Project 60 - "The First Fight Against Fascism" - Archives

July, 1943

July 1, 1943

Hitler addresses his major commanders at his ?Wolf?s Lair? headquarters in Rastenburg, briefing them on the upcoming offensive against the Kursk salient. He sets July 4 for the offensive to begin.

July 2, 1943

American forces reinforce their positions at Rendova as Japanese naval forces bombard the position during the night.

The US 15^th Air Force launches a series of heavy raids against airfield in southern Italy in preparation for the invasion of Sicily.

July 3, 1943

In heavy fighting Australian forces break through Japanese positions around Mudo, New Guinea, linking up with the American forces at Nassau Bay.

American forces land at Munda on New Georgia. No resistance is met.

Soviet air attacks on German airfields cause heavy damage and disrupt preparations for the coming offensive against the Kursk bulge. German leaders delay the opening of the attack by an additional day to recover from the attacks.

July 4, 1943

US forces meet heavy Japanese resistance between Zanana and Munda on New Georgia.

July 5, 1943 - OPERATION CITADEL, the German Summer Offensive at Kursk Opens

After much delay and preparation, the Germans launch their summer offensive against the huge bulge in the front centered around Kursk. OPERATION CITADEL called for attacks on the northern and southern shoulders of the bulge by the bulk of the German?s panzer forces. The 9^th Army (Gerneal Model) was to strike the northern shoulder while the 4^th Panzer Army (Generals Hoth) and Army Detachment Kempf struck from the south. In all, 37 divisions (11 of them panzer divisions) totaling nearly a million soldiers, 2500 tanks, 10,000 guns and rocket launchers, and 1800 aircraft were unleashed against the Soviets.

The location and timing of the German attack were well known to the Soviets. Through various intercepts and intelligence sources, the Russians knew what the Germans planned and acted accordingly. They too massed huge reserves and built intricate and deep (in some places up to 200 miles) defensive positions. Once the attack began, the Soviets planned to wear the Germans down by forcing them to contend with successive lines of strong defenses not only from guns and men, but mines, wire and entrenchments. The northern flank was guarded by the Central Front (General Rokossovsky) while the southern flank was guarded by the Voronezh Front (General Vatutin). The Steppe Front (General Konev) was held in reserve while Marshal Zhukov retained overall control as the STAVKA representative.

The Germans were well aware of these preparations, but their arrogant belief in their imagined superiority over the Russians had not diminished despite the set backs of the winter at Stalingrad. One reason for the delay in the attack, and the confidence in success was the deployment of new weapons. Many of the German Panzer formations had been reinforced with the powerful new weapons. Four new armored fighting vehicles would see action here. The ?Tiger? tank (actually introduced during the last winter) was very heavily armored and carried the feared 88mm gun. A very fast and heavily armored new main battle tank, the  ?Panther?, mounting a long 75mm gun as powerful as the Tiger?s 88, was also introduced. Finally, a massively armed and armored assault gun, the ?Elephant?, mounting a long 88mm gun (more powerful than the Tiger?s), was also included in the new arsenal to bust through the Russian antitank positions. Finally, the Germans introduced a lightly armored, but powerfully armed (a long 88mm gun) assault gun, called the ?Nashorn? for dealing at long range with the Soviet tanks.

Surprisingly, for the Germans anyway, the opening attacks began with Soviet attacks. The Russians had known the place and time of the attack. They launched a massive air assault against the German rear areas to disrupt the coming attack. However, this was met by effective fighter defenses which defeated the  attacks and left the Russians with little air support for the first few days of the offensive. The Soviets had better luck with their artillery, hitting known German artillery postions particularly hard. The attacks also badly disrupted the German movements toward the front. The attack was delayed by 2-3 hours to allow time to regroup.

On the northern side of the bulge, 9^th Army opened the attack with an 80 minute barrage starting at 0435. This was followed by an infantry assault by the 23 Corps into the positions of the 148th and 8^th Rifle Divisions. Meanwhile, the 41^st and 47^th Panzer Corps, heavily supported from the air, struck the 15^th and 81^st Rifle Divisions. None of these attacks gained more than 8 kilometers (5 miles) at a cost of 200 tanks (20% of their total strength.

