen; German submarines U-878 and U-2323 are lost this day in bombing raids on that German port city.

  30 July, Sun. 1944

Pacific
TF 77 (Rear Admiral William M. Fechteler) lands Army 6th Infantry Division (Major General Franklin C.Sibert, USA) near Cape Opmari, northwest New Guinea, and on islands of Amsterdam and Middleburg, in the first phase of Operation GLOBETROTTER.

Cargo ship Adhara (AK-71) and U.S. merchant vessel Peter White are damaged when the latter accidentally rams the Navy ship off Lunga Point, Guadalcanal.

Sometime during July 1944, open lighter YC-961 is lost after grounding off Biorka Island, Alaska.

Submarine Bonefish (SS-223) sinks Japanese fleet tanker Kokuy_ Maru about 75 miles northeast of Borneo, 06°07'N, 120°00'E.

USAAF B-25s attack Japanese installations and shipping at Tobele, Halmahera, sinking small cargo vessel Mansei Maru.

Atlantic
Off Normandy, mines sink motor minesweeper YMS-304 and damage YMS-378, 49°33'N, 01°14'W.

  31 July, Mon. 1944

Pacific
TF 77 (Rear Admiral William M. Fechteler) lands Army troops on Cape Sansapor, New Guinea, in second phase of Operation GLOBETROTTER, thus concluding the New Guinea campaign.

Coordinated submarine attack group TG 17.15 (Commander Lewis S. Parks) carries out succession of attacks on Japanese convoy near the Bashi Channel. Submarine Parche (SS-384) (flagship) sinks transport Mank_ Maru, 19°08'N, 120°51'E, and merchant tanker K_ei Maru, 19°00'N, 122°55'E, and damages merchant cargo ship No.1 Ogura Maru, 19°10'N, 120°58'E, and army cargo ship Fuso Maru, and teams with Steelhead (SS-280) to sink army cargo ship Yoshino Maru, 19°05'N, 120°50.5'E. Steelhead sinks Fus_ Maru, 19°00'N, 120°55'E, and damages army cargo ship Dakar Maru, 19°08'N, 120°51'E, which is towed to San Fernando and abandoned. For the heroism he displays in pressing home a daring surface attack, Parche's captain, Commander Lawson P. Ramage, will be awarded the Medal of Honor.

Submarine Dace (SS-247) sinks small Japanese cargo vessel Shinju Maru 20 miles west of Palimban Point, 06°15'N, 124°11'E.

Submarine Lapon (SS-260) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking merchant tanker Tenshin Maru off the southwest tip of Palawan, 08°50'N, 116°00'E, and damages weather ship Hijun Maru, 08°51'N, 116°45'E.

Europe
U.S. freighter Exmouth is mined and sunk about 60 miles off the Scottish coast while en route from Hull, England, to Loch Ewe, Scotland, 56°33'N, 01°38'W; there are no casualties among the 43 merchant sailors and the 27-man Armed Guard.

August

  1 August, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Seventh Amphibious Force (Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey) is formed. Group One is to be commanded by Rear Admiral Arthur D. Struble; Group Two by Rear Admiral Charles P. Cecil. Cecil, however, is killed in crash of Naval Air Transport Service PB2Y, Funafuti.

Organized Japanese resistance ends on Tinian.

Naval Air Base, Tinian, is established.

Destroyer escort England (DE-635) is damaged when she runs aground in Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admiralty Islands.

Submarine Puffer (SS-268) damages Japanese oiler Sunosaki northeast of Borneo, 05°08'N, 119°32.5'E.

Navy PBY attacks Japanese convoy, sinking ammunition ship Seia Maru in Taliaboe Bay, Soela Island, N.E.I., 01°46'N, 125°32'E.

U.S. freighter Extavia is damaged by explosion while en route from New Georgia to the Treasury Islands, but reaches her destination unaided; there are no casualties among the 73-man merchant complement or 81-man Armed Guard, or the 845 embarked troops.

  2 August, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Tautog (SS-199) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking army cargo ship Konei Maru (ex-Italian Furiere Consolini) off Miki Saki, Honshu, 33°57'N, 136°20'E.

Atlantic
Destroyer escort Fiske (DE-143) is sunk by German submarine U-804, 800 miles east of Cape Race, Newfoundland, 47°11'N, 33°29'W.

  3 August, Thu. 1944

Office of the General Counsel Navy Department is established; formerly designated Procurement Legal Division, Navy Department.

Pacific
Heavy cruiser Baltimore (CA-68), with President Roosevelt embarked, arrives at Adak, Aleutians.

Submarine Cod (SS-224) sinks Japanese auxiliary netlayer Seiko Maru off Mangole, Molucca Sea, 01°47'S, 126°15'E.

Japanese minelayer Hatsutaka is damaged by mine laid by British submarine HMS Truculent on 24 June 1944, Klang Strait, 02°51'N, 101°15'E.

  4 August, Fri. 1944

Pacific
While planes from TG 58.3 (Rear Admiral Alfred E. Montgomery) bomb airfields on Iwo Jima, aircraft from TG 58.1 (Rear Admiral Joseph J. Clark), together with four light cruisers and seven destroyers detached from TG 58.1 and TG 58.3 (organized as TU 58.1.6 under Rear Admiral Laurance T. DuBose) set upon Japanese convoy 4804 about 25 miles northwest of Muko Jima, Bonins. Ship gunfire sinks escort destroyer Matsu, 27°40'N, 141°48'E, and collier Ryuko Maru, carrier planes sink transports No.7 Unkai Maru, Enju Maru, Tonegawa Maru and Shogen Maru, 27°05'N, 142°11'E, and damage Coast Defense Vessel No.4 and Coast Defense Vessel No.12; ship gunfire and carrier planes combine to sink cargo ship Hokkai Maru. Planes from small carrier Cabot (CVL- 29) damage fast transport T.4, 27°07'N, 142°12'E (see 5 August and 1-2 September 1944); planes from carriers Bunker Hill (CV-17) and Lexington (CV-16) sink landing ship T.133 off coast of Iwo Jima, 24°47'N, 141°20'E.

Heavy cruiser Baltimore (CA-68), with President Roosevelt embarked, departs Adak, Aleutians, bound for Kodiak, Alaska.

Submarine Raton (SS-270) attacks Japanese merchant cargo ship No.1 Ogura Maru off coast of Luzon, 16°31'N, 119°44'E, forcing her to take refuge at Santa Cruz.

Submarine Ray (SS-271) attacks Makassar-bound Japanese convoy in Celebes Sea, sinking army cargo ship Koshu Maru, 04°05'S, 117°40'E; auxiliary submarine chaser Chga 112 conducts fruitless counterattack.

Submarine Sterlet (SS-392) sinks Japanese guardboats Miyagi Maru and Zensho Maru northwest of Chichi Jima, 28°11'N, 141°43'E.

PB4Y attacks Japanese submarine chaser Ch 12 150 miles west of Palau, 07°20'N, 131°34'E.

  5 August, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Aircraft from TG 58.1 (Rear Admiral Joseph J. Clark) and TG 58.3 (Rear Admiral Alfred E. Montgomery) and cruisers and destroyers (Rear Admiral Laurance T. DuBose) repeat strikes on Japanese installations on Chichi Jima and Haha Jima, Bonins. Planes from carrierBunker Hill (CV-17) inflict further damage upon fast transport T.4, 27°07'N, 142°12'E, and damage T.2 off Chichi Jima, 27°05'N, 142°09'E.

Fast Carrier Task Force is reorganized into First Fast Carrier Task Force, Pacific Fleet (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) and Second Fast Carrier Task Force, Pacific Fleet (Vice Admiral John S. McCain).

Submarine Barbel (SS-316) sinks Japanese merchant passenger/cargo ship Miyako Maru off Tokuno Jima, 27°36'N, 128°54'E.

Submarine Cero (SS-225) attacks Japanese convoy off Mindanao and sinks oiler Tsurumi in Davao Gulf, 05°53'N, 125°41'E.

British submarine HMS Terrapin bombards Japanese installations at Gunung Sitoli, engaging shore batteries and guardboat Shime Maru.

PBY sinks small Japanese cargo vessel No.2 Eiko Maru off Latoelahat, 03°47'S, 128°06'E.

PVs, attacking Japanese guardboats in the Kurils, damage Hyuga Maru, 50°35'N, 159°05'E.

USAAF B-25s (5th Air Force) sink Japanese army cargo ship Shirohama Maru off Boetoeng, Api Island, southern Celebes, 04°40'S, 122°47'E.

Mediterranean
Rear Admiral Don P. Moon, who had worked tirelessly to develop plans for the assault upon the strongly defended coast of southern France, commits suicide on board his flagship, attack transport Bayfield (APA-33); his death is attributed to combat fatigue. He is replaced as task group commander by Rear Admiral Spencer S. Lewis.

  6 August, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Pintado (SS-387) attacks Japanese convoy off southwest coast of Kyushu, sinking army cargo ship Sh_nan Maru 30°53'N, 129°45'E, and damaging escort vessel Etorofu east of Kusagaki Jima, 30°51'N, 129°26'E.

Submarine Rasher (SS-269) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Shiroganesan Maru west of Luzon, 14°10'N, 117°12'E.

Dutch Mitchells sink Japanese army cargo ship No.15 Uwajima Maru in Banda Sea, 04°31'S, 129°53'E.

Mediterranean
USAAF B-17s and B-24s bomb targets in southeastern France, including submarine pens at Toulon, where they sink German submarines U-471, U-952,and U-969.

Europe
Motor torpedo boats PT-510, PT-512, and PT-514 engage E-boats of the German 15th Patrol Boat Flotilla and turn them back to Le Havre. Battle concludes early the next morning.

U.S. freighter William L. Marcy is torpedoed (possibly by a schnellboote from the 2d or 6th Flotillas) off Juno Beach, at 49°23'42"N, 00°26'36"W; although the sole passenger is killed, there are no casualties among the 28-man Armed Guard, or among the 47-man merchant complement. The ship is later towed to Falmouth, England (17 August) and Swansea, Wales (21 August) where she is written off as a total loss.

  7 August, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Heavy cruiser Baltimore (CA-68), with President Roosevelt embarked, arrives at Kodiak, Alaska, where the Chief Executive transfers to destroyer Cummings (DD- 376).

Submarine Barbel (SS-316) sinks Japanese cargo vessel No.11 Sakura Maru, 15 kilometers southwest of Tokuno Jima, 27°36'N, 121°46'E.

Submarine Bluegill (SS-242) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking transport Yamatama Maru southwest of Mindanao, 06°05'N, 124°23'E.

Submarine Croaker (SS-246), despite presence of escort vessel and shore-based air cover, sinks Japanese light cruiser Nagara about 35 miles south of Nagasaki, Japan, 32°09'N, 129°54'E.

Submarine Guitarro (SS-363) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks escort vessel Kusagaki off Capones Island, Luzon, 14°51'N, 119°51'E; Guitarro survives depth-charging by other escorts (perhaps destroyer Asakaze, escort vessel Yashiro and/or Coast Defense Vessel No.14).

Submarine Puffer (SS-268) sinks Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No.2 Ky_ Maru off Zamboanga, 07°50'N, 122°07'E.

Submarine Sailfish (SS-192) damages Japanese army cargo ship Kinsh_ Maru in Luzon Strait, 20°09'N, 121°19'E; transport Shinten Maru sinks.

Submarine Sand Lance (SS-381) is damaged by aerial bombs off northern Celebes, 01°18'N, 121°30'E.

Submarine Seawolf (SS-197) lands men and supplies at Tawi Tawi, P.I.

Tank landing craft LCT-182 founders and sinks in heavy weather, Solomon Islands.

Japanese army cargo ship Kinshu Maru is sunk by aircraft, 20°09'N, 121°19'E.

Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 94 is lost to marine casualty in Luzon Strait, 20°00'N, 122°00'E.

USAAF B-24 aircraft damages Italian passenger liner Conte Verde (scuttled in September 1943), Shanghai.

Mediterranean
Motor torpedo boats PT-511, PT-520, and PT-521 attack German coastal convoy off Cap D'Antifer; in the engagement with the 14th Motor Minesweeping Flotilla that lasts into the next day, PT-520 and PT-521 are damaged.

  8 August, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Destroyers Gansevoort (DD-608) and Bancroft (DD-598) and land-based marine aircraft (MAG 13) from Majuro, Marshalls, bombard and bomb Japanese positions on Taroa, Maloelap Atoll.

Submarine Sterlet (SS-392) sinks Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No.6 Tama Maru west of Chichi Jima, 28°11'N, 141°06'E.

Europe
U.S. freighter Ezra Weston, in convoy EBC 66, is torpedoed by German submarine U-667 while en route to Falmouth, England, from Avonmouth, at 50°42'N, 05°02'W, and abandoned. British HMS LCT 24 and French trawler Jacques Morgand embark survivors. Canadian corvette HMCS Regina stands by the doomed freighter but U-667 finishes off Ezra Weston with another torpedo. There are no casualties among the merchant or Armed Guard complements, nor among the passengers.

  9 August, Wed. 1944

Pacific
President Roosevelt reembarks in heavy cruiser Baltimore (CA-68) and then shifts to destroyer Cummings (DD-376) to visit the Puget Sound Navy Yard.

PB4Y (VB 116) crashes on takeoff from Stickell Field, Eniwetok, and burns amidst the 340 planes in the carrier aircraft replacement pool area; 106 (F6Fs, FMs,SB2Cs, and TBMs) are destroyed.

Submarine Barbel (SS-316) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Yagi Maru and merchant cargo ship Boko Maru (ex- British Sagres) north of Okinoshima, 27°56'N, 128°47'E. Coast Defense Vessel No.1 and minesweeper W.17 carry out antisubmarine sweep to no avail.

Submarine Seawolf (SS-197) lands men and supplies on Palawan.

British submarine HMS Trenchant sinks Japanese merchant fishing boat No.2 Hiyoshi Maru off coast of Sumatra, 04°29'S, 102°54'E

USAAF B-25s sink Japanese ship Tokuyu Maru and damage fishing boat No.6 Meijin Maru off Halmahera.

Japanese merchant cargo ship Hokko Maru is sunk by aircraft off Shanghai, China.

Japanese cargo ship Koshin Maru is sunk by fire, 125 miles northeast of Keelung, Formosa.

Atlantic
Motor torpedo boat PT-509 is sunk by German surface craft off the isle of Jersey, English Channel, 49°11'N, 02°15'W.

In another channel action, three U.S. motor torpedo boats engage German convoy off Cap d'Antifer, France; German gunfire damages PT-520 and PT-521.

  10 August, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Organized Japanese resistance ends on Guam. Patrols soon begin off northeast coast of the island to prevent escape of Japanese forces still present on Guam and to aid marine forces in exterminating or capturing Japanese hidden in caves and brush along the shoreline. Not only do the infantry landing craft employed on this task carry out gunfire support duties but actively pursue measures to induce Japanese to surrender. LCI(G)-466, LCI(G)-469, LCI(G)-471, and LCI(G)-473 induce 157 Japanese to surrender up to the end of September.

Submarine Bowfin (SS-287) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Seiyo Maru off Minami Daito Shima, 25°50'N, 131°12'E.

Submarine Cod (SS-224) sinks Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Toseki Maru south of the Celebes, 05°15'S, 121°14'E.

Submarine Guitarro (SS-363) attacks Japanese convoy off northwest coast of Luzon, sinking merchant tanker Shinei Maru, 16°15'N, 119°45'E.

Japanese guardboat Sakae Maru is sunk by U.S. aircraft at Rabaul, 04°12'S, 152°15'E.

  11 August, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Cod (SS-224) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship No.6 Shinsei Maru south of the Celebes, 05°38'S, 120°37'E.

Submarine Tang (SS-306) attacks Japanese convoy off southern Honshu, and sinks merchant cargo ship Roko Maru, 33°58'N, 136°18'E.

USAAF B-25s sink Japanese guardboat Daishin Maru east of Paramushiro, Kurils, 50°09'N, 157°03'E.

Other Japanese casualties include cargo vessel No.7 Kyoei Maru damaged by mine laid by USAAF B-29 (20th Bomber Command) in Musi River, while en route to Palembang; tanker Ikuta Maru sunk by mine off coast of Sumatra; guardboats No.20 Aiko Maru and No.32 Ebisu Maru by U.S. aircraft, Kaoe Bay, Halmahera; and Shinyu Maru sunk by aircraft, Halmahera Bay.

  12 August, Sat. 1944

Pacific
President Roosevelt concludes his inspection of naval activities in the Pacific when he departs Puget Sound on this date to return to Washington.

Submarine Pompon (SS-267) attacks Japanese convoy in Sea of Okhotsk, damaging merchant cargo ship Mayachi Maru east of Sakhalin, 50°35'N, 144°03'E.

Submarine Puffer (SS-268) attacks Japanese convoy off Mindoro, sinking merchant tanker Teikon Maru off Cape Calavite, 13°26'N, 119°55'E; Puffer also damages tanker Shinpo Maru, which is beached off Golo Island (see 14 August).

  13 August, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Barbel (SS-316) sinks Japanese auxiliary Koan Maru off Amami Oshima, 28°31'N, 129°18'E.

Submarine Bluegill (SS-242) attacks Japanese convoy off Cape San Augustin, Mindanao, and sinks submarine chasser Ch 12, auxiliary submarine chaser Misago Maru and transport Kojun Maru near entrance to Davao Gulf, 06°17'N, 126°10'E.

Submarine Cod (SS-224) attacks Japanese landing ship T.129 in the Banda Sea, 05°28'S, 125°08'E, but is driven off by the enemy amphibious ship's accurate return fire (see 14 August).

Submarine Flier (SS-250) is sunk by mine, south of Palawan, Balabac Strait, North Borneo, 09°00'N, 117°15'E.

Submarine Tambor (SS-198) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Toei Maru in southern part of Sea of Okhotsk, 48°35'N, 149°02'E.

Japanese submarine I-365 is damaged by Fairmile motor gunboats off Biak.

RAAF Beaufighters sink small Japanese cargo vessel No.3 Hamayoshi Maru off Kalig Island, 02°14'S, 130°31'E.

Japanese army cargo ship No.2 Asahi Maru is sunk by aircraft in South China Sea, southeast of Hong Kong, 22°03'N, 114°44'E.

Japanese tankerm Butsu Maru is sunk by accidental fire off Ahan Point, Formosa, 20°16'N, 121°52'E.

  14 August, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Bluefish (SS-222) sinks Japanese tanker Shinpo Maru, previously damaged by Puffer (SS-268) on 12 August, off Golo Island, 13°39'N, 120°22'E.

Submarine Cod (SS-224) sinks Japanese landing ship T.129 in Banda Sea, about 40 miles south of Boeroe Island and 80 miles southwest of Ambon Bay, 04°17'S, 126°46'E.

Submarine Croaker (SS-246) sinks Japanese gunboat No.7 Daigen Maru southwest of Inchon, Korea, 37°25'N, 125°12'E.

Submarine Ray (SS-271) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking merchant cargo ship Zuisho Maru off northwest coast of Borneo, 03°51'N, 112°58'E, and damaging cargo vessel Uga Maru, 03°51'N, 112°58'E (see 21 August).

Japanese cargo ship Miikesan Maru is sunk by mind laid by USAAF B-24 (14th Air Force) off Takao, Formosa, 22°00'N, 120°00'E.

Atlantic
Tank landing ship LST-921 is sunk by German submarine U-667 about 11 miles southwest of Hartland Point, England, 51°05'N, 04°47'W.

  15 August, Tue. 1944

Pacific
USAAF B-24s (5th Air Force) attack Japanese convoy and sink army cargo ship Tosho Maru in Banda Sea, southwest of Soena Islands, 04°30'S, 125°26'E; auxiliary submarine chaser No.18 Nitto Maru rescues survivors.

RAAF Mitchells sink Japanese cargo vessel No.14 Sakura Maru off north coast of central Timor.

Other aircraft sink vessel Kono Maru off Halmahera Island.

Mediterranean
Allied troops (Major General Alexander M. Patch, USA) land on coast of Southern France between Toulon and Cannes in Operation DRAGOON, preceded by heavy naval gunfire and aircraft attack. The operation is under the command of Vice Admiral H. Kent Hewitt, Naval Commander Western Task Force and Commander Eighth Fleet. After the landings, naval gunfire engages German coast defense batteries and continues to support the troops ashore. Infantry landing craft LCI-592 is damaged by mortar fire off southern France; LCI-588 and LCI-590 are damaged by mines off RED Beach ALPHA; tank landing ship LST-282, damaged by glider bomb while approaching GREEN beach, is beached and abandoned, 43°25'N, 06°50'E; submarine chaser SC-1029 is damaged when landing craft ahead of ship explodes, 43°12'N, 06°41'E. U.S. freighter Tarleton Brown is damaged by bomb and near-miss during German air raid on Allied shipping off St. Raphael; there are no fatalities among the merchant crew, the passengers, or the 44-man Armed Guard.

Destroyer Somers (DD-381) sinks German ship Esebart and damages corvette Uj.6083 (ex-Italian corvette Capriolo). The latter is captured and then scuttled southwest of Isle Port Cros.

  16 August, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Croaker (SS-246) sinks Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Taito Maru west of Korea, 36°16'N, 125°49'E.

Atlantic
Tank landing ship LST-391 is damaged by mine off Cherbourg, 49°38'N, 01°37'W.

Mediterranean
Off southern France, motor torpedo boats PT-202 and PT-218 are sunk by mines, Gulf of Frejus, 43°23'N, 06°43'E; motor minesweeper YMS-24 is sunk by mine, 43°25'N, 06°43'E; submarine chaser SC-525 is damaged; infantry landing craft LCI-951 is damaged by mine off YELLOW Beach. USAAF L-4 Piper Cubs, launched from tank landing ships, spot gunfire for light cruiser Marblehead (CL-12).

  17 August, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Croaker (SS-246) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Yamatero Maru off west coast of Korea,35°33'N, 126°10'E.

RAAF aircraft sink Japanese cargo vessel No.2 Jun Maru off south coast of Miscol Island.

Japanese river gunboat Hira is damaged by aircraft at Kiukiang, China.

Mediterranean
Diversionary assault is carried out with Special Operations Group (TG 80.4) penetrating Baie de Ciotat; destroyer Endicott (DD-495) and two motor torpedo boats bombard western half of the beach area; British river gunboats HMS Aphis and HMS Scarab and the 24th Motor Launch Flotilla bombard eastern half. Enemy shore battery fire is heavy but falls short. After group withdraws from beach area, German submarine chasers Uj 6073 and Uj 6081 engage the small task force. Endicott, Aphis, and Scarab engage them and sink both 13 miles off Cap Croisette light.

Heavy cruiser Tuscaloosa (CA-37) is near-missed by shore battery off southern France; beachhead screen (TU 80.6.10) engages four German E-boats off southern France; destroyer Harding (DD-625) sinks two, Carmick (DD-493) and Satterlee (DD-626) one apiece. Destroyer Frankford (DD-497), damaged by E-boat, later captures the craft, which sinks subsequently.

  18 August, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Hardhead (SS-365) sinks Japanese light cruiser Natori about 200 miles east of Samar, P.I., 12°29'N, 128°49'E; accompanying fast transport T.3 continues on for Palau. Destroyers Uranami and Kiyoshimo rescue most of Natori's survivors (See 31 August and 12 September 1944).

U.S. submarines Rasher (SS-269) and Redfish (SS-395) encounter Japanese convoy HI 71 off west coast of Luzon. Rasher sinks escort carrier Taiyo, transport Teia Maru, cargo ship Eishin Maru at 18°16'N, 120°21'E, and oiler Teiyo Maru southwest of Cape Bojeador, 18°09'N, 120°13'E, and damages transport Noshiro Maru southwest of Cape Bojeador, 18°09'N, 119°56'E; Redfish damages merchant tanker Eiyo Maru west of Luzon Strait, 20°28'N, 121°04'E.

Submarine Ray (SS-271) sinks Japanese merchant tanker Nansei Maru off southern tip of Palawan, 08°48'N, 117°02'E.

Dutch submarine Zwaardvisch sinks Japanese vessel Kim Hup Soen in Strait of Malacca, 04°00'N, 99°32'E.

Japanese destroyer Samidare is damaged when she runs aground on Velasco Reef, north of Palau, Carolines (see 26 August).

Mediterranean
Off southern France, amphibious force flagship Catoctin (AGC-5) is damaged by JU-88, 43°17'N, 06°38'E; the JU- 88 had followed closely behind USAAF P-38s and an RAF Beaufighter during an air raid alert. Elsewhere off the beachheads minesweeper Steady (AM-118) is damaged when a broken fire main floods jamming equipment compartment, and destroyer MacKenzie (DD-614) is damaged by operational casualty (starboard engine) during attack on submarine contact. U.S. freighter Albert A. Michelson is damaged off St. Tropez, by bomb during German air raid; while there are no casualties among the 27-man Armed Guard, 5 of the 43-man merchant complement are wounded badly enough to warrant their being left in a shoreside hospital for treatment.

  19 August, Sat. 1944

Pacific
U.S. submarine attacks on Japanese convoy HI 71, begun the previous day, continue off the west coast of Luzon as Bluefish (SS-222) sinks fast fleet tanker/seaplane carrier Hayasui, 80 nautical miles northwest of Cape Bolinao, 17°34'N, 119°23'E, and damages hospital ship Awa Maru, 17°36'N, 119°38'E.

Submarine Redfin (SS-272) lays mines off Sarawak, Borneo.

Submarine Spadefish (SS-411) sinks Japanese landing craft depot repair ship Tamatsu Maru west of Luzon, 18°48'N, 119°47'E.

Mediterranean
Battleship Nevada (BB-36), French battleship Lorraine, and heavy cruiser Augusta (CA-31) conduct reconnaissance in force off Toulon to support the U.S. Army's Third Division and French troops making a drive on that port. Escorted by four destroyers, Nevada, Lorraine, and Augusta shell the harbor and batteries at St. Mandrier; heavy cruiser Quincy (CA-71) provides counter- battery fire on Giens, from position south of Isle Port Cros.20

Europe
German submarines U-123 and U-129 are scuttled to avoid capture at Lorient, France.

  20 August, Sun. 1944

Pacific
RAAF aircraft damage small Japanese cargo vessel Kairyu Maru, Menado Bay, 00°49'N, 127°38'E.

RAAF Beaufighters sink small Japanese cargo vessel No.3 Yamada Maru off north coast of Ceram.

USAAF B-24s (14th Air Force) sink Japanese army tanker Chuko Maru near Hong Kong, 22°23'N, 115°34'E.

Atlantic
TBM and FM-2 (VC 42) from escort carrier Bogue (CVE-9) sink German submarine U-1229 in North Atlantic, 42°20'N, 51°39'W.

Mediterranean
German submarines U-178 and U-188 and UIT 21 (ex- Italian) are scuttled to avoid capture at Bordeaux, France.

  21 August, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Off Mindoro, submarines Guitarro (SS-363), Haddo (SS-255), Harder (SS-257) and Ray (SS-271) carry out series of attacks on Japanese convoy: Guitarro sinks merchant cargo ship Uga Maru, 13°21'N, 120°18'E; Haddo sinks merchant cargo ships Kinryu Maru and Norfolk Maru and damages merchant tanker Taiei Maru, 13°22'N, 120°19'E; and Ray sinks Japanese merchant tanker Taketoyo Maru, 13°23'N, 120°19'E.

Submarine Muskallunge (SS-262) attacks Japanese Manila- to-Singapore convoy, sinking Japanese army transport Durban Maru off Cam Ranh Bay, French Indochina, 11°45'N, 109°46'E.

PB4Ys damage Japanese guardboat No.10 Sumiyoshi Maru and small cargo vessel Shinyama Maru northwest of Marcus Island.

PB4Ys damage Japanese cargo vessel Tateishi Maru in Davao harbor.

RAAF Beaufighters and Kittyhawks attack Japanese shipping off Kaimana, 03°40'S, 133°50'E.

Japanese army cargo ship Tokuhei Maru is sunk, probably by USAAF aircraft, Tayeh, Yangtze River.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Eberle (DD-430) takes 140 Armenian prisoners from Porquerolles, France.

  22 August, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Bowfin (SS-287) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking army cargo ship Tsushima Maru in the Nansei Shoto, 29°30'N, 129°30'E.

Submarines Haddo (SS-255) and Harder (SS-257) encounter three Japanese escort vessels off the mouth of Manila Bay. Haddo sinks Sado 35 miles west of Manila, 14°15'N, 120°05'E; Harder sinks Matsuwa and Hiburi about 50 miles west-southwest of Manila, 14°15'N, 120°05'E. Loss of the trio of escorts in one day prompts the Chief of Staff, 1st Surface Escort Unit, to lament candidly: "Escort vessels, whose prime duty it is to attack and sink enemy submarines, have themselves been being sunk by enemy subs. This year alone a total of 13 have been sunk and three badly damaged. In addition, the Kusagaki, Matsuwa, Sado and Hiburi have been sunk one after the other just recently." The situation mirrors the plight of Japanese antisubmarine operations.

