Chronology of World War II
Friday, October 1, 1943
From Berlin... Hitler orders Kesselring to hold a line south of Rome rather than retire further north. In part, this decision is taken because of the success Kesselring's command has had at delaying the Allied advance in Italy.
In Italy... The forces of US 5th Army capture Naples. The British 8th Army begins its advance with the 13th Corps (78th and Canadian 1st Divisions).
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces establish bridgeheads over the Dniepr River at several locations over the course of the next few days.
Saturday, October 2, 1943
In New Guinea... The Australian 20th Brigade captures Finschafen. The Australian 23rd Brigade, advancing from Lae, also reaches Finschafen during the day.
In Italy... The US 6th Corps (part of 5th Army) captures Benevento. To the east, the British 78th Division (part of 13th Corps, 8th Army) crosses the Biferno River. During the night (October 2-3) commandos land near Termoli and occupy the town.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces continue the effort to establish bridgeheads over the Dniepr River.
Sunday, October 3, 1943
In the Mediterranean... German forces land on the island of Cos in the Aegean Sea. British and Italian forces offer resistance to the invasion.
In Italy... During the early morning hours, the German 16th Panzer Division moves to counterattack the commandos occupying Termoli. However, the commandos succeed in linking up with the 78th Division as the battle continues.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces continue the effort to establish bridgeheads over the Dniepr River.
Monday, October 4, 1943
In the Mediterranean... On the island of Cos the Germans complete their operations and take 1400 British and 3150 Italians prisoner. Meanwhile, on the island of Corsica, Free French forces enter Bastia and complete their occupation.
In New Guinea... Australian forces capture Kumpu as they advance into the Ramu Valley from the Markham Valley.
In the Arctic... German shipping off the Norwegian coast, near Bodo, is attacked by aircraft from the USS Ranger, operating with the British Home Fleet. The battleships HMS Duke of York and HMS Anson provide support. Four German freighters are sunk and 7 badly damaged.
From London... Admiral Pound resigns his post as First Sea Lord because of ill health. His replacement is Admiral Andrew Cunningham. (Admiral Fraser decline the offer of this position.)
In the Solomon Islands... The Japanese complete the evacuation of Kolombangara. About 9400 men of General Sasaki's garrison force have been safely left the island on ships under the command of Admiral Ijuin. About 1000 men and a number of small boats have been lost to American interventions (primarily destroyers).
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces continue the effort to establish bridgeheads over the Dniepr River.
Tuesday, October 5, 1943
In Italy... The US 5th Army captures Aversa and Maddaloni. Elements of the British 10th Corps reach the Volturno River. On the east coast, in fighting around Termoli, the German 16th Panzer Division successfully pressures the British 78th Division (part of 13th Corps, 8th Army).
In the Central Pacific... Wake Island is shelled and bombed by Task Force 14 (Admiral Montgomery). There are 6 carriers, 7 cruisers and 25 destroyers involved.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces continue the effort to establish bridgeheads over the Dniepr River.
Wednesday, October 6, 1943
In the Solomon Islands... The US 25th Division lands unopposed at Vila on Kolombangara. During the night (October 6-7), two Japanese destroyers are sent to evacuate 600 troops from Vella Lavella. Six escorting destroyers are engaged by 3 American ships. Each side loses 1 destroyer and the other American ships are damaged.
In the Bismark Archipelago... Small parties of US troops secretly land around Cape Gloucester, on New Britain Island to reconnoiter.
In Italy... The US 5th Army captures Caserta and advances to the Volturno Rivers and takes Capua. On the east coast, British 78th Division, fighting the German 16th Panzer Division around Termoli, makes progress.
In the Central Pacific... Wake Island is shelled and bombed by Task Force 14 (Admiral Montgomery). There are 6 carriers, 7 cruisers and 25 destroyers involved.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces continue the effort to establish bridgeheads over the Dniepr River.