On the southern side of the bulge, the offensive would be conducted by the 4^th Panzer Army and Army Detachment Kempf. The attacks by 4^th Panzer were spearheaded by two very powerful formations - the 48^th (nearly 600 tanks) and 2^nd SS Panzer Corps (over 600 tanks). Both planned to attack along roads which converged on the town of Oboian and then  Kursk. AD Kempf was to attack in the Belgorod area and secure the eastern flank of the offensive.

When the attacks finally got underway, 48^th Panzer Corps (3^rd, 11^th and Grosse Deutschland Panzer Divisions, supported by 100 new Panther tanks of the 10^th Brigade) the attacks quickly became bogged down in the extensive mine fields. The 10^th Brigade had further problems in that early morning rain had turned their march route into a quagmire. The formation did manage to extract itself and make limited advances, but failed to reach its first day objective of the Psel River.

The attack of the 2^nd SS Panzer Corps faired better. The 52^nd Guard Rifle Division fought valiantly but was unable to withstand the onslaught of the SS troopers and was force back to the second line 20 kilometers to the rear.

AD Kempf attacked across the Northern Donets river east of Belograd. The Soviet 7^th Guard Army defended the line well and the fighting was very severe. At the end of the day, the Germans carved a bridgehead 3-6 kilometers deep and 12km wide across the river.

Both Vatutuin (in the south) and Rokossovsky (in the north) committed large groups of anti-tank gun units and armor to thicken their already formidable defenses. Vatutin order a 1000 tanks forward from the 2^nd and 5^th Guard Tank Corps.

In other war news?

July 6, 1943 - The Kursk Offensive Continues

Major attacks began again midday in the south. A small salient containing the 67^th and 52^nd Guard Rifle Division had developed the previous day between the 48^th and 2^nd SS Panzer Corps. 48^th Panzer Corps (the GD division in particular) dealt with these units, forcing them to withdraw with serious losses. However, when the advance hit the second echelon positions, GD was stopped cold. Meanwhile, 3^rd Panzer Division reached the Psel River only to discover that rain and steep muddy banks made fording the river impossible. This redirected the attacks to the east where elements of the 3^rd Mechanized Corp (1^st Tank Army) were engaged in heavy fighting and serious losses were sustained by both sides. By the end of the day, the Corps had lost 30% of its armor strength.

2^nd SS Panzer Corps ran into the 5^th Guard Tank Corps when its attacks resumed. The very formidable formation forced the Russians to engage in a fighting withdrawal. Meanwhile, the 2^nd Guard Tank Corp struck the right (eastern) flank of the Germans forcing the 3^rd SS Panzer Division to redirect its efforts on that axis.

Further to the east, Army Detachment Kempf had three of its panzer divisions (6^th, 7^th and 19^th) attacking in a northeasterly direction. The attackers succeeded in pushing back the left flank of the 81^st Guard Rifle Divisions, but stopped dead in its tracks upon reaching the backup positions occupied by the 73^rd and 78^th Guard Rifle Divisions. Several Antitank Gun Brigades were dispatched to the new line.

Fighting to the north in the 9^th Army secotor was stalemated. Soviet armored formations counterattacked forcing the Germans to defend their meager gains of the previous day. The attacks came in uncoordinated and the Germans were able to deal with the attacks. Analysis after the fact indicated that Rokossovsky had committed his armor before the Germans were sufficiently worn down.

Although gains against Vatutin?s forces in the south were limited during the day, his formations were becoming very thin on the ground. More infantry and antitank formations were ordered forward. Additionally, the 2^nd and 10^th Tank Corps (5^th Guard Tank Army) were ordered to begin forming in the Prokorovka area northeast of the German axis of attack.

In other war news ?

In an attempt to reinforce the Solomons, a Japanese destroyer group brings 3000 troops to Vila. An American naval force under Admiral Ainsworth (3 cruisers and 4 destroyers) engages the Japanese force of 10 destroyers in the Kula Gulf. The action started at 0200 when the US cruisers concentrated fire on the Niizuki and quickly sunk her, but the light cruiser Helena took three hits and began to sink. Five other Japanese destroyers were heavily damaged and the Nagatsuki ran aground and was finished off the next day by US dive bombers. Despite the losses, the Japanese landed 850 troops.

A US Navy task force (4 cruisers and 4 destroyers) under Admiral Giffen bombards Japanese positions on Kiska Island.

July 7, 1943 - The Kursk battles rage on

In the north, Model?s forces concentrated their attacks in the area around Ponyri. 18^th Panzer and 292^nd Infantry Divisions hit the 307^th Rifle division and were initially repulsed. A full day of heavy fighting in the village saw sections of the town change hands several times. By the end of the day, the town was split between the two combatants. Meanwhile, the 41^st Panzer Corps struck toward Ol?Khovatka, an area surrounded by dominant high ground, only to be met by elements of the 2^nd Tank Army. Both sides suffered serious losses and neither gained their objectives in the stallmate.

In the south, Army Detachment Kempf continued to make modest headway against the 7^th Guard Army. Four additional infantry divisions were assigned to shore up the Soviet positions. On the other (western) flank, 48^th Panzer Corps was attempting to move forward only to be confronted by large tank formations Vatutuin was hoping to attack with. A large salient had developed between 2^nd SS Panzer Corps right (east) and AG Kempf?s left (west) flank. 3^rd SS Panzer was dispatched to guard that vulnerable position, leaving only the 1^st and 2^nd SS Panzer Divisions for attacks. Because of the serious resistance on the road to Oboian, these formations redirected to the northeast and advanced, making modest progress, toward Prokorovka.

Over the battlefield, the air battle became desperate. German forces were concentrating on their ground support efforts and the Red Air Force had recovered from their initial trouncing at the optining of the offensive to contest the Germans. The Soviet fighter sweeps took a serious toll on the bomb laden German planes.

In other war news ?

The Battle of the South Atlantic continues as German submarine U-185 sinks three merchant ships off the coast of Brazil.

Australian forces capture Observation Hill near Mubo in New Guinea.

July 8, 1943 - Fighting at Kursk continues

Model?s 9^th Army makes an all out effort to make an impression on the Russian defenses in the north. The 4^th panzer Division, the last fresh panzer unit in the army is committed to the attack along with all available air support. After a bitter day of fighting with heavy losses reported by both sides, no appreciable movement is seen in the front line.

To the south, 4^th Panzer Army continues its attacks. On the left (west), 48^th Panzer Corp, with the GD Panzer Division in the lead, struck directly up the Oboian road. The battered 3^rd Mechanized Corp was unable to contain the German attacks and grudgingly gave ground. 6^th Tank Corp struck the left flank of GD which distracted the Germans long enough for Vatutin to organize fresh troops in front of the main attack, which prevented the Germans from obtaining a clean breakthrough.

To the east, 2^nd SS Panzer Corps started the days attacks by redirecting their attacks away from the Oboian axis toward Prokorovka to the northeast. The attack started at the same time Vatutin planned an attack by the 10^th Tank Corps into what he though would b e the german right flank. Instead, the two forces met in a meeting engagement. Both sides took grevious losses in men and machines in the insuing battle which raged for most of the day.

Army Detachment Kempf advanced 8 kilometers north, capturing Melikhovo, finally breaking cleanly through the first defense lines of the 7^th Guards Army. The Soviet Guardsmen simply withdrew to the second line in good order and redoubled their efforts to harass the German right (east).

This fourth day of battle brought German domination in the air to an end. The Luftwaffee was no longer able to automatically gain air superiority over a spot on the  battlefield and roving swarms of Red fighters struck hard against the German planes. The Germans were able to  execute a mere 650 sorties to the Soviet 1500.

July 9, 1943 - German frustration at Kursk begins to show

Fighting at Kursk had taken on a significant and, for the Germans, a frustrating pattern. Unlike the previous two summers, the Russians did not collapse when subjected to the German armored onslaught. This summer the Germans were confronted by an enemy who contested every inch of ground and when forced to withdraw did so in good order to freshly prepared defenses. More worrisome, the Soviets had shown to be very aggressive in hammering the flanks of the German attacks. The confident, swaggering, fa?ade of invincibility was beginning to show cracks as the battle dragged on.

Vatutin was determined to stop the Germans. He ordered both the 5^th Guards Tank and 5^th Guard Armies to concentrate in the Prokorovka area and prepare for a coordinated attack against the Germans. He also heavily reinforced his right (west) facing the 48^th Panzer Corps with  fresh anti-tank brigades and infantry division. He also committed the fresh 69^th Army in front of Kempf between the 7^th and 6^th Guards Armies.

The Germans continued to drive forward. In the north, the attacks by 9^th Army were on the wane. Despite desperate attempts to crack the Russian, lines, no headway was made and losses were high.

To the south, Army Detachment Kempf made little progress being faced by fresh reinforcements. 2^nd SS Panzer Corps made some progress on the road to Prokorovka, pushing the depleted formations of the 3^rd Mechanized and 10^th Tank Corps ahead of them while the battered 2^nd Tank Corps harassed their flank.

The main effort for the day came from 48^th Panzer Corps up the Oboian road. With all of the air support that could be mustered. The unit, spearheaded by the GD Panzer Division pushed forward making good progress. That progress came to an abrupt end at Novoselovka when they ran into heavily reinforced 309^th Rifle Division. Meanwhile, the 6^th Tank Corp continued to attack the German flank

In other war news ?

A German air raid against England succeeds in hitting the movie theater in East Grinstead, killing 12 civilians.

Heavy fighting is reported between US and Japanese forces on the approaches to Munda on New Georgia. Both sides begin the task of reinforcing as Americans send reinforcements to Rendova and the Japanese send reinforcements to Kolombangara.

July 10, 1943 - OPERATION HUSKY, the Invasion of Sicily Begins

Shortly after midnight, 147 C-47s with their gliders in tow bucked 30-35mph winds heading toward Sicily. They would be the vanguard of the greatest sea borne invasion the world had yet seen.  Regrettably, everything fell apart quickly. The slow transports were met by heavy anti-aircraft fire as they came in. Sixty-nine of the gliders were released early and could not reach land, drowning 252 soldiers. Two more transports were shot out of the sky and 10 turned back without releasing their tows. Twelve of the gliders did manage to land at the correct place.

While this was taking place, a reinforced regiment (3045 men) from the US 82^nd Airborne Division were heading toward their landing zones behind Gela. The plan for this force was to fly over Malta and then make a turn to the left and head into Sicily. Most of the inexperience flight crews missed Malta (even though it was lit up like a Christmas tree to assist navigation this night) and the paratroops came in out of formation and widely scattered. This coupled with the high winds resulted in many injuries as well as exacerbating the scatter.

In the predawn hours, the largest invasion fleet ever assembled to date (1200 ships in all) headed toward the island. Unlike every other sea borne invasion, this one had no preliminary bombardment. It was hoped that the allies would be able to achieve tactical surprise upon hitting the beach. To a large extent, this was the case.

The British 8^th Army (under General Montgomery) landed just south of Syracuse, spearheaded by commandos and Special Air Service (SAS) units as well as elements of the XXX Corps and XIII Corps. Heavy surf made navigation for the small landing craft difficult and many missed their designated target beaches (some by as much as 6000 yards). However, there was little resistance and the landings went well.

The US 7^th Army (under General Patton) made their landings west of (on the left flank) of the British in the Gulf of Gela. The initial landings included rangers and elements of the 3^rd, 1^st and 45^th Infantry Divisions. The only mishap of this landing was the destruction of the destroyer Maddox which was sunk by a Stuka dive bomber.

The response of the Axis was poor. Italian coastal units surrendered en masse. Mobile reserve groups were slow to react to the invasion. Italian Mobile Group ?E? was the first to attack and hit the town of Gela around 0900. The 16^th Infantry Regiment, supported by fire from the cruiser Boise  stopped the attack and forced the Italians to retreat.

