December 13th, 1944 (WEDNESDAY)
UNITED KINGDOM:
Submarine HMS Votary commissioned.
Minesweeper HMS Polaris launched.
NORTH SEA: In the Kattegat, the broad arm of the North Sea between Sweden and Denmark, ten RAF Bomber Command lay mines during the night of 13/14 December.
FRANCE: Nine French Gestapo members were sentenced to death in Paris today. They included Henri Lafont, aged 42, a former car salesman, who was in charge of the infamous Gestapo headquarters in the Rue Lauriston, and his associate, the former police inspector Pierre Bony, who won a reputation as a brilliant detective during the 1934 Stavisky affair. The trial had lasted for 12 days, and the court heard horrifying tales of torture, murder and extortion. There were originally 12 accused, but one died of diabetes during the trial and two were sentenced to life imprisonment.
The U.S. Third Army III Corps accepts the surrender of last of the Metz forts--Jeanne d'Arc. In the XII Corps area, the 35th Infantry Division strengthens its hold across the Blies River; the 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, undergoes German counterattacks in Habkirchen, beginning early in morning, and is forced back toward the river; the 3d Battalion joins in the battle for Habkirchen; a battalion of the 320th Infantry Regiment crosses the Blies River at Bliesbruck and takes Hill 321; a small force from the 137th Infantry Regiment crosses north of Habkirchen but is pinned down.
In the U.S. Seventh Army's XV Corps area, the 44th Infantry Division begins a struggle for Fort Simershof, near Hottviller, which is barring the forward movement. In the VI Corps area, the 14th Armored Division attacks between the 103d and 79th Infantry Divisions, Combat Command A taking Soultz-sous-Forets. The 79th Infantry Division completes the capture of Seltz and overruns Niederroedern.
NETHERLANDS: The British Second Army starts regrouping for an offensive to clear the region between the Maas and the Rhine Rivers. XXX Corps, which will at first be employed, turns over its sector and troops to XII Corps.
During the day, 13 RAF aircraft attack the German E-boat pens at Ijmuiden.
GERMANY:
In the U.S. Ninth Army's XIX Corps, area, the 30th Infantry Division, in limited attacks, clears most of region between Inde and Roer Rivers.
In the U.S. First Army's VII Corps area, the 104th Infantry Division reaches the Roer River on a 4-mile (6,4 kilometer) front. The 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division, finishes clearing Derichsweiler. This virtually ends the current mission of the corps. The V Corps opens an offensive for the Roer and Urft dams, employing the 78th Infantry Division (untried as yet in combat), 2d Infantry Division, and 99th Infantry Division. The 78th Infantry Division is held up near Kesternich. the 2d Infantry Division is slowed by obstacles and German fire in the center of corps. The 99th Infantry Division attacks in Monschau Forest and gains preliminary objectives.
The U.S. Third Army draws up plans for an air-ground assault on the West Wall. In the XX Corps area, the 90th Infantry Division prepares for an all-out effort to take the rest of Dillingen on 15 December, regrouping and building up supplies. The 95th Infantry Division makes very slight progress in the Saarlautern bridgehead, although elements of the 2d Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, are committed with the 377th Infantry Regiment to guard the bridge.
Two hundred fifty USAAF Ninth Air Force A-20 Havocs, A-26 Invaders, and B-26 Marauders hit a supply dump at Schleiden, plus defended positions in several villages and marshalling yard at Euskirchen. Fighters escort the 9th Bombardment Division, fly night bombing missions, attack targets in the Cologne area, and support the XX Corps in the Dillengen-Saarlautern bridgehead area, and the XII Corps in the Habkirchen-Bliesbruck area along the Blies River on France.
U-2355 launched.
NORWAY: During the night of 13/14 December, RAF Bomber Command dispatches 52 Lancasters and seven Mosquitos to attack the German cruiser Koln berthed in Oslo Fjord but, when the bombers reach the fjord, the Koln has been moved to another location. Other ships are bombed by 47 aircraft instead but the results are not observed.
HUNGARY: Forward elements of the Red Army's Second Ukrainian Front thrust to within 6 miles (9,7 kilometers) northeast and 8 miles (13 kilometers) east of Budapest.