Submarine Pintado (SS-387) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking merchant tanker No.2 Tonan Maru (see 10 October 1942) 200 nautical miles southeast of Shanghai, 29°52'N, 125°22'E.

Submarine Spadefish (SS-411) attacks Japanese convoy, damaging tanker No.2 Hakko Maru in Luzon Strait, 18°48'N, 120°46'E; the tanker takes refuge in Passeleng Bay. Subsequent efforts to salvage her prove unavailing as the tanker will break up in heavy swells on 18 September.

Submarine Tang (SS-306) sinks Japanese army cargo ship No.2 Nansatsu Maru off Mikizaki, 34°01'N, 136°21'E.

British submarine HMS Statesman sinks Japanese army cargo ship No.5 Sugi Maru (ex-Panamanian Gran) off Port Blair, 11°41'N, 92°47'E; escorting torpedo boat Kari and submarine chaser Ch.9 carry out unsuccessful counterattacks.

Japanese merchant cargo ship Kanzaki Maru is sunk by aircraft off east coast of Korea, 36°01'N, 129°41'E.

  23 August, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer Cassin (DD-372), destroyer escort Cabana (DE-260), and infantry landing craft (gunboat) LCI(G)-346 and LCI(G)-438 bombard Japanese installations and positions on Aguijan Island, Marianas; ships repeat bombardment (LCI(G)-348 replaces LCI(G)-438 on 24 and 25 August) daily until 26 August.

Battleships Tennessee (BB-43) and California (BB-44) en route from Eniwetok to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, collide; damage to California will prevent her from participating in upcoming Palau operations.

Submarine Haddo (SS-255) torpedoes Japanese destroyer Asakaze as the enemy warship is escorting tanker Niyo Maru, 20 miles southwest of Cape Bolinao, Luzon, P.I., 16°06'N, 119°44'E. Asakaze sinks near Dasol Bay after attempts at salvage fail.

Submarine Tang (SS-306) attacks Japanese convoy off Honshu, sinking cargo ship Tsukushi Maru off Hamamatsu, 34°37'N, 137°52'E.

USAAF B-24s sink Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No.5 Sh_nan Maru northwest of Chichi Jima, 27°07'N, 142°06'E.

Mediterranean
German garrison on Isle de Proquerolles, except isolated stragglers, surrenders to Commander TG 86.3 in light cruiser Omaha (CL-4); the island will then be occupied by Senegalese troops.

Destroyer escort Solar (DE-221) is damaged by collision with underwater object., [WHERE].

High speed transport Tattnall (APD-19) is damaged by collision with underwater object off southern France.

Europe
U.S. freighter Louis Kossuth, bound for Utah Beach, Normandy, is torpedoed by German submarine U-989 at 50°16'N, 01°41'30"W. Of the 334 embarked troops, 13 are injured; there are no casualties to either the merchant complement (40 men) or the 28-man Armed Guard, and the ship is towed to Cowes, England, by British tug Empire Winnie.

  24 August, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Submarine chaser SC-1009 is damaged by grounding off Kahului, Maui, T.H.

Submarine Harder (SS-257) is sunk by Japanese Coast Defense Vessel No. 22 off west coast of Luzon, 15°50'N, 119°43'E.

Submarine Ronquil (SS-396) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking army cargo ship No.3 Yoshida Maru off Keelung, Formosa, 25°29'N, 123°15'E, and merchant cargo ship Fukurei Maru off Sankaku Island, 25°13'N, 121°49'E.

Submarine Sailfish (SS-192) attacks Japanese convoy in Luzon Strait, sinking transport Toan Maru, 21°23'N, 121°37'E.

Submarine Seal (SS-183) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Tosei Maru off southeast coast of Hokkaido, 42°30'N, 144°05'E.

British carrier force attacks Padang, Sumatra, sinking Japanese merchant cargo ship Shiretoko Maru off the harbor and damaging Senko Maru and Chisho Maru.

Japanese casualties include minelayer Itsukushima is damaged by aircraft off Menado, N.E.I.

Japanese auxiliary vessel Senko Maru is damaged by aircraft north of Boetoeng harbor.

Japanese army cargo ship No.21 Kongo Maru is sunk by aircraft, Philippine location unspecified.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Rodman (DD-456) is incapacitated by inoperative 5-inch director, off southern France.

Motor torpedo boat PT-555 is damaged by mine at Cap Couronne bouy; a French vessel attempting to rescue crew is mined as well, 43°19'N, 05°30'E.

  25 August, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Picuda (SS-382), in attack on Japanese convoy at the western entrance to the Babuyan Channel, sinks destroyer Yunagi 20 miles north-northeast of Cape Bojeador, P.I., 18°45'N, 120°44'E, and merchant tanker Kotoku Maru, 18°46'N, 120°46'E; later, submarine Redfish (SS-395) comes upon the convoy attacked earlier by Picuda and damages army cargo ship Batopaha Maru north-northeast of Cape Bojeador, 18°31'N, 120°32'E; Manshu Maru tows the crippled Batopaha Maru to Bangui Bay where she is beached.

Submarine Tang (SS-306) sinks Japanese merchant tanker No.8 Nanko Maru off Honshu, 33°55'N, 136°18'E.

General stores issue ship Talita (AKS-8) is attacked by accident by U.S. merchant tanker Amatilla en route from Eniwetok to Espiritu Santo.

Europe
U.S. and French troops liberate Paris, France.

Motor torpedo boats PT-513, PT-516, and PT-519 engage German coastal craft off Le Havre; PT-513 and PT-516 are damaged.

  26 August, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Submarine chaser PC(S)-1404 transports a marine reconnaissance party to Aguijan Island; after recovering the leathernecks, she bombards the island.

Light cruiser Boise (CL-47) is damaged when rammed accidentally by harbor tug Heroine, Sydney, Australia.

Submarine tender Pelias (AS-14) is damaged by grounding in San Francisco Bay.

Submarine Batfish (SS-310) causes further damage to grounded destroyer Samidare on Velasco Reef, Palau, 08°30'N, 134°37'E (see 18 August). Submariners observe Japanese blowing up the remainder of the wreckage.

Submarine S-18 (SS-123) is damaged when accidentally rammed by medium landing craft LSM-135, Naval Repair Base, San Diego, California.

Europe
Motor torpedo boats PT-511, PT-514 and PT-520 take part in night engagement (that lasts into the following day) that turns back the last German attempt to reinforce the besieged garrison at Le Havre; the PTs sink German artillery ferries AFP 98 and AFP 108.

  27 August, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Guitarro (SS-363) attacks Japanese convoy bound for Coron Bay, sinking merchant tanker No.25 Nanshin Maru, damaging No.3 Nanshin Maru, and forcing tanker No.25 Nanshin Maru aground, 12°26'N, 119°55'E.

Submarine Stingray (SS-186) lands men and supplies on northwest shore of Luzon.

PVs sink Japanese vessel Tensho Maru between Odomari and Onnekotan Island, Kurils.

High speed minesweeper Boggs (DMS-3) and submarine chaser PC-783 are damaged in collision, San Diego, California.

Atlantic
Tank landing ship LST-327 is damaged by mine, while en route from Cherbourg to Southampton, England.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Ericsson (DD-440) captures fishing vessel attempting to escape Toulon, France, and takes 50 German submariners as POWs. Motor torpedo boat PT-552 sinks four German explosive motorboats at entrance to Toulon, harbor, but control boat escapes.

  28 August, Mon. 1944

Pacific
USAAF B-25s sink auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 77 at south entrance of Paramushiro straits, Kurils, 50°31'N, 150°12.7'E.

Arabian Sea
U.S. freighter John Barry, en route from Aden to the Persian Gulf, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-859 at 15°10'N, 55°18'E. Two members of the merchant crew are lost during the abandonment, but 39 of the 41- man merchant complement and the entire 27-man Armed Guard survive (see 29 August).

Mediterranean
German garrisons at Marseilles, including outlying islands and St. Mandrier battery (the sole remaining enemy pocket in Toulon), surrender at 1100.

  29 August, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer escort Conklin (DE-439) accidentally fires upon U.S. freighter Dominican Victory because of unfamiliarity with recognition signals north of the Marshalls.

Infantry landing craft LCI-566 is damaged by grounding, south of Oahu, 20°56'N, 157°00'E.

Submarine Jack (SS-259) sinks Japanese minesweeper W.28 and army cargo ship Mexico Maru northwest of Menado, Celebes, 02°15'N, 122°50.

PBY sinks Japanese auxiliary sailing vessel Toyokuni Maru at entrance to Ambon Bay, 03°22'S, 129°39'E.

Japanese merchant cargo ship Koryu Maru is sunk by aircraft, Kiukiang, China.

Japanese tanker Kaiko Maru is damaged by mine in Strait of Malacca, 03°40'N, 100°06'E.

Arabian Sea
Dutch freighter Sanetta and U.S. freighter Benjamin Bourn between them rescue the 66 survivors from the U.S. freighter John Barry, which had been sunk by German submarine U-859 the day before.

Mediterranean
Marine detachments from heavy cruiser Augusta (CA-31) and light cruiser Philadelphia (CL-41) accept the surrender of two German-held islands in Marseilles Harbor and disarm the garrisons.

U.S. motor torpedo boats PT-302, PT-303, and PT-304 attack two corvettes and one destroyer off Cap Mele, compelling the enemy ships to reverse course and steam for Genoa, Italy. The PTs will continue their patrol into the next morning but make no further sightings.

  30 August, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) lands men and supplies on east coast of Luzon.

Pacific
U.S. tanker Jacksonville, steaming in convoy CU 36, is torpedoed by German submarine U-482 while en route to Loch Ewe, Scotland, at 55°30'N, 07°30'W; the gasoline cargo explodes, giving little chance for the 49-man merchant complement or the 29-man Armed Guard to abandon the blazing ship, which breaks in twain at the second massive explosion. Destroyer escort Poole (DE-151) rescues a fireman and one Armed Guard gunner, Jacksonville's only survivors. Escort vessels use depth charges and gunfire to scuttle the after section of the ship; the forward section sinks on its own accord.

  31 August, Thu. 1944

Pacific
TG 38.4 (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison) attacks Iwo Jima and Chichi Jima (strikes will be repeated on 1 and 2 September) to neutralize Japanese installations there and provide a diversion in advance of planned operations in the Palau, Morotai, and Philippine areas. Off Iwo Jima, F6Fs from Franklin (CV-13) sink auxiliary minesweeper No.8 Toshi Maru, 25°00'N, 141°50'E, and merchant cargo ship Suruga Maru, 24°46'N, 141°19'E.

U.S. submarines attack Japanese convoy bount for Manila. In Luzon Strait south of Formosa, Barb (SS-220) sinks auxiliary minesweeper No.20 Hinode Maru, 21°21'N, 121°11'E; and army cargo ship _kuni Maru, 21°14'N, 121°22'E. Queenfish (SS-393) sinks army tanker Chiyoda Maru, 21°21'N, 121°06'E, and damages army tanker Rikke Maru, 21°30'N, 121°19'E. Sealion (SS-315) sinks minelayer Shirataka, 21°05'N, 121°26'E.

Submarine Redfish (SS-272) lands supplies and evacuates people from Palawan Island.

PBYs sink small Japanese cargo vessels No.2 Kairyu Maru and Kabuchi Maru off Ceram.

RAAF Mitchells sink small Japanese cargo vessel No.8 Sanko Maru off north coast of Alor Island.

Other Japanese casualties include guardboat No.2 Kyoshin Maru sunk by U.S. aircraft off Halmahera; merchant cargo ship Suruga Maru sunk by aircraft off Iwo Jima, 24°46'N, 141°19'E.; and merchant cargo ship Hoyo Maru damaged by aircraft, Tayeh, Yangtze River.

September

2>

  1 September, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Naval Operating Base, Saipan, is established.

Heavy cruiser New Orleans (CA-32), light cruiser Biloxi (CL-80), and four destroyers drawn from TG 38.4, bombard Japanese installations at Iwo Jima and Chichi Jima (the bombardment will be repeated the following day). The ships draw no return fire and U.S. gunfire damages landing ship T.105 off the latter place.

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) lands men and supplies on east coast of Luzon.

Submarine Pilotfish (SS-386) sinks Japanese auxiliary vessel Ina Maru north-northwest of Chichi Jima, 30°32'N, 140°55'E.

Submarine Tunny (SS-282) is damaged by aerial bombs, Luzon Strait, 21°50'N, 119°18'E, and is forced to terminate her patrol.

Other Japanese casualties include merchant cargo ship Sekino Maru sunk by aircraft in Celebes Sea, 01°06'N, 122°21'E; and merchant cargo ship Tientsin Maru sunk by mine off Woosung, China.

Atlantic
Coast guard cutter Northland (WPG-49) locates German weather ship Kehdingen off Great Koldeyey Island, Greenland, and pursues her through the ice floes. Kehdingen, however, is scuttled by her crew to avoid capture. German submarine U-703's attack on Northland is thwarted by ice.

Mediterranean
Motor minesweeper YMS-21 is sunk by mine, Toulon, 43°06'N, 05°54'E.

  2 September, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Guardfish (SS-217) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Shirakami Maru north of Chichi Jima, 29°48'E, 140°20'E.

Submarine Finback (SS-230), while lifeguarding for Chichi Jima strike, rescues Lieutenant (jg) George H.W. Bush, A-V(N), USNR, of VT 51; Bush will eventually become the 41st President of the United States.

British submarine HMS Sirdar sinks Japanese guardboat No.5 Kaiyo Maru off northwestern Sumatra, 03°55'N, 096°20'E; and submarine HMS Strongbow sinks Japanese army cargo ship No.1 Toso Maru off west coast of Siam, 07°57'N, 98°49'E.

TG 38.4 aircraft damage Japanese landing ship T.104 damaged by aircraft off Chichi Jima.

Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No.2 Misago Maru is sunk by aircraft north of Mindanao.

  3 September, Sun. 1944

Pacific
TG 12.5 (Rear Admiral Allen E. Smith), comprising small carrier Monterey (CVL-26), three heavy cruisers, and three destroyers, pound Japanese installations on Wake Island.

Japanese destroyer Hasu is damaged by mine off Yangtze estuary, 31°19'N, 121°43'E.

Mediterranean
Submarine chaser SC-535 is damaged by storm off southern France, 43°17'N, 06°38'E.

Tank landing craft LCT-151 is sunk by storm, 39°22'N, 08°00'E.

  4 September, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Bowfin (SS-287) sinks Japanese guardboat No.6 Hinode Maru east of Nanpo Shoto, 31°54'N, 152°05'E.

Mediterranean
Aviation supply ship Tackle (IX-217) is damaged by mine, Port de Buoc, France, while being towed by French tug Provencal.

Tank landing ship LST-659 is damaged when she strikes a submerged wreck off RED beach, southern France.

  5 September, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Albacore (SS-218) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Shingetsu Maru north of Muroto Saki, 32°24'N, 134°15'E.

British submarine HMS Tantivy sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Shiretoko Maru off Sumatra, 05°44'S, 104°58'E.

Japanese merchant cargo ship Kokka Maru is sunk by mine, Keelung, Formosa.

Mediterranean
Off southern France invasion beaches, French destroyer Le Malin discovers presence of German manned torpedoes and opens fire; destroyer Ludlow (DD-438) joins Le Malin in dropping depth charges, destroying three torpedoes and capturing the crews who manned them.

  6 September, Wed. 1944

Pacific
TF 58 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) arrives off Palauto begin operations against Japanese airfields and defense installations in the western Carolines; a fighter sweep discloses no aerial opposition and reveals much damage caused by prior strikes. Task groups involved are TGs 38.1, 38.2 and 38.3. TG 38.4 (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison), meanwhile, conducts fighter sweep over Yap.

Small carrier Independence (CVL-22) begins use of specifically trained air group for night work, marking the first time that a fully equipped night carrier operates with the fast carrier task force.

Destroyers Ellet (DD-398) and Downes (DD-375) bombard Aguijan Island, Marianas, to destroy gun emplacement located by air reconnaissance.

Submarine Albacore (SS-218) sinks Japanese auxiliary minesweeper No.3 Eguchi Maru at entrance to Kii Suido, Japan, 33°29'N, 135°32'E.

Submarine Hake (SS-256) damages Japanese destroyer Hibiki east of the Ryukyus, 16°19'N, 119°44'E.

USAAF P-40s sink Japanese fishing boats Sakae Maru, Tairyu Maru, Tatsuei Maru, and Takuyo Maru off Kai Island.

Japanese army cargo ship Eiji Maru is sunk by mine, 22°19'N, 120°30'E.

  7 September, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Planes from TGs 38.1, 38.2, and 38.3 conduct full scale air strikes on Japanese installations throughout the principal Palaus; they will repeat the evolutions (albeit with diminishing force in view of the paucity of targets) the next day. CRUDIV 14 (Rear Admiral F.E.M. Whiting) (three light cruisers, screened by four destroyers, drawn from TGs 38.2 and 38.3) bombards Japanese installations on Peleliu, Angaur, and Ngesebus, supplementing the carrier air strikes begun the previous day by TF 58. Heavy cruiser New Orleans (CA-32) and light cruiser Biloxi (CL-80) and four destroyers (from TG 38.4) bombard Yap; they will repeat the bombardment the following day. Planes from TG 38.4, meanwhile, on this day and the next will carry out operations against Yap and Ulithi.

U.S. Army forces supported by naval vessels land on Soepiori Island in the Schouten Islands of New Guinea.

Destroyer Flusser (DD-368) is damaged by shore battery, Wotje Island, Marshalls, while on a routine patrol to the south of the island.

Submarine Paddle (SS-263) sinks Japanese transport Shinyo Maru, which unbeknown to her attacker carries 750 American prisoners of war on board. Tanker No.2 Eiyo Maru is damaged by Paddle off the coast of Mindanao, 08°11'N, 122°40'E, and is beached at Sindagon Point, 08°10'N, 122°40'E.

RAAF Beaufighters sink Japanese motor sailboat Keishin Maru off southern coast of Ceram.

  8 September, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Bashaw (SS-241) sinks Japanese transport Yanagigawa Maru west of Mindanao, 08°10'N, 121°48'E.

Submarine Seal (SS-183) damages Japanese destroyer Namikaze off Hokkaido, 47°28'N, 148°20'E.

Submarine Spadefish (SS-411) sinks Japanese transport Shokei Maru and army cargo ship Shinten Maru off Sakishima Gunto, 24°39'N, 123°31'E, and merchant cargo ships Nichiman Maru and Nichian Maru, 24°45'N, 123°26'E.

USAAF B-24s bomb Japanese shipping off Chichi Jima, damaging cargo vessels Heiwa Maru and Toyo Maru.

Atlantic
First German V-2 rocket bomb lands in England.

Mediterranean
German explosive boats attack destroyer Hilary P. Jones (DD-427) off Cap Martin, but inflict no damage; destroyer Madison (DD-425) is attacked by German explosive boats but sights them in time to avoid them. U.S. destroyers are attacked by German explosive boats five miles south of Cap Ampeglio; U.S. motor torpedo boats engage an additional four enemy craft.

  9 September, Sat. 1944

Pacific
TF 38 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) begins strikes against Japanese shipping, facilities, and airfields on Mindanao; carrier-based planes sink transport Kuniyama Maru in Sulu Sea, 06°30'N, 121°50'E, and transports Kurenai Maru and Mihara Maru, and cargo ship Taiyu Maru in Mindanao Sea, 09°45'N, 125°30'E. Light cruisers Birmingham (CL-62) and Santa Fe (CL-60) and four destroyers detached from TG 58.3 (Rear Admiral Laurance T. DuBose), covered by planes from small carrier Langley (CVL-27) demolish coastal convoy consisting of predominantly small ships and craft proceeding down the west coast of Mindanao.

Submarine Bang (SS-385) sinks Japanese transport Tokiwasan Maru south of Japan, 28°53'N, 137°42'E, and merchant cargo ship Sh_ryu Maru, 28°58'N, 137°45'E.

Submarine Queenfish (SS-393) sinks Japanese transport Toy_ka Maru and merchant passenger/cargo ship Manshu Maru and damages torpedo boat Manazuru northwest of Babuyan, Luzon, 19°45'N, 120°56'E.

Submarine Seal (SS-183) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Shonan Maru in Sea of Okhotsk, north of Etorofu, Kurils, 47°57'N, 148°15'E.

Japanese auxiliary submarine chasers Cha 8 and Cha 9 are sunk by mines (laid on 6-8 July by British submarine HMS Porpoise) off Sumatra.

Japanese merchant cargo ship Tsinan Maru is sunk by mine off Woosung, China.

  10 September, Sun. 1944

Pacific
TF 38 air strikes against Japanese shipping, facilities and airfields on Mindanao continue. During these operations, TF 38 planes sink Japanese merchant cargo ship No.7 Unyo Maru off Mindanao.

Submarine Sunfish (SS-281) sinks Japanese merchant tanker Chihaya Maru east of Quelpart Island, 33°47'N, 127°37'E.

Other Japanese casualties include army tanker Bukun Maru sunk by mine (laid by British submarine HMS Porpoise on 8 July 1944) in Strait of Malacca, 03°54'N, 98°42'E; and merchant tanker No.2 Hoei Maru sunk by mine off Woosung, China.

Europe
Command designated Naval Forces France (Vice Admiral Alan G. Kirk) is established with headquarters at Paris, France.

Mediterranean
U.S. motor torpedo boat PT-206 on right flank of southern France beachhead gives chase to German explosive boat unit consisting of a control boat and two drones; one of the latter is destroyed. Minesweeper Seer (AM-112) is damaged by mine while sweeping Grande Passe to Rade d'Hyeres, 42°59'N, 06°20'E; fleet tug Hopi (ATF-71) tows the damaged ship to Toulon for repairs.

While patrolling between Noli and Genoa, Italy, PT-559 and British motor torpedo boats attack southbound convoy, sinking one F-lighter and an ammunition barge. Escorting German patrol craft break off action.

  11 September, Mon. 1944

Second Quebec Conference (OCTAGON) between President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill and the Combined Chiefs of Staff commences in Quebec, Canada. The agenda principally concerns the role the Royal Navy will play in the Pacific War.

Pacific
Destroyer Ellet (DD-398) bombards supply dumps on Aguijan Island, Marianas.

Submarine Albacore (SS-218) sinks Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 165 off Kyushu, 32°20'N, 131°50'E.

Submarine Finback (SS-230) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Hassho Maru and merchant cargo ship No.2 Hak_n Maru north of Chichi Jima, 27°45'N, 140°40'E.

Submarine Pargo (SS-264) sinks Japanese auxiliary netlayer Hinoki Maru in Java Sea, 06°17'S, 116°24'E.

USAAF B-24 aircraft bomb Iwo Jima, damaging Japanese cargo vessel No.8 Saiwai Maru; difficulties encountered in attempting to tow the damaged craft result in her being scuttled.

Japanese cargo ship No.1 Horai Maru is sunk by aircraft two miles off Palau.

  12 September, Tue. 1944

Romania signs armistice with U.S., Great Britain, and Russia.

Pacific
TF 38 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) (TG 38.1, TG 38.2, and TG 38.3) begins operations against Japanese shipping and airfields in the Visayas. Planes from all three carrier groups pound enemy installations on Cebu and shipping offshore, sinking gunboat Kiso Maru, auxiliary submarine chasers Mogami Maru and No.12 Kyo Maru, auxiliary netlayer Korei Maru, auxiliary minesweeper No.18 Choun Maru, guardboats No.97 Banshu Maru and No.4 Fukuju Maru, transports Bugen Maru, Nichiei Maru, army cargo ships Keian Maru and Genkai Maru, merchant tanker Ayazono Maru, merchant cargo ships Toyo Maru, No.2 Shintai Maru, No.5 Shintai Maru, and No.8 Shintai Maru, 10°20'N, 124°00'E; salvage ship Miho Maru, 10°35'N, 124°00'E; transport Shiramine Maru, 10°34'N, 124°01'E; transport Oakita Maru, 11°21'N, 124°07'E; transport Rakuto Maru, 10°35'N, 124°20'E. TF 38 planes also damage minesweeper No.21 Choun Maru off Cebu, 10°20'N, 124°00'E. Between Biliran and Cebu, TF 38 planes sink auxiliary minesweeper Takao Maru and auxiliary submarine chaser Nan-Ho Maru; in Bohol Strait, carrier aircraft sink motor torpedo boat Gyoraitei No.483.

Ensign Thomas C. Tillar, USNR, a pilot from Hornet, in TG 38.1, is rescued by Filipinos after his F6F ditches off Apit Island, off the southwestern coast of Leyte. Before Tillar is recovered by SOC from heavy cruiser Wichita (CA-45), he learns from his rescuers that the size of the Japanese garrison on Leyte is negligible. That fact, when combined with the lack of aerial opposition encountered and the few airfields that exist on Leyte and Samar, prompts Admiral Halsey (Commander Third Fleet) to recommend that the planned attack on Yap be abandoned and that the date of the landings on Leyte be advanced from 20 December to 20 October 1944.

Light minelayer Preble (DM-20) explodes acoustic mines in the shoals between Angaur and Peleliu; she and sistership Montgomery (DM-17) sweep most of the navigable waters by the end of the day.

Destroyer Marshall (DD-676) captures boat with 44 survivors of Japanese light cruiser Natori (see 18 August).

High speed transport Noa (APD-24) is sunk in collision with destroyer Fullam (DD-474) off Palau, Carolines, 07°01'N, 134°30'E; Fullam is damaged; oilers Millicoma (AO-73) and Schuykill (AO-76) are damaged in collision off the Palaus.

Submarine Growler (SS-215) sinks Japanese destroyer Shikinami 240 miles south of Hong Kong, 18°25'N, 114°30'E, and escort vessel Hirado 250 miles east of Hainan Island, 17°54'N, 114°49'E.

Submarine Pampanito (SS-383) sinks merchant passenger/cargo ship Kachidoki Maru (ex-U.S. passenger liner President Harrison) and tanker Zuih_ Maru, 19°25'N, 112°27'E.

Submarine Pipefish (SS-388) sinks Japanese auxiliary vessel No.7 Hakutetsu Maru off Shiono Misaki, Japan, 33°32'N, 135°56'E.

Submarine Redfin (SS-272) carries out unsuccessful attack on Japanese cargo vessel Tosho Maru, 05°27'S, 120°28'E; counterattack by submarine chaser Ch 53 is likewise unsuccessful.

Submarine Sealion (SS-315) sinks Japanese transport Nankai Maru and merchant passenger/cargo ship Rakuyo Maru in South China Sea, east of Hainan Island, 18°42'N, 114°30'E; Sealion crew is unaware that the latter carries Allied POWs.

Japanese tanker No.2 Eiyo Maru, damaged by Paddle (SS-263) on 7 September, is sunk by aircraft, 08°12'N, 122°37'E.

Atlantic
Motor minesweeper YMS-409 founders and sinks off Atlantic Coast.

U.S. freighter George Ade, en route from Mobile, Alabama, to New York, via Key West, Florida, is torpedoed by German submarine U-518 at 33°30'N, 75°40'W; the ship's Armed Guard fires two rounds at what they believe to be a surfaced submarine. There are no casualties among the 41-man merchant crew or the 27- man Armed Guard. Destroyer Barton (DD-722) contacts the stricken ship, and salvage vessel Escape (ARS-6) takes George Ade in tow (see 14-16 September).

  13 September, Wed. 1944

Pacific
TG 38.2 (Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan) continues operations against Cebu, supported by TG 38.1 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) and TG 38.3 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman), as well as against Japanese targets in the area of Negros, Cebu, and Legaspi. Navy carrier-based planes sink submarine chaser Ch 55 three miles northeast of Cebu, 10°20'N, 124°00'E. Late that afternoon, TG 38.1 (see 14 September) is detached to provide support for the landings at Morotai.

High speed minesweeper Perry (DMS-17) is sunk by mine, 750 yards off the southeast coast of Angaur, southern Palaus, 06°53'N, 134°10'E.

Submarine Sunfish damages Japanese army cargo ship Gyoku Maru, 34°32'N, 124°44'E, and sinks army cargo ship Etajima Maru, 35°04'N, 124°49'E.

USAAF A-20s sink merchant cargo ship Akitsushima Maru off southeastern Ceram, 03°04'S, 128°11'E.

Japanese landing ship T.153 damaged (probably by USAAF aircraft) off Iwo Jima.

Atlantic
Destroyer Warrington (DD-383) is sunk by hurricane, 175 miles east-southeast of Great Abaco Island, Bahamas Islands, 27°00'N, 73°00'W.