The Germans had two divisions on the island, the 15^th Panzer Grenadier and the ?Herman Goering? (HG) Panzer Division. The former was a well-trained and experienced unit but except for a kampfgruupe facing the British, they were not in a position to have an impact on D-Day. The HG Division however, was in an excellent position to crush the American beachhead. Although they were extremely well equipped (including 14 Tiger tanks), they were ineptly led. Their counterattack did not get organized until the afternoon. They too were met by naval gunfire and the men of the ?Big Red One? and retreated in considerable disorder.

By the end of the first day, the Allies were well established on shore, although somewhat disorganized and scattered.

The battle at Kursk grinds on.

In the north, Model?s 9^th Army attack grinds on, but the attacks are half hearted and it becomes obvious to all that they have failed. The offensive on this sector is terminated. The Germans lost over 400 tanks and took 50,000 casualties for no apparent gain.

The badly depleted 48^th Panzer Corp made attacks to clear their flanks on this day. 3^rd Panzer Division attack the remnants of the 6^th Tank Corp, while GD Panzer Division attacked the 10^th Tank Corps. Meanwhile, the 11^th Panzer Division struck up the Oboian road and began relieving 1^st SS Panzer Division of some of its line so that it could be concentrated further east.

On the other flank, Army Detachment Kempf still attempted to move north but had to contend with attacks on its right and left flanks as well and made limited gains.

In the center, it had been decided that the 2^nd SS Panzer Corps would be concentrated for an all out attack on the Porokorvka axis. As 1^st and 2^nd SS Panzer Divisions regrouped, 3^rd SS Panzer was to establish a bridgehead over the Psel River. The initial attack failed, but in the afternoon, all three divisions lunged forward and the corps was able to establish jump off positions for the attack tomorrow.

Vatutin was not inactive on this day. He had begun to replace his armored formations with fresh infantry/antitank units. This was done to allow time to rest and refit his worn formations while preparing for the counter blow at Prokorovka.

And in other news ?

Japanese and American forces link up in New Guinea cutting off the Japanese defenders at Mubo.

July 11, 1943  

The fight at Kursk approaches its climax as the Germans redouble their efforts to break Vatutin?s lines south of Kursk. 48^th Panzer Corp on the left (west) probes the Russian infantry and antitank formations making limited progress. On the right (east), Army Detachment Kempf was able to concentrate its armor and make a 12-kilometer drive north toward Prokorovka and forcing the Russians to abandon several previously formidable positions. In the center, 2^nd SS Panzer Corps advances toward Prokoravka. The 1^st SS Panzer Division advances up the road with 2^nd SS on its right and 3^rd SS on its left across the Psel River. The advance comes to a sudden stop as the 1^st SS troopers run into the elite and fresh 9^th Airborne Division outside the town.

As reinforcements come slowly ashore, the Axis forces in the American sector attempt to make a coordinated attack against the beaches. The Italian Livorno Division and the HG Panzer Division manage to make a reasonably coordinated attack in the Gela area. This attack was initially met by the small bands of General Gavin?s paratroops along the Biazza Ridge. Vastly outgunned and outnumbered, the American paratroops beat back the HG tankers. In the center, the HG Panzer Division column was making for Gela. This attack was met by naval gunfire. The destroyer Beatty alone fired 800 rounds of 5? high explosive into the advancing Germans. However, they continued on and were only stopped by the direct fire from the 1^st Division?s own artillery which was set up on the beaches south of Gela. On the left, Darby?s Rangers were confronted with the Italian attack. This attack was broken up by fire from the cruiser Savannah (ordered up by Patton himself). Upon leaving the rangers, Patton said, ?kill every one of those bastards.?

IN the British sector, the only organized fighting force was a group of 15^th Panzer Grenadiers (KG Schmalz). These few Germans had all they could handle in making a fighting withdraw in front of the British army. The British on the other hand were having a difficult time in dealing with all of the Italians surrendering to them and in securing Syracuse.

