February 23rd, 1944 (WEDNESDAY)
UNITED KINGDOM: Chelsea, London: Mr. Anthony Smith (1899-1964), Heavy Rescue Service, dug a man out of the basement of a bombed and blazing block, and helped save another in a building next door. (George Cross)
Aircraft carrier HMS Vengeance launched.
GERMANY: A Mosquito of No. 692 Squadron RAF dropped a 4,000-lb bomb on Düsseldorf. This is double the original bombload of the Mk IV. To carry this large device, the bomb-bay is bulged. (22)
U-485 commissioned.
ITALY: General Lucian Truscott takes full command of VI Corps at Anzio, replacing General Lucas.
MARIANAS ISLANDS: Units of the US 5th Fleet attack the Marianas Islands. Including Saipan, Tinian, Rota and Guam.
Glen Boren continues his
diary:
Headed back to Majuro harbor.
CANADA:
Yard craft HMC HC 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316 ordered.
Boom defense vessels HMC HC 288, 289, 294, 295, 299 ordered.
U.S.A.:
Destroyer USS Alfred A Cunningham laid down.
Submarine USS Sea Poacher laid down.
Destroyer USS Samuel N Moore launched.
Minesweeper USS Gladiator commissioned.
Destroyer USS Richard P Leary commissioned.
Destroyer escort USS Osmus commissioned.
ATLANTIC OCEAN: