18/6/44. No. 7
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED OR BROADCAST BEFORE 2.30 P.M. D.B.S.T.
WEEKLY REVIEW OF THE BURMA FIGHTING.
The week ending Friday,June 16th, has been one of continued fierce fighting in
all sectors of the Burma front. Monsoon conditions are now general but, though air
have operations been of necessity restricted to some extent, there has been no slacken-
ing in the land effort.
General Stilwell’s Chinese-American forces in North Burma have been slowly press-
ing the enemy back, despite stiff resistance in both the Mogaung Valley and the
Myitkyina areas. Chinese troops have completely encircled Kamaing. Ground gained just
South of Mogaung has been consolidated and the village of Pin Hmii nearby is firmly held since its capture by the Chindits in the bitter fight for Myitkynia, North Burma’s
largest town. Chinese and American units have repeatedly beaten off counter-attacks. after overcoming enemy fortified points inside the town. Other units have been closing
in on the town from the North, West and South. South of the town and East of the
Irrawaddy, the Chindits have been fighting hard, and in one recent engagement killed more
than a hundred Japanese.
In the Mogaung area considerable Japanese equipment, including artillery pieces
and ammunition, has been captured. Inhabited places including Chakrao six miles West
of Kamaing, Kadon, East of Tumbonghka and Zigyun, East of the river and a mile North of
Kamaing, have been occupied by our troops.
The fight around Mogaung. General Lentaigne’s forces in taking Pin Hmii seized
the and fled. Chinese units 200 rail cars filled with ammunition, when enemy broke
the within miles of the town. advancing on Mogaung from North are now eight
In spite of bad weather, effective air support was given General Stilwell’s
troops. USAAF aircraft maintained their offensive against enemy, positions, supply
near and dumps, and concentrations and railway lines and bridges Myitkyina Mogaung.
bombed and The Southern end of the North airfield at Myithkyina was machine-gunned.
there has been no major change On the Manipur front, in a week of hard fighting
his withdrawal under pressure South in the situation. The enemy has continued
East of the villages of and East of Kohima, on the road to Imphal. Kohima Jessami
miles of the and our have cleared 24 and Chizami are in our hands, troops Kohima-
Jessami track.
Forces Northwards from having On the Kohima-Imphal road our advancing Imphal,
contact 18 miles North of are in by-passed a road block at milestone 116, Imphal, /with the 2
North a line some two miles with the enemy four miles further along stretching
Eastwards in support of the advance up the road. Other troops are in operation
of animals in the to the East. A large enemy convoy men and moving Eastwards
area was practically wiped out.
On the Imphal-Ukhrul road, there has been heavy fighting in the three days
9-11 June. In this sector, 309 Japanese bodies were counted.
in the of In the Bishenpur area there has been further fighting village
had achieved a local Ningthoukhonga. On June 12, after the enemy aided by tanks
a restored the and penetration of our perimeter, counter-attack fully position,
Near has been active on and five Japanese tanks were destroyed. Palel the enemy
11 with the around the scraggy feature, and two enemy attacks here on June support
of two tanks were repulsed with 40 Japanese killed.
The Third Tactical Air Force maintained its close support of our ground forces
on the Manipur front. Fighters, fighter-bombers and dive-bombers continuously
attacked enemy positions, troop concentrations, supply bridges along the lines of
communication.
The Arakan front has been quiet with some patrolling. Oour troops moved
Northwards from Mowdok and took up new positions in the Sangu Valley. The air
effort in this sector consisted of routine patrols and attacks on rivercraft, troop
concentrations and a local headquarters.
Over the whole Burma front the air-ferrying of men and supplies was maintained
in spite of severe weather conditions. There was no enemy interference and his
air force was conspicuous by its absence. The strategic offensive of Eastern
Air Command has continued with attacks by long-range R.A.F. fighters on road and
river transport, railways, factories and camps in Central and Southern Burma. On
one mission a large river steamer was left on fire after six direct hits with rocket
projectiles. There was only One intruder raid by long-range U.S.A.A.F. fighters
against the Meiktila group of airfields, and no enemy aircraft was seen. From the
week’s operations three Allied aircraft are missing.
Hard fighting in extremely difficult weather conditions is the order of the day in almost all sectors of the Burma front. As an example, our positions in the
Bishenpur area have often been water-logged in the past week.
No major change or quick conclusion to the present operation can be expected.
It is a period of dogged and prolonged conflict.
S.E.A.C 18.6.44. No.8.
NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST IN OVERSEAS BULLETINS OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 2350 D.B.S.T. ON SUNDAY 18 JUNE (i.e. FOR MONDAY MORNING PAPERS). NOT TO BE BROADCAST IN THE MIDNIGHT NEWS OF 18/19 JUNE. THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO.
THE NORTAMPTONS IN ITALY (until 25th May)
The Northamptons took part in General Alexander’s great offensive.
Their formation advanced along Highway 6 in the drive for Rome, and, as May a early as the 17th/staged a powerful attack against/strongly held German
sector in which 20 anti-tank guns were knocked out and over 300 prisoners
of war were taken.
A week later the Northamptons were among the leading troops of the
division in their advance along Highway 6. On the 25th May they were
beyond Aquino and were preparing to cross the Melfa.
The Northamptons have taken, part in actions on the east and west
coast of the peninsula, on the central massif and in the Anzio beachhead.
The regiment has indeed shared in some of the most testing fighting of
the campaign; for example, on the line of the Garigliano with the Fifth
Army in January, and in the hard-fought battles which led to the estab-
lishment and extension of a bridgehead across the Sangro. A unit of the
regiment was in the line near Cassino during April.
MILITARY AFFAIRS. THIS COPY HAS BEEN TRANSMITTED TO O.W.I.F0R 18/6/44 - No. 11
DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. & CANADIAN PRESS AND RADIO
S.H.A.E.F.
Supreme Headquarters, Advanced Command
Post, Allied Expeditionary Force.
1100, 18 June 1 944.
COMMUNIQUE No. 25
Allied forces in the area of St. Sauveur Le Vicomte hove made further progress
westwards.
Local clashes continue in the Tilly and Caen sectors.
Clearing weather in the late afternoon yesterday permitted the resumption of
air our tactical operations on a considerable scale. Enemy air opposition was
sporadic. Heavy day bombers struck at five enemy air fields and landing strips
in the Tours-Nantes area. Their fighter escort later strafed targets of opportunity.
Our medium and light bombers were brought into action with good results against
fuel dumps in the Bois du Homme (South of Caumont) and in the Senonches-La Loupe
area (West of Chartres). Other medium bomber formations attacked the railway yards
at Mezidon and a forty-mile stretch of track between Le Merlerault and St.Lubin on
the Paris-Granville line.
Five gun emplacements were attacked by fighter bombers, which were active during
the afternoon against a variety of targets in an area from Coutances to Les Pieux
and eastwards across the Cherbourg peninsula to Quettehou. Constant armed reconnais-
sance patrols were flown over the combat zone in front of our troops. Other formations
of fighter bombers attacked military objectives elsewhere in Northern France.
Enemy communications were attacked at many points by light bombers on offensive patrols last night. No. 12.
NOT FOR PUBLICATION, BROADCAST IN OVERSEAS BULLETINS OR USE ON CLUB TAPES BEFORE 2330 D.B.S.T. ON 186.44. (i.e. FOR MONDAY MORNING PAPERS). NOT TO BE BROADCAST IN THE MIDNIGHT NETS OF 18/19. THIS EMBARGO SHOULD BE RESPECTED OVERSEAS BY PREFACING ANY MESSAGES FILED WITH THE EMBARGO.
THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS IN ITALY (UP TO 29 MAY)
The Coldstream Guards have played an important part in the Italian
campaign from the Salerno beaches to the most recent offensive.
During General Alexander's great attack they had a big share in the
drive from Cassino along Highway 6. They were among the first British
troops to advance south of Cassino, and, having-helped cut the San
Giorgio Road and thus to by-pass the battered town during the first days
of the offensive, they fought their way northward to Highway 6 and thence
drove westwards towards Aquino. On May 20 they were among the troops who crossed the stream, Forme d'Aquino, They then rat the southward road to pontecorvo, and a few days later forced a crossing of the Melfa.
The Coldstream's brigade had to its credit the capture of Col
Dragone on May 26, and after a battle which raged for several days it
took Monte picolo and Monte Grande, a mile or so from Arce,
MILITARY AFFAIRS. 18/6/44 - No. 13
Air Ministry No. 14387
AIR MINISTRY COMMUNIQUE
Last night aircraft of Bomber Command attacked military installations
A in Northern France and laid nines in enemy waters. force of
Mosquitos bombed objectives in Berlin and in Western Germany.
One of our aircraft is missing. 18.6.44. No.l4
MIDDLE EAST AIR COMMUNIQUE
H.Q., R.A.F., M.E., 18th June 1944
Attacks by Alkied aircraft of Middle East Command on energy shipping harbour and airfields in the Aegean Sea area and Greece continue unabated.
Yesterday a convoy of five vessels sighted off the south-east coast of Greece and protected by four Arado 196s was attacked by Beaufighters carrying rocket projectiles and bombs. Two of the ships were severely damaged and three of the escorting aircraft were shot down into the sea.
Rhodes Harbour was bombed yesterday.
During an attack on Cos a few days ago a Ju.52 was destroyed on the ground.
From these and other operations during the past fortnight five of our aircraft are missing. 18/6/44 - No. 22
SOUTH EAST ASIA COMMAND COMMUNIQUE NO. 167
June 18, 1944
Chinese troops have taken Gurkhaywa, one mile North of Mogaunt.
are within Chindits two hundred yards of the railway bridge East of Mogaung town.
Mopping up continues in Kamaing.
American troops advancing towards Myitkyina from the North killed more than one
hundred Japanese.
West of Myitkyina Chinese patrols using flame-throwers wiped out enemy strongpoints
and harassed rear positions inflicting heavy casualties.
South of Myitkyina a Chinese force has cut the Waingmaw ferry.
Successful use has been made of the Basooka rocket weapon.
Despite the monsoon conditions which together with enemy’s demolitions impede pursuit the steady advance of our troops on the Kohima front has forced the enemy from rear guard positions.
Operations against the road block at milestone sixty four on the road to Imphal were successful: some enemy elements remain in the area.
Other elements are contained at Phasemai, one mile North East, of Mao Songsang on
to the Imphal road, and our troops have reached the track leading from Tuphema
Kharasom.
Air support has caused great disorder in Japanese concentrations and movements.
clashes and In the Imphal sector there was heavy rain but there were numerous ambushes in which the enemy suffered disproportionately heavy casualties.
On the 17 June, R.A.F. Fighters of the Third Tactifial Air Force, Eastern Air Command,
and intercepted more than twenty enemy fighters over the Palel and Bishenpur areas
to destroyed six, with fair probables and two damaged, without loss themselves.
R.A.F. fighters and fighter-bombers maintained their offensive against enemy
the bunkers, motor transport, river craft and other targets in the areas of Palel,
near Tiddim Road and the Upper Chindwin. They also attacked a camp at Milam,
Churachandpur, where they left two large fires burning.
From all these operations no Allied aircraft is missing.
Elsewhere, unfavourable weather restricted air operations. 18/6/44 -No. 27
MEDITERRANEAN COMMUNIQUE NO. 149
Allied Force Advance Headquarters
June 18th 1944
LAND:-
West of the Appennines the Allied armies in Italy have made further gains
increasing enemy resistance.
Troops of Eighth Army are moving North from Foligno and are closing in on
Perugia.
To the West, the troops of the Fifth Army have inflicted losses on the
enemy and made further advances.
AIR:-
Air operations were sharply curtailed due to adverse weather conditions.
and Fighter-bombers attacked objectives in Elba, including gun positions
as well communications. Offensive sweeps were also made in the battle area
as attacks on motor transport and rail lines in Yugoslavia.
Three of our aircraft are missing from the day's operations.
M.A.A.F. flew approximately 1000 sorties.
despite 18/6/44 - No. 29
Air Ministry News Service Air Ministry Bulletin No.14388
NIGHT FIGHTERS DESTROY TEN ENEMY AIRCRAFT OVER BEACHHEAD
A starlit sky helped night fighter crews of Air Defence of Great Britain to set up a
new record of destruction over the Normandy invasion beaches last night. They destroyed
ten enemy aircraft, seven of them Ju.88s and 188s.
This total of the beaches brings A.D.G.B'S during night patrols to 53 since D-day.
enemyIntruders, operating over airfieldsaircraft.behind the enemy's lines, have destroyed 25 more
One Mosquito squadron, which as a Defiant Unit, helped to cover the evacuation
of Dunkirk four years ago, shot down five of the enemy last night.
Two of both were Blooke of them, Ju.l88s, destroyed by F/O P. , Devizes, Wiltshire,
who had with him as observer, P/O. J. Hutchison, of Bury St. Edmunds.
Two D.F.C.'s, F/Lt. M.M. Davison, of Kington, Hereford, and his observer, F/O.
A.C. Wilmott, of London, N.16, accounted for a F.W.190. It was their third "kill" over
the beaches within a week.
An N.C.O. crew of another Mosquito squadron attacked a Ju. 88 which took a lot of
it punishment before was destroyed.
"I first caught sight of the enemy silhoutted against the starlit sky", said the
pilot, F/Sgt. John C. Johnson, of N.W. London. "I gave it a five second burst and the
under starboard wing and engine were hit, but the Hun carried on, still apparently
both control. I went after him again and gave him a seven-second burst. With engines
on fire, he dived vertically out of sight still blazing fiercely."
F/Sgt. Johnson and his observer, F/Sgt. J.H. Marshall, of Middlesborough, have been
flying together for about ten months.
St shot down his second A Newfoundland pilot, Squadron-Leader I.A. March, of e Johns,
fired enemy aircraft in five nights. "We spotted a Ju.188 ahead of us", he said. ”We
two bursts and down it went in flames.
of their Mosquito. When one crew landed back at their base, they found soot on one wing
burst of cannon fire. They had attacked an F.W.190 which blew up after their second
slither along the ground, Another crew saw their victim, a Ju.88, go down in flames and
scattering burning wreckage. 8. 6.44 - No.30.