ITALY: In the U.S. Fifth Army's British XIII Corps area, the 61st Brigade of the 6th Armoured Division attacks and gets additional elements into Tossignano. The 36th Brigade of the 78th Division begins an attack for Parocchia di Mt. Maggiore, during the night of 13/14 December, but is unable to reach the top and withdraws at dawn.
In the British Eighth Army's Canadian I Corps area, the 1st Division maintains a bridgehead across the Naviglio Canal against severe German counterattacks.
Weather again hampers operations. USAAF Twelfth Air Force fighters and fighter-bombers attack mainly occupied areas and buildings in the battle area south of Bologna, communications throughout the central Po River Valley, and coastal defense and antiaircraft guns south of La Spezia.
ARCTIC OCEAN: U-365 sunk in the Arctic Ocean east of Jan Mayen, in position 70.43N, 08.07E, about 247 nautical miles (457 kilometres) north-northwest of Bodø, Norway, by depth charges from two Swordfish Mk. III aircraft (Sqn 813/L/Q) from the British escort carrier HMS Campania (D 48). 50 dead (all hands lost).
CHINA: Two USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells bomb the town of Wuming.
BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command, the 114th Regiment, Chinese 38th Division, breaks through the northern defenses of Bhamo and is pushing into the central part. In the Tonk-wa area, the U.S. 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special) quickly repels a Japanese attack.
Twelve USAAF Tenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells bomb the storage and personnel area at Mongmit and seven P-47 Thunderbolts damage the approach to the Hay-ti road bridge while four support U.S. infantry forces near Tonkwa. Supply areas, personnel, Japanese-held buildings, vehicles, and general targets of opportunity are hit by 60+ fighter-bombers at several places including Hosi, Longkin, Kyauktaing, Tigyaing, Kantha, Man Pwe, and Konnyaung.
Six USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells severely damage the warehouse rea at Hsenwi, Burma.
FRENCH INDOCHINA: Twenty four USAAF Fourteenth Air Force P-51 Mustangs and P-38 Lightnings hit the town of Bac Ninh and the rail yards at Phu Lang Thuong.
THAILAND: USAAF Fourteenth Air Force P-51 Mustangs and P-38 Lightnings damage a bridge at Chiengmai.
JAPAN: The USAAF Twentieth Air Force's XXI Bomber Command flies Mission 12: 90 B-29 Superfortresses from the Mariana Islands are dispatched to attack the Mitsubishi aircraft engine plant at Nagoya; 71 hit the primary target causing considerable damage as bombing accuracy is improved; nine others hit alternate targets; they claim 4-1-0 Japanese aircraft; four B-29s are lost.
VOLCANO ISLANDS: Fifteen USAAF Seventh Air Force Guam Island-based B-24 Liberators bomb Iwo Jima Island. During the night of 13/14 December, six B-24 Liberators make individual harassment raids against Iwo Jima Island from Saipan and Guam Islands.
COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: As U.S. Seventh Fleet task groups move west through the Mindanao Sea, covered by escort aircraft carrier aircraft of USN Task Unit 77.12.7, which make a few air strikes. This task unit consists of the escort aircraft carriers USS Kadashan Bay (CVE-76) with Composite Squadron Twenty (VC-20), Manila Bay (CVE-61) with VC-80, Marcus Island (CVE-77) with VC-21, Natoma Bay (CVE-62) with VC-81, Ommaney Bay (CVE-79) with VC-75 and Savo Island (CVE-78) with VC-27. USS Nashville (CL-43) and escorting destroyer USS Haraden (DD-585) receive damage from a kamikaze strike. They are part of the escort for landings tomorrow on Mindoro. Since Nashville is the force flagship, numerous casualties occur among high ranked officers. 138 casualties in total.
Destroyer USS Haraden entered the Sulu Sea while escorting escort carriers, and were attacked that day by four Japanese aircraft. Haraden assisted in downing three of the raiders, but the fourth dived for the destroyer. Trailing smoke from hits by Haraden's gunners, she crashed into the destroyer's side, putting her forward engine room out of commission and severely damaging her topside. As Haraden lay dead in the water, USS Twiggs came alongside to help and the destroyer was soon underway on her own power. She arrived at San Pedro Bay 14 December 1944 and transferred her casualties 14 killed and 24 wounded. Steaming on toward the United States via Hawaii, she arrived at Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Washington on 14 January 1945 for battle repairs.
