7 February 1943

Battle of Kursk

The Battle of Kursk occurred in July 1943 around the Soviet city of Kursk in western Russia, as Germany launched Operation Citadel, Hitler’s response to his devastating defeat by the Soviet Red Army at the Battle of Stalingrad. The battle was Germany’s last chance to regain dominance on the Eastern Front during World War II and would be their final blitzkrieg offensive.

Despite a massive planned assault on Soviet troops using heavy tanks, artillery and air power, postponements by German dictator Adolf Hitler gave the Soviets ample time to prepare for the onslaught. Ultimately, Germany’s plan to wipe out the Red Army once and for all failed, but not before both sides experienced heavy casualties.

World War II Today: February 7

1940
British railroads are nationalized.

1941
The Italian troops stay between Agedabia and El-Agheila.

In Libya, the British are victorious at Beda Fomm 20,000 troops of the Italian Tenth Army surrender.

General Graziani ask Mussolini for substitution as a commander of the Italian forces at North Africa, and as Libyan Governor.

1942
After just over 2 weeks of frenetic action, Rommel’s counter-offensive comes to a halt in front of the Gazala line, a series of self supporting fortified boxes running south from Gazala for 100 miles to Bir Hacheim. Although not complete, it presents too much of an obstacle for the Afrika Korps who by this time are running low on fuel and reserves.

Lt. General Percival, the commander at Singapore, says city will be held to the last man. The Japanese launch a feint landing on Pulua Ubin Island to the east of Singapore.

“Double V” campaign proposed by Pittsburgh Courier, the leading black newspaper, to fight for victory at home and abroad.

US Navy Atlantic Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Unit established at Boston, MA, under Capt. Wilder Baker.

1943
Shoe rationing begins in the USA, limiting civilians to three pairs of leather shoes per year.

802 nd Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron embarks from New York for Algeria on USS Lyon.

1944
The first operational ‘Schnorkel’ U-boat arrives in the Atlantic.

The Germans begin a full-scale counter-attack against the Anzio Beachhead.

1945
Russian attacks north of Konigsberg are blocked with the help of naval gunfire by the cruisers Scheer and Lutzow.

The Germans blow up the floodgates in the Ruhr, flooding the area West of Cologne and preventing the use of assault floating bridges by Allies.

Paraguay declared war on Germany and Japan.

The 2nd Ukrainian Front captured the southern rail station at Buda, Hungary.

History of the Nebraska Avenue Complex (NAC)

1917-1942 – Mount Vernon Seminary

Elizabeth J. Somers (The George Washington Library) The Nebraska Avenue Complex sits on a tract of land formerly known as Grassland. Grassland was the country home of Nathan Loughborough, Comptroller of the Treasury under President John Adams. Loughborough is said to be the first resident of the District of Columbia to refuse to pay property taxes under the principle of taxation without representation. Other owners include William Whitney, Secretary of the Navy under Grover Cleveland, and Robert E. Lee, Jr., son of the famous Civil War general.

Elizabeth J. Somers

In 1875, Elizabeth J. Somers founded the Mount Vernon Seminary for girls on F Street. In 1910, Somers expanded with the purchase of 15 acres of land along Nebraska Avenue. New York architect Wesley Sherwood Bessell designed the original buildings on campus that opened on October 3, 1917. Mrs. Somers’s successor, Mrs. Adelia Gates Hensley, continued the expansion and built headmistress residence Gatesly, the chapel, a field house, and gymnasium. By 1928, the school had grown to nine buildings and over 38 acres of land.

The Nebraska Avenue Complex sits on one of the highest points in Washington D.C. In 1929, work had begun on the Field House (Building 14) and the Gymnasium (Building 12). (Mount Vernon Seminary and College Archives, The George Washington University Library)

Elizabeth J. Somers Memorial Chapel

The Elizabeth J. Somers Memorial Chapel, designed by Wesley Sherwood Bessell, was constructed in 1925 as a memorial to the seminary’s founding mistress. Contrary to popular myth, the chapel never had a steeple. There is no relationship between the chapel and the steeple located at the intersection of Nebraska Avenue and Van Ness Street. (Library of Congress)

Field House

Mount Vernon students (circa 1930s) enjoyed spending their free time at the Field House at the base of the hill. This building is now the NAC cafeteria. (Mount Vernon Seminary and College Archives, The George Washington University Library)

The Main Staircase

Almost 100 years later, elements of the main building, once called the Refectory, remain on the campus. The seminary’s motto, Vincit Que se Vincit (she conquers who conquers herself) is fixed in a stone over the center entrance way. The main staircase still exists and now has a rope banister installed by the Navy. Unfortunately, the swimming pool on the lower level no longer exists. (Library of Congress)

1942-2009 – Naval Communications

Mount Vernon students left for winter break in December 1942 and never returned to the Nebraska Avenue campus. The Mount Vernon Seminary campus was pressed into military service for the Navy’s efforts to decrypt German communications. Unlike the Navy Department’s building on Constitution Avenue, the campus fit the Navy’s requirements it was located away from tall buildings settled on high ground with clear sight lines to the Pentagon, Fort Meade and other military installations and contained a group of buildings, including a dormitory, that could be immediately converted for Navy use.

The federal government formally acquired the land for $1.1 million on July 20, 1943. The Mount Vernon Seminary first moved north on Massachusetts Avenue to Spring Valley and then south to Foxhall Road where it is now the Mount Vernon Campus of George Washington University.

The newly named Naval Communications Annex became the center for many secret intelligence activities. One of the most important projects was the breaking the German Enigma cipher system. Banks of cryptanalysis machines, known as bombes, operated around the clock at the facility deciphering German code.), Members of the Women’s Reserve of the United States Naval Reserve, known as WAVES (Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service), operated most of the machines.

WAVE operates a code breaking machine known as a bombe at the Naval Communications Annex. The bombes were built in secrecy by WAVES at the National Cash Register Company in Dayton Ohio and shipped to Washington. Each 5,000 pound bombe stood seven feet high, ten feet long, and two feet deep. (National Security Agency)

In February 1944, nearly 3,000 WAVES were stationed at the Naval Communications Annex. WAVES were sworn to secrecy and told that discussion of their work outside of approved channels could mean facing the death penalty for treason. Inside the bombe decks, WAVES worked long hot hours and never knew how their individual work fit into the cryptanalysis process.

After a WAVE completed a run on her bombe (which took 20 minutes) she gave her print out to her supervisor for verification. The supervisor then took the results to the Watch Office for logging. The verified and logged results were sent via a pneumatic tube system to the cryptanalysts located in Building 2. (National Archives and Records Administration)

Due in part to the efforts of the personnel at the Naval Communications Annex, the Allies broke the German Enigma code in 1944. By May of that year, the German submarine fleet was crippled as Allied intelligence was able to decipher their communication.

Although most joint military intelligence efforts eventually relocated to Ft. Meade, Maryland, with the creation of the National Security Agency (NSA) in 1952, some elements remained at the location renamed to the Naval Security Station (NAVSECSTA). Intelligence operations continued to move to Ft. Meade between 1968 and 1995. In 1998, NAVSECSTA was renamed the Nebraska Avenue Complex (NAC).

1944 Photo photo taken of Naval Men stationed at the Naval Communications Annex in front of Artemas Ward Memorial at Ward Circle, Nebraska and Massachusetts Avenues. (Robert H. Davis)

U.S. Naval Security Station (NAVSECSTA). The ”street” names at the campus intersections reflect history including Grassland Place, Somers Court, Seminary Drive, Intelligence Way, Cryptologic Court, and Enigma Way. Wenger Street is named for Rear Admiral Joseph N. Wenger, a pioneer in the development of machines for use in cryptanalysis and later a leader in the centralization of the Navy Communications Intelligence. (National Security Agency)

2003 – Securing the Homeland

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began officially operating at the NAC on January 27, 2003. DHS selected the NAC because the large campus could accommodate a headquarters operation and the department would not need an exemption from the statutory requirement that main government agency offices be located in the District of Columbia. The Navy vacated the Nebraska Avenue Complex in 2005.

