April 28, 1944 - Friday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

April 25th:  In port at Seeadler Harbor all day, temperatures 80s-90s, light winds.

April 26th:  On submarine patrol outside harbor all day after 7 AM; temperatures 80s, light winds.

April 27th: Proceeding back to the Hollandia area to participate in anti-aircraft screen outside Humboldt Bay; temperatures 80s, light winds.

April 28th: Remained on station in anti-aircraft screen; temperatures 80s, light winds.  Mail delivery in morning.

Fighting in New Guinea would continue for many weeks at several areas along the coast including Aitape, Wewak, and Hollandia.  Japanese forces had been successfully separated, and suffered significant losses without being able to consolidate.  

Air strikes were also being conducted further up the coast, as General MacArthur had plans to be at the Philippines by November.

------------------------- 

In the Central Pacific, the main focus is aerial photography of the islands of Guam, Saipan, and Tinian in the Marianas.  As with most of the Pacific islands, maps were outdated and locations of reefs and other obstacles had to be defined before invading. 

Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 475-476. 
• New Guinea and the Marianas, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 58-96, 157-169.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 281-306.
  
• Events of April, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, April 1944

NEXT POST:MAY 2ND

 

The invasion at Aitape and Hollandia was completed with less than the expected resistance.  Hollandia (modern-day Jayapura) was intended to be a main Japanese base and a large amount of supplies were captured.  This location instead became an important staging area for the US push west across New Guinea.

April 28, 1864 - Thursday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Howard's Corps - Newton's Division - Wagner's Brigade

General Grant has delayed the attacks to May 4th in the east, and May 5th in the west.  The armies of Schofield, coming from East Tennessee, and McPherson, coming from the west across Northern Alabama, are hurrying into position.  Cavalry, due to the lateness of obtaining enough horses and equipment, are coming in later than the infantry. General orders for the conduct of the coming campaign are issued by the commanders.

Sherman has determined that due to a significant portion of McPherson's troops being unavailable, that he will not attempt the flanking maneuver on the Confederate left that he had previously ordered.  Instead, he will gather all three of his armies in the area south of Chattanooga and move forward from there.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 487-531.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 151.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 318-320.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 247-292.
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 79-103.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 462-484.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-494.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  MAY 2ND

April 24, 1944 - Monday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

April 21st:  Patrolling all day until late evening, when Daly joined Task Force 77.2, the main attack group for the landings at Hollandia.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

April 22nd:  Reached Humboldt Bay (Hollandia) and executed both land bombardments and firing on Japanese ships and barges until about noon.  Patrolling outside the bay in the afternoon.  Altogether fired 571 5-inch shells in various bombardments in the morning.  At 6 PM left the invasion area for Seeadler Harbor in the Admiralty Islands.  Temperatures 80s, light winds with some breezy periods.

April 23rd: Entered Seeadler harbor and moored next to a tanker to receive fuel, completing fueling at 5 PM.  Moored for the rest of the day.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

April 24th: Remained in Seeadler Harbor all day.  Temperatures 80s-90s, light winds.

The invasion at Aitape and Hollandia was completed with less than the expected resistance.  Hollandia (modern-day Jayapura) was intended to be a main Japanese base and a large amount of supplies were captured.  This location instead became an important staging area for the US push west across New Guinea.

------------------------- 

In the Central Pacific, the main focus is aerial photography of the islands of Guam, Saipan, and Tinian in the Marianas.  As with most of the Pacific islands, maps were outdated and locations of reefs and other obstacles had to be defined before invading. 

Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 473-475. 
• New Guinea and the Marianas, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 58-90, 157-169.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 281-306.
  
• Events of April, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, April 1944

NEXT POST: APRIL 28TH

April 24, 1864 - Sunday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Howard's Corps - Newton's Division - Wagner's Brigade

Final orders have come from General Grant that all armies are to move forward about May 1st.  Sherman is attempting to concentrate his forces in the Chattanooga area; Thomas with the larger center force, will face the main part of the Confederate army at Dalton, GA.  A smaller force under General McPherson will move from the west and try to pass the Confederates on the southwest and get behind them.  Another smaller force under Schofield will threaten the Confederate right flank.  

Howard's corps will be part of the center and will move up from the current location around Cleveland, TN to join Thomas near Dalton.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 436-487.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 150-151.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 318-320.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 247-292.
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 79-103.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 462-484.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-494.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 28TH

April 20, 1944 - Thursday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

April 17th:  Anchored all day; temperatures 80s, light winds.