  14 September, Thu. 1944

Pacific
TG 38.2 (Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan) attacks Japanese shipping and installations on and around Panay and Negros, supported by TG 38.3 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman); during these operations, Navy carrier-based planes damage motor torpedo boat Gyoraitei No.482 northof Cebu, 11°00'N, 124°00'E. TG 38.1 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain), en route to support Morotai landings, carries out strikes on Japanese installations on Mindanao; during the course of these operations, SB2Cs (VB 2) sink fast transport T.5 in Davao Gulf, 06°10'N, 126°00'E.

Destroyers Farenholt (DD-491), McCalla (DD-488), and Grayson (DD-435), detached from TG 38.1, bombard suspected Japanese radar installation on Cape San Augustin, at mouth of Davao Gulf.

Submarine Pargo (SS-264) lays mines near Natuna Island, South China Sea.

Japanese escort destroyer Yashiro is damaged by mine off Formosa, 22°42'N, 120°12'E.

Atlantic
Coast Guard cutters Bedloe (WPC-128) and Jackson (WPC-142) are sunk by storm off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.

Coast Guard Lightship No. 73 is sunk by storm, Vineyard Sound, Massachusetts.

Miscellaneous district auxiliary YAG-sinks after running aground off Chesapeake Bay, 36°57'N, 76°13'W.

Hurricane-engendered heavy seas cause towline from salvage vessel Escape (ARS-6) to the damaged U.S. freighter George Ade, torpedoed by U-518 on 12 September 1944, to part; the ship anchors to resume the passage toward Hampton Roads the following day (see 15-16 September 1944).

Mediterranean
Cruiser-based SOC spots small naval craft off Imperia, Italy, a 300-foot merchantman seven miles to the east, and 14 small craft off Cape Delle Mele; destroyer Ludlow (DD-438), with SOC spot and unopposed by enemy shore battery fire, scores at least twelve direct hits on the vessels off Imperia.

  15 September, Fri. 1944

Pacific
1st Marine Division (Reinforced) (Major General William H. Rupertus, USMC) lands on Peleliu, Palaus, in Operation STALEMATE II. Landing is preceded by several days of intensive carrier-based aircraft bombing and ship gunfire bombardment (TG 32.5, Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf).

TF 77 (Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey) lands Army 41st Infantry (Reinforced) (Major General John C. Persons,USA) on Morotai Island, N.E.I., in Operation TRADE WIND; supported by two heavy cruisers, three light cruisers and ten destroyers (TG 77.2) (Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey) and aircraft from six escort carriers (TG 77.1) (Rear Admiral Thomas L. Sprague), screened by eight destroyer escorts. Airfield facilities built on Morotai will be used in operations to support operations against Japanese positions in the Philippines.

Submarine Guavina (SS-362) sinks Japanese fast transport T.3 off Pagubas, southern Mindanao, 05°35'N, 125°24'E.

Submarines Pampanito (SS-383) and Sealion (SS-315) rescue 73 British and 54 Australian POWs who survived loss of Rakuyo Maru when she was sunk by Sealion on 12 September, about 300 miles west of Cape Bojeador, Luzon. There had been some 1,300 men on board Rakuyo Maru when she was attacked.

Submarine Stingray (SS-186) lands men and stores on Majoe Island, Molucca Sea.

USAAF B-24s sink small Makassar-bound Japanese cargo vessels Kirishima Maru and No.6 Keinan Maru off Mongole Island.

RAAF Beaufighters and USAAF A-20s bomb Japanese shipping off southeast coast of Ceram, sinking fishing vessels No.3 Hoyu Maru and No.4 Bonan Maru.

U.S. aircraft sink Japanese guardboats Kaiko Maru and No.1 Kaza Maru, Marshalls.

Atlantic
Salvage vessel Escape (ARS-6) resumes tow of damaged U.S. freighter George Ade toward Chesapeake Bay (see 16 September).

  16 September, Sat. 1944

Second Quebec Conference (OCTAGON) attended by President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill ends. Combined Chiefs of Staff approve Admiral Halsey's recommendation to advance the invasion of Leyte from 20 December to 20 October.

Pacific
Marine Air Wings, Pacific is redesignated Aircraft, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (Major General Francis P. Mulcahy, USMC) with headquarters at Ewa, Oahu.

Motor torpedo boat operations begin from Morotai, N.E.I., to maintain patrols, break up the movement of Japanese troops in barges, and prevent seaborne counterattacks from Halmahera. Two Morotai-based boats, PT-489 and PT-363 transit 60 miles of mined waters and then run an 11-mile gauntlet of coast defense batteries to rescue downed F6F pilot from escort carrier Santee (CVE-29) in Wasile Bay, Halmahera; under fire for two and a half hours, both boats receive superficial shrapnel damage in the successful operation that snatches the aviator out of danger. Lieutenant Arthur M. Preston (Commander, MTBRon 33), commanding the operation, will receive the Medal of Honor.

Destroyer Wadleigh (DD-689) is damaged by mine off eastern entrance to Kossol Passage, Palau, 07°51'N, 134°39'E.

U.S. submarines operate against Japanese shipping south of Formosa: Picuda (SS-382) sinks army cargo ship Tokushima Maru in Bashi Channel, 21°27'N, 121°35'E; Redfish (SS-395) sinks fleet tanker No.2 Ogura Maru, 21°24'N, 121°14'E.

Submarine Sea Devil (SS-400) sinks Japanese submarine I-364 off Yokosuka, Japan, 34°30'N, 145°23'E.

Submarine Shad (SS-235) attacks, unsuccessfully, Japanese cargo ship Hakozaki Maru, 34°30'N, 138°25'E. Other Japanese losses include army cargo ship Imaharu Maru sunk by aircraft, 05°08'N, 121°14'E; and cargo vessel Imaji Maru sunk by mine, 05°08'N, 115°05'E.

Mediterranean
U.S. motor torpedo boats engage German explosive control boat and four drones off Cap Martin.

Atlantic
Salvage vessel Escape (ARS-6) brings damaged U.S. freighter George Ade into Hampton Roads; the ship is repaired and returns to active service.

  17 September, Sun. 1944

Pacific
TG 32.1 (Rear Admiral William H. P. Blandy) lands Army 81st Infantry (less 323d Infantry and reinforced by miscellaneous units) on Angaur, Palaus, supported by carrier-based aircraft and naval gunfire. Airfield facilities on Angaur will be used to support operations against the Philippines.

Submarine Barb (SS-220) sinks Japanese escort carrier Un'yo and tanker Asuza Maru, 220 nautical miles southeast of Hong Kong, 19°08'N, 116°36'E. Barb and Queenfish (SS-393) pick up an additional 32 British and Australian POWs, survivors of the sunken Rakuyo Maru (see 12 and 15 September).

Motor torpedo boat PT-371 is damaged by grounding, N.E.I., 02°05'N, 127°51'E.

USAAF P-40s sink Japanese fishing vessel Hoyo Maru and damage No.5 Kyoei Maru off eastern Ceram.

Japanese merchant cargo ship Shinai Maru is sunk by mine off east coast of Celebes.

  18 September, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer Case (DD-370) and submarine Sealion (SS-315) rendezvous some 700 miles west of Saipan to transfer medical officer and medical supplies to treat POWs rescued by the submarine on 15 September.

Submarine Flasher (SS-249) sinks Japanese auxiliary gunboat Saigon Maru off Manila Bay, 14°20'N, 120°05'E.

Submarine Pipefish (SS-388) damages Japanese army transport Rokko Maru off coast of Honshu, 32°49'N, 154°22'E.

Submarine Thresher (SS-200) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Gyoku Maru in Yellow Sea, 35°02'N, 124°24'E.

British submarine HMS Tradewind sinks Japanese army cargo ship Junyo Maru off Sumatra, 02°53'S, 101°11'E.

USAAF B-25s damage Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Wa.5, salvage tug Futagami, and coastal/harbor minesweeper Ma 3 at Enderby Island, Carolines.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Benson (DD-421) is assigned jammer duties at Toulon; destroyer Livermore (SS-429) is assigned the same task at Marseilles.

  19 September, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Infantry landing craft (gunboat) LCI(G)-459 is sunk by mine off west side of Peleliu reef.

Motor torpedo boat PT-371, damaged by grounding off northwest coast of Halmahera, 02°05'N, 127°51'E, is sunk by demolition charges.

Submarine Bang (SS-385) attacks Japanese shipping off east coast of Formosa, sinking tanker No.2 Toosei Maru and damaging Coast Defense Vessel No.30, 24°54'N, 122°23'E.

Submarine Redfin (SS-395) sinks Japanese fishing vessel Nanko Maru, 05°36'N, 122°16'E.

Submarine Scabbardfish (SS-397) damages Japanese submarine tender Jingei, 80 miles northwest of Okinawa,27°45'N, 127°00'E.

Submarine Shad (SS-235) sinks coast defense ship Ioshima (ex-Chinese cruiser Ning Hai) 85 miles off Hachij_ Jima, 33°40'N, 138°20'E.

Saipan-based USAAF B-24s pound Japanes shipping off Chicchi Jima, damaging landing ship T.153 and small cargo vessel Tsukiura Maru.

20 September, Wed. 1944

Arabian Sea
USAAF B-24 aircraft attack Japanese shipping off Formosa, damaging cargo vessels Asaka Maru, Gokoku Maru, and Shinsho Maru.

  21 September, Thu. 1944

Pacific
TF 38 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) begins strikes on Japanese shipping in Manila and Subic Bays, Clark and Nichols Fields near Manila, and the Cavite Navy Yard. At Manila, planes from TG 38.1, TG 38.2, and TG 38.3 sink destroyer Satsuki, fleet tanker Kyokuto Maru, oilers Sunosaki and Okikawa Maru, tanker No.2 Horai Maru, army cargo ships Norway Maru, Yozan Maru, China Maru and Tsukubusan Maru, merchant tanker Niyo Maru, cargo ships Hioki Maru, Risshun Maru, and Rozan Maru, 14°35'N, 120°55'E; army cargo ships Nansei Maru and Yamabuki Maru, 14°45'N, 120°12'E; army cargo ships Toyofuko Maru, Wakashiro Maru, Eikyu Maru, and Fukuei Maru, cargo ships Amahi Maru, Soerabaja Maru and Yamakaze Maru. Navy carrier-based aircraft also sink Coast Defense Vessel No.5, passenger-cargo ship Hofuku Maru, tanker No.1 Ogura Maru, army cargo ships Surakaruta Maru and Yuki Maru, merchant tanker Shichiyo Maru and cargo vessel Nansei Maru north of Masinloc, 15°25'N, 119°50'E; destroyer Hibiki is damaged by strafing and by collision while attempting to save No.1 Ogura Maru. Planes also damage army cargo vessels Yuki Maru, Tsukubasan Maru, and tankers Horai Maru and No.1 Ogura Maru.

Japanese army cargo ships Nansei Maru, 15°06'N, 119°05'E, and Soerakarta Maru, 15°23'N, 119°50'E, are sunk by aircraft.

Submarine Haddo (SS-255), while lifeguarding for TF 38, sinks Japanese surveying ship Katsuriki 80 miles southwest of Manila, 13°35'N, 119°06'E.

Off north coast of Luzon, Picuda (SS-382) sinks Japanese transport Awaji Maru, 18°43'N, 120°53'E; and Redfish (SS-395) sinks transport Mizuho Maru, 18°37'N, 120°43'E.

Submarine Searaven (SS-196) sinks Kurils-bound Japanesearmy transport Rizan Maru, 49°13'N, 145°30'E.

Submarine Shad (SS-235) sinks Japanese auxiliary minesweeper No.2 Fumi Maru east of Shinto, 34°45'N, 139°40'E.

TU 33.13.1 (Captain Robley W. Clark), consisting initially of light minelayers Montgomery (DM-17) (flagship) and Preble (DM-20), four minesweepers and seven motor minesweepers (YMS), begins minesweeping operations in Ulithi lagoon. These operations will continue daily until 13 October, after which operations will be conducted on the 17th, 27th and 28th.

  22 September, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Aircraft from TF 38 continue to wreak havoc on Japanese shipping in the Philippines: off Cebu, Navy carrier- based planes sink gunboat Onoshi Maru and auxiliary submarine chaser No.16 Yusen Maru, and auxiliary submarine chaser No.7 Shonan Maru off western tip of Luzon. Off San Fernando, Luzon, U.S. Navy carrier planes sink fishery protection gunboat No.1 Suzuya Maru, merchant cargo ship Eishin Maru and merchant tankers No.9 Hammei Maru, No.7 Takasago Maru and No.24 Nanshin Maru; they also damage auxiliary submarine chaser No.2 Suzuya Maru and army cargo ships Taishin Maru (which is run aground to prevent loss) and Ceram Maru.

Rescue tug ATR-1 is stranded on submerged wreck [WHERE].

Submarine Lapon (SS-260) damages merchant cargo ship Jungen Go, 15°22'N, 119°17'E.

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) lands men and supplies on southwest coast of Mindanao.

Submarine Pargo (SS-264) attacks, unsuccessfully, Japanese cargo vessel Manshu Maru, 08°13'N, 117°02'E; counterattack by destroyer Shiokaze is likewise unsuccessful.

Atlantic
Storeship Yukon (AF-9) is torpedoed by German submarine U-979 about 43 miles west of Reykjavik, Iceland.

  23 September, Sat. 1944

Pacific
TG 33.19 (Rear Admiral William H.P. Blandy) lands 323d Army Regimental Combat Team (81st Division on undefended Ulithi Atoll, Carolines. Ulithi will supplant Eniwetok as the Pacific Fleet's foremost advanced base in the Pacific theater.

Battleship West Virginia (BB-48) reaches Pearl Harbor and rejoins the Pacific Fleet, marking the completion of the program of salvage and reconstruction of the ships damaged at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941.

Submarine Apogon (SS-308) sinks Japanese guardboat No.6 Choyo Maru east of Honshu, 34°57'N, 154°44'E.

Submarine Escolar (SS-294) departs Midway for first war patrol.

German submarine U-859 is sunk by British submarine HMS Trenchant off Penang, Malaya, 05°46'N, 100°04'E.

Navy land based aircraft sink Japanese auxiliary vessel Toshu Maru off Wowoni, Celebes, 04°23'S, 122°43'E.

PBY sinks cargo ship Heiho Maru in Celebes Sea, 03°40'N, 122°25'E.

Japanese gunboat Nankai and transport Hokkai Maru are damaged by mines (laid by submarine Bowfin on 29 January) off Balikpapan, Borneo, 03°37'S, 116°25'E.

Japanese army cargo ship Kurogane Maru is damaged by aircraft, Manila.

  24 September, Sun. 1944

Pacific
As Japanese shipping shifts south from Luzon in the wake of the heavy attacks there over the previous days, TF 38 follows, its planes hitting targets ranging from the Calamian group to the Visayas. Aircraft from three task groups (TG 38.1, TG 38.2, and TG 38.3) from TF 38 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) participate. Off Calamian Island in Coron Bay, TF 38 planes sink flying boat support ship Akitsushima, cargo ship Kyokusan Maru and army cargo ship Taiei Maru, and damage ammunition ship Kogyo Maru, army cargo ship Olympia Maru, cargo ships Ekkai Maru and Kasagisan Maru, supply ship Irako, oiler Kamoi and small cargo ship No.11 Shonan Maru, 11°59'N, 120°02'E. South of Mindoro, other Navy carrier aircraft sink torpedo boat Hayabusa, 13°00'N, 122°00'E; minelayer Yaeyama and submarine chaser Ch 32, 12°15'N, 121°00'E. Off Masbate, they sink auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 39 and auxiliary minesweeper Wa 7, 12°18'N, 122°46'E, merchant cargo ship Shinyo Maru, 12°21'N, 123°00'E, and cargo ships No.17 Fukuei Maru and No.2 Koshu Maru, and transport Siberia Maru, 11°54'N, 123°10'E. In Visayan Sea, they sink army cargo ship Chuka Maru and tanker Kenwa Maru, 11°13'N, 123°11'E. In the South China Sea, they sink tanker Okigawa Maru, 14°00'N, 119°00'E.

TF planes also damage supply ship Irako and oiler Kamoi, Coron Bay.

Aircraft also sink Japanese army cargo ship Chuka Maru, 11°11'N, 123°11'E; army cargo ship Olympia Maru, 11°58'N, 120°03'E; and merchant cargo ship Shinyo Maru, Manila; cargo ship No.2 Koshu Maru is damaged by aircraft, 11°56'N, 123°08'E;

Hospital ship Samaritan (AH-10) is damaged by grounding on Tauu Island Reef to the northeast of Bougainville.

Submarine Barbero (SS-317) bombards Japanese radar installation on Batag Island off north coast of Samar.

Motor minesweeper YMS-19 is sunk by mine off southeast coast of Angaur, Palaus, 06°53'N, 134°10'E;

  25 September, Mon. 1944

Europe
Minelayer Miantonomah (CM-10) is sunk by mine off Le Havre, France, 49°27'N, 00°17'E.

Pacific
Submarine Barbel (SS-316) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Bushu Maru off Togara Gunto, 29°46'N, 129°40'E.

Submarine Guardfish (SS-217) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship No.2 Miyakawa Maru in Yellow Sea off Chinnampo, Korea, 38°30'N, 124°06'E.

Submarine Nautilus (SS-168) lands supplies on Cebu.

Submarine Searaven (SS-196) attacks Japanese small craft off southwest tip of Etorofu, Kurils, sinking No.1 Hirota Maru.

Submarine Thresher (SS-200) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Nissei Maru in Yellow Sea, 37°32'N, 124°33'E.

Mediterranean
USAAF B-24s sink German submarines U-565 and U-596, Salamis, Greece.

  26 September, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer escort McCoy Reynolds (DE-440) sinks Japanese submarine I-175 northeast of Palaus, 09°14'N, 136°40'E.

Submarine Pargo (SS-264) sinks Japanese minelayer Aotaka off Borneo, 07°00'N, 116°00'E.

Submarine Thresher (SS-200) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Koetsu Maru in Yellow Sea, 37°13'N, 123°48'E.

U.S. freighter Elihu Thompson is damaged by mines off Noumea, New Caledonia, 22°22'10"S, 166°34'E; fleet tug Apache (ATF-67) rescues survivors, and later beaches the ship to facilitate salvage. Of the 211 troops embarked as passengers, 32 perish in the explosions; there are no casualties among the 42-man merchant complement or the 33-man Armed Guard.

Japanese river gunboat Saga is damaged by mine, Hong Kong.

  27 September, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) (Commander Robert F. Jones) commences operations with TDR-1 drones (controlled from converted TBM-1c aircraft) against Japanese targets in the southwest Pacific. Four TDRs are launched against beached Japanese freighter used as antiaircraft emplacement off Kahili airstrip, Bougainville. Two drones hit the ship, one crashes just short (bomb does not explode) and one is lost enroute.

Submarine Apogon (SS-308) sinks Japanese cargo ship Hachirogata Maru in Sea of Okhotsk off Shimushir Island, 46°32'N, 146°48'E.

Submarine Bonefish (SS-223) damages Japanese oiler Kamoi 240 miles southwest of Manila, 13°48'N, 148°38'E.

Submarines Flasher (SS-249) and Lapon (SS-260) attack Japanese convoy in South China Sea west of Luzon; Flasher sinks army transport Ural Maru and damages merchant tanker Tachibana Maru, 15°45'N, 117°20'E; Lapon sinks merchant tanker Hokki Maru, 15°50'N, 117°41'E.

Submarines Narwhal (SS-167) and Stingray (SS-186) land supplies on north coast of Mindanao and east coast of Luzon, respectively.

Submarine Plaice (SS-390) sinks Japanese Coast Defense Vessel No.10, 100 miles north-northwest of Amami-O- Shima, 29°26'N, 128°50'E.

Submarine Searaven (SS-196) damages Japanese destroyer Momi off Etorofu, Kurils, 45°44'N, 148°41'E.

British submarine HMS Thorough damages Japanese auxiliary sailing vessel No.9 Kashiwa Maru off north coast of Sumatra.

PBY damages Japanese cargo ship Tateishi Maru off Jolo, 06°02'N, 121°29'E; the ship is beached to prevent sinking.

Tank landing craft LCT-823 sinks after running aground off Palau.

Caribbean
Garbage lighter YG-39 sinks off Canal Zone, 10°10'N, 79°51'W.

Mediterranean
Motor torpedo boat PT-559, with British motor torpedo boats, attack northbound convoy off Raffallo, Italy.

  28 September, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Marines (3d Battalion, 5th Marines and Company "G" 2d Battalion, 5th Marines) occupy Ngesbus and Kongaruru Islands in the Palaus, covered by naval aircraft and gunfire.

Submarine Bonefish (SS-223) sinks Japanese merchant tanker Anjo Maru in South China Sea, 13°10'N, 120°08'E.

PBYs sink Japanese merchant cargo ship Tone Maru in Makassar Straits.

USAAF B-25s sink small Japanese cargo vessel Keishin Maru off Ceram.

  29 September, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) evacuates 81 Allied POWs who had survived the loss of Japanese transport Shinyo Maru (sunk by submarine Paddle (SS-263) on 7 September) from Sindangan Bay, Mindanao.

Submarine Skate (SS-305) sinks Japanese auxiliary minesweeper H_ei Maru and army cargo ship Ekisan Maru off Yoron Jima, 27°14'N, 128°25'E.

Japanese guardboat Riki Maru is sunk by mine off Kota Bharu, Malaya.

Atlantic
PB4Ys (VP 107) sink German submarine U-863, South Atlantic, 10°45'S, 25°30'W.

U.S. freighter Edward H. Crockett, while proceeding from Archangel to Scotland in convoy RA 60, is torpedoed by German submarine U-310 at 73°00'N, 24°32'E; irreparably damaged, the freighter is scuttledby gunfire from a British destroyer. While there are no casualties to the 27-man Armed Guard, one of the 41-man merchant complement perishes in the explosion of the first torpedo.

Mediterranean
Motor torpedo boat PT-310 is mistakenly strafed by RAF Beaufighter off southern France.

  30 September, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Nautilus (SS-168) lands supplies and evacuates certain people from near Libertad, Panay, P.I.

During Japanese air raid on U.S. shipping off Morotai, freighter Carl G. Barth is damaged by strafing; although 6 of the 118 passengers on board are injured, there are no casualties to either the 52-man merchant complement or the 26-man Armed Guard.

Atlantic
Destroyer escort Fessenden (DE-142) sinks German submarine U-1062 in mid-Atlantic, 11°36'N, 34°44'W.

Mediterranean
U.S. motor torpedo boats make two gunnery runs on German explosive boat off San Remo, Italy.

October

  1 October, Sun. 1944

Office of Deputy Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet and Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Vice Admiral Richard S. Edwards) is established.

Pacific
Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) drone operations continue with two separate attacks on Japanese positions on Bougainville. In the first, four TDRs are launched against antiaircraft gun positions on Ballale and Poporang Islands; one lands in the midst of them, a second detonates within 100 feet of the southwest end of Ballale runway; two explode on Poporang in the general area of the target. In the second, four TDRs (two allocated to each target) are launched against antiaircraft positions on Kangu Hill, two miles south of Kahili airdrome, and the Pororeri River bridge north of Kangu Hill; the first two TDRs hit the lower slope of Kangu Hill but one does not explode; one TDR crashes (perhaps hit by antiaircraft fire) while the second cannot find the target, and explodes north of Kangu Hill.

Destroyer Bailey (DD-492) is damaged by strafing off Palau, 06°59'N, 134°13'E.

During minesweeping operations in Ulithi lagoon with TU 33.13.1, motor minesweeper YMS-385 is sunk by Japanese mine in Zowariyau Channel, 09°52'N, 139°37'E.

Submarine Cabrilla (SS-288) sinks Japanese tanker Kyokuho Maru, and merchant tanker Zuiyo Maru in South China Sea, west of Luzon, 16°15'N, 119°43'E.

Submarine Hammerhead (SS-364) sinks Japanese ore carriers Kokusei Maru and Hiyori Maru and cargo ship Higane Maru north of Borneo, 06°30'N, 116°11'E.

Submarine Snapper (SS-185) sinks Japanese coastal minelayer Ajiro and transport Seian Maru northwest of the Bonins, 28°11'N, 139°30'E.

Submarine Trepang (SS-412) sinks Japanese supply ship Takunan Maru north of Ogasawara-gunto, 25°30'N, 142°30'E.

Auxiliary minesweeper Kaiyo Maru is sunk by mine off Tsingtao, China.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Gleaves (DD-423) shells German gun positions in Ventimiglia, Italy, area and encounters intense shore battery fire; destroyer Benson (DD-421) shells enemy gun emplacement and then destroys two Italian motor torpedo boats (MAS).

Destroyer Forrest (DD-461) is damaged in collision with tank landing ship LST-550 off Southern France, 43°20'N, 05°20'E.

  2 October, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Tank landing ships LST-129, LST-278, and LST-661 are damaged by storm, Palau, 06°59'N, 134°13'E.

Submarine Aspro (SS-309) sinks Japanese cargo ship Azuchisan Maru in South China Sea west of Luzon, 18°25'N, 120°32'E.

Submarine Pomfret (SS-391) sinks Japanese army transports Tsuyama Maru and Makassar Maru south of Formosa, 21°00'N, 121°46'E.

Japanese army vessel Ryochi Maru is sunk by aircraft off Bantayan Island, north of Cebu.

Mediterranean
U.S. freighter Johns Hopkins drags anchor in storm and is mined off Marseilles, France, 43°16'N, 05°08'28"E; destroyer Hobson (DD-464) is among the ships that proceeds to the stricken freighter's assistance. Rescue tug ATR-127 tows the merchantman into Marseilles, where she discharges her cargo and disembarks the 466 U.S. and French troops she had had embarked. There are no casualties among the 41-man merchant complement or the 28-man Armed Guard.

  3 October, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer escort Shelton (DE-407) is sunk by Japanese submarine RO-41 off Morotai, 02°33'N, 129°18'E. During the ensuing antisubmarine operations, destroyer escort Richard M. Rowell (DE-403), unaware of the proximity of friendly submarines, accidentally sinks Seawolf (SS-197), which is transporting U.S. Army personnel to the east coast of Samar, 02°32'N, 129°18'E.

Destroyer escort Samuel S. Miles (DE-183) sinks Japanese submarine I-177, 60 miles north-northeast of Angaur, Palaus, 07°48'N, 133°28'E.

Submarine Thresher (SS-200) sinks Japanese guardboat No.28 Nanshin Maru north-northwest of Marcus Island, 30°49'N, 153°26'E.

Tank landing craft LCT-1052 is sunk by tropical storm at Ulithi.

USAAF aircraft sinks Japanese merchant tanker No.14 Nanshin Maru off Zamboanga, 06°54'N, 122°04'E

Mediterranean
Destroyer Niblack (DD-424) destroys one MAS boat and damages three in San Remo, Italy, harbor, and then bombards Oneglia harbor. After encountering persistent and accurate fire from German 88-mm. gun battery, she shifts target to those guns and knocks them out; destroyer Plunkett (DD-431) shells German artillery in Ventimiglia area.

  4 October, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Minelayer Salem (CM-11) is damaged by grounding off Tinian, Marianas.

Tank landing craft LCT-579 is sunk by mine off Palau.

Submarine Flasher (SS-249) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Taibin Maru in South China Sea north of Luzon, 15°22'N, 119°51'E.

British submarine HMS Rover damages Japanese auxiliary sailing vessel Mie Maru, 08°05'S, 117°00'E.

PBYs sink Japanese cargo ship Tateishi Maru and auxiliary sailing vessels Kigen Maru and Kiku Maru, Jolo, Philippines.

USAAF B-25s sink Japanese motor sailship Man Maru in Ambon bay.

Atlantic
Two-platoon landing force from Coast Guard cutter Eastwind (WAG 279) captures German weather station at Little Koldeyey, Greenland, 76°41'N, 18°50'W.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Niblack (DD-424) bombards MAS boat pens in San Remo, harbor and artillery positions in Cap Martin area.

  5 October, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) operations continue in Southwest Pacific as four TDRs, each carrying a 2,000- pound bomb, are launched against Japanese supply caves in the Keravia Bay, Rabaul, area. One TDR hits in the vicinity of cave entrances; one misses the target area. Two are lost enroute due to interference from communications frequency used by motor gunboat (PGM) operating in the waters over which the drones fly.

Submarine Cod (SS-224) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Tatsuhiro Maru in South China Sea west of Mindoro, 13°06'N, 120°15'E.

  6 October, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Cabrilla (SS-288) damages Japanese transport Hokurei Maru and sinks tanker No.2 Yamamizu Maru off west coast of Luzon, 17°31'N, 120°21'E.

Submarine Seahorse (SS-304) sinks Japanese Coast Defense Vessel No. 21, 140 miles northwest of Cape Bojeador, Luzon, 19°27'N, 118°08'E.

