January 27, 1944 - Thursday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea

January 24th: At sea all day; at noon, east of Finschafen, New Guinea.  Escorting transports to Cape Gloucester, New Britain.  Temperatures 80s, light to moderate winds.

January 25th: At sea all day; at noon, in Vitiaz Strait. Escorting transports to Cape Gloucester, New Britain.Temperatures 80s, light to moderate winds. 

January 26th:  At sea all day; at noon, south of Finschafen, New Guinea.  Returning to Buna Roads, New Guinea after completion of escort operation   Temperatures 80s, light to moderate winds.

January 27th: Anchored all day.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

-------------------------

A Navy task force moves further up the north coast of New Guinea, and shells the town of Madang, about 5- miles northwest of Saidor.

Preparations for the invasion of the Marshall Islands continue as Pacific Fleet task forces converge and attack Japanese air forces in the islands.

Fighting continues in Italy at the Anzio beachhead and at  Monte Cassino.  The siege of Leningrad was finally and fully lifted after over 28 months.

-------------------------

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 434-437. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 187-215.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 366-399.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 275-278.
  
• Events of January, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, January 1944
  

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 31ST

 

January 27, 1864 - Wednesday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Granger's Corps - Sheridan's Division - Wagner's Brigade

General Sheridan's brigade is at Loudon, TN on Jan 24th.  There remains great uncertainty whether Longstreet's Confederate army is preparing to attack or not.  This results in various sets of orders, but by the 27th, Sheridan's men are still at Loudon.  General Foster, who has been in overall command in East Tennessee despite a severe leg wound, is relieved as commander on the 27th.

Sherman  continues to organize his Mississippi expedition, and numerous parts of the army in Western Tennessee and Mississippi are in motion.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part II, Correspondence, pp. 192-244.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 140.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 862-923.
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 1-38.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 442-462.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-418.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 31ST

 

January 23, 1944 - Sunday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea

January 20th: Anchored all day at Buna Roads, New Guinea; temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

January 21st: Anchored until 9 PM, then underway, escorting landing ships.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

January 22nd:  At sea all day.  Temperatures 80s-90s, light winds.  At noon, 20 mile south of Finschafen, New Guinea.  Completed escort duty, returned to Buna, New Guinea.

January 23rd: Anchored until 7 PM, then underway, escorting transports to Cape Gloucester, New Britain.

-------------------------

Preparations for the invasion of the Marshall Islands continue  Attacks continue on Rabaul; these slowly degrade the port's defenses.

Landings are made at the Anzio beachhead in an attempt to flank the German troops fighting at  Monte Cassino; despite an unopposed landing, Allied forces move forward too slowly and become bogged down in the marshes of the area.

-------------------------

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 433-434. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 187-215.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 366-399.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 275-278.
  
• Events of January, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, January 1944
  

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 27TH

 

January 23, 1864 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Granger's Corps - Sheridan's Division - Wagner's Brigade

 On the 20th, General Granger is ordered to move his corps through Knoxville toward Sevierville, TN. The army is retreating from Strawberry Plains to Knoxville, then plans to move southeast from Knoxville once the situation becomes clearer.  There is more food and forage in that area. 

 On the 22nd, General Foster writes that he has diverted Granger's corps to the west of the city, to protect cities there and also the railroad.  He is ordered to remain there on the 23rd, and go into winter quarters.

Sherman has returned to Memphis and continues to organize his Mississippi expedition, and reports that he expects to be ready for the advance from Vicksburg by the 25th.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part II, Correspondence, pp. 149-192.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 140.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 862-923.
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 1-38.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 442-462.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-418.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 27TH

 

January 19, 1944 - Wednesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea

January 16th: Moored all day at Milne Bay, New Guinea.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

January 17th: Underway for several hours mid-day, otherwise anchored.  Moved north to anchor at Buna Roads, New Guinea, from Milne Bay.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

January 18th:  Anchored all day.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

January 19th: Anchored all day.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

 Furious fighting is continuing in New Guinea, including at Saidor where Daly supported the recent landings.  This is a short pause before more landings are conducted in the area.

-------------------------

Preparations for the invasion of the Marshall Islands continue; mining operations continue near several islands in the chain  Attacks continue on Rabaul; these slowly degraded the port's defenses.

The Battle of Monte Cassino begins; for the next four months an intense battle will be fought for the city of Rome and the surrounding areas. 