April 18th:  At sea after 1 PM.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

April 19th: At sea all day; temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.  At noon, in Bismarck Sea, south of Manus Island.  Moving toward a rendezvous with Task Force 77, to join in the invasion of Hollandia, New Guinea, with landings also at Aitape, New Guinea..

April 20th: At sea all day; temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.  At noon, northwest of Manus Island.  Daly in Task Force 75; sighted other task forces near Manus Island.

The invasion at Aitape and Hollandia is scheduled for the next two days and several task forces are involved, including Navy carriers and a large number of troop transports.  This invasion is leapfrogging over several Japanese garrisons further east on the northern New Guinea coast.

------------------------- 

In the Central Pacific, the main focus is aerial photography of the islands of Guam, Saipan, and Tinian in the Marianas.  As with most of the Pacific islands, maps were outdated and locations of reef and other obstacles had to be defined before invading. 

Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 471-473. 
• New Guinea and the Marianas, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 58-63, 157-169.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 281-293.
  
• Events of April, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, April 1944

NEXT POST: APRIL 24TH

April 20, 1864 - Wednesday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Howard's Corps - Newton's Division - Wagner's Brigade

 Howard's corps is mostly at Cleveland, TN as of the 20th.  They are on their way to rejoin the Army of the Cumberland under General Thomas.

General Grant suspends prisoner exchanges with the Confederacy until exchanges are made in equal numbers.  Grant, partly due to recent events at Fort Pillow, insists on including black prisoners equally with whites.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 385-436.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 150.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 318-320.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 247-292.
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 79-103.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 462-484.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-494.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 24TH

 

April 16, 1944 - Sunday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

April 13th:  Anchored all day; temperatures 70s-90s, light winds.

April 14th:  Anchored all day; temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

April 15th: Underway 5 AM to 3 PM, moved to Buna, New Guinea with other destroyers and cruisers.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

April 16th: Anchored nearly all day; temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.  Fueling late morning, received ammunition in the afternoon.

------------------------- 

In the Central Pacific, the main focus is aerial photography of the islands of Guam, Saipan, and Tinian in the Marianas.  As with most of the Pacific islands, maps were outdated and locations of reef and other obstacles had to be defined before invading.  

In New Guinea, preparations are almost complete for the invasion on April 22nd at Hollandia (now Jayapura).  Navy fleet carriers will be present for a few days to cover the landings.

Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino. Soviet forces take Yalta, Crimea.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 470-47. 
• New Guinea and the Marianas, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 58-63, 157-169.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 281-293.
  
• Events of April, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, April 1944

NEXT POST: APRIL 20TH

April 16, 1864 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

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

Wagner's brigade is relieved of duty in East Tennessee, and will start its return to the Chattanooga area on the 16th.  The 40th Indiana has, or will soon rejoin the brigade.   General John Newton is assigned to replace General Sheridan in command of the division. also on the 16th.

The disaster at Fort Pillow causes the relief of the commanding officer of the department, and a new general is ordered to Memphis to take command.  The command of General McPherson, en route to Chattanooga, is ordered to divert to western Tennessee to find and attack Forrest.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 340-385.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 150.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 318-320.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 247-292.
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 79-103.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 462-484.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-494.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 20TH

April 12, 1944 - Wednesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

April 9th:  In company of several other destroyers, Daly is enroute to Hansa Bay, New Guinea to bombard islands and shore areas.  This is part of a distraction that is being created to draw attention from the intended target at Hollandia and the planned invasion of the 22nd.  Destroyers fire all day on several numbered target areas.  Army bombers also attack the area.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

April 10th:  The bombardment operation being finished, the destroyers return to Milne Bay, New Guinea.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

April 11th: In port all day, changed location in late morning.  Received ammunition in the evening.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

April 12th: Anchored in port all day.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

------------------------- 

In the Central Pacific, the main focus is aerial photography of the islands of Guam, Saipan, and Tinian in the Marianas.  As with most of the Pacific islands, maps were outdated and locations of reef and other obstacles had to be defined before invading.  

In New Guinea, preparations are almost complete for the invasion on April 22nd at Hollandia (now Jayapura).  Navy fleet carriers will be present for a few days to cover the landings.

Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino. Soviet forces continue advancing in Ukraine, capturing Odessa and cities in the Crimea.  The German army begins to leave Crimea.  General DeGaulle becomes Commander of Free French forces.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 468-470. 
• New Guinea and the Marianas, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 58-63, 157-169.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 281-293.
  