On September 12, 2002, President George W. Bush and Tom Ridge, Director of the Office of Homeland Security (OHS), toured the Nebraska Avenue Complex, future home of the Department of Homeland Security. (White House photo, Eric Draper)

During DHS’s early years at the NAC, the Building 7 and Building 88 Visitor Centers and the Vehicle Screening Building were added. The perimeter security fence, with guard booths at several entry points, was constructed to provide Level 5 security.

An exhibit of artifacts related to the founding of Homeland Security was installed in the NAC 1 lobby in 2013 to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of DHS’s move to the NAC. (DHS Photo)

In the future, many of the headquarters offices currently located at the NAC will move to the St. Elizabeth’s Campus located in southeast Washington D.C., which will become the new Homeland Security Headquarters. The NAC will continue to be a DHS occupied facility and will begin a new chapter.

President Barack Obama visited the NAC on February 2, 2015, to announce the FY 2016 Budget Request. Accompanied by Secretary Jeh Johnson, President Obama walked along Seminary Way to Building 12, the Gymnasium, where the event was held. (DHS Photo, Jetta Disco)

President Donald Trump with Vice President Mike Pence and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly while visiting DHS headquarters on January 25, 2017.

GUADALCANAL.com

- Population: Solomon Islands: approx. 477,000. Honiara: approx. 68,000.

- Ethnicities/races: Melanesian 94.5%, Polynesian 3%, Micronesian 1.2%, Other/unspecified 1.3%

- Government: parliamentary democracy

Solomon Islands Travel Guides

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Guadalcanal: Pivotal in World War II

The Pacific island of Guadalcanal is well-known for its pivotal role in World War II, with the classic "battle of Guadalcanal" becoming forever immortalized in films and books as to turning the tide in favor of the American Allies in the Pacific theater in the early 1940's.

This page attempts to give the reader an overview of the history of the island during those times.

Today, visitors to Guadalcanal can still see many classic World War II relics and monuments, in addition to its many tropical and cultural highlights not related to the war specifically.

Scroll down to see some of the organized island and military site tour operators that can show you the many facets of this Pacific island.

Keeping the History Alive!

In 2015, Diane Basilone Hawkins raised money for editing footage from Guadalcanal filmed in the exact location where Sgt. John Basilone fought and was awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II.

John Basilone went back to help train the men for the battle of Iwo Jima. Diane was carrying on his legacy to continue to help the men and women who have defended our freedoms by bringing awareness to the public that they desperately need help healing from PTSD.

The people who made contributions to the documentary helped in three ways: to keep the history of WWII alive, to finalize a film honoring Sgt. John Basilone and his men who fought bravely by his side, and to raise awareness for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) more recently known as Post-traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI).

If you'd like to help with the cause, please visit the website and make a tax-deductible 501-3C donation at www.johnbasilone.com or mail checks payable to:
The Sgt. John Basilone Foundation
560 West 218 Street
Suite 3D, New York, New York, 10034
Any size donation is greatly appreciated.

Thank you from the Sgt. John Basilone Foundation- Semper Fi

For more information on returning tours to Guadalcanal 1-800-842-4504 or email

Guadalcanal in World War II:

The first major offensive launched by the Allies against Japan in World War II took place on Guadalcanal from August 7, 1942, to February 9, 1943. Since the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Japanese had advanced toward the South Pacific, threatening the Allies' South Pacific ferry route connecting Australia and the United States.

In May and June, 1942, the U.S. Navy made headway against the Japanese advance in the Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway. These successes led the U.S. military to pursue a two-pronged assault in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea.

Guadalcanal, in the Solomon Islands, invaded by the Japanese in July, 1942, was one of the most important Japanese strongholds due to its proximity to Australia. The Japanese built an airfield at Lunga Point and artillery positions in the hills nearby and had about 8,400 men on the island by August.

On August 7, 1942, U.S. Marines landed on the northern beaches of Guadalcanal after Navy ships fired onto the island ahead of them. Over the next three months, the Marines secured the airfield and a 6 mile wide section of the beach.

On October 13, an Army unit arrived to reinforce the Marines. The Marines and Army soldiers repelled a Japanese attack on the 23rd, inflicting heavy losses on the Japanese and pushing the Japanese out further during the rest of the month.

On November 4th, the U.S. Infantry fought 1,500 Japanese troops that landed on the beach at Koli Point. They killed half the Japanese force. The rest escaped into the jungle.

In mid-November, the U.S. Navy fought the Japanese at the Battle of Guadalcanal, when the Japanese attempted a major reinforcement of troops via the "Tokyo Express" run of supply-laden destroyers.

In this four-day battle, the U.S. Navy foiled the reinforcement effort, and only 4,000 of 10,000 Japanese troops reached land.

After this battle, the American troops pushed on in an effort to take Mount Austen. Thrashing through the jungle, they faced heavy fire from Japanese troops.

Finally, during the first two days of 1943, in a two-pronged attack on the Mount Austen stronghold at Gifu, American troops succeeded in securing most of the Gifu area and the west slopes of the mountain.

Overall, between 400 and 500 Japanese troops died, and over 100 American troops died in the effort to take Mount Austen.

During January, 1943, the American troops battled Japanese strongholds on Mount Austen to take areas known as Galloping Horse and Sea Horse and secure the Gifu area.

In the third week of January, the American troops took the Japanese headquarters at Kokumbona.

American troops mounted attacks by land and sea to annihilate the Japanese, but in the end, about 13,000 Japanese troops escaped.

Nevertheless, by February 9, 1943, the U.S. troops took control of the island, helping to turn back the Japanese drive toward Australia and secure a base from which to launch attacks at the Japanese in the South Pacific.

All told, 1,592 American troops were killed in action and 4,183 were wounded.

Thousands more were disabled by tropical diseases like malaria.

The Japanese lost 14,800 in battle and 9,000 from disease. About 1,000 Japanese men were taken prisoner.

Organized Tours of Guadalcanal Military Sites

With all the fascinating battle history, ruins, and military significance of this island, there are a few companies that offer organized fantastic tours of the important battle sites on Guadalcanal.

And while it is also possible to hire local guides, we recommend contacting our friends at Valor Tours, for a variety of reasons.

Valor Tours offers an annual 10-day tour every August to commemorate the anniversary of the landings, as well as a 10-day cruise/tour through the Solomon Islands.

These organized tours are unique vacation alternatives as they not only include detailed analysis and information regarding the fascinating military history and various battles fought on the island and their famous role in World War 2, but also take you to many of the non-military sights, sounds, and culture of this fascinating Pacific island.

They can also arrange private tours for individuals with specific travel needs.

Applications for commemorative plaques and trees can be purchased through Valor Tours to honor a loved one, as part of the Honiara Beautification Project.

Guadalcanal Campaign & Battle Related Links:

This fascinating sketch of the events of the Guadalcanal campaign is based on several sources- the original one being Simulations Publications, Inc. (SPI), a wargames simulation company during the 1970's.

This 70 year old Stuart Tank had been buried on the island for years. Photo courtesy of John Shively

This is an overview and special image selection from the Naval History & Heritage website of the US Navy. Read the details of the harrowing six month campaign between the US and its Pacific Allies and the Japanese for possession of the previously obscrure island of Guadalcanal.

VALOR TOURS

Valor Tours, Ltd. is a resource for veterans, their families, military service organizations, unit associations, reunion groups, historical societies and government institutions with an interest in the Pacific and Europe wartime theaters.

(It was a consultant to the Pentagon's WWII 50th Anniversary Committee.)

Today, tour participants are largely veterans' sons, daughters, grandchildren and the general public, especially WWII history buffs, seeking a meaningful focus for their vacation travels.