July 12, 1943 - The largest tank battle in history is fought at Prokorovka

As Army Detachment Kempf continues to make progress in their drive toward Prokorovka and 48^th Panzer Corps struggles toward Odoain all eyes turn to the developments southwest of Prokorovka.

The Germans started their attack at dawn. Simultaneously, the Soviets had launched their massed armor forward. Nearly 2500 tanks would clash in this titanic battle. The terrain in this area is gently rolling which reduced visibility to a few hundred yards. This resulted in extremely short engagement ranges, typically around 200 meters. This coupled with Vatutin?s orders that his tankers should race their tanks to point blank range so they had a chance to penetrate the Tiger and Panther tanks armor guaranteed massive carnage.

The only formation to make headway for the Germans was the 3^rd SS Panzer on their left. They were able to break through the screening force and advance several kilometers on one side west side of the Psel River. Vatutin through fresh formations in front of the onrushing enemy, but they were stopped only when attacks on their left flank forced them to react in that direction.

On the other side of the river, 1^st SS Panzer was fighting for its life. Trapped between the Psel River and a railroad embankment to the east, the division could not maneuver and became entangled in a deadly short range duel with the Soviet armor. The carnage was catastrophic as the two behemoths ground themselves to dust.

On the left, 2^nd SS Panzer became entangled with 2^nd Guard Tank Corps. Like their comrades to the west, these two formations also devoured one another in the fires of battle.

The fighting came to an end as tremendous thunderstorms moved into the area. The bloody ground was further soaked by the rain turning the battlefield into a massive quagmire. Both sides had huge losses. Half of the tanks which started the day?s fight were no burning wrecks.

As devastating as the losses suffered were, the death kneel for the German offensive came from a different direction. Further to the north opposite Orel, the Bryansk and West Fronts began a massive offensive. This coupled with the invasion at Sicily forced the Germans to call an end to the slaughter at Kursk. For the first time in the war, a deliberate and thoroughly planned German offensive had failed to achieve even an operational, let alone a strategic breakthrough. The invincibility of the German army was shattered on the Russian steppes at Kursk.

In other news ?

The bulk of the 15^th Panzer Division arrived on the left (west) flank of the American sector and began applying pressure against the 3^rd Infantry Division. By this time Combat Command A of the 2^nd Armored Division (CCA/2 Armored) had arrived to support the 3^rd. The HG Panzer Division was withdrawing but still in contact with the US 1^st and 45^th Divisions. In the British sector, the 8^th Army continued to advance nearly unopposed as the regimental kampfgruppe (KG Schmalz) from the 15^th Panzer Grenidiers remained the only organized resistance. The Italian army in Sicily continued to disintegrate.

July 13, 1943  

In the early morning hours, a Japanese task force consisting of the light cruiser Jintsu, and 9 destroyers made another attempt to land reinforcements in the Solomons. An Allied naval group under Admiral Ainsworth consisting of three light cruisers (Honolulu, HMNZS Leander, and St. Louis) and 10 destroyers met off the coast of Kolombangara. In the short battle, Leander was hit by a Japanese torpedo, severely damaged and she withdrew. Nearly 3000 shells were fired at  Jintsu, disabling her (the ship  was later sunk by torpedoes). After reloading torpedoes, the Japanese destroyers returned and managed to blow up an American destroyer and severely damage the two remaining US cruisers. The Allied forces withdrew and the Japanese landed 1200 troops on Vila Island.

German offensive operations at Kursk come to an end as one last attempt is made to break the Soviet lines on the southern face of the bulge. It failed. Hitler suspended Operation ?Citadel? and the vaunted Wehrmacht would never attempt a major strategic offensive on the Russian front again.  Meanwhile, the Soviet offensive opposite Orel, north of Kursk continues to make good progress against dogged German resistance.

British forces continue to advance in Sicily capturing Autusta and Raqusa. The ?Herman Goring Division is beginning to shift position to face the advancing British 51^st Infantry Division, 23^rd Armored Brigade and Canadian 1^st Infantry Division (Harpoon Force) near Vizzini, while the British 8^th Corps opens attacks toward Catania and Lentini.