Submarine Whale (SS-239) sinks Japanese transport Kinugasa Maru and merchant tanker Akane Maru west of Balintang Channel, north-northwest of Luzon, 19°40'N, 118°05'E.

British submarine HMS Tally Ho sinks Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 2, 110 nautical miles west of Penang, Malaya, 04°20'N, 98°24'E.

Dutch submarine Zwaardvisch sinks German submarine U-168 in Java Sea, 06°20'S, 111°28'E.

Japanese gunboat Saga is sunk by mine off Hong Kong, 22°17'N, 114°10'E.

Europe
U.S. freighter George Popham is mined off Normandy, but suffers little damage; there are no casualties amongthe 42-man merchant complement, the 26-man Armed Guard, or the 70 stevedores embarked to work cargo.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Niblack (DD-424) bombards railroad yards on Cape Impeglio. Niblack is later damaged when accidentally rammed by destroyer Jouett (DD-396) when the latter drags anchor.

U.S. freighter Elinor Wylie is mined while en route from Marseille to Toulon, France, at 42°57'30"N, 05°49'30"E; there are, however, no casualties among the 40-man merchant complement or the 29-man Armed Guard, and the ship is towed into Toulon, where she discharges her cargo without further incident.

  7 October, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Cabrilla (SS-288) sinks Japanese transport No.8 Shin'yo Maru off Vigan, Luzon, 17°50'N, 119°37'E.

Submarine Cod (SS-224) damages Japanese oiler Shiretoko in South China Sea, west of Mindoro, 13°40'N, 119°25'E.

Submarine Hawkbill (SS-366) damages Japanese cargo ship Kinugasa Maru, 14°37'N, 115°55'E; Baya (SS-318) then finishes off Kinugasa Maru subsequently.

Submarine Hoe (SS-258) sinks Japanese army transport Makassar Maru in South China Sea west of Luzon, 17°46'N, 119°40'E.

  8 October, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Land-based aircraft from the Marianas increase tempo of air strikes on Iwo Jima.

Submarine Becuna (SS-319) damages Japanese seaplane carrier Kimikawa Maru in South China Sea, 14°05'N, 115°38'E.

Submarine Hoe (SS-258) sinks Japanese army transport Kohoku Maru and damages Coast Defense Vessel No.8 in South China Sea east of Hainan, 18°32'N, 116°13'E.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Eberle (DD-430), with spot provided by aircraft from light cruiser Brooklyn (CL-40), bombards vessels in Maurizio harbor; enemy shore battery fire is accurate in return.

Destroyer Jouett (DD-396) is attacked by six small, fast craft, but suffers no damage in the encounter. The next morning Jouett will sink several floating mines.

  9 October, Mon. 1944

Pacific
In an operation timed to precede a fast carrier task force operations against Okinawa, three heavy cruisers and six destroyers of TG 30.2 (Rear Admiral Allan E. Smith) conduct a diversionary bombardment of Japanese installations on Marcus Island. Enemy return fire is intense and accurate at the outset, with Japanese gunners repeatedly straddling U.S. ships. In related operations, Saipan-based Navy PB4Ys, on interdiction patrols in the path of TF 58 as it approaches the Ryukyus, damage Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Sankyo Maru off Okinawa.

Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) operations continue in Southwest Pacific as four TDRs are launched against Matupi Bridge, Simpson Harbor, Rabaul. Antiaircraft fire, however, downs three of the TDRs; one is lost enroute to the target.

One company of the U.S. Army 321st Infantry is landed on Garekayo Island, north of Ngesebus, and quickly overruns the island.

In wide-ranging U.S. submarine operations against Japanese shipping in the South China Sea, Becuna (SS-319) damages tanker San Luis Maru, 12°45'N, 118°00'E; and teams with Hawkbill (SS-366) to sink merchant tanker Tokuwa Maru, 12°43'N, 118°05'E; Croaker (SS-246) sinks merchant cargo ship Shinki Maru west of Kyushu, 32°08'N, 129°51'E; Sawfish (SS-276) sinks merchant tanker Tachibana Maru at 19°33'N, 116°38'E.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Eberle (DD-430) bombards ammunition dump and buildings, later Eberle and destroyer Jouett (DD-396), and planes from light cruiser Brooklyn (CL-40), destroy several floating mines in the vicinity.

Tank landing craft LCT-459 sinks after running aground off western coast of France.

  10 October, Tue. 1944

Pacific
In the first occasion since the Marianas campaign in which all four carrier task groups operate together as one unit, TF 38 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) pounds Japanese shipping and installations on Okinawa and other islands in the Ryukyus. TF 38 planes sink submarine depot ship Jingei, landing ship T.158, minelayer Takashima and auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 87, north-northwest of Okinawa, 26°39'N, 127°52'E. In or near Naha harbor, Navy carrier-based aircraft sink auxiliary minesweeper Shimpo Maru, 26°13'N, 127°40'E, and No.6 Hakata Maru, guardboats No.26 Nansatsu Maru and No.5 Daisei Maru, 26°13'N, 127°41'E; guardboat Yuki Maru and motor torpedo boats Gyoraitei No.493, Gyoraitei No.496, Gyoraitei No.498, Gyoraitei No.500, Gyoraitei No.805, Gyoraitei No.806, Gyoraitei No.810, Gyoraitei No.812, Gyoraitei No.813, Gyoraitei No.814, Gyoraitei No.820 and Gyoraitei No.820, 26°30'N, 128°00'E; army cargo ship Horai Maru, 26°38'N, 127°54'E; merchant cargo ships Taikai Maru, Fukura Maru, Koryu Maru, and Tetsuzan Maru, 26°13'N, 127°39'E. Elswhere in the vicinity, Navy planes sink auxiliary minesweeper No.1 Takunan Maru off Okino Daito Jima, 25°30'N, 131°00'E, and army cargo ship Hirota Maru off Miyako Jima, 24°26'N, 125°20'E, and merchant cargo ship Nanyo Maru off Kume Jima. TF 38 planes damage Coast Defense Ship No.5 and submarine chaser Ch 58 off Okinawa; and guardboat No.6 Daisei Maru, cargo ship Toyosaka Maru, and merchant cargo ship No.7 Takashima Maru outside Koniya harbor.

Motor torpedo boat PT-368 is damaged by grounding off western New Guinea, 01°59'N, 127°57'E.

Submarine Barb (SS-220) sinks Japanese transport Gokuku Maru northwest of Hirado Jima, Kyushu, 33°31'N, 129°10'E.

Submarine Lapon (SS-260) sinks Japanese army transport Ejiri Maru in South China Sea west of Luzon, 16°10'N, 119°44'E.

Dutch submarine Zwaardvisch sinks Japanese guardboat Koei Maru southwest of Bawean Island, N.E.I., 05°57'S, 112°29'E.

  11 October, Wed. 1944

Pacific
In preparation for operations against Formosa, TG 38.1 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) and TG 38.4 (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison) attack Japanese airfields and other facilities on the north coast of Luzon; task group planes damage escort destroyer Yashiro off San Vicente and cargo vessel No.6 Banei Maru off Aparri.

Submarine Tang (SS-306) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ships Joshu Go and Oita Maru in Formosa Strait, 25°00'N, 121°00'E.

Submarine Trepang (SS-412) sinks Japanese landing ship T.105 off Honshu, 33°18'N, 137°42'E.

USAAF B-24 sinks Japanese motor sail ship Hash_ Maru of Tacloban, P.I.

Japanese merchant vessel Sumiei Maru is damaged by aircraft, Takao, Formosa.

Atlantic
Tank landing craft LCT-293 founders and sinks in heavy weather in English Channel.

  12 October, Thu. 1944

Pacific
TF 38 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) hurls heavy air strikes against Japanese shipping, aerodromes, and industrial plants on Formosa, regarded as the strongest and best-developed base south of the homeland proper, and on northern Luzon. Strikes draw heavy Japanese aerial counterattacks off Formosa during which destroyer Prichett (DD-561) is damaged by friendly fire, 22°08'N, 123°19'E. TF 38 planes sink transport Asaka Maru, cargo ship Shirotai Maru, army cargo ship Mitsuki Maru, and merchant tankers No.6 Horai Maru, No.23 Nanshin Maru, and No.26 Nanshin Maru off the Pescadores, 23°30'N, 119°34'E; and transports Bujo Maru and Joshu Maru, army cargo ship Yamahagi Maru, merchant cargo ships Gyoun Maru, Hakko Maru, No.11 Tenjin Maru, and No.1 Takatomi Maru, and merchant tankers No.5 Nanshin Maru, No.11 Nanshin Maru and No.20 Nanshin Maru, dredge Niitaka Maru, and damage tanker Eiho Maru and army cargo ship Shinto Maru off Takao, 22°37'N, 119°34'E. Also damaged at Takao is German ship Havenstein, Japanese cargo vessels Taisho Maru, Taihoku Maru, and, at Keelung, Hakozaki Maru.

TF 38 planes also sink merchant cargo ship Shinan Maru in Putai harbor, 23°22'N, 120°10'E. Destruction of Japanese air power on Formosa paves way for USAAF B-29 bomber strikes on aircraft plant and airfield facilities on the island on 14 and 16 October 1944. Air strikes on the Formosa area sink Japanese transport Josho Maru, and army cargo ship Yamahagi Maru, off Takao; army ship Mitsuki Maru and merchant tanker No.6 Horai Maru, off Mako; Japanese cargo ship Shirotai Maru is sunk by mine off Mako.

Motor torpedo boat PT-368, damaged by grounding, western New Guinea, 01°59'N, 127°57'E, is scuttled by demolition charges.

Submarine Ray (SS-271) sinks Japanese transport Toko Maru near Cape Cavalite, Mindoro, 13°32'N, 120°21'E, and survives counterattack by Hiyodosi and Coast Defense Vessel No.2.

Submarine Trepang (SS-412) damages Japanese destroyer Fuyuzuki off Omaesuki, 33°56'N, 138°09'E.

British submarine HMS Strongbow sinks Japanese cargoship Manryo Maru in Strait of Malacca, 02°50'N, 100°50'E.

  13 October, Fri. 1944

Pacific
During Japanese aerial counterattacks in the wake of TF 38 strikes on Formosa (see 12 October), carrier Franklin (CV-13) is damaged when a kamikaze slides across her flight deck and crashes nearby, 22°55'N, 123°12'E; heavy cruiser Canberra (CA-70), in TG 38.1, is damaged by aerial torpedo only 85 miles from Formosa, 22°48'N, 123°01'E. While heavy cruiser Wichita (CA-45) takes Canberra in tow, Cruiser Division 13 (three light cruisers under Rear Admiral Laurance T. DuBose), four destroyers from TG 38.3, and two from TG 38.1 are detached to provide cover. Fleet tug Munsee (ATF-107) relieves Wichita of towing Canberra and the group sets course for Ulithi.

Submarine Bergall (SS-320) sinks Japanese merchant tanker Shinshu Maru off Nha Trang, French Indochian, 11°52'N, 109°20'E.

British submarine HMS Sturdy sinks Japanese merchant coasters Kosei Maru and Hansei Maru in Gulf of Boni, south of Celebes.

Peleliu Island, Palaus, is secured.

  14 October, Sat. 1944

Pacific
While TF 38 remains nearby to provide cover for the ongoing salvage of crippled heavy cruiser Canberra (CA-70) that had been damaged the previous day, Japanese aerial counterattacks continue, inflicting damage on carrier Hancock (CV-19), 23°30'N, 121°30'E; light cruiser Reno (CL-96) (suicide plane); and destroyer Cassin Young (DD-793) (strafing), 22°30'N, 124°50'E. Light cruiser Houston (CL-81) is damaged by aerial torpedo, and destroyer Cowell (DD-547) is damaged when she fouls Houston as Cowell lies alongside assisting in salvage efforts, 22°27'N, 124°01'E. Heavy cruiser Boston (CA-69)--later relieved by fleet tug Pawnee (ATF-74)--takes Houston in tow. At this juncture, heavy air attacks on TF 38, together with enemy radio propaganda broadcasts that reflect a vast overestimation of the destruction wreaked by attacking Japanese aircraft, prompts Commander Third Fleet to withdraw TG 38.2 (Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan) and TG 38.3 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman) to the eastward to set upon any important Japanese fleet units that would attempt to finish off the "crippled remnants" of TF 38. The enemy, however, does not take the bait.

During TF 38 operations against Japanese shipping and installations on Formosa, Navy carrier-based planes damage coastal minelayer Enoshima and auxiliary submarine chasers Cha 7 and Cha 151 off Takao.

Submarine Angler (SS-240) sinks Japanese army transport Nanrei Maru south of Tablas Strait, 11°53'N, 121°39'E.

Submarine Bonefish (SS-223) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Fushimi Maru in South China Sea off west coast of Luzon, 16°12'N, 119°45'E.

Submarine Dace (SS-247) sinks Japanese merchant tankers Eikyo Maru and Nittetsu Maru and damages merchant ore carrier Taizen Maru off North Borneo, 06°05'N, 115°55'E.

British submarine HMS Sturdy sinks Japanese Communication Vessel No.128 in Gulf of Boni.

Carrier Saratoga (CV-3) and destroyer escort Howard F. Clark (DE-533) are damaged in collision during maneuvers off Oahu.

  15 October, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Command designated Minecraft, Pacific Fleet (Rear Admiral Alexander Sharp) is established; Rear Admiral Sharp breaks his flag in minelayer Terror (CM-5).

TG 30.3 (Rear Admiral Laurance T. DuBose) is formed to cover the retirement of the crippled heavy cruiser Canberra (CA-70) and light cruiser Houston (CL-81); an augmented TG 38.1 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) provides cover while TG 38.2 (Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan) and TG 38.3 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman) take up position to waylay Japanese fleet units that might try to attack the damaged ships. TG 38.4 (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison), meanwhile, attacks Japanese installations near Manila, drawing an enemy aerial response that damages carrier Franklin (CV-13), 16°29'N, 123°57'E.

Sweep Unit (Captain Robley W. Clark) arrives off Ngulu Atoll, Western Carolines. Light minelayer Montgomery (DM-17) destroys Japanese radio and weather station, and, accompanied by five motor minesweepers (YMS), enters the lagoon to begin minesweeping operations which will continue daily until 23 October.

Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) operations continue in Southwest Pacific as four TDRs are launched against Matupi Bridge, as part of coordinated attack by other Green Island-based PBJs (VMB 423), F4Us (VMF 218 and VMF 222) and SBDs (VMSB 244 and VMSB 341) against Simpson Harbor Rabaul. Poor picture reception and pilot error results in none of the TDRs hitting theirtargets.

USAAF P-38 sinks Japanese auxiliary sailing vessel No.5 Yamato Maru off Bochi archipelago, 01°10'N, 128°21'E.

Dutch submarine Zwaardvisch sinks Japanese oceanographic research vessel No.2 Kaiyo Maru off Surabaya, Java, 06°30'S, 111°35'E.

Mediterranean
Minesweeping test is conducted in Bay de Ciotat, France, using blimp; the blimp proved very satisfactory, using loud hailer, VHF radio, and smoke flares to direct attention to mines.

  16 October, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Japanese torpedo planes attack TG 30.3 (Rear Admiral Laurance T. DuBose) and again damage light cruiser Houston (CL-81), 20°54'N, 125°09'E.

Destroyer Ellet (DD-398), together with surveying ship Bowditch (AGS-4), two infantry landing craft (gunboat) and a submarine chaser arrive at Ngulu Atoll, western Carolines, and encounter no opposition.

TF 38 planes sink Japanese torpedo boat Hato, 130 miles east-southeast of Hong Kong, 21°49'N, 115°50'E, and damage auxiliary vessel Santos Maru.

Submarine Besugo (SS-321) damages Japanese destroyer Suzutsuki off Toizaki, 32°30'N, 132°36'E.

Submarine Tilefish (SS-307) sinks Japanese guardboat No.2 Kyowa Maru five miles north of Matsuwa Jima, 48°07'N, 153°04'E.

Auxiliary minesweeper No.6 Hakata Maru is sunk by U.S. aircraft (perhaps PB4Y) off Minami Daito Jima, 25°30'N, 131°00'E.

USAAF aircraft (14th Air Force) sink Japanese cargo vessel Tensho Maru. They also damage auxiliary vessel Santos Maru and cargo ships Sagamigawa Maru, No.5 Okinoyama Maru, and No.3 Akatsuki Maru; and destroy army cargo vessel (in drydock at Kowloon) Bunzan Maru.

USAAF P-38s sink Japanese auxilliary sailing vessel No.6 Take Maru off Cagayan, Sulu Archipalego.

RAAF Beaufighters sink Japanese Communications Vessel No.135 off Ambon harbor.

Atlantic
Coast Guard icebreaker Eastwind (WAG-279), supported by sistership Southwind (WAG-280), captures German weather ship Externsteine off Cape Borgen, Shannon Island, east coast of Greenland. Eastwind's crew unofficially christens the captured auxiliary "Eastbreeze." Both icebreakers, however, are damaged by pack ice.

  17 October, Tue. 1944

Pacific
TG 38.4 (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison) attacks Japanese installations at Legaspi and Clark Field, Luzon

Naval force (Rear Admiral Arthur D. Struble) lands army troops (6th Ranger Battalion) on Suluan and Dinagat Islands at the entrance to Leyte Gulf to destroy Japanese installations that could provide early warning of U.S. forces entering the gulf. Unfortunately, the Suluan Island unit transmits a warning, prompting Admiral Toyoda Soemu, Commander in Chief Combined Fleet, to order operation SHO-1 for defending the Philippines against American invasion and bringing about a decisive battle (see 23-25 October).

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) lands supplies on northwest coast of Tawi Tawi, P.I.

Motor minesweeper YMS-70 is sunk in storm off Leyte, 10°56'N, 125°12'E.

During the third day of sweeping operations in Ngulu Atoll, Western Carolines, light minelayer Montgomery (DM-17) is damaged by Japanese mine while anchoring, 10°56'N, 125°12'E.

Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) operations continue in Southwest Pacific as four TDRs are launched against Japanese installations near East Rabaul. One of the four hits the objective; a second hits a target of opportunity; a third is lost due to the failure of a tube in the drone receiver; a fourth may have been shot down (light and inaccurate antaircraft fire is noted).

Dutch submarine Zwaardvisch sinks Japanese minelayer Itsukushima and damages minelayer/netlayer Wakatake, off Bawean Island, N.E.I., 05°26'S, 113°48'E. Submarine chaser Ch 26 carries out determined counterattack, but Zwaardvisch escapes.

British carrier-based planes sink Japanese collier Ishikari Maru off Nicobar.

  18 October, Wed. 1944

Pacific
TG 38.1 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) and TG 38.4 (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison) attack principal Japanese airfields near Manila and shipping in the harbor, sinking passenger-cargo ship Hoeisan Maru, 14°35'N, 120°50'E, and army cargo ship Urato Maru and merchant cargo ship Tempi Maru, 14°35'N, 120°55'E. Meanwhile, TG 38.2 (Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan) pounds enemy shipping off northern Luzon, sinking auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 95, transports Taiho Maru and Hokurei Maru (damaged on 5 October by Cabrilla), and merchant cargo ships Hoten Maru, Terukuni Maru, and Tsingtao Maru off Camiguin, northern Luzon, 18°54'N, 121°51'E; cargo ship Shinko Maru near Babuyan Channel, 18°35'N, 121°40'E; and landing ships T.135 and T.136 and minelayer/netlayer Maeshima off northeastern Luzon, 17°46'N, 120°25'E. Cargo ship No.3 Taibi Maru may have also been lost in these attacks at this time.

The first bombardment ships begin shelling Japanese installations on Leyte.

Seventh Fleet aircraft, meanwhile, sink Japanese ships Daikoku Maru, No.2 Gokuku Mar, No.8 Nankai Maru, Rinkyu Maru, Yoto Maru, and Zuin Maru in the Cebu area.

Submarine Bluegill (SS-242) sinks Japanese army cargo ships Arabia Maru and Chinzei Maru, and merchant cargo ship Hakushika Maru in South China Sea, west-southwest of Manila, 14°06'N, 119°40'E.

Submarine Raton (SS-270) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Taikai Maru and army cargo ship Shiranesan Maru in South China Sea, southwest of Luzon, 12°37'N, 118°46'E. Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) operations continue in Southwest Pacific as three TDRs are launched against lighthouse on Cape St. George, New Ireland. None hit the target.

Atlantic
Naval Advanced Base, La Havre, France, is established.

Mediterranean
Motor torpedo boat PT-558 is damaged in engagement with two German R-boats west of Portofino; while retiring to Leghorn, Italy, PT-561 is damaged by heavy seas. Tank landing ship LST-906 drags anchor and is damaged when driven ashore by heavy sea, Leghorn.

  19 October, Thu. 1944

Pacific
TG 38.1 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) and TG 38.4 (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison) continue attacks on principal Japanese airfields near Manila and shipping in theharbor. Navy carrier-based planes sink army cargo ship Belgium Maru and merchant cargo ships Jogu Maru and Toshikawa Maru, 14°35'N, 120°55'E, and Kurugane Maru and Tsukubasan Maru, damage oiler Ondo (damaged by Bluefish in November 1943), and damage cargo ship Urado Maru so severely that that ship is run aground. TG 38.1 and TG 38.4 then proceed south to provide direct support for the landings at Leyte.

Off Leyte, destroyer Ross (DD-563) is damaged by mine, 10°17'N, 125°40'E; destroyer Aulick (DD-569), by shore battery, 11°13'N, 125°02'E.

Seventh Fleet aircraft sink Japanese ships Kosei Maru, Kafuku Maru, Koei Maru, No.8 Kanekichi Maru, No.11 Akita Maru, and No.18 Taigyo Maru at Cebu.

Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) lands men and supplies on southwest coast of Negros, P.I.

Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) operations continue in Southwest Pacific in two flights (one TDR each) conducted this date against Japanese gun positions west of Ballale. In the first, one drone misses its target during its run; in the second, the drone drops part of its ordnance (the two four-100-pound bomb clusters) on the target before it crashes.

Destroyer escort Gilligan (DE-508) bombards Mille Atoll.

USAAF B-24 sinks Japanese weather ship Shonan Maru in northern waters of Makassar Strait.

  20 October, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Naval Operating Base, Guam, is established.

Under the overall command of General Douglas MacArthur, who makes good on his promise to "return" to the Philippines, and Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid, Commander Seventh Fleet, TF 78 (Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey) and TF 79 (Vice Admiral Theodore S. Wilkinson) land four divisions of the U.S. Sixth Army (Lieutenant General Walter Krueger) on Leyte. Fast carriers and battleships of the Third Fleet provide support, as do the older battleships and escort carriers of the Seventh Fleet.

Japanese aerial counterattacks (horizontal bombers) result in damage to escort carrier Sangamon (CVE-26), 10°46'N, 126°23'E, and salvage vessel Preserver (ARS-8), 10°50'N, 125°25'E, and (aerial torpedo) to light cruiser Honolulu (CL-48), 11°01'N, 125°07'E. Japanese shore batteries damage destroyer Bennion (DD662), 10°50'N, 125°25'E, and tank landing ship LST-452, 11°01'N, 125°01'E.

Submarine Hammerhead (SS-364) sinks Japanese transport Oyo Maru, 04°41'N, 113°22'E, and army cargo ship Ugo Maru, 04°52'N, 113°24'E, off Borneo.

Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) operations continue: three TDRs are launched against Japanese gun positions west of Ballale: one is lost, one makes a hit with its bomb but crashes before it can be directed into its ultimate target (the beached Japanese freighter serving as an antiaircraft gun site off the Kahili airstrip and christened the "Kahili Maru"), the last achieves a bomb hit and crashes into "Kahili Maru" as planned.

  21 October, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Leyte landings continue. Off invasion beaches, transport Warhawk (AP-168) is damaged in collision with battleship Tennessee (BB-43), 10°57'N, 125°02'E, while Japanese mortar fire damages tank landing ships LST-269, LST-483, and LST-704, 10°50'N, 125°25'E.

TG 38.2 (Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan) attacks Japanese shipping and installations near Panay, Cebu, Negros, and Masbate, Navy carrier-based planes sinking auxiliary minesweeper Wa.8, 11°30'N, 123°20'E; auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 15, 12°55'N, 121°35'E; and army tanker Doko Maru, 12°35'N, 122°16'E.

British submarine HMS Tantivy sinks Japanese merchant cargo ships No.2 Chokyu Maru, No.3 Takasago Maru, and Otori Maru in Makassar Strait.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Eberle (DD-430) bombards targets near San Remo, Italy.

  22 October, Sun. 1944

Pacific
TF 38 planes sink Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 15 west of Tabals, P.I., 12°55'N, 121°35'E.

Navy carrier-based planes (TF 77°) sink Japanese motor sailships No.3 Akebono Maru and No.5 Taihei Maru

Submarine Darter (SS-227) detects a group of Japanese warships northwest of Borneo, 07°31'N, 115°22'E, and trails them (see 23 October 1944).

Submarine Sea Dog (SS-401) sinks Japanese supply ship Muroto south-southwest of Kagoshima, 29°19'N, 129°44'E, and gunboat Tomitsu Maru south of Akuseki Jima, 29°18'N, 129°44'E.

British submarine HMS Tantivy sinks Japanese Communication Ship No.137 in Makassar Strait.

U.S. freighter Augustus Thomas is strafed in San Pedro Bay, Leyte; one man of the 27-man Armed Guard is wounded.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Jouett (DD-396) conducts two bombardment missions while destroyer Madison (DD-425) supports minesweeping operations in the vicinity [WHERE]

  23 October, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Battle for Leyte Gulf (a succession of distinct fleet engagements) opens. While Darter (SS-227) continues to trail Japanese ships detected the previous day, submarine Bream (SS-243) torpedoes heavy cruiser Aoba off Manila Bay, 14°06'N, 119°37'E. Subsequently, Darter and Dace (SS-247) attack what proves to be the "Center Force" (Vice Admiral Kurita Takeo), one of the three main bodies of the Japanese fleet moving toward Leyte in a major effort to drive U.S. forces from the Philippines. Dace sinks heavy cruiser Maya, 09°28'N, 117°20'E, while Darter sinks heavy cruiser Atago and damages her sistership Takao, 09°24'N, 117°11'E.

Destroyer escort Gilligan (DE-508) bombards Emidj Island, Jaluit Atoll.

Submarine Croaker (SS-246) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Hakuran Maru in Yellow Sea, off west coast of Korea, 35°29'N, 126°05'E.

Submarine Nautilus (SS-168) lands men and supplies on east coast of Luzon; she will repeat the operation on 24 and 25 October 1944.

Submarine Sawfish (SS-276) sinks Japanese seaplane carrier Kimikawa Maru west of Luzon, 18°58'N, 118°31'E.

Submarine Snook (SS-279) damages Japanese merchant tanker Kikusui Maru in South China Sea, west of Luzon Strait, 19°44'N, 118°25'E.

Submarine Tang (SS-306) sinks Japanese cargo ships Toun Maru and Tatsuju Maru and transport Wakatake Maru, 24°49'N, 120°26'E, and merchant cargo ship Kori Go, 24°42'N, 120°21'E, in Formosa Strait.

Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) operations continue in two missions (three TDRs each) flown against beached Japanese ships in Moisuru Bay and off the south end of the Kahili airstrip. In the first mission, one TDR scores a direct hit on "Kahili Maru"; in the second, one TDR scores a direct hit on "Kahili Maru" while another hits a beached merchantman in Moisuru Bay.

Mediterranean
U.S. motor torpedo boats attack German southbound convoy in Ligurian Sea south of Sestri Levanti with no success; a subsequent attack, however, results in the sinking of one F-lighter.

Destroyer Woolsey (DD-437) shells German targets in San Remo area; she repeats bombardment mission the next day.

  24 October, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Battle for Leyte Gulf continues as planes from TG 38.2, TG 38.3, and TG 38.4 attack the Japanese "Center Force" (Vice Admiral Kurita Takeo) in the Sibuyan Sea. Planes from carriers Enterprise (CV-6), Intrepid (CV-11), and Franklin (CV-13), and small carrier Cabot (CVL-29) sink battleship Musashi south of Luzon, 12°50'N, 122°35'E. Aircraft from the three task groups also damage battleships Yamato and Nagato, heavy cruiser Tone, and destroyers Kiyoshimo, Fujinami and Uranami. TG 38.4 planes attack Japanese "Southern Force" (Vice Admiral Nishimura Shoji and Vice Admiral Shima Kiyohide) as it proceeds through the Sulu Sea; planes from Franklin sink destroyer Wakaba off the west coast of Panay, 11°50'N, 121°25'E; aircraft from Enterprise and Franklin damage battleships Fuso and Yamashiro. Japanese planes, however, attack TG 38.3; combat air patrol and effective use of rain squalls as cover limits the damage to small carrier Princeton (CVL-23), hit by bomb from dive bomber, 15°21'N, 123°31'E. In trying to save Princeton, however, light cruiser Birmingham (CL-62) and destroyers Morrison (DD-560), Gatling (DD-671), and Irwin (DD-794) are damaged by rolling against the stricken carrier or by fragments from the explosion of Princeton's magazines when fires gain the upper hand; in addition, Morrison's bridge is damaged by a jeep (used to tow aircraft) falling from Princeton's flight deck. Birmingham suffers the greatest destruction because she is alongside the carrier when the latter's magazines explode. The cruiser's decks literally run red with blood: 229 men killed, four missing, 211 seriously wounded and 215 with minor wounds. Ultimately, light cruiser Reno and Irwin scuttle Princeton.

