June 1944 (1)

Scene of devastation at Naga village near Kohima taken after fierce resistance from the Japanese, by the 7th Indian Division.
IND 3709
Part of
WAR OFFICE SECOND WORLD WAR OFFICIAL COLLECTION
No 9 Army Film & Photographic Unit

1-3 June – on the first of the month, the 7th Indian division overran the Japanese positions in Naga Village, Burma.  The USS Herring, a Gato-class submarine was shelled and sunk off Matsuma, Kuril Islands, by Japanese shore-based artillery with the loss of all 60-man crew.  The 5th Brigade accomplished outflanking the enemy around Aradura.

Burma

5 June – the first mission by B-29 Superfortress bombers occur as 77 of them hit the Japanese railway facilities in [what today is known as] Bangkok, Thailand.

6-8 June – 2 US light carriers were damaged after a Japanese air attacks in the waters off Biak Island.  Despite the lack of reinforcements for the enemy, the island would take 8 more weeks to be subdued.

Finding the air now free of enemy planes, American B-25’s dived to the attack, reporting the convoy as 2 light cruisers and 4 destroyers. Initially, it was claimed that 1 destroyer was sunk, 2 were left sinking, and the fourth was damaged.  A few days later, destruction was reassessed as 4 destroyers sunk and 2 light cruisers chased to the northwest. These claims were exaggerated.

IJN Harumsame

One destroyer, the IJN Harusame, was holed by a near miss and sank rapidly, the bulk of its crew being saved. Another destroyer was damaged by a bomb and took some water; two others were slightly damaged by strafing. Neither speed nor navigation was impeded for any of the three. The two light cruisers reported by the Allied planes were, of course, the other two destroyers. These two might have taken some evasive action by heading northwest for a short time, but as soon as the Harusame crew had been rescued and the Allied planes had disappeared, the convoy reformed and continued on toward Biak.

USS Tang

On the 8th alone, the submarine, USS Tang sank IJN ships, Tainan Maru, Tamahoko Maru, Kennichi Maru, and the Nasuasan Maru.  This was a good day, but such sinkings were becoming quite common.  The American subs were taking a grievous toll on the enemy’s merchant and military shipping.  [ U. S. submarines sank 468 Japanese ships during the first 11 months of 1944, according to Navy Department communiqués. This total includes four light cruisers and 17 destroyers. Forty‑three tankers, 377 cargo ships and transports were sent to the bottom.]

Japanese bunker at the base of Kangu Hill.

9-11 June – the Japanese bases at Fangelawa Bay, New Ireland, was bombarded by Pacific Fleet destroyers.  Carrier aircraft from TF-58 struck the enemy air-power on Saipan, Tinian, Rota, Pagan and Guam in the Marianas.  Installations, defense positions and parked planes were bombed and strafed.  Approximately 150 [up to 200 in other resources] Japanese aircraft were destroyed, with an Allied loss of 11.  On Bougainville, P-39’s of the 13th Air Force flew 44 sorties against occupied areas at Komai, Kakaura, and Quaga, AA guns at Kangu Hill and plantations at Arigua and Tsirogei.   The 868th Bombardment Squadron B-24’s went on a “snooper” bombing mission and hit hit Truk.

Click on images to enlarge.

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Military Humor – 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Farewell Salutes – 

Earl Angell – Providence, RI; US Navy, WWII & Korea

Mary Byers – Orangeburg, MO; US Army WAC, PTO

Kenneth Davis – Augusta, GA; US Navy, WWII & Korea

Leo Gray – Boston, MA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO 100th Fighter Sq/332nd Fighter Group, Lt. Col. (Ret.), Tuskegee pilot

Sidney Hughes – Rhondda Valley, So. Wales, NZ; RNZ Army # 14201034, WWII, 1st Battalion, CBI

Winston Johnson – Las Cruces, TX;US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, C-47, pilot

Joseph Kursur – Miami, FL; US Army, WWII

Joseph Locke – Hiseville, KY; US Navy, WWII, PTO, minesweeper

Arnold Palmer – Latrobe, PA; US Coast Guard, (pro champion golfer)

Frederick Wiessing – Springfield, IL; US Army, 11th Airborne Division, Sgt.

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