TRAVEL to Guadalcanal!

Use HONIARA as your destination city and compare the travel services.

La Grange Journal (La Grange, Tex.), Vol. 64, No. 7, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 18, 1943

Weekly newspaper from La Grange, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with extensive advertising.

Physical Description

eight pages: ill. page 23 x 16 in. Digitized from 35 mm microfilm.

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Creator: Unknown. February 18, 1943.

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This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: Fayette County Area Newspaper Collection and was provided by the Fayette Public Library, Museum and Archives to The Portal to Texas History, a digital repository hosted by the UNT Libraries. It has been viewed 29 times. More information about this issue can be viewed below.

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• Main Title: La Grange Journal (La Grange, Tex.), Vol. 64, No. 7, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 18, 1943
• Serial Title:The La Grange Journal
• Alternate Title: LaGrange Journal

Description

Weekly newspaper from La Grange, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with extensive advertising.

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eight pages: ill. page 23 x 16 in.
Digitized from 35 mm microfilm.

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Fayette County Area Newspaper Collection

Located in central Texas, Fayette County’s first Anglo settlers arrived in the early 1820s. The county was organized January 18, 1838, with La Grange as the county seat. Beginning in the mid-1840s, a series of short-lived newspapers were published at La Grange.

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Campaigns of the Mediterranean Theater in World War II

Three days after their victory at El Alamein the Allies opened a new front with an assault on Algeria and French Morocco. Twelfth Air Force, with some units based on Gibraltar, some aboard the invasion fleet, and some bearing paratroops from England, entered combat at this time. The campaign was brief, for the French in Algeria and French Morocco offered little resistance to the invaders.

Tunisia 17 November 1942 - 13 May 1943

Having gained Algeria, the Allies quickly turned eastward, hoping to take Tunis and Bizerte before the Germans could send reinforcements into Tunisia. But the drive broke down short of the goal. In February 1943, after Rommel had been driven into Tunisia, the Axis took the offensive and pushed through Kasserine Pass before being stopped. With Ninth and Twelfth Air Forces in the battle, the Allies drove the enemy back into a pocket around Bizerte and Tunis, where Axis forces surrendered in May. Thus Tunisia became available for launching an attack on Sicily as a preliminary to an assault on Italy.

Sicily 9 July - 17 August 1943

In preparation for the invasion of Sicily the Allies captured the islands in the Sicilian strait, with aerial bombardment forcing the capitulation of Pantelleria on 11 June 1943. By that time Allied air power had begun the attack on Sicily by bombing defenses and airfields. The invasion itself got under way on the night of 9/10 July with airborne landings that were followed the next day by an amphibious assault. The enemy offered strong resistance, but the Allies had superiority in the air and soon had planes operating from Sicilian bases to support Montgomery�s Eighth Army and Patton�s Seventh. Interdictory operations against communications in Italy and between Italy and Sicily convinced the enemy that it would be impossible to move strong reinforcements. By 17 August 1943 the Allies were in possession of the island, but they had not been able to prevent a German evacuation across the Strait of Messina.

Salerno-Naples-Foggia 9 September 1943 - 21 January 1944

After Allied bombardment of communications and airfields in Italy, Montgomery crossed the Strait of Messina on 3 September 1943 and started northward. Five days later Eisenhower announced that the Italian Government had surrendered. Fifth Army, under Clark, landed at Salerno on 9 September and managed to stay despite furious counterattacks. By 18 September the Germans were withdrawing northward. On 27 September Eighth Army occupied the important airfields of Foggia, and on I October Fifth Army took Naples. As the Allies pushed up the peninsula, the enemy slowed the advance and brought it to a halt at the Gustav Line.

Anzio 22 January - 24 May 1944

On January 1944, in conjunction with a frontal assault, the Allies attempted to turn the Gustav Line by landing troops at Anzio. But the frontal attack failed, and the Allies were unable to break out of the beachhead at Anzio until the Gustav Line was breached in May 1944.

Rome-Arno 22 January - 9 September 1944

The unsuccessful attempt to break the Gustav Line on 22 January was followed by another unsuccessful effort in March when the infantry failed to push through after bombers had endeavored to open the line at Monte Cassino. Allied air power then began a vigorous campaign against railroads, highways, and shipping that supported German forces in Italy. With supply lines strangled, the Germans could not repulse the new drive launched by the Allies in May. German resistance crumbled. By 4 June 1944 the Allies had taken Rome. But the advance ground to a halt against a new defensive line the enemy established along the Arno River.

North Apennines 10 September 1944 - 4 April 1945

In Italy during the fall and winter of 1944-1945 the Allies used their air power against the enemy communications as ground forces beat against the Gothic Line north of the Arno. Although little progress was made on the ground, the action in the Apennines tied down a large German army at a time when those troops could have been used in decisive campaigns being directed against Germany by the Allies in the west and the Russians on the east.

Po Valley 5 April - 8 May 1945

The effectiveness of interdiction in northern Italy was shown by the success of the final Allied drive in that area in April 1945. With communications shattered, the Germans were unable to move enough materiel to make a stand after being driven from their defensive positions south of the Po. Allied forces crossed the river on 25 April and on 4 May, at the Italian end of the Brenner Pass, Fifth Army met the Seventh, which had driven into Germany and turned southward into Austria. With the joining of these forces the war in Italy was over.

7 February 1943 - History

01 September, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland, is remembered as the date the World War II started. But little is remembered about the date 16 September 1939 when Russia also launched its military movements into Poland. The nation of Poland became divided between these two war-time allies. The United States entry into the war was largely the result of Japanese aggression in the Pacific. Japan had hoped to gain German possessions in the Pacific Basin at the Treaty of Versailles, but came away empty handed. This did not settle well with the Japanese government. The United States. was at first a passive participant in the European war by furnishing ships, military equipment, etc. to the British but did not actively engage in combat. When Japan began an aggressive campaign in the Pacific, and President Roosevelt stopped oil shipments and scrap metal shipments to Japan, the Japanese High Command determined that war with the United States was inevitable. The strategy of the Japanese was to destroy the Pacific Fleet and allow time for a negotiated peace before the Atlantic Fleet could be re-directed to the Pacific theater.

On Monday, 08 December, the United States declared War on Japan immediately after Pearl Harbor was attacked. Following quickly, on 11 December. Germany and Italy declared war on the United States in keeping with the Tri-Partite Pact with Japan.

Although the 1st Cavalry Division was created as a result of a proven need for large horse-mounted formations, by the late '30s many thought the march of progress had left the need for the cavalry operations far behind. All doubt was erased with the surprise of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Immediately, troopers returned to the Division from all over the United States. They outfitted their horses and readied their weapons and vehicles in anticipation of the fight against the Axis.

1942 dawned with the Division fated to continue in the role of border patrol which its currently assigned regiments had performed during World War I. Although the Division was anxious for immediate combat, its first wartime mission was to continue border surveillance as a component of the Southern Land Frontier and the Southern Defense Command.

In May 1942, 1,250 1st Cavalry Division Troopers selected from the 5th, 7th, 8th, and 12th Regiments were transferred from Ft. Bliss, Texas as a Non Commissioned Officer (NCO) Cadre group to assist in the organization of the 91st Infantry Division at Camp White, Oregon. In April 1944, the 91st Division went overseas, arriving at Oran, Africa in preparation for the invasion of southern Europe.

A major factor in the delayed deployment of the Division was rooted in the questionable need for a cavalry to support the execution of the current war plan. Army Command Forces relieve organizations of the 1st Cavalry Division and deployed them to the North African Campaign. For example, the 91st Reconnaissance Squadron who had joined the Division in November, 1928 designated as the 1st Armored Car Squadron. The Armored Car Squadron had remained with the Division through its various reorganizations and in 1941 it had been redesignated the 91st Reconnaissance Squadron. In 1943, it was deployed to join the African campaigns, fighting in the deserts of North Africa against the Germans and Italians in the Kasserine Pass and later, in Tunisia and Sicily. In the same time period, the 62nd Armored Field Artillery and the 161st Engineers left for the European Theater.