The Japanese forces at Mubo, New Guinea, are destroyed in heavy fighting.

July 14, 1943

Senior Sergeant Mariy Sergeyevna Borovichenko ended her military carrier as she had started it, facing insurmountable odds in the face of the enemy. Her last act of heroism was to place an anti-tank bomb on an enemy vehicle and rather than taking cover, used her body to shield a wounded comrade. The detonation destroyed the German tank, but shrapnel from the explosion killed her. She became a ?Hero of the Soviet Union, for her dedicated and selfless service to the Motherland?, one of 92 women in the entire war to be so honored.

The Soviet offensive on the Orel salient expands as the Voronezh Front strikes back at the German 4^th Panzer and Army Detachment Kempf south of Kursk.

The Primrose Bridge: One of the most bizarre battles in the war is fought as German and British paratroops make several combat drops in the same area within hours of one anther near the Primrose Bridge in Sicily. The Primrose Bridge crossed a 400-foot gorge 7 miles south of Catania. It was the key to Montgomery?s capture of the Catania plain. The German 3^rd Parachute Regiment (which had dropped July 12) was reinforced by the drop of the 1^st Para-MG battalion the previous day defended the area. In the early morning hours of 14th, the British 1^st Parachute Brigade landed south of the bridge and secured it. The Germans struck the disorganized British at first light. The Brits were hard pressed until fire from the cruiser HMS Newfoundland delivered quick and accurate 6? gun rounds in support. The Germans launched heavier attacks, supported by artillery in the afternoon. Communications with the Newfoundland broke down leaving the Brits without support. They were forced to abandon the bridge late in the day. Meanwhile, British armor had been fighting hard to reach the paratroops. By early evening they had made contact with the British paratroops well south of the bridge. The Germans withdrew to the north bank anticipating a British night attack, but it never developed. The Germans were reinforced during the night, by yet another airborne drop (the final drop into the area came on July 17^th when the German 4^th Parachute Regiment was landed) and could declare victory at the Primrose Bridge.

In other fighting on Sicily, American forces secure the Biscari airfield and Niscemi while British forces capture Vizzini.

July 15, 1942

A major air battle is fought over Rendova. American pilots clamed over forty Japanese planes at a cost of only 3 friendly craft.

In Sicily, Patton?s 7^th Army, relegated to a minor roll of protecting Montgomery?s left flank. Stung by the Alexander?s decision to give Bradley?s 2^nd Corps front to Montgomery, Patton decides to drive west to Polermo with half his army while 2^nd Corps is stuck advancing north through the trackless mountains.

July 16, 1943

In a statement by Churchill and Roosevelt to the people of Italy, the two leaders said, "The sole hope for Italy's survival lies in honorable capitulation to the overwhelming, power of the military forces of the United Nations. If you continue to tolerate the Fascist regime, which serves the evil power of the Nazis, you must suffer the consequences of your own choice . . . we are determined to destroy the false leaders and their doctrines which have brought Italy to her present position."  Editor?s Note: To those who still feel Bush is the second coming of Churchill, compare the statement above to ?Smoke ?em out? and ?Bring ?em on.?

Allied forces continue to advance in Sicily. The US 3^rd Infantry Division engages in heavy fighting at Agrigento and Porto Empedocle. The British 50^th Infantry Division establishes a brigehead at the Primrose Bridge across the Simeto River and the Canadian 1^st Infantry Division captures Caltagirone and moves on toward Piazza Armerina.

Manstien?s defeated panzers begin to give ground on the southern edge of the Kursk bulge as Soviet Voronezh Front counter-attacks develop into general offensive.

July 17, 1943

The Soviet Southwest Front (commanded by General Malinovsky) joins the attacks hitting German positions around Voroshilovgrad. To the north, Central Front?s attacks toward Orel are temporarily checked as German tanks counterattack the spearheads. South of Kursk, the German remnants of the 4^th Panzer Army continue their fighting withdrawl.

American air attacks on Bouganville hit Japanese naval forces hard, sinking a destroyer.