From the Action Reports of the USS Allen M. Sumner that supported the landings:
At 1010 13 December formed cruising disposition M-IV. At 1548 USS NASHVILLE hit by suicide bomber; observed dense cloud of black smoke followed by flames in vicinity of number one stack. Went to General Quarters, increased speed and fishtailed. From 1507 to 1900 many bogies reported by ships of the formation. At 1756 sighted Jap plane bearing 125º T., distant six (6) miles with two (2) P-38s on his tail. One P-38 set Jap port wing on fire with machine guns. The Jap then put his plane in a left turn and dive, and dove for a destroyer in the screen in about station number 16. On the way down he dropped his bomb. Machine gun fire caused the plane to miss and crash astern by 200 yards. At 1758 opened fire with main battery on Jap Betty, bearing 260º T., range 5 miles. crossing bow from port to starboard.
Plane turned left and was engaged by CAP which shot him down bearing 340º T., distant about 8 miles. This plane caught fire on crashing. At 1812 a low flying Jap plane was sighted, being engaged by six or eight planes of the CAP which first set him on fire and then splashed him bearing 340º T., distant about 6 miles at 1814. At 1813 another low flying Jap plane was engaged by two (2) planes of the CAP and splashed by them one minute later bearing 349º T., distant about 3 miles. This plane bounced off the water two or three times at altitudes of about 50 feet, then dropped its right wing and crashed. All Japs were twin engine bombers. At 1815 possible periscope reported by USS BARTON. At 1816 headed for periscope at flank speed. Investigation showed object to be ends of poles used by native fishermen. At 1851 fired at Jap plane, no results. At 1935 secured from General quarters. From 1935 13 December to 1630 14 December all quiet except for occasional bogey reports from ships of the formation. (Ron Babuka)
In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 32d Infantry Division makes limited progress southward; the southern-most elements are isolated from the main body and out of food. A Japanese counterattack, during the night of 13/14 December, penetrates the command post of the 126th Infantry Regiment. The Japanese are driven back before dawn. The 2d Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, again attempts to take the ridge southeast of Limon but cannot advance. In the XXIV Corps area, the 305th Infantry Regiment, making the main effort of the 77th Infantry Division, is held up in the Cogon area, north of the Antilao River on Highway 2 just north of Ormoc, where the Japanese are strongly entrenched and hold a blockhouse strongpoint. A special Task Force under Colonel Paul L. Freeman, consisting of Companies E and L, is unable to take the blockhouse by storm. The 306th Infantry Regiment assists the 305th with fire. The 307th Infantr y Regiment, on the left flank, drives west along the Ormoc-Linao road and takes Linao. Japanese positions in the Cogon area are shelled during the night of 13/14 December. The 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, starts northeast from Ormoc Bay in an effort to make contact with the 11th Airborne Division moving west.
USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24 Liberators bomb Carolina and Talisay Airfields on Negros Island and B-25 Mitchells bomb San Roque Airfield on Mindanao Island. Other B-25s and B-24s on reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity in the Sulu Archipelago.
EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25 Mitchells bomb Haroekoe Drome on Haroekoe Island off Ambon Island; Amahai Airfield on Amahai Island south of Ceram; Old Namlea Airfield on Buru Island; and Liang Airfield on Ambon Island. B-25 Mitchells, P-38 Lightnings, and P-47 Thunderbolts on small raids hit shore positions at Galela Bay on Galela Island, while covering an attempted rescue of a downed pilot by a PT boat, and bomb the Goeroea supply area in the Moluccas Islands.
MARCUS ISLAND: Three USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24 Liberators from Saipan Island, on an armed reconnaissance mission, bomb Marcus Island. The island is located in the North Pacific about 768 nautical miles (1 422 kilometers) west-northwest of Wake Island and is used as a refueling point for Japanese aircraft en route to the Central Pacific.
CANADA:
Frigate HMCS Carlplace commissioned.
U.S.A.: Minesweeper USS Fancy commissioned.
ATLANTIC OCEAN: During an air attack on U-636, the machine gun exploded, wounding four crewmembers.