During the aerial action that day, Commander David McCampbell, Commander Air Group 15, flying from carrier Essex (CV-9), again distinguishes himself in combat. With only one wingman, McCampbell attacks what is estimated as being over 60 hostile aircraft and downs nine, breaking up the attacking formation before it even reaches the fleet. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life" on this occasion and on 19 June, McCampbell is awarded the Medal of Honor.

Elsewhere off Leyte, Japanese planes damage destroyer Leutze (DD-481), 10°50'N, 125°25'E; tank landing ship LST-552, 11°11'N, 125°05'E; and infantry landing craft LCI-1065. Oiler Ashtabula (AO-51) is damaged by aerial torpedo, 11°03'N, 125°22'E.

U.S. freighter Augustus Thomas, anchored in San Pedro Bay, Leyte, is attacked by a Japanese plane. The ship's Armed Guard gunfire sets the aircraft ablaze but the kamikaze presses home his attack, a wing striking the stack of the nearby tug Sonoma (ATO-12) before it crashes the freighter's starboard side. The bombs detonate in the water between the two ships, and the exploding suicider sets Sonoma afire. There are no casualties on board Augustus Thomas (41-man merchant complement, 27-man Armed Guard and 480 troop passengers), which is subsequently beached by tugs Chowanoc (ATF-100) and Whippoorwill (ATO-169). Sonoma subsequently sinks off Dio Island, 10°57'N, 125°02'E.

U.S. freighter David Dudley Field is damaged by kamikaze off Tacloban, Leyte; there are no fatalities among the 40-man merchant complement, 30-man Armed Guard, 50 stevedores embarked to work cargo and 10 Army passengers. After repairs, the freighter will resume active service.

Late on 24 October, Commander Third Fleet (Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.) orders TF 38 (Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher) to proceed north to be in position to strike the "Northern Force" (Vice Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo) on the morning of 25 October, but does not inform Commander Seventh Fleet (Vice Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid) of his action. Unbeknown to the Americans, remnants of the "Center Force" transit San Bernadino Strait and head for Leyte Gulf. Commander Seventh Fleet meanwhile makes his dispositions to meet the expected enemy onslaught: bombardment and support group TG 77.2 (Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf) is augmented by close covering group TG 77.3 (Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey).

Local airfields, however, are not yet ready to base night reconnaissance aircraft, and the only carrier equipped to operate such planes, small carrier Independence (CVL-22), is proceeding north with TF 38.

Coordinated submarine attack group TG 17.15 (CommanderAlan B. Banister), meanwhile, operates against Japanese shipping in South China Sea west of Luzon Strait: Drum (SS-228) sinks merchant cargo ship Shikisan Maru, 20°27'N, 118°31'E; Icefish (SS-367) sinks army cargo ship Tenshin Maru, 19°31'N, 118°10'E; Seadragon (SS-194) sinks transport Eiko Maru and cargo ship Daiten Maru, 20°31'N, 118°33'E, and merchant passenger/cargo shipo Kokuryu Maru, 20°27'N, 118°31'E.

Hospital ship Comfort (AH-6), fully illuminated in accordance with the dictates of the Geneva Convention, is bombed 22 miles southeast of Leyte.

Tank landing ship LST-695 is damaged by Japanese submarine I-56 in Philippine Sea, west of Mindanao, 08°31'N, 128°34'E.

Destroyer escort Richard M. Rowell (DE-403) sinks Japanese submarine I-54, 70 miles east of Surigao, 09°45'N, 126°45'E.

Submarine Besugo (SS-321) damages Japanese Coast Defense Vessel No.132 south of Ashizuri Saki, Japan, 30°19'N, 132°49'E.

Submarine Croaker (SS-246) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Mikage Maru and passenger/cargo ship Gassan Maru southwest of Quelpart Island, 33°00'N, 125°49'E.

Submarine Darter (SS-227), damaged by grounding on Bombay Shoal, Palawan Passage, P.I. is scuttled by submarines Nautilus (SS-168) and Dace (SS-247) to avoid the boat's falling into enemy hands.

Submarine Kingfish (SS-234) sinks Japanese cargo ship Ikutagawa Maru east of Chichi Jima, 27°08'N, 143°13'E.

Submarine Shark (SS-314) is sunk, probably by Japanese destroyer Harukaze, in Luzon Strait, 20°41'N, 118°27'E.24

Submarine Snook (SS-279) sinks army cargo ships Arisan Maru, 20°54'N, 118°19'E, and No.1 Shinsei Maru, 20°10'N, 118°17'E. Merchant tanker Kikusui Maru sinks as the result of damage inflicted by Snook the day before, 19°46'N, 118°30'E.

Submarine Tang (SS-306) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Ebara Maru in Formosa Strait, 25°03'N, 119°35'E, and damages tanker Matsumoto Maru, 25°04'N, 119°35'E, but is herself sunk by the circular run of one of her own torpedoes, 25°06'N, 119°31'E.

TF 38 planes damage Japanese light cruiser Kinu and destroyer Uranami at Manila, and sink Japanese army ore carrier Fuyukawa Maru off Luzon, 16°30'N, 120°15'E.

USAAF aircraft sink army cargo ship Taimei Maru off Sandakan, Borneo, 05°50'N, 118°07'E.

Mediterranean
Motor torpedo boats patrolling off Monte Grosso attack five south-bound targets, firing six torpedoes. No definite claims are made.

Destroyer Woolsey (DD-437) and British destroyer HMS Fortune sink two abandoned German explosive boats 16 miles off Cap Ferrat; Woolsey and minesweeper Sway (AM-120) recover prisoners.

  25 October, Wed. 1944

Unites States and Great Britain resume diplomatic relations with Italy.

Pacific
Battle for Leyte Gulf continues as TG 77.2 (Rear Admiral Jesse B. Oldendorf), augmented by TG 77.3 (Rear Admiral Russell S. Berkey) and TG 70.1 (39 motor torpedo boats) execute the classic maneuver of "crossing the tee" of the Japanese "Southern Force" (Vice Admiral Nishimura Shoji and Vice Admiral Shima Kiyohide) in the Battle of Surigao Strait. TG 70.1 begins the action against the Japanese ships. PT-137 torpedoes light cruiser Abukuma, but PT-493 is sunk by enemy secondary battery gunfire, 10°15'N, 125°23'E. DESRON 54 (Captain Jesse G.Coward) then attacks; McDermut (DD-677) sinks destroyer Yamagumo, 10°25'N, 125°20'E, and damages destroyers Asagumo and Michisio. Subsequently, light cruiser Denver (CL-58) sinks Asagumo at entrance of Surigao Strait, 10°04'N, 125°21'E. DESRON 24 (Captain Kenmore M. McManes) enters the fray and Hutchins (DD-476) (McManes's flagship) sinks Michisio, 10°25'N, 123°25'E; DESRON 56 (Captain Roland M. Smoot) attacks; Albert W. Grant (DD-649) is damaged by both friendly and Japanese gunfire at this phase of the battle, 10°27'N, 125°25'E. Two Australian warships take part in this fleet action--heavy cruiser HMAS Shropshire (in TG 77.3) and destroyer HMAS Arunta (in DESRON 24)--that see the destruction of battleships Fuso and Yamashiro, 10°25'N, 125°20'E. Heavy cruiser Mogami and destroyer Shigure are damaged.

Meanwhile, the "Center Force" (Vice Admiral Kurita Takeo), which includes four battleships and five heavy cruisers, having passed into the Philippine Sea during the night, surprises TG 77.4 (Rear Admiral Thomas L.Sprague) off Samar. Kurita's force wreaks havoc on the six escort carriers, three destroyers, and four destroyer escorts of TU 77.4.3 (northernmost carrier force) (Rear Admiral Clifton A. F. Sprague). In this battle, which becomes a precipitate flight in the face of an overwhelming enemy force, Kurita's ships inflict severe damage but emerge bloodied by the Homeric efforts of the "small boys" (destroyers and destroyer escorts) and planes from the escort carriers that compel Kurita to retire, inexplicably, without destroying the CVEs and their consorts in detail. In the Battle off Samar, Japanese surface gunfire sinks destroyers Hoel, 11°46'N, 126°33'E; Johnston, 11°46'N, 126°09'E; and destroyer escort Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413), 11°40'N, 126°20'E; and damages destroyer Heermann (DD-523), 11°40'N, 126°15'E; and destroyer escort Dennis (DE-405), 11°40'N, 126°20'E. Johnston damages heavy cruiser Kumano.

Japanese surface gunfire (either battleship Haruna or Kongo) straddles escort carrier White Plains (CVE-66), 11°40'N, 126°20'E, St.Lo (CVE-63), and Kitkun Bay (CVE- 71) but scores no direct hits. Heavy cruisers Chikuma, Haguro, and Chokai; light cruiser Noshiro; and a destroyer sink escort carrier Gambier Bay (CVE-73), 11°31'N, 126°12'E. Japanse surface gunfire also damages Fanshaw Bay (CVE-70) and Kalinin Bay (CVE-68), 11°40'N, 126°20'E; the latter claims one hit on a Japanese heavy cruiser with her single 5-inch gun. Navy carrier-based aircraft damage battleships Kongo (from near-misses) and Yamato and heavy cruisers Chikuma, Chokai, and Suzuya.

Subsequently, Japanese planes attack escort carriers of TU 77.4.1 (Rear Admiral Thomas L. Sprague). Suwannee (CVE-27) is damaged by kamikazes, 09°45'N, 126°42'E, and Santee (CVE-29) by suicide plane and Japanese submarine I-56, 09°45'N, 126°20'E. Kamikazes near-miss Sangamon, 09°45'N, 126°42'E, and Petrof Bay (CVE-80). Destroyer escort Richard M. Rowell is damaged by strafing, 10°05'N, 127°10'E.

Following its ordeal off Samar, TU 77.4.3 (Rear Admiral Clifton A.F. Sprague) comes under Japanese air attack. Kamikazes sink St.Lo, 11°13'N, 126°05'E, and damage Kalinin Bay and Kitkun Bay, 11°10'N, 126°20'E. At the same time, in the Battle off Cape Engano, carrier aircraft from the Third Fleet (Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr.) strike the Japanese "Northern Force" (Vice Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo). Planes from carriers Essex and Lexington sink carrier Zuikaku 220 nautical miles east-northeast of Cape Engano, 19°20'N, 125°51'E, and carrier Chitose 235 nautical miles east of Cape Engano, 19°20'N, 125°20'E; carrier Chiyoda, damaged by planes from carriers Lexington and Franklin and small carrier Langley, is sunk by heavy cruisers New Orleans and Wichita and light cruisers Santa Fe and Mobile (CL-63) 260 nautical miles southeast of Cape Engano, 18°37'N, 126°45'E. Carrier Zuiho is sunk by planes from Essex, Franklin, Lexington, Enterprise, and small carrier San Jacinto east-northeast of Cape Engano, 19°20'N, 125°51'E.

U.S. aircraft, during the Battle for Leyte Gulf, damage Japanese battleships Yamato and Nagato and heavy cruiser Myoko in San Jose Strait; battleship Haruna, east of Samar; light cruiser Yahagi off Leyte; destroyer Kiyoshimo off Leyte. Heavy cruiser Chikuma, damaged by carrier-based aircraft (TU 77.4.2) off Samar, is scuttled by destroyer Nowaki, 11°22'N, 126°16'E; heavy cruiser Suzuya, damaged by carrier- based aircraft off Samar, is scuttled by destroyer Okinami, 11°50'N, 126°25'E; heavy cruiser Chokai, damaged by carrier-based aircraft (TU 77.4.2) off Samar, is scuttled by destroyer Fujinami, 11°26'N, 126°15'E; heavy cruiser Mogami, damaged by heavy cruisers Minneapolis, Portland (CA-33), Louisville (CA-28), light cruisers Columbia (CL-56) and Denver, and collision with heavy cruiser Nachi, south of Bohol Island, P.I., is scuttled by destroyer Akebono, 09°40'N, 124°50'E; light cruiser Tama is sunk by aircraft from Essex and Lexington and submarine Jallao (SS-368), east of Luzon Strait, 21°23'N, 127°19'E; destroyer Hatsuzuki is sunk by the gunfire of four heavy cruisers and twelve destroyers east north-east of Cape Engano, 20°24'N, 126°20'E.

Japanese air attacks continue against shipping off Leyte: U.S. freighter Adoniram Judson is attacked by Japanese planes off Tacloban; Armed Guard gunners claim splashing six. One bomb explodes close aboard, causing fragmentation damage and wounding two of the embarked stevedores. There are no casualties to the ship's company: 43 merchant seamen and 28 Armed Guards. Freighter John W. Foster, anchored in San Pedro Bay, is strafed; 7 of the 27-man Armed Guard, 3 of 170 embarked troops, and 1 officer, are wounded.

Submarine Halibut (SS-232) sinks Japanese destroyer Akizuki east-northeast of Cape EngaOo, 20°29'N, 126°36'E.

Submarine Nautilus (SS-168) lands men and supplies on east coast of Luzon.

Submarine Seal (SS-183) sinks Japanese transport Hakuyo Maru, north of Urup, Kurils, 50°18'N, 150°50'E.

Submarine Sterlet (SS-392) sinks Japanese merchant tanker Jinei Maru south of Yaku Jima, 30°15'N, 129°45'E.

Fleet tanker Matsumoto Maru sinks as the result of damage inflicted by submarine Tang (SS-306) in Formosa Strait the day before, 25°07'N, 119°45'E.

British submarine HMS Tantivy sinks Japanese motor sail ship No.47 Tachibana Maru in Flores Sea.

Navy F4Us sink Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 62 north of Palaus.

Other Japanese casualties include auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 52 sunk at Palau, 07°30'N, 134°40'E; and merchant tanker Shoho Maru sunk by USAAF aircraft in South China Sea, 11°18'N, 114°50'E.

  26 October, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Battle for Leyte Gulf concludes as Navy carrier-based and USAAF land-based planes attack retiring Japanese ships that have survived the previous days' action. TF 38 planes sink light cruiser Kinu southwest of Masbate, 11°46'N, 123°11'E; destroyer Hayashimo 40 miles south of Mindoro, 12°05'N, 121°50'E. Aircraft from carriers Hornet (CV-12) and Wasp (CV-18) sink light cruiser Noshiro south of Mindoro, 11°35'N, 121°45'E; planes from carrier Hancock (CV-19) sink landing ship T.102 in the Guimaras Straits, 11°00'N, 123°00'E; TF 38 planes damage heavy cruiser Kumano; destroyer Okinami in Sibuyan Sea. Planes from TU 77.4.2 sink destroyer Uranami 70 miles north-northeast of Iloilo, Panay, 11°50'N, 123°00'E. USAAF B-24s sink light cruiser Abukuma southwest of Negros Island, 09°20'N, 122°30'E; battleship Haruna is damaged by near-misses. In related action, U.S. cruisers and destroyers sink destroyer Nowaki 65 miles south-southeast of Legaspi, Luzon, 13°00'N, 124°54'E.

Motor torpedo boat PT-132 is damaged by dive bomber, 09°00'N, 125°00'E.

U.S. freighter Benjamin Ide Wheeler is attacked by Japanese plane off Leyte, and damaged by near-miss of bomb that wounds three of the ship's embarked troops.

Submarine Drum (SS-228) sinks Japanese transport Tats_ra Maru, 19°00'N, 120°45'E, and merchant passenger/cargo ship Taisho Maru and cargo ship Taihaku Maru north of Luzon, 19°21'N, 120°50'E.

Submarine Icefish (SS-367) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Taiyo Maru west of Luzon Strait, 19°04'N,120°36'E, but is damaged by depth charges and is forced to terminate her patrol.

Submarine Rock (SS-274) sinks Japanese merchant tanker No.7 Takasago Maru near Balabac Strait, 10°18'N, 117°47'E.

British submarine HMS Tantivy damages Japanese ship No.2 Katsuma Maru.

U.S. Navy carrier-based aircraft sink merchant tanker No.31 Nanshin Maru west of Balabac Strait, 08°22'N, 116°55'E.

Special Air Task Force (STAG 1) operations in the southwest Pacific conclude as four TDRs are flown against lighthouse on Cape St. George, New Ireland. One of the four hits squarely and demolishes the structure.

USAAF aircraft sink merchant cargo ships Kaiko Maru and Doei Maru off South China coast, 20°50'N, 111°50'E.

Other Japanese casualties include merchant cargo ship Seito Maru sunk by Austalian mine off Sumatra, 03°12'S, 116°15'E; and merchant cargo ship Kompira Maru sunk by aircraft, Shimushuri Island.

  27 October, Fri. 1944

Pacific
TG 38.3 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman) and TG 38.4 (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison) attack Japanese ships and installations in the Visayas and northern Luzon area. Navy carrier-based planes sink destroyer Fujinami 80 miles north of Iloilo, Panay, 12°00'N, 122°30'E; TF 77 planes sink destroyer Shiranui 80 miles north of Iloilo, Panay, 12°00'N, 122°30'E.

Off Leyte, battleship California (BB-44) is damaged by strafing off Leyte, 16°57'N, 125°02'E; submarine chaser (rescue) PCER-848 is damaged by horizontal bomber, 11°11'N, 125°05'E; and motor torpedo boat PT-523 is damaged by dive bomber. 11°15'N, 124°59'E.

U.S. freighter Benjamin Ide Wheeler is damaged by kamikaze that crashes the ship, killing one merchant sailor and one of the 27-man Armed Guard (whose heavy gunfire damages the inbound suicider) and sets fire to the gasoline cargo; salvage ship Cable (ARS-19) comes alongside and extinguishes the blaze while some of the ship's complement and passengers are transferred temporarily to nearby amphibious command ship Wasatch (AGC-9).

Damaged heavy cruiser Canberra (CA-70) and light cruiser Houston (CL-81) (see 13-16 October 1944) reachUlithi with their supporting ships, their Odyssey over.

Submarine Bergall (SS-320) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks oiler Nichiho Maru and fleet tanker Itsukushima Maru to the west of Balabac Strait, 07°09'N, 116°40'E.

Submarine Cero (SS-225) drives Japanese guardboat No.3 Kyoei Maru ashore, Luzon, 17°00'N, 119°00'E.

Submarine Kingfish (SS-234) sinks Japanese landing ship T.138 and army cargo vessel No.4 Tokai Maru 30 miles north-northeast of Iwo Jima, 25°22'N, 141°31'E.

Submarine Nautilus (SS-168) lands men and supplies on east coast off Luzon.

U.S. motor torpedo boats sink Japanese motor sail ship Ky_ei Maru off Ormoc Bay.

USAAF P-38s and P-47s sink Japanese motor sink sail ship Senshin Maru off Mactan Island.

USAAF aircraft (14th Air Force) damage Japanese ship Kashii Maru in South China Sea, 14°25'N, 110°38'E.

  28 October, Sat. 1944

Pacific
TG 38.4 (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison) bomb Japanese shipping near Cebu, damaging landing ship T.101 off Ormoc, Leyte, 11°00'N, 123°00'E.

Destroyer escort Dempsey (DE-26), assisted by tank landing craft LCT-406, sinks a Japanese torpedo-carrying craft off the main unloading beach, Peleliu. U.S. freighter United Victory is damaged by gunfire from Japanese surface craft; there are no casualties to United Victory's complement, which includes a 27-man Armed Guard.

Destroyer Helm (DD-388), assisted by Gridley (DD-380) and TBF from small carrier Belleau Wood (CVL-24), sinks Japanese submarine I-46, 120 miles northeast of Surigao, 10°56'N, 127°13'E.

Light cruiser Denver (CL-58) is damaged by kamikaze off Leyte, 10°57'N, 125°02'E. During Japanese air attack on U.S. shipping in San Pedro Bay, Leyte, freighter Cape Romano is damaged by bombs exploding close aboard; bomb fragments injure two of the 26-man Armed Guard and two of the 47-man merchant complement.

Destroyer escort Eversole (DE-404) is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-45 off Leyte, 10° 18'N, 127° 37'E; I-45, however, is in turn sunk by destroyer escort Whitehurst (DE-634) 120 miles east-northeast of Surigao, 10°10'N, 127°28'E.26

Netlaying ship Viburnum (AN-57) is damaged by mine at Ulithi.

Japanese transport Sumatra Maru is sunk by swimmer vehicles ("Chariots") launched from British submarine HMS Trenchant, Phuket Harbor, 07°54'N, 98°28'E.

Japanese merchant tanker Baiei Maru is sunk by Japanese mine in Brunei Bay, 05°0825'N, 115°05'E.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Gleaves (DD-423) bombards troop concentrations, barracks, and gun emplacements; she achieves excellent results. Enemy shore battery fire is inaccurate.

U.S. motor torpedo boats attack northbound convoy--four F-lighters with escorts--and sink two F-lighters.

  29 October, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Naval Operating Base, Leyte, and Naval Air Station, Samar, are established.

TG 38.2 (Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan) attacks Japanese airfields in the Manila area and shipping in Manila Bay, damaging heavy cruiser Nachi. During Japanese air attacks on the fast carriers operating off Leyte, a kamikaze crashes Intrepid (CV-11), 15°07'N, 124°01'E.

Japanese guardboat No.3 Kyoei Maru is also lost on this date off Luzon; although the agent of her demise is unspecified, it is most likely Navy carrier-based aircraft, given the level of U.S. naval aviation activity in that area.

PB4Y (VPB 115) sinks Japanese tanker Itsukushima Maru off Brunei Bay, 05°04'N, 119°47'E. Destroyer Shigure rescues survivors.

Japanese army tanker Kokko Maru is sunk by RAAF mine off Balikpapan, Borneo, 01°17'S, 116°48'E.

U.S. aircraft sink Japanese guardboat No.16 Kiku Maru at Rabaul.

U.S. freighter John A. Johnson is torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-12 1,000 miles northeast of Oahu, 29°36'30"N, 141°43'W, and is abandoned when she breaks in two. I-12 surfaces, shells the wreck, setting both halves ablaze, before bearing down on the lifeboats and rafts and firing on them with machine guns and pistols. These brutal actions result in the death of 4 of the 41 merchant sailors, the Army security officer and 4 of the 28-man Armed Guard (see 30 October and 13 November 1944).

  30 October, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Carrier Franklin (CV-13) and small carrier Belleau Wood (CVL-24) are damaged by kamikazes, 10°20'N, 126°40'E.

Yacht Argus (PY-14) rescues survivors of U.S. freighter John A. Johnson, which had been sunk by Japanese submarine I-12 the previous day.

Submarine Salmon (SS-182) damages Japanese Coast Defense Vessel No.22 southwest of Toizaki, Kyushu, and teams with Trigger (SS-237) to damage merchant tanker Takane Maru, 30°13'N, 132°49'E, but Salmon is damaged by depth charges dropped by the three undamaged escorting coast defense vessels and deep submergence as she evades the escorts, 30°08'N, 132°33'E, and is forced to terminate her patrol.

USAAF P-38s (13th Air Force) damage Japanese submarine chaser Ch 36 near Sibitu Passage, 05°27'N, 119°12'E, and sink merchant tankers Kosho Maru and No.8 Nanshin Maru off Sandakan, Borneo, 05°25'N, 119°20'E.

USAAF aircraft sink Japanese ship Chuko Maru off Hong Kong.

USAAF B-25s sink Japanese ship No.5 Uwa Maru off Lomblon Island, 08°25'S, 123°25'E.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Madison (DD-425) bombards and destroys German motor convoy, southern France, and sinks floating mines offshore.

  31 October, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Gabilan (SS-252) sinks Japanese oceanographic research vessel No. 6 Kaiyo Maru off Murotosaki, Japan, 32°50'N, 134°21'E.

Submarine Guitarro (SS-363) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks cargo ship Komei Maru and army cargo ship Komei Maru off Botolan Point, Luzon, 15°17'N, 119°50'E, and although damaged by the concussion generated by the explosion of one of these two ships, remains on patrol.

Submarine Nautilus (SS-168), en route to Mios Woendi after completing her clandestine mission (23, 24, and 27 October), finishes the destroyction of submarine Darter (SS-227), aground on Bombay Shoal (09°26'N, 116°56'E) since 24 October, to prevent the boat from falling into enemy hands.

Submarine Sterlet (SS-392) sinks Japanese merchant tanker Takane Maru, damaged the day before by Salmon (SS-182) and Trigger (SS-237), southwest of Kyushu, 30°09'N, 132°45'E.

British submarine HMS Stoic sinks two Japanese sailing vessels, 07°40'S, 114°13'E, and bombards warehouses and fuel tanks at Jangka Island.

Motor gunboat PGM-9 bombards Japanese targets on Aguijan Island, Marianas.

Other Japanese casualties include landing ship T.131 damaged by aircraft, northeast of Panay; and auxiliary submarine chaser Uruppu Maru is sunk by aircraft, near Mindoro Island.

November

  1 November, Wed. 1944

Pacific
In Leyte Gulf, kamikazes sink destroyer Abner Read (DD- 526), 10°47'N, 125°22'E; and damage destroyers Anderson (DD-411), 10°11'N, 125°02'E, and Claxton (DD-571) and Ammen (DD-527), 10°40'N, 125°20'E. Destroyers Bush (DD- 529), 10°13'N, 125°21'E, and Killen (DD-593), 10°40'N, 125°20'E, are damaged by horizontal bombers.

Submarine Atule (SS-403) attacks Japanese convoy, and sinks transport Asama Maru in Luzon Strait, 20°09'N, 117°38'E.

Submarine Blackfin (SS-322) attacks Japanese convoy, and sinks auxiliary vessel Caroline Maru and transport No.12 Unkai Maru in Mindoro Strait, 12°54'N, 120°10'E.27

Submarine Ray (SS-271) sinks Japanese merchant tanker No.7 Horai Maru, 13°02'N, 120°17'E, and lands men and supplies on west coast of Mindoro.

British submarine HMS Storm sinks Japanese schooner No.3 Goenong Perak, 04°56'S, 120°59'E.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Benson (DD-421), although troubled by inadequate spotting, fires bombardment mission against railroads and troop concentrations.

  2 November, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Japanese aircraft bomb U.S. airstrip and planes on the ground at Tacloban, Leyte.

USAAF B-24s and P-38s (13th Air Force) attack Japanese reinforcement convoy (TA Operation, Second Phase) unloading reinforcements at Ormoc Bay, sinking army cargo ship Noto Maru, 10°30'N, 125°00'E. The rest of the convoy, however, returns safely to Manila.

Submarine Barbero (SS-317), despite presence of escort vessel, sinks Japanese army cargo ship Kuramazan Maru in Makassar Strait, 04°30'S, 118°20'E.

Submarine Pomfret (SS-391) attacks Japanese convoy between Formosa and Luzon, sinking transport Hamburg Maru damaging transport Atlas Maru in Luzon Channel, 20°20'N, 121°30'E.

British submarine HMS Tantalus attacks Japanese Singapore-to-Manila convoy SIMA-04 one day after its departure, sinking cargo ship Hachijin Maru and damaging submarine chaser Ch 1 about 225 milee east of Singapore, 00°48'N, 107°43'E.

British submarine HMS Terrapin sinks netlayer Kumano Maru in Strait of Malacca, 01°30'N, 103°00'E.

Japanese army cargo ship No.2 Tateyama Maru is sunk by aircraft, 13°16'N, 99°46'E.

Indian Ocean
U.S. tanker Fort Lee is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-181 at 27°35'S, 83°11'E; of the 26-man Armed Guard, at least ten perish in the loss of the ship (see 7, 9 and 16 November 1944).

  3 November, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Japanese aircraft attack air facilities on Saipan and Tinian as part of a series of strikes on this area from which heavy bombing missions against their home islands are launched.

Japanese planes raid U.S. shipping and airfield facilities at Tacloban, Leyte; U.S. freighter Matthew P. Deady is crashed by kamikaze that is engaged with intense antiaircraft fire from the Armed Guard; the explosion of the crashing suicide plane starts a fire in the cargo that threatens the ship. Although firefighting efforts are successful, two Armed Guard sailors (of the 27-man detachment) and 26 troops (of the 300 on board) perish in the attack.

Light cruiser Reno (CL-96) is damaged by Japanese submarine I-41 off Leyte, 13°46'N, 131°27'E.28

Submarine Cero (SS-225) lands men and supplies on east coast of Luzon.

