 Red Army T-34s on the attack in the Ukraine |
Project 60: A Day-by-Day Diary of WWII
Remembering the First Fight Against Fascism |
 P-51D Mustang |
Red Army T-34s on the attack in the Ukraine |
Project 60: A Day-by-Day Diary of WWII
Remembering the First Fight Against Fascism |
P-51D Mustang |
Australian forces capture Wareo in New
Guinea A US Naval force consisting of 5
battleships and 12 destroyers bombards Kwajalein Island. Soviet forces capture Znamenka and Mederovo. Chinese forces retake Changteh in Hunan. The British 8th Army crosses the Moro River in Italy. December 11, 1943 US bombers hit Emden, Germany killing 1000 civilians and leaving 12,000 homeless. Erwin Rommel is appointed to command
Army Group B. He is now responsible for organizing the "Atlantic Wall"
defenses from Holland to the Bay of Biscay. December 13, 1943 The P-51D makes its escort combat debut, escorting American bombers on a raid to Kiel. Soviet forces from the 1st (Vatutin) and 2nd (Konev) Ukrainian Fronts launch fresh attacks on the Russian front, capturing Cherkassy and advancing to Bitebsk. The Germans are also active attacking anc capturing Radomyshl (near Malin). Meanwhile, to the north, Yeremenko's Baltic Front opens attacks against Nevel. The US 112the Cavalry Regiment (US 6th
Army) lands on the Arawe Peninsula in New Britain. The new position is only 280
miles from Rabul. 483 heavy Lancaster bombers hit Berlin.
The raid hit housing and rail yards. Of the 700 dead civilians, 186 were women
and 26 children forced laborers from the east. The bombing to date has destroyed
nearly 25% of Berlin's housing. After 10 days of bitter and bloody fighting, the US 2nd Corps (5th Army) captures San Pietro in Italy. The battle was the topic of a famous documentary film by John Huston. Upon review of the film, military authorities of the day criticized it for its harsh realism and the release was cut by 40%. The full length film survives intact today and is one of the best films of its kind available today The Germans launch a counter attack at San Pietro, hitting the 36th Infantry Division. The attack is stopped cold. Four SS troopers (three Germans and one
Russian) were hung for atrocities committed during the occupation of Kharkov.
They were accused and guilty of taking part in the murder of thousands of
Russian citizens in "gas vans". 50,000
Russians turn out to witness the execution. Spanish dictator Francisco Franco
orders the "Blue Division" disbanded and returned from the Russian front to
Spain. Over 40,000 Falangists (Spanish Fascists) fought beside their German
comrades during their two years in the Soviet Union. Allied counter-intelligence forces
arrest 28 Nazi spies in Italy including the ringleader "Grammatico". RAF Bomber command hit Frankfurt with
650 bombers. The raid was detected early and 41 aircraft were lost in the raid
which did little damage to the city. The US 5th Army is heavily
engaged at Monte Sammucro. Heavy street fighting breaks out in Ortona, Italy between the German 1st Parachute Division and the 1st Canadian Division. RAF Bomber command sent 379 planes to
hit Berlin again. Bad weather and equipment failures resulted in few losses and
minimal damage to the city. The 1st Ukrainian Front (Vatutin)
opens a fresh set of attacks on the German lines west of Kiev. Berdichev is
captured. US fighter bombers hit the V-1 launch
sites in France. Of the 24 sites hit, 7 were completely destroyed. Regretably,
30 French workers were killed in one raid. Soviet forces cut the rail line between
Vitebsk and Polotsk. US naval aircraft from two carriers
raid Kavieng but succeed in sinking only one Japanese transport. Death of the Scharnorst: First
contact was made between Scharnorst and the British heavy cruiser Norfolk
at 0834 hours. Within an hour, the light cruisers Belfast and Sheffield
had also made contact with the German forces. By 0930 hours, Belfast and
Norfolk had engaged the Scharnhorst. After being hit twice, Scharnorst
broke contact, but by noon had once again turned back to the north. Contact with
the British cruisers is made shortly thereafter and a second gun battle begins. Norfolk
and Scharnhorst are both damaged and Scharnhorst once again turns
away and breaks contact. Late in the afternoon, the British battleship Duke
of York makes contact with Scharnhorst. Duke of York opens
fire at 1648 and scores several hits. Within 10 minutes the cruisers join in the
battle. The German attempts to retreat and does succeed in opening the range of
the battle. However, at 1820 hours, British destroyers hit the Scharnorst
with a torpedo, cutting her top speed to 20 knots. The British force is joined
by cruisers Jamaica and Belfast along with three destroyers. They let
loose a salvo of torpedoes which cripples the German. Scharnhorst capsized
and sank at 1945 taking all of her 1900 member crew less 36, with here to the
bottom. Elements of the US 1st
Marine Division land at Cape Cloucester on New Britain.
Little resistance was met. 1st Ukrainian Front captures Radomyshl. December 27, 1943 Allied aircraft sink the German blockade runner Alsterufer in the Bay of Biscay. 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 |