An important operational factor of the horse cavalry was that it could quickly get around and over hazardous terrain such as hills, rocks, trees or desert, but the majority of actual enemy engagement is done fighting dismounted. On such ground, supported by its own artillery and armored units, the 1st Cavalry Division could lick its weight in enemy tanks. At the organizational core of the division were four mounted regiments, each composed of six rifle troops, one machine gun troop, one special weapons troop, and one headquarters troop. Each brigade, composed of two regiments, had another special troop of 37mm anti tank guns and 81mm mortars. In addition, special strong, mobile, mechanized units were being integrated as organic or attached to the Division to support the combat units, quartermaster units, medical corps, and engineer units, that now all rode on wheels.

However, even with the advantages of terrain mobility, the deployment of the cavalry divisions proved to be a thorny problem. The cavalry units remained unpopular with theater commanders because their horses and equipment required shipping space and logistic support far more than that of other units. However, the need for units in the Southwest Pacific led General McArthur to accept the 1st Cavalry Division on the condition that they be dismounted.

Hong Kong had surrendered to the Japanese on 25 December 1941. In Malaya the Japanese overwhelmed an Allied army composed of British, Indian, Australian and Malay forces. The Japanese were quickly able to advance down the Malayan Peninsula, forcing the Allied forces to retreat towards Singapore. The Allies lacked aircover and tanks the Japanese had total air superiority.

By the end of January 1942, the last Allied forces crossed the strait of Johore and into Singapore. In the Philippines, the Japanese pushed the combined Filipino-American force towards the Bataan peninsula and later the island of Corregidor. By January 1942, General Douglas MacArthur and President Manuel L. Quezon were forced to flee in the face of Japanese advance. This marked among one of the worst defeats suffered by the Americans, leaving over 70,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war in the custody of the Japanese.

In February 1943, the entire 1st Cavalry Division was alerted for an overseas assignment. Many of the proud cavalrymen would rather turn their stripes, bars, or stars than trade in their saddles for a seat in any vehicle to become "cushion pounders". On 28th February, each of the Mounted Regiments, 5th, 7th, 8th and 12th Cavalry held a dismount ceremony before they were stripped of their horses and with mixed emotions, began the process of turning in horses, saddles, and bridles.

The 1st Cavalry Division was then converted with equipment as an Augmented Leg Infantry Division. In the meantime, the troopers continued to feed and water their horses until the Quartermaster assumed control of them. Rather than return the horses to the remount stations, the majority of them were auctioned, at bargain prices, to owners of the large ranches around the El Paso area. For many years following the end of WWII - many of the cavalry horses, identifiable by the Preston Brand on their neck, were still serving out their duty to the ranchers.

Well ahead of schedule, the Division began the historic transition and retraining of the troopers in a mobile environment. As planned they began staging for movement to the Southwest Pacific theater as foot solders with the support of mechanized vehicles tanks, armored cars, trucks, bantam and scout cars. This modern cavalry division had gained tremendous advantages in rapid mobility, extended range and firepower.

The overseas deployment from Camp Stoneman, California to Brisbane, Australia was made in two echelons. The first body, elements of the 5th and 7th Cavalry Regiments, and the 8th Engineer Combat Squadron would be followed by the remaining units of the main body of the Division. The first echelon traveled by train to the embarkation port of San Francisco, California, arriving on 28 May. Later on 01 June they boarded the USS Maui , a converted troopship leased from the Matson Navigation Company. Traveling under blackout conditions and following the standard procedure of anti-submarine zig-zag maneuvers, the sea voyage took twenty-two days. Arriving in Brisbane on 23 June, Australia, they moved to Camp Strathpine, near the tiny locality of Pine Rivers, and began preparations for the arrival of the main body of the Division.

By 18 June 1943, the last troops of the division departed Ft. Bliss, Texas for Camp Stoneman, California and later, on 03 July boarded the USS Montery and the USS George Washington , bound for Australia and their subsequent operations in the Southwest Pacific.

On 26 July, three weeks later, the Division arrived at Brisbane and began a fifteen mile trip to its new temporary home, Camp Strathpine, Queensland, Australia. The 1st Cavalry Division, comprised of 15,000 men, totally overwhelmed the civic minded elders of Pine Rivers (and its approximately 4,800 people), who welcomed their arrival. Helped by the troopers' enthusiasm and construction abilities plus Australian carpenters, woodsmen, road builders, and other experts, Camp Strathpine grew into a modern training operation.

• Military Police Platoon (prison stockade area)
• 302nd Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized)
• 7th Reconnaissance Squadron
• 603rd Medium Tank Company
• 16th Quartermaster Squadron

• "HHT", 1st Brigade
• 5th Cavalry Regiment
• 12th Cavalry Regiment

• "HHT", 2nd Brigade
• 7th Cavalry Regiment
• 8th Cavalry Regiment

• "HHB", 1st Cavalry Division Artillery
• 61st Field Artillery Battalion (75mm)
• 82nd Field Artillery Battalion (75mm)
• 99th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm)
• 271st Field Artillery Battalion (105mm)

There were two infantry assault courses in the area, one being near the intersection of Forrest Road and Howze Road west of Area 4. General Infantry training and compass exercises were carried out near Samsonvale township and as far away as Samford, Whiteside and to the north of Petrie. The Division received six months' of intense combat jungle warfare training at Camp Strathpine in the wilds of scenic Queensland and amphibious training at nearby Toorbul Point north of Brisbane Moreton Bay, Port Stephens in northern New South Wales and Camp GanGan, another amphibious training site.

During the fall of 1943, more changes came to the Division. On 11 October, the firepower of the Division was improved by the activation of the 271st Field Artillery. In the reorganization of 04 December, weapons troops "D" and "H" were added to each of the regiments. The 7th Reconnaissance Squadron was reorganized into the 603rd Light Tank Company and the 302nd Reconnaissance Troop (Mech). The 302nd had a specific Table of Organization and Equipment (TO&E) which incorporated a unique radio unit with troops of Lakota and Dakota Indian Tribes who used their ancient tribal Sioux language to communicate with other divisional headquarters troops. This secret organization, formed in the foothills of Australia and later to be known as "The Code Talkers" was recruited at the direction of General MacArthur. The close-knit group of individuals, Phillip Stoney LeBlanc, Edmund St. John, Baptiste Pumkinseed, Eddie Eagle Boy, Guy Rondell, and John Bear King took their task seriously. They saved many American lives using their language as an unbreakable code to fool the Japanese throughout the subsequent Island Campaigns.

The front lines were not far away, and a few eager, enterprising troopers found their way into battle - with the US Marines who had recently invaded Cape Gloucester on the Island of New Britain. The fighting was hard and the Leathernecks needed supplies. Many tons of food, ammunition and other essential equipment were loaded on trucks of the 1st Cavalry Division that were driven on Landing Ships, Tank (LST) and moved to Cape Gloucester.

Many of the troopers who had driven the trucks to the supply dumps near the fighting wasted no time when they got there. They grabbed their weapons and moved up to the front lines. The Marines were startled to see the troops taking up positions beside them. They welcomed the help and added firepower. Several of the troopers received decorations from the Marines. However, Headquarters of the 1st Cavalry Division finally - and sternly - quickly put an end to the freelance fighting.

After a period of staging and training in New Guinea, it was time for the 1st Cavalry Division to receive its baptism of fire. On 26 February, with most of the elements of the Division in the vicinity of Camp Borio taking part in the 1st Brigade Amphibious Training Problem, word was received to stop all training. Immediate preparations were made for movement into combat.