Submarine Gurnard (SS-254) attacks Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, and sinks merchant cargo ship Taimei Maru about 275 miles west of Labuan, Borneo, 05°48'N, 111°12'E.

Submarine Pintado (SS-387) attacks small detachment of Japanese warships and sinks destroyer Akikaze 160 miles west of Lingayen Gulf, 16°50'N, 117°29'E.

Submarine Pomfret (SS-391) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Hamburg Maru in Bashi Channel, 20°19'N, 121°30'E. Transport Atlas Maru, torpedoed by Pomfret the previous day, is beached, a total loss, off Sabtang Island, 20°18'N, 121°51'E.

Japanese merchant cargo ship Shino Maru is sunk by aircraft off Palau.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Woolsey (DD-437) shells German troop concentrations near Franco-Italian border.

  4 November, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Submarines Bream (SS-243), Guitarro (SS-363) and Ray (SS-271) attack Japanese convoy off western Luzon, all three team up to sink transport Kagu Maru off Dasol Bay, 15°55'N, 119°44'E. Guitarro torpedoes landing ship T.111, 15°56'N, 119°44'E.

Submarine Sailfish (SS-192) damages Japanese destroyer Harukaze and landing ship T.111 in Luzon Strait, 20°08'N, 121°43'E. Although damaged by aerial bombs, 20°09'N, 121°43'E, the submarine remains on patrol; Patrol Boat No.38 takes the damaged Harukaze in tow and brings her into port.

British submarine HMS Terrapin attacks Japanese convoy in Malacca Strait, and sinks minesweeper W.5, 03°14'N,99°50'E.

U.S. freighter Frank J. Cuhel is damaged by friendly fire while anchored off Tacloban, Leyte; the explosion of a shell wounds one of the 500 troops being transported by the ship, and 2 of the 28-man Armed Guard. During Japanese air attack shortly thereafter, freighter Cape Constance is damaged when a kamikaze, having been hit by the heavy fire being put up by the Armed Guard gunners, explodes over the ship and scatters wreckage. Only the Armed Guard officer is wounded during the attack; there are no other casualties among the 41-man merchant complement and the 28-man Armed Guard.

Mediterranean
Destroyers Benson (DD-421) and Woolsey (DD-437) bombard German gun emplacements in Cap Ampeglio area.

  5 November, Sun. 1944

Pacific
TF 38 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) begins two days of carrier strikes on Luzon, targeting Japanese aircraft, airfields, and shipping. TG 38.3 attacks warships and auxiliaries in Manila Bay, where planes from carriers Lexington (CV-16) and Essex (CV-9), and small carrier Langley (CVL-27) sink heavy cruiser Nachi five nautical miles west of Corregidor. F6Fs from TG 38.3 sink Patrol Boat No.107 [ex-U.S. tug Genessee (AT-55)] off Lubang Island, 14°23'N, 120°25'E. Navy carrier-based planes (TG 38.3 hitting targets in Manila Bay, TG 38.1 targets off Santa Cruz) damage destroyer Akebono and escort destroyer Okinawa, landing ship T.111, motor sailship Tanoguchi Maru and cargo ships Toyo Maru and Showa Maru. During Japanese retaliatory air strikes, kamikaze damages carrier Lexington (CV-16), 16°20'N, 123°59'E.

Motor torpedo boat PT-320 is damaged by aerial bomb off Leyte, 11°11'N, 125°05'E.

USAAF B-29s bomb Singapore, damaging Japanese fleet tanker Notoro while she lies in drydock at Selatar, 01°18N, 103°52'E.

Japanese landing ship T.112 runs aground off southwest Mindoro, 12°40'N, 121°22'E.

Japanese merchant ship No.11 Bakshu Maru is sunk by mine off Penang.

  6 November, Mon. 1944

Pacific
TF 38 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) resumes strikes against Luzon; TG 38.3 planes sink Japanese transport T.139, Silanguin Bay, 14°35'N, 120°55'E. Planes from carrier Ticonderoga (CV-14), in TG 38.3, sink tanker Marifu Maru, previously damaged by submarine Flier (SS-250) on 13 June 1944, in Mariveles harbor, 14°26'N, 120°29'E.

Submarines Guitarro (SS-363), Bream (SS-243), and Raton (SS-270) each torpedo Japanese heavy cruiser Kumano west of Lingayen, 16°11N, 119°44'E. Kumano is towed to Santa Cruz, Luzon (see 9 November 1944). Guitarro is damaged by depth charges, 15°54'N, 119°44'E, but remains on patrol.

Submarine Gurnard (SS-254) lays mines off western Borneo.

The blockading of the Nanpo Shoto region, by mining, begins as PROJECT MIKE commences. USAAF B-24s (42d Bomb Squadron), fly from Guam and stage through Isely Field, Saipan, where the mines are loaded and fuel tanks topped off. The B-24s lay 10 mines off Chichi Jima.

RAAF Mitchells sink Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 118 off Soemba Island, N.E.I., 09°38'S, 120°17'E.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Plunkett (DD-431) shells German troop concentrations and pillboxes. She carries out shore bombardment against gun emplacement south of Ventimiglia.

  7 November, Tue. 1944

President Roosevelt wins an unprecedented fourth term in the White House, defeating Republican challenger Wendell Willkie for the second time.

Pacific
Motor torpedo boat PT-301 is damaged by accidental explosion off western New Guinea, 01°15'S, 136°23'E.

Submarine Albacore (SS-218) is sunk by mine off the northern tip of Honshu, 41°49'N, 141°11'E.

Submarine Greenling (SS-213) sinks Japanese transport No.8 Kiri Maru and merchant tanker K_tai Maru, 34°34'N, 138°35'E.

Indian Ocean
British motor vessel Ernebank rescues 16 survivors of U.S. tanker Fort Lee, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-181 on 2 November 1944 (see 9 and 16 November 1944).

  8 November, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Japanese party, armed with automatic weapons and light mortars, lands on Ngeregong Island five miles northeast of Peleliu, under cover of typhoon, and forces evacuation (without loss) of men from medium infantry landing craft LCI(M)-740 that had been landed there three days before to provide protection for ships utilizing Denges passage (see 9 November 1944).

Submarine Growler (SS-215) is sunk, probably by Japanese destroyer Shigure, patrol-escort vessel Chiburi, and Coast Defense Vessel No.19 off Mindoro.

Submarine Gunnel (SS-253) attacks Japanese convoy off west coast of Luzon, and sinks torpedo boat Sagi about 60 miles west of Lingayen Gulf, 16°09'N, 118°56'E.

Submarine Hardhead (SS-365), despite proximity of two escorts, sinks Japanese tanker Manei Maru about 90 miles southwest of Manila, 13°30'N, 119°25'E.

Submarine Queenfish (SS-393) attacks Japanese convoy off southern Kyushu, and sinks cargo ship Hakko Maru and auxiliary submarine chaser Ryusei Maru near Uji Gunto, 31°10'N, 129°39'E.

Submarine Redfin (SS-272) attacks Japanese convoy in South China Sea, and sinks merchant tanker No.2 Nichinan Maru, 14°00'N, 116°48'E.

Submarine Sea Fox (SS-402) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Keijo Maru, 29°05'N, 127°40'E.

  9 November, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Marine fighter aircraft based on Peleliu commence air strikes on Japanese on Ngeregong Island. These strikes, together with bombardment by vessels of LCI(L)-Flotilla 13, will continue on 10 November, rendering it untenable for the invaders (see 15 November 1944).

PROJECT MIKE continues as USAAF B-24s (42d Bomb Squadron) lay 10 mines in Futami Ko, Chichi Jima.

Submarine Barbero (SS-317) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks merchant tanker Shimotsu Maru about 250 miles west of Manila, 14°32'N, 116°53'E.

Submarine Haddo (SS-255) sinks Japanese fleet tanker No.2 Hishi Maru in Mindoro Straits, 12°24'N, 120°45'E.

Submarine Queenfish (SS-393) attacks Japanese convoy TAMA-28 in East China Sea, and sinks gunboat Chojusan Maru about 50 miles west of Kyushu, 31°15'N, 129°10'E.

Japanese cruiser Kumano, damaged by U.S. submarines on 6 November 1944, breaks her anchor and drifts aground off Santa Cruz, Luzon.

Japanese TA Operation (fourth phase) convoy reaches Ormoc Bay and unloads men and materiel brought from Manila (see 10 November 1944).

USAAF B-25s and P-38s (13th Air Force) and motor torpedo boats PT-492, PT-497, PT-524, and PT-525 begin attacks against Japanese convoy in Ormoc Bay, the former damaging escort vessels Okinawa and Shimushu.

Indian Ocean
U.S. tanker Tumacacori rescues 17 survivors of U.S. tanker Fort Lee, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-181 on 2 November 1944 (see 16 November 1944).

  10 November, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Ammunition ship Mount Hood (AE-11) is destroyed by accidental ammunition explosion in Seeadler Harbor, Manus, Admiralty Islands. The cataclysmic blast damages nearby escort carriers Petrof Bay (CVE-80) and Saginaw Bay (CVE-82); destroyer Young (DD-580); destroyer escorts Kyne (DE-744), Lyman (DE-302), Walter C. Wann (DE-412), and Oberrender (DE-344); high speed transport Talbot (APD-7); destroyer tender Piedmont (AD-17); miscellaneous auxiliary Argonne (AG-31); cargo ship Aries (AK-51); attack cargo ship Alhena (AKA-9); oiler Cacapon (AO-52); internal combustion engine repair ships Cebu (ARG-6) and Mindanao (ARG-3); repair ship Preserver; fleet tug Potawatomi (ATF-109); motor minesweepers YMS-1, YMS-39, YMS-49, YMS-52, YMS-71, YMS-81, YMS-140, YMS-238, YMS-243, YMS-286, YMS-293, YMS-319, YMS-335, YMS-340, YMS-341, and YMS-342; unclassified auxiliary Abarenda (IX-131), covered lighter YF-681, and fuel oil barge YO-77. Mount Hood has an estimated 3,000 tons of explosives on board, and except for a working party from the ship that is ashore at the time, her entire ship's company perishes. The force of the explosion blasts a trough in the harbor floor longer than the length of a football field and 50 feet wide and 30 to 40 feet deep; some fragments land more than 2,000 yards from where Mount Hood lies. Investigators find no fragment of the ship on the ocean floor larger than 16 by 10 feet. In terms of the extent of damage, it ranges from an estimated 48,000 man-hours to repair Mindanao (which suffers 23 dead and 174 injured) to "superficial" or "insignificant." In addition to the ships listed above, nine medium landing craft (LCM) and a pontoon barge moored to Mount Hood are also destroyed; 13 small boats or landing craft are sunk or damaged beyond repair, 33 are damaged but repairable.

Motor torpedo boat PT-321, damaged by grounding off Leyte, 11°25'N, 124°19'E, is scuttled.

Submarine Barb (SS-220) sinks Japanese transport Gokoku Maru seven miles off Koshiki Jima, eastern Kyushu, 33°24'N, 129°04'E.

Submarine Flounder (SS-251) sinks German submarine U-537 in Java Sea, 07°13'S, 115°17'E.

Submarine Greenling (SS-213) sinks Japanese Patrol Boat No.46 (ex-destroyer Fuji) southeast of Honshu, 34°30'N, 138°34'E.

Submarine Steelhead (SS-280) sinks Japanese repair ship Yamabiko Maru south-southwest of Yokosuka, 31°42'N, 137°50'E.

USAAF B-25s, P-47s, and P-38s (13th Air Force) attack Japanese convoy (TA Operation, third phase) in Ormoc Bay hit the previous day, sinking army cargo ships Kashii Maru and Takatsu Maru, 10°53'N, 124°25'E; and damaging destroyer Akishimo, Coast Defense Vessel No.13 and army cargo ship Kinka Maru. B-25 attacks drive Coast Defense Vessel No.11 aground in Matlang Bay, where she is scuttled and abandoned, 10°54'N, 124°27'E. Nearby fast transports T.6, T.9, and T.10, however, escorted by destroyers Take and Kasumi, are unmolested, and rescue survivors from Kashii Maru and Takatsu Maru. On their return voyage to Manila, the convoy rescues men from Celebes Maru, which has run aground off Bondoc Point, Luzon, earlier that day (see 15 November 1944).

USAAF B-24s attack Surabaya-bound Japanese ships off Soembawa, sinking No.21 Tachibana Maru, Fuji Maru, and Tsukushi Maru and damaging Benten Maru.

  11 November, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Aircraft from TG 38.1 (Rear Admiral Alfred E. Montgomery), TG 38.3 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman), TG 38.4 (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison) set upon Japanese convoy (fourth phase of TA Operation) as it enters Ormoc Bay, sinking destroyers Hamanami, Naganami, Shimakaze, and Wakatsuki; minesweeper W.30; army cargo ships Mikasa Maru, Seiho Maru, and Tensho Maru; and merchant cargo ship Taizan Maru (ex-St. Quentin), 10°50'N, 124°35'E.

TG 30.2 (Rear Admiral Allan E. Smith) (three heavy cruisers and five destroyers) bombards airfields and other Japanese shore installations on Iwo Jima; shelling commences shortly before midnight and continues into 12 November. PB4Ys screen the group's approach, spot gunfire, and cover the retirement.

U.S. submarines begin series of attacks on Japanese convoy MOMA-07 (see 12-14 November 1944); Queenfish (SS-393) damages transport Miho Maru off Miike harbor, 32°20'N, 128°00'E.

Submarine Scamp (SS-277) is sunk, probably by Japanese Coast Defense Vessel No.4 and naval aircraft off Tokyo Bay, 33°38'N, 141°00'E.

Japanese minesweeper W.22 is sunk by mine off Babelthuap, Palau.

Europe
U.S. freighter Lee S. Overman is mined off Le Havre, France; outside of one merchant sailor injured, there are no casualties among the 39-man civilian complement and the 27-man Armed Guard. The ship is later written off as a total loss.

  12 November, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Landing craft repair ships Egeria (ARL-8) and Achilles (ARL-41) are damaged by kamikazes off Leyte, 11°11'N, 125°05'E. U.S. freighters off Leyte come under attack from Japanese planes as well. Leonidas Merritt is crashed by two suiciders off Dulag, Leyte, but her crew controls the fires; 1 of the 28-man Armed Guard is killed, as are a merchant seaman and one of the embarked stevedores. Thomas Nelson is hit by a kamikaze, but despite ultimately successful firefighting efforts, 133 of the 578 embarked troops are killed, as are 3 of the 28-man Armed Guard; 88 men are injured. Jeremiah M. Daily is struck by a suicide plane, and the explosion and fires account for the deaths of 100 of the 557 troops on board, in addition to 2 of the 29-man Armed Guard and 4 of the 39-man merchant complement; 43 more men are injured and 50 troops jump overboard to escape the flames (they are rescued by nearby boats and craft). William A. Coulter is struck by two kamikazes, but there are no fatalities among the 41-man merchant complement, 27-man Armed Guard and four passengers. Morrison R. Waite is strafed and then crashed by a Japanese plane, and the resultant fires kill 21 troops and wound 41 (of the 600 embarked at the time); 2 of the 29-man Armed Guard are wounded in action. Alexander Majors's Armed Guard gunners deflect a kamikaze with a well-placed 5-inch round, but the plane strikes the mainmast and, along with its bomb, explodes and showers the forward part of the ship with burning gasoline that compels the Armed Guards at the forward guns to leap overboard to save themselves. Two of the merchant crew are killed and 16 injured, but there are no fatalities among the Armed Guard sailors and the Army passengers. All six of the freighters ultimately return to the west coast of the United States under their own power for repairs.

Destroyer Nicholas (DD-449) sinks Japanese submarine I-37 south of Yap Island, 08°04'N, 138°03'E.

Submarines Barb (SS-220) and Peto (SS-265) continue attacks against Japanese convoy MOMA-07 in the East China Sea. Barb sinks army cargo ship Naruo Maru and damages merchant cargo ship Gyokuyo Maru, 31°39'N, 125°36'E (see 14 November 1944); Peto sinks army cargo ship Tatsuraku Maru, 31°18'N, 125°30'E.

Submarine Redfin (SS-272) damages Japanese ship Asogawa Maru, 12°45'N, 118°14'E.

PROJECT MIKE continues as USAAF B-24s (42d Bomb Squadron), finding cloudy weather at the primary objective, Chichi Jima, opt for the alternate, Haha Jima, and lay 15 mines in effective locations.

Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 84 is sunk by aircraft off Banggi, North Borneo.

PB4Y attacks Japanese convoy SIMA-04 (see 2 November 1944) and sinks merchant cargo ship Atsuta Maru off Malampaya Sound, 11°50'N, 119°19'E.

USAAF P-51s damage Japanese auxiliary-powered sailing vessel Namikiri Maru at entrance to Haiphong River, French Indochina.

Atlantic
German battleship Tirpitz is sunk by RAF Lancasters, Tromso Fjord, Norway.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Woolsey (DD-437) shells German howitzer emplacement east of San Remo, Italy, and encounters "fairly accurate" 88-millimeter gunfire in return; shrapnel showers the ship but she suffers no casualties.

  13 November, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Aircraft from three carrier task groups (TG 38.1, TG 38.3, and TG 38.4) of TF 38 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman, in the temporary absence of Vice Admiral John S. McCain) pound Japanese shipping and port facilities at Manila and in central Luzon. At the former place, TF 38 planes sink light cruiser Kiso, destroyers Hatsuharu and Okinami, and auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 116 14°35'N, 120°50'E; and army cargo ships Eiwa Maru, Kinka Maru, Kakogawa Maru, Sekiho Maru, and Teiyu Maru, as well as merchant cargo ships Taitoku Maru, Hatsu Maru, Seiwa Maru and Shinkoku Maru, 14°35'N, 120°55'E, and damage destroyer Ushio. At Cavite, Navy carrier planes sink destroyers Akebono and Akishimo, fleet tanker Ondo, and guardboat Daito Maru, 14°29'N, 120°55'E. TF 38 planes also sink army cargo ship Heian Maru at Cabcaben, and auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 116 some 20 nautical miles west of Cavite, 14°30'N, 120°45'E.

Minesweeper Ardent (AM-340) and frigate Rockford (PF-48) sink Japanese submarine I-12 (that had sunk freighter John A. Johnson on 29 October 1944) 100 miles west-southwest of Los Angeles, California, 31°55'N, 139°45'W.

Submarine Seal (SS-183) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Gassan Maru north-northwest of Etorofu, Kurils, 45°35'N, 148°14'E.

Japanese submarine I-53 is damaged, cause unspecified, off Marcus Island.

  14 November, Tue. 1944

Pacific
TF 38 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman) air strikes against Japanese shipping in Philippines continue. At Manila, Navy carrier-based planes sink transport Tatsura Maru, merchant tanker No.5 Horai Maru, merchant cargo ships Hatsu Maru and Aoki Maru, and damage transport Tottori Maru and army cargo ship Myogi Maru; cargo ship Yukihisa Maru is sunk just outside Manila Bay, 13°58'N, 120°36'E. Off Mindoro, F6Fs from carrier Yorktown (CV-10) attack Japanese convoy SIMA-04, sinking merchant tanker Ayagiri Maru, 12°40'N, 120°41'E; and damaging army cargo ship Yutaka Maru (see 15 November 1944) as well as escorting submarine chasers Ch 1, Ch 19, Ch 26, and Ch 36.

Submarine Halibut (SS-232) is damaged by depth charges and aerial bombs, Luzon Strait, 20°56'N, 121°33'E, but returns from patrol with no difficulty.

Submarine Jack (SS-259) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking merchant cargo ship Hinaga Maru and damaging merchant tanker No.2 Yuzan Maru, 11°02'N, 109°02'E (see 15 November 1944).

Submarines Batfish (SS-310), Raton (SS-270) and Ray (SS-271) attack Japanese convoy off the northwest coast of Luzon; Raton damages supply ship Kurasaki north-northwest of Cape Bolinao, 17°41'N, 118°00'E (see 15 November 1944), and sinks merchant tanker No.5 Unkai Maru, 17°48'N, 117°58'; Ray sinks Coast Defense Vessel No.7 65 miles northwest of Cape Bolinao, 17°45'N, 117°45'E.

Submarine Skipjack (SS-184) damages Japanese motor sailship No.6 Tatsu Maru off Shimushiru, Kurils,46°40'E, 151°40'E. Strong currents then drive the damaged vessel upon a reef; she is declared a total loss.

Submarine Spadefish (SS-411) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Gyokuyo Maru, previously damaged by Barb (SS-220) on 12 November 1944 while in convoy MOMA-07, 31°04'N, 123°56'E.

PROJECT MIKE continues as USAAF B-24s (42d Bomb Squadron) lay 6 mines in effective locations off Ani Jima and Haha Jima.

During Japanese air raid on U.S. shipping off Leyte, freighter Floyd B. Olson is damaged by bomb; there are, however, no casualties among the 43-man merchant complement, the 28-man Armed Guard, and the 409 stevedores embarked to work cargo.

USAAF B-24 sinks Japanese lugger Kiho Maru off Sandakan harbor.

Japanese ship Heiyo is sunk by mine, Adang Bay, 01°43'S, 116° 26'E.

  15 November, Wed. 1944

Pacific
TG 78.14 (Captain Lord Ashbourne, RN) lands Army troops (31st Division) on Mapia Island, 160 nautical miles northeast of Sansapor.

Marines reoccupy Ngeregong Island (see 9 and 10 November 1944), finding that the Japanese have abandoned it after being pounded by Marine aircraft and LCI(L)-bombardment.

Submarine Barbel (SS-316) attacks Japanese convoy in the South China Sea about 250 miles east of Tourane, French Indochina, sinking transports Misaki Maru, 15°10'N, 112°40'E, and Sugiyama Maru, 15°14'N, 112°14'E.

Submarine Guavina (SS-362) sinks abandoned Japanese army cargo ship Yutaka Maru, damaged the day before by Navy carrier-based aircraft, off Mindoro, 12°25'N, 120°55'E.

Submarine Jack (SS-259), operating in the South China Sea, sinks Japanese transports Nichiei Maru, 11°11'N, 108°56'E, and No.2 Yuzan Maru, 11°15'N, 108°57'E.

Submarine Queenfish (SS-393) attacks Japanese convoy HI-81, and sinks army cargo ship/aircraft transport Akitsu Maru at southern entrance of Tsushima Strait, about 60 miles east of Saishu Island, 33°05'N,128°38'E.

Japanese supply ship Kurasaki sinks as the result of damage inflicted by submarine Raton (SS-270) the previous day, north-northwest of Cape Bolinao, Luzon, 17°27'N, 117°43'E.

Submarine Saury (SS-189) damages Japanese guardboat Kojo Maru, northwest of the Bonins, 29°59'N, 139°44'E (see 16 November 1944).

Submarines Sterlet (SS-392) and Silversides (SS-236) damage Japanese guardboat No.12 Hachiryu Maru northwest of Ogasawara-Gunto, 30°10'N, 137°23'E. No.12 Hachiryu Maru reaches port, but apparently performs no more service.

PB4Y completes destruction of Japanese ship Celebes Maru, aground since 10 November 1944 off Bondoc Point, Luzon, 13°17'N, 112°37'E.

Navy land-based aircraft sink Japanese ship Harufuji Maru off Borneo, 06°52'N, 116°51'E.

USAAF P-38s damage Japanese gunboat Man-Yo Maru off Balikpapan.

RAF Liberators bomb Japanese shipping at Mergui, sinking No.3 Tanshin Maru and communications boat Kasumi.

Mediterranean
Destroyer escort Frament (DE-677) collides with Italian submarine Luigi Settembrini 685 miles west of Gibraltar; Frament is damaged, but Luigi Settembrini sinks.

  16 November, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Scabbardfish (SS-397) sinks Japanese transport Kisaragi Maru north by west of Chichi Jima, 29°04'N, 142°12'E.

Submarine Tambor (SS-198) sinks Japanese guardboat Takashiro Maru southwest of Torishima, 30°00'N, 139°30'E.

Japanese guardboat Kojo Maru, damaged the previous day by submarine Saury (SS-189), sinks northwest of the Bonins, 29°59'N, 139°39'E.

Other Japanese losses include heavy cruiser Haguro, light cruiser Oyodo, and destroyer Yukikaze damaged by aircraft off Brunei, North Borneo; merchant tanker Asokawa Maru damaged by unspecified cause off Brunei; and fleet tanker Kyoei Maru sunk by USAAF B-24 and P-38 aircraft; and Man-yo Maru damaged off Tarakan, Borneo.

Indian Ocean
U.S. freighter Mary Ball rescues 17 survivors of U.S. tanker Fort Lee, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-181 on 2 November 1944, but not before she has fired on the lifeboat until identifying it as friendly. Fortunately, there are no casualties.

Europe
U.S. freighter Theodore Parker is mined about 12 miles east of the mouth of the Humber River, 53°33'N, 00°39'E, but returns, under her own power, to the port of Hull for repairs. There are no casualties to the 42-man merchant complement or the 27-man Armed Guard.

  17 November, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Attack transport Alpine (APA-92) is damaged by kamikaze off Leyte, 11°07'N, 125°02'E. Elsewhere, during a Japanese air raid on shipping off Red Beach, Leyte, freighter Benjamin Ide Wheeler is damaged by bombs; there are no casualties.

TBM (VC 82) from escort carrier Anzio (CVE-57) and destroyer escort Lawrence C. Taylor (DE-415) sink Japanese submarine I-26 in Philippine Sea, 12°44'N, 130°42'E.

Submarine Bluegill (SS-242) is damaged by depth charges in Makassar Strait, 00°48'N, 118°52'E, but remains on patrol.

Submarines Burrfish (SS-312) and Ronquil (SS-396) battle Japanese guardboat Fusa Maru in a spirited surface gunnery action fought in heavy weather south of Hachiro Jima, central Honshu, 32°15'N, 140°00'E; American gunfire damages the enemy patrol craft, but not before she in turn damages Burrfish. Ronquil is damaged by own gunfire (premature explosion of 40-millimeter shell or contact with lifeline stanchion) and is forced to terminate her patrol. Fusa Maru is written off as a total loss and performs no more active service.

Submarine Gunnel (SS-253) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks torpedo boat Hiyodori and merchant tanker Shunten Maru 130 miles east of Tourane, French Indochina, 16°56'N, 110°30'E. Destroyer Shiokaze and submarine chaser Ch 21's hunter-killer operations are ineffective.

Submarine Picuda (SS-382) sinks Japanese landing ship Mayasan Maru and damages merchant tanker Awagawa Maru,33°16'N, 124°43'E.

Submarine Spadefish (SS-411) sinks Japanese escort carrier Shinyo 140 miles northeast of Shanghai, China, in Yellow Sea, 33°02'N, 123°33'E, and damages landing ship Shinshu Maru.

Submarine Sunfish (SS-281) damages Japanese army transport Edogawa Maru west of Quelpart Island, 33°40'N, 124°30'E; although Coast Defense Ship No.61 claims her destruction, Sunfish escapes. Edogawa Maru sinks the next day.

PROJECT MIKE continues as USAAF B-24s (42d Bomb Squadron) lay 8 mines in effective locations in Futami Ko, Chichi Jima.

USAAF P-38s sink Japanese ships Jinko Maru and No.3 Yawata Maru off Merida, 10°55'N, 124°30'E.

Japanese merchant tanker Seian Maru runs aground off entrance to Subic Bay (see 19 November).

Mediterranean
Destroyer Woolsey (DD-437) shells German artillery at Ventimiglia; shrapnel again showers the ship but she suffers no casualties; destroyer Benson (DD-421) bombards barracks in same area.

  18 November, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer escort Lawrence C. Taylor (DE-415) and TBM (VC 82) from escort carrier Anzio (CVE-57) sink Japanese submarine I-41 in Philippine Sea, 12°44'N, 130°42'E.

Submarine Pampanito (SS-383) sinks Japanese depot ship No.17 Banshu Maru and merchant cargo ship No.1 Shinko Maru, 19°12'N, 110°51'E.

Submarines Peto (SS-265), Spadefish (SS-411) and Sunfish (SS-281) operate against the same Japanese convoy attacked the previous day in the East China Sea west of Saishu Island, Peto sinks army cargo ships Aisakasan Maru, 33°50'N, 124°44'E, and Chinkai Maru, 33°39'N, 124°26'E; Spadefish sinks auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 156, 33°07'N, 123°19'E; Sunfish sinks army transport Seisho Maru, 33°36'N, 124°18'E.

Submarine Saury (SS-189) damages Japanese merchant cargo ship No.11 Asahi Maru, 30°50'N, 141°56'E.