Soviet forces broke the Siege of Leningrad by opening a land bridge to the city, then continue on the offensive against the German forces.

-------------------------

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 431-433. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 187-215.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 366-399.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 275-278.
  
• Events of January, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, January 1944
  

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 23RD

January 19, 1864 - Tuesday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Granger's Corps - Sheridan's Division - Wagner's Brigade

Granger's Corps arrives at Dandridge, TN on the 17th.  Food and forage is more available here, and the plan is to press Longstreet's Confederate army as much as possible.  Rumors have it that Longstreet has been reinforced and is advancing toward Knoxville.  There are some smaller fights on the 17th.

Longstreet appears to be advancing, and Union forces move back west toward Knoxville.  Wagner's brigade, with the 40th Indiana, returns to Strawberry Plains, TN on the 18th. 

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part II, Correspondence, pp. 109-149.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 140.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 862-923.
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 1-38.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 442-462.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-418.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 23RD

 

January 15, 1944 - Saturday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea

January 12th: Anchored all day at Cape Sudest, New Guinea; temperatures 80s, light winds.

January 13th: Anchored all day at Cape Sudest, New Guinea; temperatures 80s, light winds.

January 14th:  Underway for a few hours mid-day; temperatures 80s, light to moderate winds.  Sailed to Milne Bay, New Guinea, arrived mid-afternoon.

January 15th:  Moored all day.  Temperatures 80s, light to moderate winds.  Fueling mid-day.

-------------------------

Preparations for the invasion of the Marshall Islands continue; mining operations continue near several islands in the chain  Attacks continue on Rabaul; these slowly degraded the port's defenses.

Fighting continues in Italy around Monte Cassino; US troops continue fighting along the Gustav Line.

Soviet forces begin the final push for breaking the siege of Leningrad with the Leningrad-Novgorod Offensive. 

-------------------------

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 430-431. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 187-215.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 366-399.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 275-278.
  
• Events of January, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, January 1944
  

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 19TH

January 15, 1864 - Friday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Granger's Corps - Sheridan's Division - Wagner's Brigade

The difficulties of supply continue for the troops in East Tennessee.  Granger's Corps is ordered to Dandridge, TN, on the French Broad River, in order to find more food for soldiers and animals until supplies can be sent from Chattanooga.  By January 15th, they have almost completed the movement from Strawberry Plains.

General Grant has also ordered this corps to be returned to Chattanooga as soon as it can be safely done.  Meanwhile, Grant gives Sherman the required authorizations to make his march from Vicksburg into Mississippi, and Sherman, moving down river, continues to prepare.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part II, Correspondence, pp. 71-109.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 140.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 862-923.
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 1-38.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 442-462.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-418.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 19TH

January 11, 1944 - Tuesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea

January 8th: At sea after 11 AM.  At noon, off New Guinea coast north of Buna.  Temperatures 80s to low 90s, light winds.  En route to Saidor, escorting more landing ships to the area.

January 9th: At sea all day; at noon, in Vitiaz Strait, northeast of Saidor, New Guinea.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.  Proceeding in afternoon  to escort LSTs back to Cape Sudest area.

January 10th:  At sea all day; at noon, southwest of Finschafen, New Guinea.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.  Anchored at Cape Sudest at midnight.

January 11th:  Anchored all day.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

-------------------------

Preparations for the invasion of the Marshall Islands continue; mining operations continue near several islands in the chain  A bomber raid was made on Kwajalein on the 11th, sinking two ships.

Soviet troops continue forward in Ukraine; they have crossed the pre-war Polish border.  Fighting continues in Italy around Monte Cassino; US troops continue fighting along the Gustav Line.

-------------------------

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 428-430. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 187-215.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 366-398.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 275-278.
  
• Events of January, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, January 1944
  

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 15TH

January 11, 1864 - Monday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Granger's Corps - Sheridan's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

Granger's division remains at Strawberry Plains, TN, and the officers of the division forward appeals to higher commanders for a reliable supply of food and other supplies such as clothing and shoes.  Short rations have been frequent since after the Battle of Chickamauga.  General Sheridan on the 11th also describes these hardships including lack of blankets, reporting that blankets for the division were stolen in Knoxville.