July 18, 1943

Patton?s free-wheeling armored columns continue their romp over western Sicily capturing  Caltanisetta and cutting the Palermo-Enna road. Canadian forces capture Valguarnera in the interior while on the east coast, British are stopped by stubborn resistance north of the Simeto River.

July 19, 1943

Patton?s armored columns continue to drive north and west toward Palermo. Montgomery?s forces are still unable to move forward, and he shifts his spearheads inland aiming at Gerbini, Agira and Leonforte.

July 20, 1943

Canadian and American forces in Sicily continue to advance capturing Enna and Menfi while the British continue to be thwarted by heavy resistance. Italian forces begin to surrender en masse.

July 21, 1943

The first ?island hopping? operation starts in the Pacific American forces land on Vella Lavella in an attempt to bypass the Japanese stronhold at Kolombangara.

The Allies continue to advance in Sicily, capturing Gerbini, Leonforte, Corleone and Castelvetrano.

July 22, 1943

Patton?s 2^nd Armored Division drives into Palermo and completes the isolation of 45,000 Italian troops in western Sicily. German mobile forces were able to avoid the advance and withdraw in good order to the northeast.

July 23, 1943

Patton?s attack continues as his spearheads turn toward Messina along the northern coastal road. His forces reach Termini Imerese. Other 7^th Army forces capture Trapani and Marsala.

July 24, 1943

RAF Bomber Command continues its terror bombing campaign against German cities, this night hitting Hamburg with 780 bombers carrying 2300 tons of bombs. The highlight of the evening raid was the first use of ?chafe?, thin strips of metal foil dropped from planes to confuse German radar. It worked remarkably well as only 12 planes were lost in the raid

The Italian Fascist Grand Council met for the first time since December 1939. The topic of debate was the continued leadership of Mussolini. In the end, the council voted 19-7 to remove el Duce from command of all Italian forces.

In Sicily, the drive of the 45^th Infantry Division on the northern coast continues as Cefalu is captured. Further inland, American forces move toward Nicosia.

July 25, 1943

Mussolini is arrested on orders of King of Italy. Marshal Badoglio, a national war hero from the First World War, is declared Prime Minister. His first acts are to declare martial law, outlaw the Fascist Party, and incorporate the Fascist militias into the regular armed forces thus removing Mussolini?s muscle from the political equation. Hitler, knowing this was in the works, ordered his pre-positioned forces into southern Italy to disarm the renegade Italians and secure the situation for his ends.

Hamburg continues to burn a day after the RAF visited the city. Fires could be seen 200 miles away. The US Army Air Force bombed the city during the day, creating even greater destruction, leaving 100,000 people homeless.

Patton?s headlong advance comes to a screeching halt as the forces driving along the northern coast meet stiff resistance. IN an attempt to break the deadlock on his front, Montgomery launches a set piece attack by British and Canadian forces on Agira. 

July 26, 1943

July 27, 1943

Heavy fighting is reported in Sicily as attacks at Agira and Nicosia occur. The German theater commander, General Kesselfing, orders preparations to begin for the evacuation of the island.

July 28, 1943

RAF Bomber Command hits Hamburg again, this time with 722 bombers. Nine square miles of the city are left burning.

The Japanese evacuate the 6000-man garrison off Kiska island in the Aleutians. The Americans are left completely in the dark and continue with their plans to invade the island.

In the Solomon Islands, American attacks intensify as ground forces move toward ?Horseshoe Hill?. Air attacks against Japanese naval forces at Rabaul result in the sinking of two Japanese destroyers.

After very heavy fighting American forces capture Nicosia while the Canadians take Agira.

July 29, 1943

In an attempt to relieve the pressure on German units between Kharkov and Orel, the Germans open an offensive by the 3^rd Panzer Corps (Army Group A) along the Mius River north of Taganrog. The attack fails to make any impression on the Red Army forces in the area.

July 30, 1943

Soviet forces launch limited counter-attacks against the German positions along the Mius River, thus ending the German attacks.

July 31 1943

US forces capture Santo Stefano while British and Canadian troops move toward Regalbuto and Centuripe on Sicily.