Japanese planes raid U.S. shipping off Leyte; freighter Nicholas J. Sinnott is near-missed by a kamikaze, 11°15'45"N, 125°02'45"E. There are no casualties among the 40-man merchant complement, the 80 Army passengers or the 26-man Armed Guard. Off Tacloban, Armed Guard gunners on board freighter Gilbert Stuart shoot the tail off a kamikaze which nevertheless crashes their ship, triggering fires that are ultimately brought under control with the help of fleet tug Chickasaw (ATF-83). While 5 of the 39-man merchant complement perish in the attack, only 1 of the 29-man Armed Guard is killed in action. Freighter Cape Romano is damaged by near-miss of bomb.

PROJECT MIKE continues as USAAF B-24s (42d Bomb Squadron) lay 12 mines in effective locations in Futami Ko, Chichi Jima. B-24s sink auxiliary sailing vessel Sumiei Maru off Haha Jima.

Off Borneo, aircraft damage Japanese escort destroyer Okinawa off Labuan. Guardboats No.6 Kompira Maru, Benten Maru, and Eikoku Maru are sunk by U.S. aircraft off Tarakan.

Europe
Tank landing ship LST-6 is sunk by mine in Seine River, France.

Atlantic
Destroyer escort Camp (DE-251) is damaged in collision with tanker Santa Cecilia off coast of southern Ireland.

Mediterranean
Motor torpedo boat PT-311 is sunk by mine off Spezia, Italy, 43°41'N, 09°37'E.

  19 November, Sun. 1944

Pacific
TF 38 (Vice Admiral John S. McCain) aircraft attack Japanese shipping off Luzon, in addition to airfields on that island. Navy carrier-based planes attack convoy ten miles off San Fernando, sinking merchant cargo ship Esashi Maru and damaging escorting submarine chasers Ch 19 and Ch 26, 16°50'N, 120°08'E.

Elements of TG 78.14 (Captain Lord Ashbourne, RN) land Army troops (31st Division) on Asia Island, 100 nautical miles west of Sansapor.

Destroyer escorts Conklin (DE-439) and McCoy Reynolds (DE-440) sink Japanese submarine I-37, 100 miles west of Palaus, 08°07'N, 134°16'E.29

Submarine Hake (SS-256) torpedoes Japanese light cruiser Isuzu west of Corregidor, 14°22'N, 119°38'E.

British submarine HMS Stratagem sinks Japanese merchant tanker Nichinan Maru in Malacca Strait, 01°36'N, 102°53'E.

U.S. freighter Alcoa Pioneer is crashed by kamikaze, San Pedro Bay, Leyte, killing 6 of the 28-man Armed Guard. Thirteen other men from among the 46-man merchant complement and two passengers are injured; patrol escort vessel PCE-851 provides medical assistance. Nearby, a second kamikaze crashes Norwegian motor vessel General Fleischer, while a third crashes U.S. freighter Cape Romano; there are, however, no casualties among Cape Romano's 47-man merchant complement, her two passengers, or the 26-man Armed Guard.

Navy aircraft sink motor sailship No.8 Kyoun Maru off Mindoro.

Aircraft sink Japanese submarine chaser Ch 36 and merchant tanker Seian Maru off Subic Bay.

USAAF B-24s damage Japanese transport Natsukawa Maru off Brunei Bay, Borneo, 05°20'N, 115°13'E; Natsukawa Maru, however, does not return to service, a total loss.

  20 November, Mon. 1944

Atlantic
Heavy cruiser Augusta (CA-31) is damaged by explosion of unknown origin, Boston Navy Yard.

Pacific
Oiler Mississinewa (AO-59) is sunk by kaiten (fired by Japanese submarine I-47 or I-36) Ulithi, 10°06'N, 139°43'E.30

Japanese planes attack three U.S. tankers proceeding from Ulithi to Eniwetok, near-misses and strafing account for damage to tanker Fort Dearborn at 12°00'N, 155°00'E. There are, however, only four men wounded among the ship's 50-man merchant complement, 27-man Armed Guard and five passengers.

Submarine Atule (SS-403) sinks Japanese minesweeper W.38 southwest of Formosa, 21°21'N, 119°45'E.

Submarine Gar (SS-206) lands supplies on north coast of Mindoro.

British submarine HMS Tally Ho sinks Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Ma 4 30 miles east of the southern tip of Great Nicobar Island, 06°55'N, 94°15'E.

USAAF B-25 (14th Air Force) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Daichi Maru in Yangtze River northeast of Shanghai, China, 31°57'N, 122°18'E.

USAAF B-25s sink Japanese ship No.79 Nany_ Maru off Timor.

  21 November, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Two light cruisers and and nine destroyers of TF 92 (Rear Admiral John L. McCrea) bombard Japanese naval air installations on Matsuwa Island, Kurils.

Submarine Flounder (SS-251) attacks Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, damaging army cargo ship Gyosan Maru, 10°36'N, 115°08'; later, submarine Guavina (SS-362) completes destruction of Gyosan Maru off Tizard's Reef, 10°22'N, 114°22'E.

Submarine Scabbardfish (SS-397) sinks Japanese victualling stores ship Hokkai Maru 200 nautical miles south of Tokyo, 33°20'N, 142°00'E.

Submarine Sealion (SS-315) attacks Japanese task force, and sinks battleship Kongo and destroyer Urakaze about 60 miles north-northwest of Formosa, 26°07'N, 121°36'E.

Japanese oceanographic research vessel Kaiyo No.2 is sunk by U.S. aircraft in the Celebes Sea.

USAAF B-24 sinks Japanese ship Shinsei Maru in Makassar Strait, 02°04'N, 119°12'E.

Japanese cargo ship Fukurei Maru is sunk by marine casualty off west coast of Korea, 38°08'N, 124°34'E.

  22 November, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Aircraft from carrier group (Rear Admiral Ralph E. Davison) bomb Japanese air facilities on Yap, Carolines.

Japanese planes raid U.S. air facility at Morotai, destroying 15 bombers and damaging 31.

Submarine Besugo (SS-321) sinks Japanese landing ship T.151 off northern tip of Palawan, 11°22'N, 119°07'E.

Submarine Guavina (SS-362) sinks Japanese army cargoship D_wa Maru near Tizard's Bank, northwest of Borneo, 10°23'N, 114°21'E.

Submarine Scabbardfish (SS-397) damages Japanese escort vessel Oki, 33°20'N, 142°00'E.

Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 82 is sunk by aircraft off Balabac Island, P.I., 08°00'N, 117°00'E;

USAAF planes damage cargo ship Enoshima Maru at Makassar.

  23 November, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Attack transport James O'Hara (APA-90) is damaged by kamikaze off Leyte, 10°57'N, 125°02'E.

U.S. freighter Gus W. Darnell is torpedoed by Japanese plane off Samar Island, P.I., and catches fire. Beached to facilitate salvage, the ship is ultimately declared a total loss. There are no fatalities among the 41-man merchant complement, 27-man Armed Guard, and 15 Army passengers, although 17 men are injured.

Submarines Bang (SS-385) and Redfish (SS-395) attack Japanese convoy in the Formosa Strait; Bang sinks merchant cargo ship Sakae Maru and transport Amakusa Maru, 24°21'N, 122°28'E; Redfish sinks merchant cargo ship Hozan Maru, 24°27'N, 122°47'E.

Submarine Gar (SS-206) lands men and supplies on west coast of Luzon.

Submarine Picuda (SS-382) attacks Japanese convoy in Tsushima Strait, sinking merchant cargo ships Fukuju Maru, 34°19'N, 128°05'E, and Shuyo Maru, 34°19'N, 128°58'E.

District patrol craft YP-383 is sunk in collision with infantry landing craft LCI(L)-873 in Gulf of Panama, 08°22'N, 79°29'W.

Mediterranean
Motor torpedo boat patrol attacks southbound convoy off Portofino, damaging two coasters, while engaged by German shore battery that inflicts no damage on the PTs.

Europe
U.S. freighter William D. Burnham is torpedoed by German submarine U-978 about five miles off Barfleur, France; 10 of the 26-man Armed Guard perish, as do eight of the 41-man merchant complement. British escort drifter HMS Fidget rescues survivors, transferring most to motor torpedo boat PT-461, and the wounded to British destroyer HMS Vesper. Salvage tug ATR-3 later tows William D. Burnham to Cherbourg where the freighter is beached and ultimately assessed as a total loss.

  24 November, Fri. 1944

Pacific
USAAF B-29s based in the Marianas raid Tokyo, Japan, for the first time.

Motor torpedo boats are relieved of patrol duty in the northern Solomons. Infantry landing craft gunboats [LCI(G)] and motor gunboats [PGM] will operate in their stead.

Submarine chaser PC-1124 and infantry landing craft LCI-976 are damaged by dive bombers off Leyte, 10°50'N, 125°25'E.

USAAF P-40s and P-47s (13th Air Force) attack one of the groups of ships involved in the 5th phase of the TA Operation, sinking submarine chaser Ch 46 and landing ships T.111, T.141 and T.160 in Cataingan Bay, Masbate Island, 11°35'N, 124°10'E.

Japanese weather observation ship Tenkai No.3 is damaged by aircraft off Balabac, P.I.

  25 November, Sat. 1944

Pacific
TG 38.2 (Rear Admiral Gerald F. Bogan) and TG 38.3 (Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman) aircraft bomb Japanese shipping off central Luzon. Planes from carrier Ticonderoga (CV-14) sink heavy cruiser Kumano (see 6 and 9 November 1944) in Dasol Bay, 15°45'N, 119°48'E. F6Fs, SB2Cs and TBMs from carriers Ticonderoga and Essex (CV-9), along with F6Fs and TBMs from small carrier Langley (CVL-27) attack convoy about 15 miles southwest of Santa Cruz, on the west coast of Luzon, and sink coast defense ship Yasojima (ex-Chinese cruiser Ping Hai), 15°45'N, 119°45'E, and landing ships T.112, T.142, and T.161, 15°40'N, 119°45'E. Planes from carrier Intrepid (CV-11) sink fast transports T.6 and T.10, and damage fast transport T.9 and escort destroyer Take, Balanacan Harbor, Marinduque Island, 13°25'N, 121°55'E. Planes from Essex and Langley sink army cargo ship No.6 Manei Maru and damage cargo ship Kasagisan Maru in San Fernando harbor, 16°37'N, 120°19'E.

Kamikazes breach the fleet's fighter defenses, however, and press home determined attacks, damaging carriers Essex, Intrepid and Hancock (CV-19), 15°47'N, 124°14'E, and small carrier Cabot (CVL-28), 15°42'N, 123°09'E. Small carrier Independence (CVL-22) is damaged by crash of own aircraft into island structure, 15°58'N,125°14'E

Japanese merchant tanker Ceram Maru is damaged by aircraft in Manila Bay.

Motor torpedo boat PT-363 is sunk by shore battery off Cape Gorango, Halmahera Island, 00°55'N, 127°50'E.

Submarine Atule (SS-403) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Santos Maru off Sabtang Island, Luzon, 20°12'N, 121°51'E. Although Atule claims destruction of the escorting submarine chaser Ch 33, the latter survives the attack.

Submarine Cavalla (SS-244) sinks Japanese destroyer Shimotsuki, west of Borneo, 02°28'N, 107°20'E.

Submarine Haddo (SS-255) damages Japanese escort destroyer Shimushu, 14°00'N, 119°25'E.

Submarine Hardhead (SS-365) attacks Japanese convoy about 60 miles west of Manila, and sinks Coast Defense Vessel No.38 off Bataan peninsula, 14°33'N, 119°51'E.

Submarine Mingo (SS-261) attacks Japanese convoy SIMA-05, sinks army transport Manila Maru about 90 miles northwest of Miri, Sarawak, 05°30'N, 113°24'E, and survives a depth-charging by escort vessel Kurahashi.

Submarine Pomfret (SS-391) sinks Japanese Patrol Boat No.38 and transport Shoho Maru, Luzon Strait, 20°18'N, 121°34'E.

USAAF B-24s (14th Air Force), on night reconnaissance flight over the South China Sea, attack Japanese shipping south of Hainan Island, bombing and strafing Hida Maru and escorting minesweepers W.17 and W.18, 16°44'N, 108°24'E, damaging both minecraft. Hida Maru takes the crippled W.18 in tow (see 26 November 1944).

Chinese aircraft attack Japanese river gunboats on the Yangtze near Anking, China, sinking Fushimi and damaging Sumida.

  26 November, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Raton (SS-270) sinks Japanese ammunition ship Onoe Maru north of Bismarck Archipelago, 00°40'N, 148°20'E.

Submarine Pargo (SS-264) damages Japanese fleet tanker Y_h_ Maru off Miri, Sarawak, 04°55'N, 114°06'E, and although damaged by depth charges from one or both of the auxiliary vessel's escorts, remains on patrol.

U.S. freighter Howell Lykes is bombed by Japanese planes, San Pedro Bay, Leyte, and damaged by near-misses; while there are no casualties among the 41-man Armed Guard and 58 Army passengers, two of the ship's 79-man merchant complement are wounded in the attack.

Japanese minesweeper W.18 sinks as the result of damage inflicted by USAAF B-24s (14th Air Force) the previous night, 16°52'N, 108°38'E.

Chinese planes damage Japanese river gunboats Hira and Hozu in the Yangtze River near Anking.

  27 November, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Destroyers bombard Japanese positions at Ormoc Bay, Leyte; firing continues on 28 November. In Leyte Gulf, kamikazes sink submarine chaser SC-744, 10°44'N, 125°07'E, and damage battleship Colorado (BB-45) and light cruisers St. Louis (CL-49) and Montpelier (CL-57), 10°50'N, 125°25'E.

Japanese planes also strike airfields and aircraft on the ground at Saipan in a surprise mid-day raid, destroying three USAAF B-29s and a P-47, and damaging three B-29s, a B-24 and a P-47.

Organized Japanese resistance on Peleliu ends.

Japanese merchant cargo ship Kinko Maru is sunk by aircraft, Yangtze River.

  28 November, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Destroyers Saufley (DD-465), Waller (DD-466), Pringle (DD-477), and Renshaw (DD-499) sink Japanese submarine I-46 in Leyte Gulf, 10°48'N, 124°35'E.

Submarine Guavina (SS-362) attacks Japanese convoy, 12°54'N, 109°21'E, but while she achieves no success, she eludes counterattacks by submarine chaser Ch 43.

USAAF B-24 (13th Air Force) sinks Japanese merchant tanker Atago Maru off Miri, Borneo, 04°29'N, 114°00'E.

  29 November, Wed. 1944

Pacific
In Leyte Gulf, kamikazes damage battleship Maryland (BB-46), 10°41'N, 125°23'E, and destroyers Saufley (DD-465), 10°50'N, 125°25'E, and Aulick (DD-569), 10°35'N, 125°40'E.

U.S. freighter William C.C. Claiborne, anchored off Leyte, is hit by what is most likely friendly fire that wounds 3 of the 28-man Armed Guard and 1 of the ship's 42-man merchant complement.

Motor torpedo boats attack Japanese shipping in Ormoc Bay; PT-127 sinks Patrol Boat No.105 (ex-Philippine Arayat), 10°59'N, 124°33'E; PT-128 and PT-191 sink auxiliary minelayer Kusentai No.105.

USAAF B-25s and P-47s (5th Air Force) attack Japanese shipping near Ormoc Bay sinking submarine chaser Ch 45, 10°25'N, 124°00'E. P-40s and P-47s (5th Air Force) sink army cargo ship Shinetsu Maru off Camotes Island, 10°47'N, 124°17'E, and cargo ship Shinsho Maru off Ormoc, 11°01'N, 124°36'E.

Submarine Archerfish (SS-311) sinks Japanese carrier Shinano 160 nautical miles southeast of Cape Muroto, Japan, 32°00'N, 137°00'E.31

Submarine Scabbardfish (SS-397) sinks Japanese submarine I-365 off Honshu, 34°44'N, 141°01'E.

Submarine Spadefish (SS-411) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship No.6 Daiboshi Maru off the west coast of Korea, 37°17'N, 125°11'E.

British submarine HMS Sturdy sinks two Japanese fishing vessels off Bawean Island, 06°20'S, 112°40'E.

  30 November, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Pipefish (SS-388) is damaged by aerial bombs in South China Sea off Hainan, 18°07'N, 111°35'E, but remains on patrol.

Submarine Sunfish (SS-281) sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Dairen Maru off western Korea, 38°08'N, 124°35'E.

Japanese bomber, evading a 12-plane combat air patrol, damages floating drydock ARD-17 with a near-miss, Kossol Roads, Palau.

British submarine HMS Stratagem sinks Japanese cargo vessel Kumano Maru in Malacca Straits, 01°30'N, 103°00'E.

December

  1 December, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Naval Operating Base, Kwajalein, is established.

Europe
U.S. freighter Arizpa is damaged by mine in the Schelde River, 51°23'N, 03°18'W, but proceeds to Antwerp, her destination, under her own power. There are no casualties among her 41-man merchant complement or the 28-man Armed Guard.

  2 December, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Four destroyers (DesDiv 44) bombard Japanese positions at Palompon and northern Ormoc Bay, Leyte. Another group of three destroyers (DesDiv 120) (Commander John C. Zahm) enters Ormoc Bay at night and battles enemy aircraft, destroyers, and shore batteries.

Submarine Gunnel (SS-253) lands supplies and evacuates Allied aviators from Palawan, P.I.

Submarine Sea Devil (SS-400) attacks Japanese convoy MI-29 in the East China Sea, sinking merchant tanker Akigawa Maru and passenger/cargo ship Hawaii Maru about 80 miles south-southwest of Kyushu, 30°24'N, 128°17'E.

British submarine HMS Sturdy sinks Japanese Communication Ship No.142 in Makassar Strait, 04°05'S, 119°32'E.

USAAF B-24s sink Japanese gunboat Bantan Maru and damage auxiliary minesweeper Cha 105 and cargo ship Sh_ka Maru 140 miles nautical miles from Makassar, 03°30'S, 117°30'E.

USAAF P-40s attack Japanese shipping off Palompon, P.I., sinking motor sailship Kosei Maru.

  3 December, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer engagement in Ormoc Bay that began late the previous night continues. Destroyer Cooper (DD-695) is sunk, possibly by torpedo from escort destroyer Kuwa, 10°54'N, 124°36'E, but not before Cooper, along with Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) and Moale (DD-693), sinks Kuwa and damages her sistership Take, 10°50'N, 124°35'E. "Black Cat" PBY-5A picks up Cooper's survivors that night and the next day. One PBY carries 56 in addition to its 8-man crew. Allen M. Sumner is damaged by horizontal bomber, and Moale is damaged (possibly by Kuwa) in Ormoc Bay, 10°54'N, 124°36'E.

Hospital ship Hope (AH-7), fully illuminated in accordance with the dictates of the Geneva Convention, is attacked by Japanese torpedo planes but not damaged, 125 miles east of Mindanao.

Submarines Pampanito (SS-383), Pipefish (SS-388), Sea Cat (SS-399) and Searaven (SS-196) attack Japanese convoy in South China Sea off coast of French Indochina, in a heavy seas and poor visibility. Pipefish probably torpedoes and sinks Coast Defense Vessel No.64, 18°36'N, 111°54'E; Pampanito torpedoes army cargo ship Seishin Maru, 18°20'N, 111°52'E, and Sea Cat or Searaven torpedoes tanker Harima Maru.

U.S. Navy land-based aircraft sink Japanese merchant tanker No.13 Nanshin Maru off Balikpapan, 01°22'S, 117°03'E; and merchant tanker No.18 Nanshin Maru off Borneo, 05°55'N, 117°03'E.

Europe
U.S. freighter Francis Asbury is mined in the Schelde River, 51°22'N, 03°53'W; of her 41-man merchant complement and 28-man Armed Guard, 9 of the former and 6 of the latter are killed, one merchant sailor and one Armed Guard die later of their injuries. Forty-six from both groups are injured. Francis Asbury drifts aground off Ostend, Belgium, where she is sunk by gunfire as a menace to navigation.

Mediterranean
Tank landing ship LST-141 is damaged when she runs aground at Bizerte, Tunisia.

  4 December, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Destroyer Drayton (DD-366) is damaged by horizontal bomber off Leyte, 10°00'N, 125°00'E.

Submarine Flasher (SS-249) attacks Japanese convoy about 275 miles southwest of Manila, sinking destroyer Kishinami, 12°54'N, 116°27'E, and damages merchant tanker Hakko Maru. Flasher eludes efforts of the escorting Yurijima and Coast Defense Vessel No.17; Hakko Maru is later scuttled, 13°12'N, 116°35'E, most likely by Yurijima and/or Coast Defense Vessel No.17.

  5 December, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Naval Base, Tinian, is established.

Submarine Hake (SS-256) lands supplies on Panay, P.I. Tank landing ship LST-23 and medium landing ship LSM-20 are damaged by Japanese planes 70 miles northwest of Caiut Point, Leyte, 10°12'N, 125°19'E. Kamikazes damage destroyers Drayton (DD-366), 10°10'N, 125°20'E, and Mugford (DD-389), 10°15'N, 125°20'E.

Japanese planes attack convoy bound for Leyte, torpedoing U.S. freighter Antoine Saugraine at 09°42'N, 127°05'E; falling astern of the convoy, the freighter again comes under attack, is torpedoed a second time, and is abandoned. Frigates San Pedro (PF-37) and Coronado (PF-38), and Army tug LT 454 rescue the 42-manmerchant complement, 26-man Armed Guard and 376 Army troop passengers between them (see 6-7 December 1944). A kamikaze crashes freighter Marcus Daly in San Pedro Bay, Leyte, 09°34'N, 127°30'E; 1 of the 27-man Armed Guard is killed, as are 2 of the 40-man merchant complement and 62 of the 1,200 embarked Army troops; 49 men are wounded. Nearby, Armed Guard gunfire from freighter John Evans deflects a kamikaze from his suicidal course toward that ship, but the plane grazes the ship, glancing off the topmast and the stack before splashing close aboard. Bomb fragments cause some topside damage and wound four men (two of the 43-man merchant complement and 2 of the 26-man Armed Guard).

Medium landing ship LSM-149 is damaged by grounding, Philippine Islands.

Japanese escort destroyer Ikuna is damaged by aircraft off Formosa.

Mediterranean
Tank landing craft LCT-152, under tow of tank landing ship LST-141, is damaged in a gale off Palermo, Sicily. Auxiliary tug ATA-172 brings LCT-152 into port.

  6 December, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Haddo (SS-255) damages Japanese tanker No.3 Kyoei Maru, 14°43'N, 119°39'E.

Submarines Segundo (SS-398), Trepang (SS-412), and Razorback (SS-394) attack Japanese convoy of ten cargo vessels and four escorts west of Dalupiri Island, P.I., en route from Takao to Manila; Trepang damages army cargo ship Fukuyo Maru and merchant cargo ships Jinyo Maru and Yamakuni Maru, 18°59'N, 121°05'E; Segundo damages merchant cargo ships Kanjo Maru, Yasukuni Maru, and Shinfuku Maru, 18°57'N, 120°58'E (see 7 December 1944).

Fleet tug Quapaw (ATF-110) arrives to assist freighter Antoine Saugraine, damaged the previous day by Japanese aerial torpedo off Leyte; she stands ready to tow the freighter if necessary (see 7 December 1944).

Aircraft sink Japanese army cargo ship Shinto Maru in South China Sea off Luzon, 18°52'N, 120°57'E;

British submarine HMS Shalimar damages Japanese merchant tanker Shinbun Maru in Strait of Malacca.

Atlantic
Car float YCF-42 breaks in half and sinks in heavy seas while in tow of auxiliary tug ATA-181 near Cape Lookout, South Carolina.

Mediterranean
Tank landing ship LST-906, aground since 18 October at Leghorn, Italy, is further damaged in gale.

Rescue tug ATR-1 is damaged in collision in Tyrrhenian Sea, 41°27'N, 12°40'E.

  7 December, Thu. 1944

Pacific
TG 78.3 (Rear Admiral Arthur W. Struble) lands Army troops (77th Infantry) on the eastern shore of Ormoc Bay after bombardment by destroyers and LCI(R)s. Within three hours of the first soldiers' going ashore, however, enemy air attacks begin. Kamikazes damage destroyers Mahan (DD-364), 10°50'N, 124°30'E, and Lamson (DD-367), 10°28'N, 124°41'E; Mahan is scuttled by destroyer Walke (DD-723); destroyer Flusser (DD-368) and rescue tug ATR-31 extinguish Lamson's fires and she is towed to Leyte Gulf. Other suiciders damage high speed transports Ward (APD-16), 10°51'N, 124°33'E, and Liddle (APD-60) 10°57'N, 124°35'E; Ward is scuttled by destroyer O'Brien (DD-725). Still other kamikazes damage tank landing ship LST-737, sink medium landing ship LSM-318 and damage (by near-misses) LSM-18 and LSM-19.

U.S. freighter Antoine Saugraine, damaged on 5 December by Japanese aerial torpedo off Leyte, is torpedoed again during enemy air attack upon shipping at that place, and sunk.

Japanese planes bomb U.S. airfield on Saipan.

Seaplane tender (destroyer) Gillis (AVD-12) is accidentally rammed and damaged by U.S. merchant tanker Gulf Star 40 miles off Makapu Point, Oahu.

Submarines Razorback (SS-394), Segundo (SS-398) and Trepang (SS-412) continue their attacks on Japanese convoy beset the day before. West of Dalupiri Island, Razorback sinks army cargo ship Kanjo Maru (damaged the day before by Segundo), 18°57'N, 120°58'E. Cargo ship Yasukuni Maru, runs aground, written off as a total loss, as the consequence of damage inflicted by Navy carrier-based planes and Segundo the day before; Trepang sinks transport No.31 Banshu Maru north of Luzon, 18°54'N, 120°49'E. Army cargo ships Jinyo Maru and Fukuyo Maru sink as the result of damage inflicted by Trepang the previous day, 18°59'N, 121°05'E.

Opposing the 8th phase of the TA Operation, USAAF fighter-bombers (5th Air Force) and USMC F4Us (VMF 211, VMF 218, and VMF 313) attack Japanese shipping in San Isidro Bay, Leyte, sinking fast transport T.11 and army cargo ships Akagisan Maru, No.5 Shinsei Maru, Hakuba Maru, and Nichiyo Maru; and damaging escort destroyers Ume and Sugi, 11°25'N, 124°20'E.

  8 December, Fri. 1944

Pacific
TG 94.9 (Rear Admiral Allan E. Smith) bombards airstrips and shore batteries on Iwo Jima.

Atlantic
Frigate Huron (PF-19) is accidentally rammed and damaged by U.S. freighter James Fenimore Cooper about 870 miles northeast of Bermuda.

Submarines Paddle (SS-263) and Hammerhead (SS-364), attacking from opposite sides of the Japanese Singapore-to-Manila convoy, sink merchant tanker Shoei Maru, 03°50'N, 111°30'E. Paddle escapes the post-attack attention of Coast Defense Vessel No.43.

  9 December, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Plaice (SS-390) damages Japanese escort destroyer Maki, 31°57'N, 129°01'E.

Submarine Sea Devil (SS-400) and Redfish (SS-395) damage Japanese carrier Junyo, 31°43'N, 129°04'E and 32°13'N, 129°13'E, respectively.

Mediterranean
Destroyers Charles F. Hughes (DD-428) and Madison (DD-425) bombard German coast artillery positions and troop concentrations along the Franco-Italian border.

Motor torpedo boat PT-307, en route to Leghorn, Italy, from Maddalena, Sardinia, is damaged by a heavy stern swell off her destination.

  10 December, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Off Leyte, destroyer Hughes (DD-410) is damaged by kamikaze, 10°15'N, 125°10'E; south of Dulag, a suicide plane crashes the previously damaged freighter Marcus Daly, which is discharging cargo to tank landing craft LCT-1075 alongside. LCT-1075 is hit by part of the kamikaze and sunk; Marcus Daly suffers no fatalities among the embarked complement (38 merchant sailors, 26-man Armed Guard, 60 stevedores and 124 troops) although eight men are wounded. Nearby freighter William S. Ladd is hit by kamikaze and gutted by fire despite the efforts of four infantry landing craft (LCI) that come alongside; there are no fatalities among the 41-man merchant complement, the 29-man Armed Guard and the 50 stevedores on board to work cargo, although six men are injured. Motor torpedo boat PT-323, damaged by suicide plane, 10°33'N, 125°14'E, is beached and abandoned.

Japanese merchant cargo ship Yokohamasan Maru is sunk by aircraft off Cavite.

Europe
U.S. freighter Dan Beard is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-1202 off the coast of Wales, 51°56'N, 05°28'W; 17 of the 40-man merchant complement and 12 of the 27 Armed Guard perish with the ship.

Mediterranean
Local political and military disturbances result in cancellation of liberty at Piraeus, Greece; Greek snipers wound two crewmen in tank landing ship LST-74.