AIR MINISTRY NEWS SERVICE MINISTRYBULLETIN NO. 14389
AIR SUPPLY UNDER GERMAN FIRE
One of the largest supplies and evacuation operations yet accomplished has just
been completed by Dakotas of R.A.F. Transport Command, engaged on normal air support of the forces in Normandy.
Carrying a heavy load of essential stores to an advanced landing strip, they brought
back a number of casualties. German mortars had large the strip well within range and continuous fire failed to impede the operations. All the supplies were delivered and
considerably more than 200 casualties were carried to a home base. Some of the wounded
were in hospitals in England within five hours of being wounded.
At the Transport Command station receiving the casualties, British Redd Cross and
R.A.F. ambulances were standing by. Volunteer drivers from the neighbourhood worked
with personnel to take the patients from aircraft to hospital.
The Dakotas landed at intervals of less than a minute and medical officers mounted
each aircraft to examine the patients and determine their priority. The work of transfer
moved regularly on.
One Dakota returned a U.S.A.A.F. pilot, Capt. J.M.Ilsrey, of Houston, Texas, who
Jumped from the step and asked, "can I telephone to my base, please?" He was dressed
in overalls and jacket with a beret on the side of his head and was anxious but unwounded.
had "I was working behind the enemy lines last Sunday", he said, "and to bale out
when anti-aircraft fire knocked out my P.38 (lightning). I came down easily enough and
some French people gave me assistance so that I could come back.
"I reached the British and your people brought me home. I’m certainly grateful".
The nursing orderlies on this operation were chiefly R.A.F., although some
W.A.A.F. made up the party.
"When we landed, the Germans were shelling us", said L.A.C.W.Sylvia Carter of
Swansey, Cambridge. "He saw some people making for cover, so we did, until it was time
to load on the casualties. I have never been so near to earth in my life".
"It was grand bringing them back", said L.A.C.W.Joan Cooper, of Queensbore, Sheerness,
Kent. Although the W.A.A.F. still carried the soil of Normandy on their battledress and
faces, within a few minutes they were freshedned up and at work again.
The emergency wards filled quickly and every case was re-examined. The surgeon
moved from stretcher to stretcher attended by a nurshing sister. Diet was decided and the
degree of urgency.
Orderlies followed with hot meals, served on piping hot plates and liquids for those
needing immediate surgical threatment. There was a steady stream of hot tea.
The casualties arrived dusty and tired, but from kit bogs come razors, and orderlies
brought shoving soap and hot water and soon dorm the line of stretchers showed well-
leathered faces. Next come cigarettes, matches, and the day’s newspaper.
"How are we doing?" was the first question and when that was answered, the familiar
in a field postcard was completed. Walking cases washed, shaved, and amused themselves
recreation tent.
a the Sgt. T. Grinsell of Normanton, Yorkshire, turned philosphicel eye on country-
side. "Yesterday" he said, "I was in the push for a village in a big forest, and now I’m here. It looks good".
"It was "Despite Jerry’s tricks, we got the village we were after", he continued,
of them. among the trees and we couldn't see the houses until we were right on top Jerry the time I've had 'pockets' here and there, and snipers all over the place. This is first He didn't ever been in an aircraft and I cane home with 23 others who can say the same. fe el a things”. AIR AFFAIRS
AIR This copy has been transmitted to O.W.I. 18.6.44 No.35 for distribution to U.S. & Canadian Press and Radio.
S.H.A.E.F.
Supreme Headquarters, Advanced Command Post, Allied Expeditionary Force, 2530 - June 18th, 1944.
COMMUNIQUE No.26
Allied troops have cut off the Cherbourg Peninsula from the rest of Normandy, reaching the west coast near Barneville-Sur-Mer. In the centre a steady advance
east of the Vire has brought us within 6 miles of St. Lo.
The strong point at Douvres which had been holding out was captured yesterday with over 150 prisoners. We lost one man killed in the final assault. More than
15,000 prisoners have been counted so far.
Low clouds over many parts of the battle area again restricted allied air activity from midnight until noon today.
Last night 10 enemy aircraft were destroyed by our fighters protecting the beaches.
This morning medium and light bombers successfully attacked railway yards at Rennes. They also bombed objectives in the Foret d’Andaine east of Domfront and other military and transport targets behind the enemy lines. All our bombers returned safely.
Fighter bombers struck at Montreuil-Bellay and Saumur damaging trains, locomotives, railway bridges and highways. Fighters maintained a widespread armed
on the reconnaissance beyond the battle zone and attacked road and rail transport move at many points.