14 May 1944

ITALY: The The French Mountain Corps (North African Colonial troops from Morocco and Algeria) advance into the Ausente Valley and cross the Aurunci Mountains. This advance assists the US forces on the left flank of the French.
The 2nd French Infantry Division under General Juin, moves in the direction of the city of Liri and makes its junction with the 1st DMI, led by General d. Brosset. (Yanni Kadari)

The British XIII Corps consolidates a bridgehead over the Rapido river, and advances into the Ausente valley.

The USAAF Fifteenth Air Force dispatches just over 700 B-17s and B-24s to attack targets in Italy; B-17s hit marshalling yards at Ferrara and Mantua and an air depot at Piacenza; B-24s hit Vicenza marshalling yard and air depots at Piacenza and Reggio Emilia; fighters fly 170+ sorties in escort; 48 P-38s strafe Aviano and Villaorba airfields.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA: 14.05.44 SS Fort Fidler (7,127 GRT) Canadian-owned, British-registered merchantman and British-flagged SS GS Walen heavily damaged in the Mediterranean Sea, at 36.45N, 000.55E, when torpedoed by U-616, OLtzS Siegfried Koitschka, Knights Cross, CO. U-616 was scuttled on 17 May 44 in the Mediterranean, east of Cartagena, in position 36.46N, 000.52E, after a 3 day-long action by USS Nields, Gleaves, Ellyson, Macomb, Hambleton, Rodman, Emmons and assistance from a 'Wellington' patrol a/c from RAF 36 Sqn. All of 53 of her crewmembers survived this incident. U-616 attacked the 94-ship Port Said to Hampton Roads convoy GUS 39 on the night of 13-14 May and damaged the American tanker G.S. Walden (10,627) plus Fort Fidler. The USN mounted a massive 'swamp' ASW operation code named 'Monsterous' that employed a/c from 5 Sqns and 8 US escorts. Two Benson-class destroyers (Nields and Gleaves) from the convoy were tracking and attacking U-616 during the day on 14 May, they were joined by the assisting units. U-616 repeatedly evaded her attackers but, on 15 May, further attacks finally produced an oil slick whereafter contact was lost. Unwilling to give up the search on such evidence, the searchers stayed in the area, at 2226 on 17 May, they were rewarded when the Wellington sighted U-616 on the surface. The destroyers were vectored in on the contact. At 2359, USS Macomb illuminated the U-boat with starshell, which then crash-dived. Sonar contact was re-established at 0017 and continuous attacks finally forced U-616 to the surface at 0807 on 17 May. The crew abandoned the boat and were recovered by USS Ellyson. Only 5 hours later, U-960 attacked Ellyson off Oran. Her torpedo missed and another Swamp operation began that eventually resulted in the sinking of U-960 on 19 May.

Destroyer USS Hawkins laid down.

Submarines USS Moray and Roncador launched.

Escort carrier USS Lunga Point commissioned.