  11 December, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Japanese planes attack resupply convoy of 13 LSMs and LCIs, bound for Ormoc Bay; destroyer Reid (DD-369) is sunk by kamikaze off Leyte, 09°50'N, 124°55'E; destroyer Caldwell (DD-605) is near-missed by a suicider. Tank landing craft LCT-1075 is sunk by aircraft, Leyte Gulf.

USMC F4Us (VMF 211, VMF 218, VMF 313) repeat mast-head attack on Japanese convoy 30 miles off Leyte, sinking cargo ships Mino Maru and Tasmania Maru, 11°20'N, 124°10'E.

USAAF B-25s, A-20s, P-38s, and P-40s attack Japanese supply and troop concentrations on the southern shore of Wasile Bay and along the shores of north Halmahera, sinking No.2 Sumiyoshi Maru.

Submarine Gar (SS-206) lands supplies on west coast of Luzon, and picks up intelligence documents.

Submarine Sea Owl (SS-405) sinks Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 76 in East China Sea, 33°48'N, 128°20'E.

PB4Ys sink Japanese merchant cargo ship Sh_nan Maru north of Banton Island, P.I., 12°42'N, 122°10'E.

Atlantic
Submarine chaser SC-1059 sinks after running aground near Bahama Islands.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Ludlow (DD-438) chases German E-boat from a point six miles south of Cap Antibes to 20 miles south of Cap Ampeglio but fails to inflict any damage on the fast-moving (tracked at speeds up to 40 knots) enemy craft.

Large infantry landing craft LCI(L)-526 is damaged when she strikes submerged wreck.

  12 December, Tue. 1944

Pacific
USMC (MAG 12) and USAAF (13th Air Force) planes thwart last attempt by Japanese to reinforce their Leyte garrison (the 9th phase of the TA Operation) by attacking convoy off the northeastern tip of Panay. Destroyer Yuzuki is sunk by USMC planes 65 nautical miles north-northeast of Cebu, 11°20'N, 124°10'E; landing ship T.159 is sunk by USMC and USAAF planes north of Camotes Island, P.I., 11°20'N, 124°10'E.

Motor torpedo boats PT-490 and PT-492 sink Japanese destroyer Uzuki off Canaguayan Point, Leyte, 11°03'N, 124°23'E.

Destroyer Caldwell (DD-605) is damaged by kamikaze off Leyte, 10°30'N, 124°42'E; medium landing ship LSM-42, damaged by aircraft, is beached on west coast of Leyte.

Japanese escort destroyer Kiri and fast transport T.15 are damaged by aircraft off Ormoc.

Japanese river gunboat Katata damaged by USAAF aircraft in the Yangtze River near Kiukiang, China.

  13 December, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Japanese suicide planes damage light cruiser Nashville (CL-43), 08°57'N, 123°28'E, and destroyer Haraden (DD-585), 08°40'N, 122°33'E, Mindanao-Negros area.33

Submarine Bergall (SS-320) battles Japanese heavy cruiser Myoko off Royalist Bank, South China Sea, 08°09'N, 105°40'E; both ships emerge from the encounter damaged. Although Bergall damages her heavier adversary in that battle off French Indochina, she is hit by a dud 8-inch shell from Myoko and is forced to terminate her patrol.

Submarine Pintado (SS-387) sinks Japanese fast transport T.12 and landing ship T.104 in South China Sea, 19°30'N, 118°40'E. Although Pintado claims her destruction, the third ship in the convoy, landing ship T.106, continues on to Manila (see 15 December).

Mediterranean
Destroyer Charles F. Hughes (DD-428) fires first of three shore bombardment missions, targeting troop concentrations and artillery positions along the Franco-Italian border, that she will carry out between 13 and 16 December.

  14 December, Thu. -- ,br> Rank of fleet admiral, U.S. Navy, is established.

Pacific
Submarine Blenny (SS-324) sinks Japanese Coast Defense Vessel No.28 off Dasol Bay, Luzon, about 100 miles northwest of Manila, 15°50'N, 119°45'E, and guardboat No.5 Taisho Maru, 16°27'N, 119°43'E.

Planes from carrier Hornet (CV-12) sink Japanese landing ship T.109 off Vigan, P.I., 17°35'N, 120°20'E;

British submarine HMS Shalimar sinks auxiliary minesweeper No.7 Choun Maru off Belawan, Sumatra, 03°55'N, 98°50'E.

  15 December, Fri. 1944

Admirals William D. Leahy (Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff), Ernest J. King (Chief of Naval Operations) and Chester W. Nimitz (Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet) are promoted to the rank of fleet admiral.

TG 78.3 (Rear Admiral Arthur D. Struble) lands Army forces on southwest coast of Mindoro under cover of carrier-based aircraft (Rear Admiral Felix B. Stump). Mindoro operation, conceived and undertaken to secure an all-weather airfield to support large-scale landings on Luzon, is regarded as a hazardous venture deep into Japanese-controlled waters. Tank landing ships LST-472 and LST-738, damaged by kamikazes off southern tip of Mindoro, 12°19'N, 121°05'E, are scuttled by destroyer Hall (DD-583). Elsewhere off Mindoro, suiciders damage escort carrier Marcus Island (CVE-77); destroyers Paul Hamilton (DD-590) and Howorth (DD-592), 12°19'N, 121°02'E; and motor torpedo boat PT-223, 12°19'N, 121°05'E.

Miscellaneous auxiliary Argonne (AG-31) is damaged by explosion of depth charge accidentally dropped by submarine chaser SC-702, Kossol Roads, Palaus.

Submarine Dragonet (SS-293) is damaged when she runs aground 12,000 yards off Japanese seaplane base, Matsuwa Island, Kurils.

Submarine Hawkbill (SS-366) sinks Japanese destroyer Momo west of Luzon, 16°40'N, 117°42'E.

TF 38 planes sink Japanese landing ship T.106, which had escaped destruction by submarine Pintado (SS-387) on 12 December 1944, in South China Sea off Luzon, 15°30'N, 119°50'E, and damage Coast Defense Vessel No.54 north of Calayan Island, Luzon Channel, 19°25'N, 121°25'E.

Atlantic
Command designated Naval Forces Germany (Admiral Robert L. Ghormley) is established with headquarters at Rosneath, Scotland.

  16 December, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Dace (SS-247) lays mines off French Indochina.

Submarine Finback (SS-230) in attack on Japanese convoy, sinks transport Jusan Maru I-Go about 50 miles northwest of Chichi Jima, 27°24'N, 141°04'E.

British submarine HMS Stoic, despite presence of escort, sinks Japanese gunboat Shoei Maru west of Sunda Strait, 05°45'S, 104°43'E.

TF 38 planes sink Japanese merchant cargo ship Oryoku Maru, escorted by destroyer Momo and submarine chaser Ch 60, in Subic Bay, 14°45'N, 120°13'E; aviators are unaware that Oryoko Maru is carrying over 1,600 Allied POWs (one of whom is Commander Francis J. Bridget, former commander of the Naval Battalion on Bataan in 1941-1942, who is killed). Those POWs who survive the ordeal of the loss of Oryoku Maru will be again helpless and unwitting victims of U.S. planes at Takao, Formosa, on 27 December 1944 and 9 January 1945. When the draft of POWs reaches its ultimate destination, Moji, Japan, only 497 of the original 1,600+ men remain.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Niblack (DD-424) fires first of three shore bombardment missions she will carry out between 16 and 19 December; she targets troop concentrations, rail lines, barracks, and motor convoys. Motor torpedo boat PT-310, in company with a British motor torpedo boat, attacks four north-bound F-lighters a mile off Point Sestri; the allied craft claim one F-lighter probably sunk and one damaged.

  17 December, Sun. 1944

Pacific
Motor torpedo boat PT-84 is damaged by suicide plane off Mindoro, 12°19'N, 121°04'E.

Japanese Coast Defense Vessel No.19 is damaged by aircraft south of Cam Ranh, French Indochina.

Mediterranean
U.S. and British motor torpedo boats and armed British trawlers, attack eight-ship convoy in vicinity of Mesco Point; they claim three F-lighters sunk.

  18 December, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Third Fleet (Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.) encounters a typhoon 180 miles northeast of Samar. Destroyers Hull (DD-350), Monaghan (DD-354), and Spence (DD-512) are sunk, 14°57'N, 127°58'E. Destroyer escort Tabberer (DE-418), which herself sustains storm damage, rescues 41 Hull survivors and 14 from Spence (remaining men will be rescued on 20 December). Ships that suffer varying degrees of damage include small carriers Cowpens (CVL-25), Monterey (CVL-26), Cabot (CVL-28), and San Jacinto (CVL-30); escort carriers Altamaha (CVE-18), Nehenta Bay (CVE-74), Cape Esperance (CVE-88), and Kwajalein (CVE-98); light cruiser Miami (CL-89); destroyers Dewey (DD-349), Aylwin (DD-355), Buchanan (DD-484), Dyson (DD-572), Hickox (DD-673), Maddox (DD-731), and Benham (DD-796); destroyer escorts Melvin R. Nawman (DE-416), Tabberer )DE-418), and Waterman (DE-740); oiler Nantahala (AO-60); and fleet tug Jicarilla (ATF-104).

Motor torpedo boat PT-300 is damaged by kamikaze off Mindoro, 12°19'N, 121°05'E.

Other Japanese casualties include auxiliary submarine chaser Keisho Maru sunk by aircraft, Nagoya, Japan; merchant ship No.1 Nikko Maru sunk by TF 38 aircraft, 14°48'N, 120°16'E; and merchant ship Hokko Maru is damaged by aircraft, Changchia Chow.

Europe
U.S. freighter Steel Traveller is mined in the Schelde River, and sunk; survivors are rescued by French destroyer La Combattante. There are no casualties among the 26-man Armed Guard, but two of the ship's 45-man merchant complement perish.

  19 December, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Redfish (SS-395), despite presence of escorting destroyers, sinks Japanese carrier Unryu 200 nautical miles southeast of Shanghai, China, 28°19'N, 124°40'E. Redfish is damaged in the resultant depth charging, and is forced to terminate her patrol.

PB4Y-1s (VPB 104) attack Japanese convoy in South China Sea, and sink transport Shinfuku Maru, which had survived attack by submarine Segundo (SS-398) on 6 December 1944, 30 miles west of Manila, 13°40'N, 115°50'E.

USAAF P-51s (14th Air Force) attack Japanese shipping at Hong Kong and sink cargo ship Hida Maru, 22°17'N, 114°10'E.

Aircraft sink army cargo ship No.3 Hiroshi Maru in Kurils, 44°56'N, 147°39'E.

  20 December, Wed. 1944

Pacific
Organized Japanese resistance ends on Leyte.

Submarine Sealion (SS-315) damages San Fernando-bound Japanese supply ship Mamiya in the South China Sea about 450 miles northeast of Cam Ranh Bay, French Indochina, 17°48'N, 114°09'E, and escapes the attention of escorts, destroyer Kari and Coast Defense Vessel No.17 (see 21 December).

Dutch Mitchells sink Japanese netlayer Shoeki Maru in Flores Sea, 07°00'S, 120°00'E.

Atlantic
Tank landing ship LST-359 is sunk about 440 miles southwest of Cape Finisterre, 42°04'N, 19°08'W, and destroyer escort Fogg (DE-57) damaged, 43°02'N, 19°19'W, by German submarine U-870.

  21 December, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Off Mindoro, kamikazes damage destroyer Foote (DD-511), 11°05'N, 121°20'E, and tank landing ships LST-460 and LST-749, 11°13'N, 121°04'E. Off Panay, freighter Juan de Fuca is crashed by a suicide plane; the explosion and resultant fire kills 2 and wounds 14 of the 65 embarked Army troops, as well as wounds 2 of the 27-man Armed Guard. Juan de Fuca, although damaged, continues on to Mindoro (see 31 December).

Submarine Sealion (SS-315) carries out second attack on Japanese supply ship Mamiya, and sinks her in the South China Sea, 17°55'N, 114°11'E.

Mines damage Japanese escort vessel Amakusa 680 miles from Kanameiwa and gunboat No.2 Hiyoshi Maru off Etorofu.

  22 December, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Tank landing ship LST-563 sinks after grounding off Clipperton Island.

Destroyer Bryant (DD-665) is damaged by kamikaze off Mindoro, 12°00'N, 121°00'E.

Submarine Flasher (SS-249) attacks Japanese convoy in the South China Sea, and sinks fleet tanker Omurosan Maru and merchant tankers Otowasan Maru and Arita Maru about 250 miles north of Cam Ranh Bay, French Indochina, 15°07'N, 109°05'E.

Submarine Tilefish (SS-307) sinks Japanese torpedo boat Chidori southwest of Omaezaki, 34°33'N, 138°02'E.

USAAF B-24s attack Japanese shipping off north Borneo, sinking small cargo vessels Nitto Maru, Sumiyoshi Maru, Kanju Maru, Kojin Maru, and Hashiro Maru and damaging Chosiu Maru.

RAF and Dutch Mitchells attack Japanese shipping off Koepang, Timor, sinking cargo vessel Nanyo Maru.

Mediterranean
Destroyer Gleaves (DD-423) is damaged by shore battery fire as she shells German troop concentrations on the Franco-Italian border.

  23 December, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Blenny (SS-324), despite proximity of escort vessel, sinks Japanese merchant tanker Kenzui Maru off San Fernando, 16°40'N, 120°16'E.

  24 December, Sun. 1944

Pacific
TG 94.9 (Rear Admiral Allan E. Smith) follows USAAF bombing raid on Iwo Jima by shelling airstrips and other installations there; destroyers Case (DD-370) and Roe (DD-418) sink Japanese fast transport T.8, 25°10'N, 141°00'E, and landing ship T.157, 24°47'N, 141°20'E.

Submarine Barbero (SS-317) sinks Japanese submarine chaser Ch 30, 02°45'N, 110°53'E, and damages transport Junpo Maru, 01°10'N, 108°20'E (see 25 December 1944).

USAAF B-25s sink Japanese fishing boat Shinei Maru off Timor.

Aircraft sink Japanese army cargo ship Goro Maru, Yangtze River.

Japanese tanker Ryusho Maru is damaged by grounding, 14°28'N, 109°07'E.

Europe
U.S. freighter Timothy Bloodworth, anchored at Antwerp, Belgium, and awaiting formation of a convoy to proceed to the United States, is damaged when one V-1 or V-2 rocket bomb explodes overhead and a second lands nearby. There are, however, no casualties among the 41-man merchant complement, the 26-man Armed Guard and one passenger.

  25 December, Mon. 1944

Pacific
Naval Air Station, Samar, is established.

Submarine Barbero (SS-317) attacks Japanese convoy and sinks transport Junpo Maru 130 miles west-southwest of Kuching, Borneo, 00°51'N, 108°08'E.

British submarines HMS Trenchant and HMS Terrapin sink auxiliary minesweeper Reisui Maru, cargo vessel No.23 Hinode Maru, and auxiliary sailing vessel Wakamiya Maru in Strait of Malacca, 03°19'N, 99°45'E.

TF 38 aircraft attack Japanese shipping off Masinloc, sinking landing ship T.113, 15°30'N, 119°55'E.

USAAF B-24s sink small Japanese cargo vessels Chokyu Maru and Sumiei Maru off Sandakan, Borneo, and badly damages Asahi Maru and Nichifuku Maru.

U.S. freighter Robert J. Walker is torpedoed by German submarine U-862 in the Tasman Sea, 36°35'S, 150°43'E; Armed Guard 20-millimeter gunfire explodes a second torpedo, but a third hits the ship and causes irreparable damage. Two of the ship's 42-man merchant complement are killed. The ship is then abandoned and sinks (see 26 December).

  26 December, Tue. 1944

Pacific
Japanese "Intrusion Force" (Rear Admiral Kimura Masanori), consisting of heavy cruiser Ashigara, light cruiser Oyodo, three destroyers and three escort destroyers, approaches Mindoro to bombard the beachhead. USAAF B-25s, P-38s, P-40s, and P-47s and Navy PB4Ys and PBMs successively attack the force. These damage Ashigara (near-misses), Oyodo, destroyers Asashimo, Kiyoshimo, and Kasumi, and escort destroyers Kaya and Kashi. Kimura's force carries out its bombardment mission, then encounters U.S. motor torpedo boats; PT-77 is damaged, probably accidentally bombed by friendly aircraft. Subsequently, PT-223 sinks the already damaged Kiyoshimo off San Jose, 145 miles south of Manila, 12°20'N, 121°00'E.

As the "Intrusion Force" approaches, freighter James H. Breasted is ordered to seek safety in Ilin Strait; anchoring there, she comes under fire, being damaged by shell fragments during the Japanese bombardment. The ship is later bombed by what is probably a U.S. plane, touching off her cargo of gasoline. James H. Breasted is abandoned (only one of the 33-man merchant complement requires treatment for injuries; there are no casualties to the 27-man Armed Guard) but the survivors come under friendly fire that causes no further casualties. U.S. motor torpedo boats tow the three boatsful of survivors toward shore; the freighter is later written off as a total loss.

Destroyer Fanning (DD-385) sinks Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No.7 Kyo Maru off Okinomisaki, Bonins.

Submarine Swordfish (SS-193) departs Midway for thirteenth war patrol. Contact is made with Swordfish on 3 January 1945, but she is never seen again.

USAAF B-24 sinks Japanese cargo vessel No.104 Nany_ Maru off south coast of Boeroe Island, 03°49'S, 126°51'E

Australian destroyer HMAS Quickmatch rescues the 40 merchant sailors, one passenger and the 26-man Armed Guard of freighter Robert J. Walker, that had been torpedoed and sunk in the Tasman Sea by German submarine U-862 the day before.

  27 December, Wed. 1944

Pacific
TG 94.9 (Rear Admiral Allan E. Smith) follows up USAAF strikes with cruiser and destroyer bombardment of Japanese installations on Iwo Jima and shipping offshore. Destroyer Dunlap (DD-384) is damaged by shore battery, but not before she teams with Fanning (DD-385) and Cummings (DD-365) to sink fast transport T.7 and landing ship T.132, 24°47'N, 141°20'E.

Japanese planes bomb shore positions and auxiliary shipping at Mindoro; attacks are repeated on 28, 29, and 30 December.

Submarine Baya (SS-318) locates Japanese heavy cruiser Ashigara, light cruiser Oyodo, and destroyers Asashimo and Kasumi, part of the "Intrusion Force" on its return passage to Cam Ranh Bay. Baya's attack (12°51'N,113°27'E), however, is unsuccessful.

Submarine Barbero (SS-317) is damaged by aerial bomb, Lombok Strait, 08°20'S, 115°55'E, and returns to base on starboard shaft only.

Japanese cargo ship Daicho Maru is sunk by accidental bomb explosion, Batavia, Java, 06°06'S, 106°53'E.

  28 December, Thu. 1944

Pacific
Japanese air attacks commence against Mindoro-bound TG 77.11 (Captain George F. Mentz); kamikazes crash tank landing ship LST-750 and U.S. freighters William Sharon and John Burke. John Burke, carrying ammunition, explodes, the cataclysmic blast damaging auxiliary Porcupine (IX-126) and motor torpedo boat PT-332. There are no survivors from among John Burke's 40-man merchant complement and 28-man Armed Guard. Fragments from John Burke also hit freighter Francisco Morozan 100 yards away, wounding three of that ship's merchant complement. William Sharon, set afire by the kamikaze and gutted by fires that are ultimately controlled, is abandoned, the survivors transferring to destroyer Wilson (DD-408), whose assistance proves invaluable in extinguishing the blaze that has consumed the freighter. Salvage vessel Grapple (ARS-7) later tows the merchantman to San Pedro Bay for repairs. LST-750, hit subsequently by aerial torpedo, is consequently scuttled by destroyer Edwards (DD-619), 09°01'N, 122°30'E. Enemy air attacks continue the following day.

Submarine Dace (SS-247) attacks Japanese convoy, sinking supply ship Nozaki off Cape Varella, French Indochina, 12°36'N, 109°38'E, and damaging Chefoo Maru.

USAAF B-24 sinks Japanese motor sailboat No.38 Tachibana Maru off Flores Island.

  29 December, Fri. 1944

Pacific
Submarine Hawkbill (SS-366) sinks Japanese merchant Lighter No.130 in Java Sea, 05°35'S, 113°29'E.

Europe
German submarine U-772 attacks convoy TBC 21 in the English Channel, 50°28'N, 02°28'W. Freighter Arthur Sewall is torpedoed and the explosion in the engine room kills one man and wounds 5; there are no casualties among the 29-man Armed Guard. Towed to Weymouth, England. Arthur Sewall is later written off as a total loss. Freighter Black Hawk is also a victim of a torpedo from U-772; the blast wounds four of the ship's 41-man merchant complement (one of whom dies later) but there are no casualties among the 27-man Armed Guard. Black Hawk is abandoned, the survivors being taken on board British corvette HMS Dahlia. Towed subsequently to Warboro Bay, England, Black Hawk is written off as a total loss.

  30 December, Sat. 1944

Pacific
Japanese air attacks continue on Mindoro-bound convoy; kamikazes damage destroyers Pringle (DD-477), 12°18'N, 121°01'E, and Gansevoort (DD-608), 12°21'N, 121°02'E; motor torpedo boat tender Orestes (AGP-10), 12°19'N, 121°04'E; and auxiliary Porcupine (IX-126), 12°21'N, 121°02'E. Porcupine is ultimately scuttled by Gansevoort. Freighter Hobart Baker is sunk by bombs off Mindoro, 12°17'55"N, 121°04'47"E; two of the 26-man Armed Guard are wounded and of the ship's 38-man merchant complement, there are one dead and one wounded. Also off Mindoro, freighter Francisco Morozan is damaged when kamikaze is shot down by U.S. fighter and explodes over the ship; there are, however, no casualties to the 38-man merchant complement and the 29-man Armed Guard.

Submarine Razorback (SS-394) attacks Japanese Manila-to-Takao convoy about 60 miles southeast of Formosa, sinking destroyer Kuretake in Bashii Channel, 21°00'N, 121°24'E, and damaging cargo ships Brazil Maru and _i Maru.

USAAF B-25s, A-20s and P-40s (5th Air Force) attack Japanese shipping in approaches to Lingayen Gulf, off coast of Luzon, sinking Coast Defense Vessel No.20, 6°30'N, 120°18'E; submarine chaser Ch 18 off Santiago Island, and army cargo ships Aobasan Maru, Muroran Maru, and Teikai Maru north of San Fernando, 17°18'N, 119°25'E.

  31 December, Sun. 1944

Pacific
U.S. freighter Juan de Fuca is torpedoed by Japanese plane about 20 miles off Mindoro, and runs aground off Ambulong Island; there are no casualties among the 41-man merchant complement and the 27-man Armed Guard (see 1 January 1945).

British submarine HMS Shakespeare attacks Japanese convoy and sinks merchant cargo ship Unryu Maru east of Port Blair, 11°40'N, 093°15'E.

During December (date unspecified), car float YCF-42 founders in heavy weather, 34°47'N, 75°5'W.

Atlantic
USAAF heavy bombers pound Hamburg; in the massive raid, German submarine U-906, minesweeper M 445 and cargo vessels Faro, Mannheim and Rival are sunk.

Footnotes

[1] The most probable cause of Scorpion's loss is her striking a mine, in either the Yellow or East China Seas. She is listed as overdue, presumed lost, on 6 March 1944.

[2] During the last half of February 1944, ZP-42 blimps, operating from Brazilian bases, located and aided in the recovery of some 450 tons of baled rubber, part of Rio Grande's cargo.

[3] SERVRON 10 was based at Majuro (February-May 1944), Eniwetok (June-September 1944), Ulithi (October 1944-April 1945), and Leyte-Samar, P.I. (May-August 1945), during the war. At the height of its activities, the squadron controlled 609 vessels at five fleet anchorages.

[4] Delhi Maru is on her maiden voyage as a "Q-ship," her conversion having been completed 14 January.

[5] U-129 and U-516 are surprised at this fueling rendezvous as well, but both escape.

[6] Bowfin identifies the escort for the tanker as what she believes to be ex-Stewart (DD-224), which had been salvaged by the Japanese and commissioned as the unnamed Patrol Vessel No.102 (see 19 February 1942).

[7] Buchanan was proceeding independently from Purvis Bay to Espiritu Santo when directed to the scene of the torpedoing of Cache.

[8] Grayback is listed as overdue, presumed lost, on 30 March 1944. If the Japanese account for a definite "kill" on that date is accepted, then the attribution for the sinking of naval transport Ceylon Maru on 27 February at 31°45'N, 127°45'E, for Pogy is questionable. Commonly given credit for the sinking, Pogy did not report any such attack in her patrol report for that date. Grayback could have been damaged and continued her patrol, sunk Ceylon Maru, and then succumbed to the effects of the damage inflicted on 26 February.

[9] Trout is reported as overdue, presumed lost, on 17 April 1944.

[10] Karatsu will never return to active service. She is one of four ships intentionally sunk to block the channel through the entrance of the breakwater off Manila in February 1945.

[11] Suiten Maru was raised on 12 July and re-entered active service.

[12] She was repaired in time to participate in the Marianas campaign.

[13] Fortunately, five LSTs in the Hawaiian Operating Area were uncommitted to other operations and were assigned to the force that would invade the Marianas in mid-June.

[14] No.8 Shonan Maru escaped from Saipan on 23 June and reached Manila on 1 July.

[15] Only one merchantman, Inari Maru, reached Japan.

[16] She is listed as overdue, presumed lost, on 26 July.

[17] Phelps moors alongside the battle damage repair ship Phaon (ARB-3) soon thereafter, in such a manner to permit the destroyer to continue to carry out her fire support duties!

[18] After U.S. forces capture Guam, the wreck of Nichiyu Maru is demolished with explosives sometime between 27 and 30 July.

[19] Among those lost with Robalo is her commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Manning M. Kimmel, one of the sons of Rear Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, who had been Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet on 7 December 1941.

[20] Heavy guns at St. Mandrier (nicknamed "Big Willie") consisted of turrets taken off French battleship Provence, sistership to Lorraine.

[21] Submarine Perch (SS-313) loses contact with Escolar on 17 October, after which point Escolar is never heard from again. The most likely cause of Escolar's loss is her striking a Japanese mine about 17 October between 33°44'N., 127°33'E. and 33°44'N., 129°06'E., the site of minefields laid in 1943 and 1944. She is listed as overdue, presumed lost, on 27 November.

[22] Subsequently, the Navy charters the ship and renames her Triana (IX-223) and she is used as a floating storage facility.

[23] Exernsteine was taken into U.S. Navy service and commissioned 24 January 1945 as miscellaneous auxiliary Callao (IX-205). Bureau of Ships used the ship for experimental work into 1950.

[24] She is listed as overdue, presumed lost, on 27 November.

[25] Houston's service career proved short after her repairs, but Canberra, converted and reclassified as a guided missile heavy cruiser (CAG-2), went on to participate in the Vietnam War between 1965 and 1968.

[26] Whitehurst would evantually portray the fictional USS Haynes in the 1957 motion picture "The Enemy Below."

[27] Submarine Ray (SS-271) may have torpedoed Caroline Maru as well.

[28] Not since 1942 has a Japanese submarine successfully attacked a ship operating with a fast carrier task force. High winds and heavy seas from a nearby typhoon complicate the task of saving Reno, but "skillful seamanship, courage, and the unremitting effort of all of those remaining on board" allow her to reach Ulithi on 11 November.

[29] I 37 is on a kaiten mission at the time, bound for the Palaus, when she is reported missing on 20 November.

[30] Since both submarines expended five kaitens between them (four from I 47 and one from I 36) and none of the kaiten crews survived, no possibility exists of confirming which submarine should be credited with sinking Mississinewa.

[31] Shinano, converted from a Yamato-class battleship, is on her maiden voyage when she encounters Archerfish. She will be the largest warship sunk by any of the combatants' submarines during World War II.

[32] Three years to the day earlier, Ward (Lieutenant William W. Outerbridge) fired on a Japanese midget submarine attempting to gain entrance into Pearl Harbor. In a remarkable coincidence, Commander Outerbridge is O'Brien's commanding officer when she scuttles Ward.

[33] Rear Admiral Arthur D. Struble, commanding TG 78.3, consequently shifted his flag from the damaged Nashville to destroyer Dashiell (DD-659).

[34] Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., will be promoted to fleet admiral after the conclusion of hostilities.

[35] Dragonet, on her maiden war patrol, eventually managed to clear the reef, and after a passage fraught with difficulty (including, at one point, a 63-degree port list), reached Midway on 20 December 1944.

[36] Lack of evidence militates against establishing the definite cause for Swordfish's loss. She (1) is sunk by Patrol-Escort Vessel No.4 on 5 January 1945 off Torishima, Bonin Islands (29°25'N, 141°07'E, or (2) strikes a mine (12,000 had been laid in four fields in that area between January and June 1944) in the Okinawa area after 9 January 1945. She is listed as overdue, presumed lost, on 15 February 1945.