The units of the 1st Cavalry Division selected to lead the invasion of the Island made final preparations for landing. These units included:

• 2nd Squadron, 5th Cavalry Regiment
• "B" Battery, 99th Field Artillery Battalion
• 673rd AntiAircraft Machine Gun Battalion (Airborne)
• Headquarters Troop, Reconnaissance Platoon, 1st Cavalry Division
• Headquarters Troop, Communications, 1st Cavalry Division
• 30th Portable Surgical Hospital

• Australian New Guinea Administration Unit (ANGAU)
• Air Force Supervisory Detachment
• Naval Gunfire Support Party and Air Liaison Party
• "C" Company, 583rd Signal Aircraft Warning Battalion, AF

• 5th Cavalry Regiment, less 2nd Squadron
• 99th Field Artillery, less "B" Battery
• 1st Platoon, 8th Engineer Squadron
• 1st Collecting Troop, 1st Medical Squadron
• 1st Platoon, "B" Troop, 1st Medical Squadron
• Signal Detachment, 1st Signal Troop
• "C" Battery, 168th Anti Aircraft Battalion (Gun)
• "A" Battery, 211th Anti Aircraft Battalion (AW)
• 40th Construction Battalion, US Navy
• "E" Company, Shore Battalion, 592 Boat and Shore Regiment

At 1400 hours the next day, the 2nd Squadron, 5th Cavalry began to load at Oro Bay. Half of the troops and their equipment were loaded onto three High Speed Transport (APD) destroyers, the USS Brooks, USS Humphreys , and USS Sands , which had been converted to troop ships. Nine other destroyers, each carrying an average of fifty-seven soldiers, transported the remainder of the landing force. The rest of the 5th Cavalry, moved by truck from Camp Borio to Oro Bay where they embarked on LSTs for their role as a support force if the reconnaissance succeeded.

At 0645 hours on 28 February, 1,026 troopers and their equipment, identified as Task Force BREWER consisting of three High Speed Transport (APD), destroyers the USS Brooks, USS Humphreys , and USS Sands , moved out of Cape Sudest, Oro Bay, New Guinea under the command of Brigadier General William C. Chase. They were under the escort of the destroyers USS Reid, USS Stockton , and USS Stevenson . At 0819 hours, six other destroyers, the USS Flusser, USS Manhan, USS Drayton, USS Smith, USS Bush and USS Welles joined the Task Force. Their destination was a remote, Japanese occupied island of the Admiralties, Los Negros, where they were to make a reconnaissance in force and if feasible, capture Momote Airdrome and secure a beachhead for the reinforcements that would follow.

Even as the Task Force was underway, it received supplementary reconnaissance intelligence from a patrol of Alamo Scouts, a volunteer organization trained to live off the land for weeks at a time and make use of natives familiar with the area and disposition of Japanese troops. Under cover of a diversionary bombing attack, they had landed a mile south of planned invasion area and reported that the enemy was still present in force in a large bivouac area on the southeast part of Los Negros. This information permitted refinements in the Naval Operational Orders to include three separate fire support areas in the supporting bombardment plans.

A rendezvous point, fixed at some twenty miles below Cape Cretin, was reached at 1326 hours. Here the attack group was met by the cruisers USS Nashville , and USS Phoenix and the destroyers USS Daly, USS Hutchins, USS Beale , and USS Bache , which had come from the Cape Sudest area. General MacArthur and the Commander of the Seventh Fleet, Admiral Kinkaid were aboard the USS Phoenix , The route lay through the Vitiaz Strait, between Long Island and the coast of New Guinea, then into the Bismark Sea. Unchallenged, the convoy arrived at a point about 10 miles south of Los Negros at 0600 hours on D day. The USS Phoenix, USS Daly , and USS Hutchins led out in column to conduct a reconnaissance approach toward Southeast Point. With the approach of daylight, two observation planes took off from the cruisers.

This video of the 1st Cavalry Division, is a film of combat activities of the 1st Cavalry Division during the Battle of Los Negros in Admiralty Islands. On orders from General MacArthur, the 2nd Squadron (dismounted), 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division conducted a Reconnaissance in Force mission at Los Negros,Admiralty Islands. The film clip opens with Spitfire aircraft from No. 73 Wing, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) attacking Japanese positions in the jungles near the beach, prior to their landing. Simultaneously, the US Navy warships bombard the area and B-25 bombers from the 345th Bomb Group, 5th Air Force, striffed and bombed the landing beach areas.

Just after 0800 hours on 29 February, under cloudy skys and a light falling rain, the 1st Cavalry troopers climbed down the nets of the APDs and into the Landing Craft, Medium (LCM) and Landing Craft, Personnel, Ramped (LCPR), the flat bottomed landing craft of the Navy. The landing at Hayane Harbor took the Japanese by surprise. The first three waves of the assault troops from the 2nd Squadron, 5th Cavalry reached the beach virtually unscathed. The fourth wave was less lucky. By then the Japanese had been able to readjust their guns to fire lower and inflicted many casualties during their landing. Troops under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William E. Lobit of Galveston, Texas, fanned out and attacked through the rain.

The "race" for Manila was now between the 37th Division and the 1st Cavalry Division, with the cavalry in the lead. In addition to the 302nd Reconnaissance Troops, liaison aircraft of the field artillery battalion were used to conduct route reconnaissance and column control. Since the operation began, the reconnaissance units had been fortunate enough to find bridges and fordable crossings almost everywhere they went. The column was able to get around, over, and past each obstacle in its path. The 37th Division, on the other hand, was slowed by difficult crossings which forced it to either ferry its artillery and tanks across or wait for the engineers to build bridges. By 02 February, the Flying Column was dashing toward Manila, sometimes at speeds of fifty miles per hour, with individual units competing for the honor of reaching the city first.

During 02 February, the columns pushed south and the 2nd serial leading the way reached Plaridel early in the morning. As the serial crossed the wide Angat River, the 8th Cavalry ran into a Japanese Battalion which was dug in on high ground. Grinding out a tough advance, they broke through and continued on. By dusk, the 2nd serial was near Santa Maria. In parallel, the 1st serial crossed the Angat River at Sabang and spent several hours in a bitter fight with a small Japanese force. Following the battle, they turned east on Highway 65 toward Norzagaray.

Early in the morning of 03 February at 0430 hours, the 1st serial moved out. Driving on, they reached Norzagaray at dawn and found the town occupied by Filipino guerrillas. Not stopping, the column turned southwest toward Santa Maria and, fording many streams, reached it at 1500 hours. The 2nd serial, which had crossed the Santa Maria River at noon, moved along Highway 64 to the junction at Highway 52, an outpost manned by the Japanese. After fighting their way through, they left one troop behind to hold the intersection for the units that followed.

By 1630 hours, elements of the 1st Cavalry Division pushed into the town of Novaliches, in the northern outskirts of Manila, with only the steep-sided Tuliahan River separating them from the city proper. A squadron of the 8th Cavalry reached the bridge just moments after Japanese soldiers had finished preparing it for demolition. As the two sides opened fire on one another, the Japanese lit the fuse leading to the carefully placed explosives. Without hesitation, Lieutenant James P. Sutton, a Navy demolitions expert attached to the division, dashed out onto the stone arched bridge and cut the burning fuse. He disregarded the heavy Japanese fire and heaved the other mines and dynamite charges into the gorge under the bridge. The way to Manila was clear.

As the sun set over the ocean behind the advancing Americans, a single tank named Battling Basic crashed through the walls surrounding Santo Tomas University, the site of a camp holding almost 4,000 civilian prisoners. The Japanese guards put up little resistance. By 2100 hours, the internment camp at Santo Tomas was liberated and the prisoners, many of whom had been incarcerated for nearly two years, were liberated.

Late on the afternoon of 04 February, the 2nd Squadron, 5th Cavalry, was ordered to seize the Quezon Bridge, the only crossing over the Pasig that the Japanese had not destroyed. As the squadron approached the bridge, enemy heavy machine gun fire opened up from a formidable roadblock thrown up across Quezon Boulevard. The Japanese had pounded steel stakes into the pavement, sown the area with mines, and lined up old truck bodies across the road. Unable to advance farther, the cavalry withdrew after nightfall. As they pulled back, the Japanese blew up the bridge.

