May 14, 1944 - Sunday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

May 11th:  Underway for a few hours in the early morning for anti-aircraft practice, otherwise anchored.  Fueling in the afternoon.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

May 12th: Moored most of the day with some more anti-aircraft drills; temperatures 80s, light winds.

May 13th: Moored all day; temperatures 80s-90s, light winds.

May 14th: Anchored all day; temperatures 80s-90s, light winds.

There is a short interlude while preparations are made for the next New Guinea advance, to the Wakde area, scheduled for a few days hence.

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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. 

------------------------- 

In the Central Pacific, the focus was now mostly on gathering forces for the invasion of the Mariana Islands, with Guam, Saipan and Tinian being the main island targets.  This operation was slated to begin in mid-June.

US Navy operations continue in the Marshall Islands against atolls where Japanese troops remain.

Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino. The fourth and final assault in the Monte Cassino area was underway.  In the next few weeks, Rome would be captured, but an opportunity was lost to cut off and surround a large German force.

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More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 481-482. 
• 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 May, 1944
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, May 1944

NEXT POST:  MAY 18TH

 

May 14, 1864 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

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

General Howard issues orders for the disposition of his troops in front of Rocky Face Ridge.  They get into the position where they will remain as the rest of the army moves south to flank the Confederate left.  They will feign a direct attack, and should they be attacked by a superior force, the will move back to Ringgold, GA and defend the town.

 On the 12th, a Confederate raiding party moved toward General Newton's position but moved back eastward and no larger engagement occurred.  Further south, General Sherman issues orders to advance toward Resaca the next day.

On the 13th it is discovered that Johnston's Confederate army has evacuated Dalton, GA late on the 12th, and Howard's corps is able to enter the town early on the 13th.  General Howard throws troops and cavalry forward and searches for the rest of the army.  

By the 14th, Howard is south of Dalton and attempting to connect with Schofield's troops.  Howard orders a move to Tilton, GA early on the 14th.  In the evening of the 14th, Howard's left division is attacked, but after heavy fighting, all three of Howard's divisions are able to hold their positions, and is now on the left of the reunited army.

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

Virginia Campaign

Lee is waiting for the Union troops at Spotsylvania Court House, and another large and bloody battle is fought on May 12th.  There are several thousand casualties on both sides.  An initial Union success was pushed back as Lee added troops to his lines.  A planned Union attack on the 14th does not occur, mostly due to heavy rains; as of the 14th, the armies remain in place near Spotsylvania.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXVIII, Chapter L, Part IV, Correspondence, pp. 132-189.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 158-160.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 323-334.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 299-302
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 145-169.
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 551-557.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 500-503.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  MAY 18TH

 

May 10, 1944 - Wednesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

May 7th:  In port all day at Seeadler Harbor.  Temperatures 80s-90s, light winds.

May 8th: Outside the harbor from 8 AM to 11 AM for gunnery practice, otherwise moored.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

May 9th: Underway at 8 AM to patrol outside harbor for the rest of the day.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

May 10th: Anchored at 2 PM after patrolling in the morning.  Temperatures 70s-80s, light winds.

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

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. 

------------------------- 

In the Central Pacific, the focus was now mostly on gathering forces for the invasion of the Mariana Islands, with Guam, Saipan and Tinian being the main island targets.  This operation was slated to begin in mid-June.

Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino. The fourth and final assault in the Monte Cassino area was underway.  In the next few weeks, Rome would be captured, but an opportunity was lost to cut off and surround a large German force.

Soviet forces began what would be the final attack on Sevastopol, Crimea, that resulted in the capture of the city.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 480-481. 
• 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 May, 1944
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, May 1944

NEXT POST:  MAY 14TH

May 10, 1864 - Tuesday - 160 years ago today

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

Newton's division is at Catoosa Springs, GA on the morning of the 7th as the initial battle of the Atlanta Campaign is about to begin.  Newton is ordered to capture the north end of Rocky Face Ridge with one regiment, with a brigade in support.  The objective is a signal station on the ridge; Newton's troops do not reach it, and at 6:05 PM are ordered to camp and link up with General Wood's division.  

Orders for tomorrow are for Newton, at 6 AM,  to go up the eastern slope of the ridge in an attempt to attack the Confederate right flank.  Harker's brigade will attempt the attack.  Wagner's brigade is to be ready at 5:30 AM in support.  Newton's division at the end of the day controls some of Rocky Face Ridge and is ordered to try to carry the rest of the ridge on the 9th.

The advance on the 9th finds the ridge heavily defended and there is almost no progress.  At the end of the day the division is ordered to hold their positions.  Wagner's brigade is sent into the valley east of the ridge to connect with the right of Schofield's army.

About 10 miles to the south, the Union's third army under General McPherson has come through the ridges and out into the valley at Snake Creek Gap.  This army is therefore behind the Confederate army which is dug in around Dalton, GA.  McPherson is planning to attack at Resaca, GA soon.  Sherman is convinced that this will cause the Confederates to leave Dalton and move south.

McPherson's attack at Resaca is not successful, and he consolidates at Snake Creek Gap.  Reinforcements had arrived from other areas of the Confederacy and stopped McPherson in front of Resaca.

On the 10th, orders are given that Howard's corps will continue to threaten Rocky Face Ridge from the west instead of the north, and much of the rest of the Union forces will move south to meet McPherson and force a battle or a Confederate retreat.

