Two Paths Equidistant

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

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.

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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.

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.

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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.