The next day, 05 February, went more smoothly. Once the 37th Division reached Manila, the northern section of Manila was divided into two sectors. The 37th Division responsible for the western sector and the 1st Cavalry Division responsible for the eastern sector.

Mopping up was in process when it was discovered that the Japanese Guard commander and 70 of his men had taken 200 of the internees as hostage and had moved them to the Education Building. With the hostage situation rendering a direct attack on the building impossible, a strong guard was posted and a defense of the area was organized. The next day, under a flag of truce, negotiations for the release of the prisoners began. Late in the afternoon, the Japanese Commander took the position that he and his men, along with their arms and equipment, were to be escorted to a point outside the city or else he would kill all the hostages and make a suicide defense of the building.

Considering the lives of the hostages more important than the capture of the Japanese Commander and his solders, the terms were agreed to. At daybreak, on 05 February, "G" Troop, 5th Cavalry closed in on the door of the Education Building to form an escort for the Japanese who filed out of the building. The small column and their escorts moved to a point near the Pasig River where the two forces parted, the Japanese moving out of sight south and the Troopers returning back to Santo Tomas.

A secondary objective, other than freeing the prisoners and looking out for the needs of the individual inhabitants, was to safeguard city functions such as water and power supplies of Manila as US forces entered the city. Manila's steam power generating plant was on Provisor Island, on the south side of the Pasig River, and elements of the 37th Infantry Division would not reach it until 09 February. Manila's water system lay northeast of the city, and securing and protecting it was one of the first missions assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division. The main features of the system were the Novaliches Dam, the Balara Water Filters, the San Juan Reservoir, and the pipelines that carried water among these and to Manila. From 05 to 08 February, the 7th Cavalry Regiment captured all of these facilities intact, despite some being wired for demolitions.

For the next three tough days, troopers of the 1st Cavalry Division battled with flame throwers, bazookas and every weapon on hand to clear the historic Manila Hotel, one of the finest hotels in the Far East and former home of General MacArthur. "A" Troop, 12th Cavalry led the attack, supported by medium tanks and one platoon of heavy weapons. In addition to the maze of tunnels running beneath the building, nearly every room of each floor was heavily fortified with sandbags and automatic weapons. Veteran troopers had to fight "room-to-room" in order to gain control.

By 10 February, the cavalry had extended its control south of the river. That night, the XIV Corps established, for the first time, separate bridgeheads on both banks of the Pasig River. Despite initial American euphoria, much fighting remained. Although the approach to the city had been relatively easy, wresting the capital from the Japanese proved far more difficult. Manila, a city of 800,000, was one of the largest in Southeast Asia. While much of it consisted of ramshackle huts, the downtown section boasted massive reinforced concrete buildings built to withstand earthquakes and old Spanish stone fortresses of equal size and strength. Most were located south of the Pasig River which bisects the capital, requiring that the Americans cross over before closing with the Japanese.

On 13 February, the 12th Cavalry reached the waterfront turning the axis of its attack to the North. During the Battle for Manila, a new type of combat was added to the 1st Cavalry Division repertoire, that of combat engagement in a modern city - urban warfare. They thrust south to the Pasig River, launching a drive through the city.

On 23 February, during this hard hand-to-hand fighting, a trooper of "E" Troop, 5th Cavalry, Private First Class William J. Grabiarz, was a scout with a unit that was advancing with tanks along a street in Manila. Without warning, enemy machine gun and rifle fire from concealed positions in the Customs building swept the street, striking down the troop commander and driving his men to cover. As the officer lay in the open road, unable to move and completely exposed to the pointblank enemy fire, Private First Class Grabiarz voluntarily ran from behind a tank to carry him to safety, but was himself wounded in the shoulder. Ignoring both the pain in his injured, useless arm and the shouts of his comrades to seek the cover which was only a few yards distant, the valiant rescuer continued his efforts to drag his commander out of range. Finding this impossible, he rejected the opportunity to save himself and deliberately covered the officer with his own body to form a human shield, calling as he did so for a tank to maneuver into position between him and the hostile emplacement. The enemy riddled him with concentrated fire before the tank could interpose itself. Later, the troops found that he had been successful in preventing bullets from striking his leader, who survived. For his valiant action, Private First Class William J. Grabiarz received the Medal of Honor.

One of the final assignments undertaken by the 8th Cavalry was to clear out the Japanese soldiers who had taken cover in the world famous "San Miguel Brewery" and had provided the earlier heavy sniper fire in the attempt to stop their drive to the Malacanan Palace. It is said that rather than dislodge the occupants using direct artillery fire (which may have also destroyed the inventory of the building), Captain Hickman ordered a fixed bayonet charge which easily put down the Japanese resistance. Soon after the "liberation" of the San Miguel Brewery, General MacArthur joined General Chase and the troopers in a pitcher of the brew before they moved on. By 03 March 1945, organized resistance in Manila was finally wiped out.

The next assignment given to the First Cavalry Division was the difficult task of cracking the Shimbu Line, a few miles east of Manila, and securing a front from Taytay on the North to Antipolo on the south. The goal was to prevent Japanese reinforcements from reaching Manila. Securing the Shimbu Line proved to be a different type of enemy engagement than previously encountered. The division had fought in the jungles of the Admiralties, the mountains and mud of Leyte, open country, and the street fighting of Manila. They were now engaged in eliminating the Japanese who were occupying fortified positions in the mountainous environments. The regiments of the division fought abreast as they destroyed the southern flank of the Shimbu Line. From north to south, the units involved were the 5th, 7th, 8th and 12th Cavalry. On 28 February, General Mudge suffered a serious wound in the abdomen while observing the demolition of a cave that had supposedly been cleared. From deep inside the cave, a diehard Japanese defender managed to lob a grenade that caught General Mudge and his party by surprise.

Brigadier General Hugh F. T. Hoffman immediately assumed command of the Division and carried out the mission. On 11 March, the 1st Brigade Combat Team captured dominating terrain features in and around Antipolo and began mop up operations. The high ground west of Antipolo was secured by the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Once high ground had been taken, the troopers were relieved by the 43rd Infantry Division and given a week of rest before taking on a new assignment to help clear southern Luzon of organized Japanese resistance.

On 03 April, operations against the final Japanese forces in the Mt. Malepunyo hills began. The 5th Cavalry joined with the 43rd Infantry Division on the eastern shores of Laguna de Bay, severing the main escape route to the north. By the 10th of April, the 1st Squadron, 5th Cavalry, reinforced by a platoon of tanks, entered Mauban of the Pacific to completely cut the Bantangas in half, isolating and trapping the Japanese to the south.

On 12 April, the 5th Cavalry began a drive southeast, down the Bicol Peninsula to clear it of Japanese and link up with the 158th Regimental Combat team. The two forces finally converged at Naga on 29 April, after "B" Troop, 5th Cavalry and a group of engineers made an amphibious assault across the Ragay Gulf at Pasacao.

On 24 April, the 2nd Brigade started its movement north to Siniloan in preparation for relief of the 43rd Infantry Division. Patrols found that the main enemy strength was concentrated around the Kapatailin Sawmill. Next to Antipolo, this position was the most elaborately constructed defense system encountered. On 07 May, after a heavy air bombing, the 7th Cavalry moved toward the sawmill and attacked. Elements of the 8th Cavalry joined in to conduct mop-up operations and consolidate gains. By 09 May, the Sawmill and Nursery areas were secured with only a few scattered remnants of the Japanese to contend with.

On 14 June, the campaign had turned into a rear area skirmish with patrols continuing to mop up stragglers and preventing movement of enemy forces. On 30 June 1945, when the Luzon Campaign was declared finally completed, the 1st Cavalry Division accounted for 14,114 of the enemy killed and 1,199 prisoners of war. At last, the troopers of the 1st Cavalry Division were able to enjoy a longer rest in Lucena, at the southern end of the Tayabas Province.