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

Virginia Campaign

After the Battle of the Wilderness and its sizable Union casualties, General Grant has made his decision; he will continue south toward Richmond and keep the pressure on Lee's Confederate army.  Early on the 7th he issues the order to move to Spotsylvania Court House, 12 miles southeast of the Wilderness battlefield.  Lee has expected this move, and is racing to get there ahead of Grant.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXVIII, Chapter L, Part IV, Correspondence, pp. 55-132.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 155-159.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 318-323.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 296-299
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 129-145.
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 537-551.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 496-500.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  MAY 14TH

May 6, 1944 - Saturday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

May 3rd:  Patrolling all day at Humboldt Bay, New Guinea.  Investigated submarine contact that turned out to be a large log.   Temperatures 80s, light winds.

May 4th:  Again patrolling at Humboldt Bay for most of the day before beginning return to the Admiralty Islands.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

May 5th: Returned to Seeadler Harbor, Admiralty Islands in the afternoon.  Heavy rain decreased visibility to 500 yards when entering harbor.  Moored in the evening.  Temperatures 80s, light breezes.

May 6th: In port all day, changing berths several times.  Received ammunition in the afternoon.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

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

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. 

------------------------- 

In the Central Pacific, the focus was now mostly on gathering forces for the invasion of the Mariana Islands, with Guam, Saipan and Tinian being the main island targets.  This operation was slated to begin in mid-June.

Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino. The fourth and final assault in the Monte Cassino area was underway.  In the next few weeks, Rome would be captured, but an opportunity was lost to cut off and surround a large German force.

Soviet forces began what would be the final attack on Sevastopol, Crimea, that resulted in the capture of the city.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 478-480. 
• 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 May, 1944
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, May 1944

NEXT POST:  MAY 10TH

May 6, 1864 - Friday - 160 years ago today

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

Newton's division (with 40th Indiana) is under way to Catoosa Springs, GA, on the 3rd, to join the center Army of the Cumberland,  The entirety of Howard's 4th Army Corps will form the left of General Thomas's front.  By noon on the 4th, they are in position, with picket lines established. 

General Schofield's Army of the Ohio is following just behind. and will form the left of the combined armies south of Red Clay, approaching Dalton.  

On the 5th, orders come for the initial attack;  Howard's corps will advance on the tunnel just east of Tunnel Hill, GA in a coordinated attack.  Newton's division will move out last, and serve as the reserve, while also moving toward, and connecting with, Schofield's right.  Advance is expected on the 7th.

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

In the east, the Battle of the Wilderness was fought from May 4th through the 6th.  The Union army suffered many casualties, and its lines were nearly broken.  In the end, it was a stalemate with the Union having suffered many more casualties.   Grant now faced a decision; whether to turn back as the eastern Union army often had after defeats, or to continue to move forward despite the losses.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXVIII, Chapter L, Part IV, Correspondence, pp. 20-55.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 153-155.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 318-323.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 293-296
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 124-128.
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 500-536.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-496.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  MAY 10TH 

May 2, 1944 - Tuesday - 80 years ago today

Status - John Skinner - USS Daly: 

USS Daly (DD-519) -New Guinea 

April 29th:  Patrolling continued in the Hollandia area for most of the day; in the evening Daly joined with other ships and moved west in formation.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

April 30th:  A cruiser-destroyer group including Daly has moved up to the next invasion target on the New Guinea coast, the Wakde area, to execute a bombardment.  What the US forces referred to as Wakde was a large island Insoemoar, and a small island nearby.  These islands were about 130 miles west of Hollandia, just off the New Guinea coast.  Bombardment of the islands was done in the early morning, with patrols nearby continuing during the day, and return to Hollandia in the evening.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

May 1st: Patrolling around Humboldt Bay near Hollandia all day.  Temperatures 80s, light winds.

May 2nd: Again patrolling at Humboldt Bay, New Guinea, all day. Temperatures 80s, light winds.

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

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. 

------------------------- 

In the Central Pacific, an attack on Truk (Chuuk) Lagoon is made by a US carrier force; only a few ships remain and so not many are sunk, but most of the remaining Japanese aircraft there are destroyed. Bombardments continue in areas of the Caroline Islands while preparations continue for the Marianas invasion.

Fighting continues in Italy at Anzio and at Monte Cassino.

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

More Information:

• Official Navy Chronology, pp. 476-478. 
• 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 
• Events of May, 1944
  
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, April 1944
• Logbooks of the US Navy at the National Archives, USS Daly, DD-519, May 1944

NEXT POST:  MAY 6TH

 

 

 

 

 

May 2, 1864 - Monday - 160 years ago today

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

Newton's Second Division is at Cleveland, TN on April 30, and the next day is ordered to advance to Catoosa Springs, GA where they will be near the front line of General Thomas's center Army of the Cumberland.  They have only to wait for General Schofield's troops to arrive at Cleveland before moving forward.  The first march is made at midnight on the night of May 2nd.

Elsewhere the scramble continues to move all of the armies forward to their positions for the start of the campaign on May 5th.  Schofield's left wing is moving up to Cleveland as Howard's corps joins Thomas in the center.  The right wing is coming from several areas and moving to consolidate at Rossville, GA, just south of the Tennessee line, by the 5th, before moving forward.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXII, Chapter XLIV, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 532-573. 
• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXVIII, Chapter L, Part IV, Correspondence, pp. 1-19.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 151-153.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 318-323.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 293-294
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 104-123.
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 485-499.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 396-495.
  
• Events: 1864
  

NEXT POST:  MAY 6TH