Sherman has reached Memphis and continues to plan his move into Mississippi.  Grant has left Knoxville and moved into Kentucky.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part II, Correspondence, pp. 42-71.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 140.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 862-923.
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 1-32.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 442-462.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-418.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 15TH

January 7, 1944 - Friday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea

January 4th: At sea until 2 PM, moored thereafter.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.  At noon, approaching Buna, New Guinea.  Moored near Cape Sudest, Destroyer Squadron 24 flag and administration transferred to Daly.

January 5th: Fueling in morning.  Underway at 11 AM.  Temperatures 80s, light winds. At noon, at sea north of Buna.

January 6th:  At sea all day; at noon,  approaching Saidor, New Guinea.  Temperatures 80s, light winds. Escorting returning LSTs from Saidor back to Buna.

January 7th:  At sea until 11 AM. moored in afternoon; proceeding to Cape Sudest to anchor at Cape Sudest.  Temperatures 80s, light winds. 

-------------------------

Preparations for the invasion of the Marshall Islands continue; mining operations are done near several islands in the chain  The invasion will take place at the end of January.

Soviet troops continue forward in Ukraine; they have crossed the pre-war Polish border.  Fighting continues in Italy around Monte Cassino; US troops attack the Gustav Line.

-------------------------

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 426-428. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 187-212.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 366-398.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 275-278.
  
• Events of January, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, January 1944
  

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 11TH

January 7, 1864 - Thursday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Granger's Corps - Sheridan's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

Grant remains in Knoxville until the 6th, and orders that in addition to pushing back Longstreet's Confederate, a move into Virginia at Abingdon and Saltville be commenced.  Granger's corps will not be part of this initially, but will remain at Strawberry Plains, TN.   Grant leaves Knoxville and goes to Kentucky through the Cumberland Gap.

Sherman continues to plan his expedition in Mississippi while moving down the Mississippi toward Memphis.  Railroads to supply Chattanooga and East Tennessee are nearing completion.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part II, Correspondence, pp. 21-42.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 140.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 862-923.
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 1-32.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 442-462.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-417.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 11TH

January 3, 1944 - Monday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea

December 31st: Underway at 9 AM for Buna Roads, New Guinea; temperatures 80s-90s, light winds.  Stopped for fueling at about 10 AM.  Underway again late evening escorting LSTs to Saidor, New Guinea.

January 1st: At sea all day, temperatures 80s, light winds.  Continuing to Saidor, conducting anti-submarine operations.  Went to General Quarters late evening.

January 2nd:  At sea all day, temperatures 80s, light to moderate winds.  Reached Saidor, New Guinea, early morning; patrolling near landing area as bombardment force shells the landing zone.

January 3rd:  At sea all day, temperatures 80s, light to moderate winds.  Patrol continuing as landings are accomplished.  At Saidor all day.

-------------------------

On the 2nd, US troops were landed at Saidor, on the north coast of New Guinea.  This landing was to gain the airfield there, but also to leapfrog the Japanese forces at Sio, New Guinea, about 66 miles to the east, also on the north coast.   Sio was later captured, and the Japanese troops had to march overland all the way to Madang, 65 miles west of Saidor.

Preparations for the invasion of the Marshall Islands continue and several carrier strikes are conducted.  The invasion will take place at the end of January.

Soviet troops continue forward in Ukraine; they are nearing the pre-war Polish border.  Fighting continues in Italy around Monte Cassino.

-------------------------

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 424-426. 
• Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 187-212.
• Breaking the Bismarcks Barrier, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 366-398.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 275-278.
  
• Events of December, 1943 
• Events of January, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, December 1943
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, January 1944
  

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 7TH

January 3, 1864 - Sunday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Granger's Corps - Sheridan's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

Weather at this time is very cold and icy.  Troops on both sides who lack for adequate clothing, especially shoes, suffer badly from the harsh conditions.  The cold at this time has penetrated deep into the south, and Confederate armies are as subject to the cold as those of the Union are.

By January 3rd. Sherman has reached Cairo, IL, and begins to move down the Mississippi River, dodging ice in the river as he goes.  He continues to plan the invasion of Mississippi to destroy railroads and industry.

General Grant arrives on December 31st at Knoxville.  Grant meets with General Granger at Strawberry Plains on the 3rd.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXI, Chapter XLIII, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 542-.571.
• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part II, Correspondence, pp. 1-21.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 137-140.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, Shelby Foote, pp. 862-923.
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 1-32.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 442-462.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-417.
  
• Events: 1863
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 7TH