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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

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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