Thursday, October 7, 1943
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces launch a new offensive in the north, capturing Nevel. Along the Dniepr River, there is a lull in the fighting. Red Army forces are resupplying and reinforcing the bridgeheads gained in recent fighting. In the Caucasus, Soviet forces take Taman on the western end of the Kuban Peninsula.
In the Mediterranean... In the Aegean Sea, a British squadron of 2 cruisers and 2 destroyers intercept a German convoy bound for the island of Cos. Seven transports and one convoy escort are sunk.
In Italy... The German 16th Panzer Division breaks contact with the British 78th Division around Termoli and pulls back behind the Trigno River. British forces choose not to pursue.
Friday, October 8, 1943
In Italy... The British 8th Army captures Larino and Guglionesi, on either side of Biferno. The US 5th Army completes its advance to the Volturno line and plans an attack on the German defenses for October 12th.
Saturday, October 9, 1943
On the Eastern Front... In the Caucasus, the Germans complete their evacuation of the 17th Army from the Kuban Peninsula. About 255,000 troops, 27,000 civilians and army supplies are successful withdrawn to the Crimea. Soviet forces under Petrov complete the occupation of the Kuban Peninsula.
Sunday, October 10, 1943
In Italy... Elements of the US 5th Army enter Portelandalfo, north of Benevento.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces capture Dobrush, east of Gomel.
Monday, October 11, 1943
In Italy... The British 8th Army (Montgomery) regroups. Both 5th and 13th Corps are now deployed at the front.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces capture Novobelitsa on the outskirts of Gomel.
Tuesday, October 12, 1943
In Italy... During the night (October 12-13) the US 5th Army begins its assault on the German Volturno Line. Elements of the British 10th Corps (McCreery) make some progress on the coast but German counterattacks generally hold its attacks. The 3 divisions of US 6th Corps (Lucas), however, push forward. A combination of determined German defenders and poor weather restrict advances to the main roadways.
In the Bismark Archipelago... The US 5th Air Force raids Rabaul, New Britain, with 349 aircraft, dropping 350 tons of bombs. Several defending Japanese aircraft are shot down and 3 destroyers as well as several merchant ships in harbor are damaged.
Wednesday, October 13, 1943
In Italy... The US 5th Army offensive continues.
In Brindisi... Marshal Badoglio's Italian government declares war on Germany.
Thursday, October 14, 1943
Over Germany... The American 8th Air Force conducts a raid on the German ball-bearing works at Schweinfurt. The force of 291 B-17 Flying Fortresses does considerable damage to the target but lose 60 planes with others damaged. The loss rate is too high to maintain so the USAAF abandons long-range, unescorted daylight raids.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces capture Zaporozhye. To the south, Red Army forces attack Melitopol. Still farther south, Soviet forces cut the railroad leading to the Crimea from Melitopol.
In Italy... The US 5th Army offensive continues. The 6th Corps continues to advance while elements of the British 10th Corps cross the river and continue to push forward. In the east, the Canadian 1st Division (part of British 13th Corps, 8th Army) captures Campobasso.
Friday, October 15, 1943
In Italy... The Canadian 1st Division (part of British 13th Corps, 8th Army) captures Vinchiaturo. In the US 5th Army offensive, the attack has moved beyond the river but the Germans have skillfully maintained their defensive front while being pushed back.
In the Arctic... The British base at Spitzbergen is reestablished.
In New Guinea... The Japanese mount an air attack on Allied positions in Oro Bay. Japanese planes suffer heavy losses.
From London and Washington... British General Pownall is appointed Chief of Staff to Admiral Mountbatten at SEAC (Southeast Asia Command). American General Wedemeyer is appointed his deputy Chief of Staff.
Saturday, October 16, 1943
In Italy... As the US 5th Army offensive continues, German forces conduct a fighting withdrawal to the Barbara Line, in accordance with Kesselring's orders.
From Washington... General Brereton takes command of the US 9th Air Force in Britain.
In New Guinea... Japanese forces counterattack Australian forces around Finschafen without success.