In July, a new era in the organizational change of the 1st Cavalry Division began with the promotion of Major General William Chase who immediately assumed command of the Division. Planning and training began for a mission that would promise to be more difficult than anything they had previously encountered. In this mission to bring the rages of war home to the Japanese. In Operation DOWNFALL, scheduled for 01 November 1945, the 1st Cavalry Division was to be among the first American Forces to invade the beaches of the main islands of Imperial Japan, Kyushu.

MacArthur selected General Walter Krueger, commanding general of the Sixth Army, to command the Kyshu Invasion Force, consisting of three Army and one amphibious (Marine) corps, totaling 14 combat divisions. The 550,000 man invasion force would be delivered by approximately 3,000 ships, including 66 aircraft carriers and over 2,600 combat aircraft, under the command of the Fifth Fleet. The Third Fleet would support the invasion by blocking any enemy attempts to reinforce Kyushu from Honshu and Hokkaido.

Army Intelligence estimated that approximately 735,000 enemy troops occupied Kyushu and several small islands to the south. In addition, a force of 5,000 Kamikazes were also ready to descend on the invaders. The first phase of Operation OLYMPIC was scheduled for 27 October. The 40th Infantry Division and the 158th Regimental Combat team would seize positions in the Koshiki islands southwest of Kyushu, and on Tanega, Make, Take, and Io Islands south of Kyushu, where it was estimated 25,000 Japanese troops were dug in waiting for the invasion.

The 2nd, 3rd, and 5th Marine divisions would invade near Kushikene island, on the southwest coast and split into two elements. One would move toward Sendai and the other to the port city of Kagoshima. Meanwhile, the Eastern Assault Force consisting of the 25th, 33rd, and 41st Infantry Divisions, would land on the southeast coast and capture Miyazzki and the adjacent airfield. In a simultaneous attack, the Southern Assault Force, composed of the 112th Regimental Combat Team and the 43rd Infantry, 1st Cavalry, and Americal Divisions, would land at Ariake Bay and drive inland to capture Shibushi and Kancya.

Three days after the main invasion, the 77th, 81st, and 98th Infantry Divisions, would assault the southern coast of the island west of Kiaman-Dake and attempt to move north and west, bottling up the enemy forces on the southern tip of Kyushu. The 11th Airborne Division, would stand in reserve to support the assault divisions. If not needed as reserves, the 11th Airborne would also land at Kiaman-Dake and link up with the Marine Forces at Kagoshima.

Depending on the success of Operation OLYMPIC, The massive undertaking of Operation CORONET, a 4 month operation, would be launched on 01 March 1946. As many as 28 divisions were earmarked for this phase, including all six Marine divisions and the remainder of all US Naval forces in the Pacific. In all, nearly 5 million men would participate in the operation.

Estimates of the casualties in the battle for the main islands of Japan were addressed. The early stages of the landings would have been particularly bloody with both sides suffering a combined death rate of some 1000 men an hour according to one estimate. Recent intelligence estimates indicate that if Operations OLYMPIC and CORONET had been executed as planned, it would have been the largest bloodbath in American history. These recent estimates set estimated losses at more than one million with a death toll exceeding the number suffered in both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, and the Persian Gulf. Although American forces had superior fire power and were better trained and equipped than the Japanese soldier, the close-in, fanatical combat between infantrymen would have been mutually devastating.

On 12 August, the United States announced that it would accept the Japanese surrender, making clear in its statement that the Emperor could remain in a purely ceremonial capacity only. Debate raged within the Japanese government over whether to accept the American terms.

On 13 August 1945, the 1st Cavalry Division was alerted that they had been selected to accompany General Douglas MacArthur to Tokyo and would be part of the 8th Army in the occupation of Japan. Movement of the 1st Cavalry Division to Yokohama, Japan was under control of Navy Task Force (TF) 33, commanded by Rear Admiral John L. Hall. Preparation for loading out began immediately and continued night and day. A staging area was set up at Llipa and an advanced command post was set up at Batangas Bay. Soon, ships of the Navy Transport Division 16 began arriving.

On 14 August, the Japanese people learned of the surrender negotiations for the first time when B-29s showered Tokyo with thousands of leaflets containing translated copies of the American surrender terms. Later that day, the emperor called another meeting of his cabinet and instructed them to accept the Allied terms immediately.

On 15 August, the emperor's broadcast announcing the surrender of Japan was heard all over Japan. For most of his subjects, it was the first time that they had ever heard his voice. Over the next few weeks, Japan and the United States worked out the details of the surrender. By 16 August, leaders of Japan announced that their delegates would leave Tokyo for Manila on 19 August. It was now only a matter of days before the long-awaited moment of final surrender would become a reality.

On 18 August, the attack transports USS Brisco, USS Cecil, USS Highlands, USS Missoula, USS Rutland, USS St. Mary's, USS Talladega and the attack cargo ships USS Yancy and USS Whiteside began loading personnel and equipment of the 1st Cavalry Division for the last leg of their WW II journey through the Western Pacific Ocean. The loading was completed on the 23rd and as part of TF 33, they weighed anchor on the 25th. However, TF 33 had to turn back because of a tropical storm in the vicinity. The typhoon delayed the TF for only a day, as they weathered the fringes of the storm at Subic Bay before getting underway again and headed north along the east coast of Luzon through the China Sea.

On 28 August at 0900 hours, the first American landings in Japan were made by an advance party of 150 communications experts and engineers. Deplaning at the large navy airfield at Atsugi - Kanagawa Prefecture. twenty miles southwest of Tokyo, the group began setting up the operational facilities for the other aircraft that would bring the 11th Airborne Division to establish the American airhead in the Atsugi area. This advance group was followed three hours later by thirty-eight troop transports carrying combat forces along with necessary supplies of gasoline, oil and support equipment.

The occupation plan was predicated upon the ability of the Emperor to maintain psychological control over his people and to quell any recalcitrant elements. It was thought that the majority of the Japanese people would obey the Imperial command to surrender peaceably. Shortly after 1400 a famous C-54, with the name "Bataan" in large letters on its nose, circled the field and glided in for a landing. General MacArthur talked to briefly to the Japanese and Allied newsmen, and then along with his staff paused momentarily to inspect the airfield. The landing party then stepped into a waiting automobile, an ancient American Lincoln - furnished by the Japanese, for the drive to Yokohama. Thousands of Japanese troops were posted along the fifteen miles of road to guard the route of the Allied motor cavalcade as it proceeded from Atsugi to the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers (SCAP) Headquarters temporarily located at the Grand Hotel in the great seaport city of Yokohama, Japan.

On the morning of 02 September, the long convey of ships steered into Yokohama Harbor with the leading ships in place in the inner harbor of Yokohama. As destroyers delivered participants from Yokohama to USS Missouri's port side, officers from nearby ships were arriving by boat and being piped aboard at the battleship's starboard side. Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Pacific Commander in Chief and the official representative of the United States at the surrender ceremonies, came aboard at 0805 hours.

Shortly before the Japanese were scheduled to arrive, spectators, the press and the Allied participants took their places. MacArthur, Nimitz and Admiral William F. Halsey walked past them to their own positions. At 0856 hours, the Japanese delegation began to come on board and participated in the signing of the formal articles of surrender on the deck of the battleship USS Missouri . After the conclusion of those ceremonies, all of the ships of TF 33 hauled down their battle flags and headed into the dock areas to start unloading operations.