• Events of April, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, April 1944

NEXT POST: APRIL 16TH

April 12, 1864 - Tuesday - 160 years ago today

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

On the 12th, Forrest's Confederate cavalry surrounds Fort Pillow, on the Mississippi near Henning, TN.  The subsequent Battle of Fort Pillow remains controversial to this day.  Forrest routed the Union troops, a significant portion of whom were black.  There were many reports of the killing of black Union troops while they were trying to surrender.  A congressional committee investigated,. concluding that many men were in fact shot after surrendering.  

General Howard takes command of the Fourth Army Corps, and inspects Wagner's division (this may be what was Sheridan's division, as Sheridan has left) on the 12th.  It is unknown if the 40th Indiana has yet returned from furlough. 

General Grant begins to send orders for the simultaneous advances of the Union armies in the spring campaign, planned to begin in May.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 304-340.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 149-150.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 318-320.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 247-292.
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 79-103.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 462-484.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-494.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 16TH 

 

April 8, 1944 - Saturday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

April 5th:  In port morning and evening, with training exercises during middle of the day.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

April 6th:  In port all day.

April 7th: Out to sea in the morning; conducting various exercises for the entire day; radar, gunnery, damage control, torpedo attack, night battle, and smoke generation.  Still out of port at midnight.  Temperatures 70s, light winds most of day but near gale force (Beaufort scale 7) winds overnight.

April 8th: Continued exercises until mid-morning, then entered port.  Fueling in early afternoon.  Left port in the evening for exercised during the night.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

Routine days at Milne Bay; training intensifying while waiting for next action.

------------------------- 

Small raids and occupation of islands in the Marshalls continue, as does planning for the invasion of the Marianas, and the attack on Hollandia (Jayapura) in New Guinea.

Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino. Soviet forces continue advancing in Ukraine, and begin to enter Romania.  Fighting begins in Crimea.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 467-468. 
• New Guinea and the Marianas, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 58-63, 157.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 281-293.
  
• Events of April, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, April 1944

NEXT POST: APRIL 12TH

April 8, 1864 - Friday - 160 years ago today

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

The 40th Indiana is likely still on furlough during this time.

Confederate cavalry under Forrest are on the move again per reports.  Union forces continue searching for him.

Orders come on the 5th relieving General Granger and placing General O. O. Howard in charge of the corps.  General Sheridan is also leaving command of his division.

Longstreet's Confederate army is ordered to Virginia, and so will pose no further threat to East Tennessee.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 260-304.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 148-149.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 318-320.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 247-292.
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 79-89.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 462-474.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-466.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 12TH 

April 4, 1944 - Tuesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

April 1st:  In dry dock all day for repairs.  Temperatures 70s, light winds.

April 2nd:  In dry dock all day for repairs.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

April 3rd: Out of dry dock in the morning, gunnery practice in the afternoon.  Returned to anchorage in the evening.  Temperatures 70s-90s, light winds.

April 4th: Anti-submarine exercises in the afternoon, returned to anchorage in the evening.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

Routine days at Milne Bay waiting for next action.

------------------------- 

Small raids and occupation of islands in the Marshalls continue, as does planning for the invasion of the Marianas, and the attack on Hollandia (Jayapura) in New Guinea.

Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino. Soviet forces continue advancing in Ukraine.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 466-467. 
• New Guinea and the Marianas, Samuel Eliot Morison, pp. 58-63, 157.
• War at the End of the World, James P. Duffy, pp, 281-293.
  
• Events of April, 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, April 1944

NEXT POST: APRIL 8TH

April 4, 1864 - Monday - 160 years ago today

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

The 40th Indiana is likely still on furlough during this time.

Confederate cavalry under Forrest seem to be near Jackson, TN.  Union forces continue to search for them on all their possible lines of movement.

Sherman is able to supply his army but is unable to accumulate supplies for the coming campaign.  He considers not using the railroad to transfer troops or cattle so as to allow for other supplies to reach the front.

General Schofield is now convinced that Longstreet's Confederates are moving to  Virginia and is working to confirm this.

As part of a larger shakeup of Sherman's command, General Granger is ordered to be removed from command of his corps, in favor of General O. O. Howard.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 213-260.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 148.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 318-320.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 247-292.
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 79-89.
  
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 462-474.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-466.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  APRIL 8TH