 Disaster Strikes - a B-17 inadvertently flies under another plane dropping bombs. The bombs tear off the tail |
Project 60: A Day-by-Day Diary of WWII
Remembering the First Fight Against Fascism |
 British soldiers from the US 5th Army cross a pontoon bridge over the Volturno River |
Heavy fighting between the British 78th
Division and the 16th Panzer Division continues at Termoli, bringing
the advance of the British 13th Corps (8th Army) to a
halt. Elements of the US 25th
Division land on Kolomabangara in the Solomon Islands meeting no opposition.
That night the 600 man Japanese garrison is evacuated from Vella Lavella by a
force of six destroyers. They encounter three US destroyers. Both sides lost one
ship sunk and the Americans withdrew when their other two ships were damaged. Red Army forces launch a fresh
offensive in the north capturing Nevel. In the south, the Soviets pause to bring
up supplies and consolidate their recently gained bridgeheads over the Dniepr
River. Royal Navy forces intercept a convoy of
German transports heading for Cos. The entire force of seven transports are
sunk. Fighting between the 16th
Panzer Division and the British 78th Division at Termoli ends as the
Germans pull back behind the Trigno River. The entire US 5th Army has
reached the Volturno River and begin preparations for crossing the river. The German 17th Army completes the evacuation of the Kuban Peninsula moving across the Strait of Kerch into the dubious safety of the Crimean Peninsula. 225,000 German and Rumanian soldiers and 27,000 civilians made the withdrawal. US 5th Army forces capture
Portelandalfo, Italy. Soviet forces approach Gomel capturing
Dobrush. October 11, 1943 The Red Army forces capture Novobelitsa near Gomel. The US 5th Army begins its
assaults on the Volturno River line. The British 10th Corps operating
along the coast makes little progress, being faced by determined German
counterattacks. Lucas’ US 6th Corps makes more progress but poor
weather and determined resistance limits advances. The newly formed Italian government
declared war on Germany and Italian troops began entering the line to fight
their former German allies. The American 8th Air Forces
launches the disastrous raid against the ball-bearing works at Schweinfurt. 291
B-17 Flying Fortresses, flying without fighter escorts, did limited damage to
the factory complex. The Americans lost 60 bombers shot down and another 120
were damaged beyond repair. Because of this disaster, it was decided to end all
unescorted daylight bombing raids over Germany. Zaporozhye is captured by Soviet
forces. German forces resist Red Army attacks at Melitopol as the German rail
line into the Crimea is cut. The US 5th Army attacks along the Volturno River continues as the British 10th Corps established a bridgehead over the river. Allied attacks in Italy and Russia continue to gain ground. Vatutin’s forces launch attacks out
of the Bukrin bridgehead south of Kiev. The attacks are met by several German
panzer divisions. Fighting is severe. German forces begin an organized withdrawal from Volturno River as the US 5th Army offensive grinds forward. Soviet forces shatter the Dniepr River
line defenses with attacks near Kremenchug. Japanese forces attempt to strike back
in New Guinea launching serious air raids against Oro Bay and ground attacks
against Finschafen. Both result in serious losses and failure for the Japanese
forces involved. The US 5th Army takes Liberi
and Alvignano. The German raider Michel is sunk by the American submarine Tarpon. In it’s career of three years, the armed merchant sunk 17 ships. The British 8th Army, after a brief
rest period to regroup and resupply, launches its offensive toward the Trigno
River while the US 5th Army captures Gioia. 1941 Archive: 1942 Archive: 1943 Archive: Special Editions: Editor's Corner Archive: Hitler's Angel "The story of Prescott Bush and his association with the Nazis begins just before the end of World War I..." The Past Through Tomorrow "It is quite frightening to realize just how similar our nation’s actions have been and appear to be heading when compared this way..." Afghanistan and Vietnam: When the “war against terrorism” began, many knowledgeable people warned that our operations in Afghanistan would turn into another Vietnam. Want to Win - Think Before You Lash Out - "If we are serious about taking the war to the enemy, it is time to look ..." The First Fight Against Fascism - We must remember the Spanish Civil War also. Arguing Victory - "... Each nation who fought against fascist tyranny in WWII brought with it part of whole needed to defeat that evil..." War, Glory, Honor and Remembrance - "War is a brutal and savage insult on human society..." The First
Casualty... in time of war, those in power are even more inclined to
hide the truth, since that truth is often manifest in the most gruesome and
terrible acts. Those wishing to contribute items. stories or comments should contact D.A. Friedrichs |