The First Team was given the honor of leading the Allied Occupational Army into Tokyo. At 1030 hours, advance elements of the 1st Cavalry Division landed unopposed at the Yokohama docks. At that time, a reconnaissance party headed by Colonel Charles A. Sheldon, the 1st Cavalry Division Chief of Staff, went ashore to contact the advance party of Lieutenant Colonel Moyers S. Shore which had arrived by plane five days earlier to reconnoiter and select Assembly Area (AA) locations for the landing parties. The initial Assembly Areas were within five blocks of the docks. By nightfall, the troops of the 1st Cavalry Division were occupying staging areas throughout the Yokohama Harbor.

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Copyright © 1996, Cavalry Outpost Publications ® and Trooper Wm. H. Boudreau, "F" Troop, 8th Cavalry Regiment (1946 - 1947). All rights to this body of work are reserved and are not in the public domain, or as noted in the bibliography. Reproduction, or transfer by electronic means, of the History of the 1st Cavalry Division, the subordinate units or any internal element, is not permitted without prior authorization. Readers are encouraged to link to any of the pages of this Web site, provided that proper acknowledgment attributing to the source of the data is made. The information or content of the material contained herein is subject to change without notice.

"When Bombs Fell" - The air-raids on Cornwall during WW2 : Part 7 - 1943 & 1944 (complete years) & Postscript.

This story has been written onto the BBC People's War site by CSV Storygatherer Robin.D.Bailey on behalf of the authors Phyllis M Rowe and Ivan Rabey. They fully understand the terms and conditions of the site.

These are extracts from a book of the same title - see Part 1 : Introduction.

The fourth year of the war began fairly quietly.

9th: Four bombs dropped at Prideaux Place, causing slight damage to property but no casualties, reminded the people of Padstow that there was still a war on. Mid-afternoon thirteen bombs fell at Tregonning Hill, Breage, some of which failed to explode, no damage was caused.

13th: In the late evening, two high explosive and four “firepot” bombs fell at Millbrook Lake which caused no damage.

16th: In the space of about an hour between 9.30 p.m. and 10.30 p.m. many places were subjected to seemingly indiscriminate raids. Altogether nineteen high explosive, five firepot, two phosphorous and a number of incendiary bombs fell at such diverse places as Churchtown Farm, Landwednack Chun and Bosence Farms, Sancreed and Penpell Farm, Tregony where eight 50 kg armour-piercing bombs were dropped, none of which penetrated the ground and all of which failed to detonate. In addition, Longstone and St. Tudy were subjected to machine-gunning.

The rest of the year, coinciding as it did with the Allied offensives in North Africa, Sicily and Italy, was almost peaceful, air attacks being confined to the Cornish periphery of Plymouth and except for further raids on south-east Cornwall and the massive pre-D Day attack on Falmouth on the last day of May 1944, Cornwall’s era of “when bombs fell” was virtually over.

March April & May 1943: no recorded incidents. (this doesn’t mean there weren’t any!)

14th: Hundreds of incendiary bombs fell on Saltash, damaging St. Nicholas Church and an Anderson Shelter shed at the Police Station. Torpoint suffered the effects of a blast from a direct hit on the Devonport Dockyard and phosphorous bombs fell on Mount Edgcumbe Park.

July 1943: no recorded incidents.

13th: In the early hours, incendiary bombs rained down on Mount Edgcumbe, Barnpool, Millbrook and Lynher, Antony where one house was damaged. One person was injured at Wilcove.

September & October 1943: no recorded incidents.

17th: Early morning fourteen high explosive and hundreds of incendiaries fell at Trehill Farm, Rame, causing one rick fire. At Forder, Cawsand, there was slight damage to houses and two persons were injured. At Carbeile Farm, Torpoint, outbuildings and a hay elevator were damaged. Electricity cable at Mill Lane were also damaged.

December 1943: no recorded incidents.

January February & March 1944: no recorded incidents.

11th: On what might well have been a “smoke screen” for enemy reconnaissance sorties (approaching D Day) was not of great significance except that the bombs dropped were of a completely new S.D. 10kg anti-personnel type. One hundred and eleven of these devices and ten 50 kg phosphorous bombs landed in two fields at Horningtops, Menheniot. Ninety-one of the anti-personnel bombs failed to explode, and although they were the first of their type to be dropped in this country, Civil Defence and Service personnel knew of their existence. Very little damage was caused.

30th: Another raid thought to have been a “smoke screen” for reconnaissance sorties A total of 13 bombs were dropped during the night. Ten fell on Government property at Cremyll, one 1,000 kg parachute bomb fell at West Antony Farm, Torpoint and of the other two, one, a 1,400 kg fell at Penpell Farm, Stokeclimsland, and a 1,000 kg bomb which failed to explode, dropped at Glebe Farm, Sheviock. No damage was caused anywhere.

During May the assault troops increased, until every creek and estuary was crammed with landing craft, and every country lane and byway provided some sort of camouflage for thousands of troops.

30th/31st: The last great air assault on Cornwall concerned a massive widespread raid directed at Falmouth and it’s immediate environs. - A direct hit on a one and a quarter million gallon petrol storage tank at Swanvale set a fire which continued to burn for twenty-two hours. The
attack began at about midnight and by 12.30 a.m the fractured tank was blazing furiously. When the burning oil took the course of the little stream, six feet wide, the evacuation of the village below began, as whirlpools of smoke and flame erupted 70 feet into the air. Water and foam were hurled at the conflagration in a vain attempt to stifle the flames. After many hours the situation was saved when two bulldozers arrived and two American servicemen volunteered to drive them through the flames and divert the stream by damming it. Their heroic mission, for which they later received British Empire Medals, was successful and 24 hours later the battle which involved 28 pumps, 200 firemen and 500 American soldiers and sailors who were among those waiting in the area to embark for the beaches of Normandy, was over. This was one of the great fire battles of the war and it’s conduct and successful outcome reflected great credit on all those who were involved.

The holocaust at Swanvale was not all twenty-five high explosive bombs, 23 firepots and twenty butterfly bombs were dropped on Falmouth itself and there was much machine gun and cannon fire. Extensive damage occurred at Melville Crescent where two bungalows were demolished and many others damaged. The Pentargon Hotel on the Sea Front was demolished and a number of members of the Womens Royal Naval Service, who were billeted there, were killed or injured.

The Boscawen, Carthian House and Albion Hotels and Belseto were also substantially damaged.

Other areas which were badly damaged included Melville Road and Bay View Road. Minor damage was caused at Grove Hill, Castle Beach, Harvey’s Yard, Marine Crescent, Stracey Road, Pendennis Road, Railway Cottages, Sailor’s Rest, Boscawen Road and the Pier.

Damage also occurred in the surrounding areas at Lanarth, St. Keverne where two houses were affected, at Gillan, St. Keverne and at Lower Crill, Budock where some cattle were killed. Trewarnevas, Portscatho Post Office, and Grove Hill and Blackley House at St. Mawes were also damaged by machine gun bullets, and cannon shells did slight damage at Budock Water and Polvarth, St. Mawes. In spite of this being one of the heaviest and most concentrated of the raids on Cornwall, only three civilians were killed and seventeen injured.

This was the last recorded air-raid on the county, the 420th according to official statistics.

6th: The Allied troops embarked for the Normandy beaches and from then on the enemy were far too occupied to indulge in nuisance raids on Cornwall and by 8th May, 1945 it was all over in Europe.

1945: no incidents recorded.

As will be seen from the table below, there were many civilians killed and injured in a War which at times came to Cornwall. Most people were affected in some way or other nearly all of Cornwall’s inhabitants heard the wail of the siren, the sound of explosions caused by bombs, saw fires caused by the enemy, heard the crack of cannon or machine gun fire, the booming sound of anti-aircraft guns or the distinctive drone of the enemy bombers.

Total number of raids on Cornwall 420

Total Bombs dropped: 19,275

15,720 (incendiaries inc - phosphorous, firepot, oil, magnesium etc).

131 (various anti-personnel types).

Unexploded bombs (excluding those in Liskeard Police Division) 230

Civilian Casualties:
137 killed
248 injured and detained in hospital
421 minor injuries.

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