Sunday, October 17, 1943
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces breakthrough the German defenses around Kremenchug. Other Soviet forces cross the Dniepr south of Gomel and capture Loyev.
In New Guinea... The Japanese mount another air attack on Allied positions in Oro Bay and sustain heavy losses in aircraft and crew. The Japanese counteroffensive around Finschafen continues to be held by Australian forces.
In the Pacific... The last operational German auxiliary cruiser, Michel, is sunk by the American submarine Tarpon off the Japanese coast. The German raider has sunk 17 ships during its cruise.
In Italy... The advancing US 5th Army takes Liberi and Alvignano.
Monday, October 18, 1943
In New Guinea...The Japanese counteroffensive around Finschafen continues to be held by Australian forces.
In the Solomon Islands... There is a heavy air raid on the Japanese air base at Buin on Bougainville.
In Italy... Elements of the US 5th Army reach Dragoni, while other elements capture Gioia.
On the Eastern Front... The battle for Melitopol continues. Soviet forces have now penetrated to the town center.
Tuesday, October 19, 1943
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces attack Pyatikhatki, west of Dnepropetrovsk. Konev's forces strike out of the Kremenchug bridgehead heading from Krivoy Rog. German Army Group South (Manstein) is forming a blocking force to hold Konev in order to have time to withdraw German forces in the bend of the Dniepr River which now face envelopment. Near Kiev, Soviet forces are consolidating bridgeheads over the Dniepr. Soviet forces take Vishgorod.
In Italy... German forces defending Dragoni withdraw before a scheduled attack by elements of the US 5th Army begins.
Wednesday, October 20, 1943
In Italy... Elements of US 5th Army take Piedimonte d'Alife while other elements are advancing along the Volturno River.
In the Bismark Archipelago... Aircraft from some of the Japanese carriers are transferred to Rabaul, New Britain Island. The ships concerned are Zuikaku, Shokaku, Zuiho, Junyo, Hiyo and Ryuho.
In New Guinea... The Australian 24th Brigade arrives at Finschafen to reinforce Australian forces there and assist in eliminating Japanese resistance in the area.
Thursday, October 21, 1943
From London... Admiral Sir John Cunningham succeeds Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham in command of Royal Navy forces in the Mediterranean.
Friday, October 22, 1943
In Italy... The British 8th Army launches an offensive on the east coast. Elements seize a small bridgehead over the Trigno during the night. Meanwhile, the US 5th Army continues its offensive operations with limited success.
From London... General Laycock becomes the British Chief of Combined Operations.
Saturday, October 23, 1943
On the Eastern Front... Melitopol falls to Soviet forces after 10 days of battle. Konev's drive on Krivoy Rog continues to progress against stiffening resistance. Soviet forces within 20 miles of the town and have cut the rail line to Dnepropetrovsk.
In the English Channel... A German squadron escorting a blockade runner sinks the British cruiser Charbydis and the destroyer Limbourne.
In Italy... British elements of the US 5th Army capture Sparanise.
In the Bismark Archipelago... Allied aircraft raid Rabaul, New Britain.
Sunday, October 24, 1943
In the Bismark Archipelago... Allied aircraft raid Rabaul, New Britain Island, for a second time in two days. One Japanese destroyer and five merchant ships have been sunk in the raids.
In Italy... Elements of the US 5th Army capture Sant'Angelo.
Monday, October 25, 1943
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces under Malinovsky launch crossing of the Dniepr River at Dnepropetrovsk and Dneprodzerzhinsk. Both towns fall to Soviet troops. German troops in the area have been thinned out to meet Konev's attacks toward Krivoy Rog. German forces from the Crimea, under Kleist, have not arrived yet.
Tuesday, October 26, 1943
In New Guinea... Japanese forces in the area of Australian held Finschafen withdraw toward Sattelberg.
Wednesday, October 27, 1943
In Italy... British 8th Army forces capture Montefalcone. A night attack expands the 78th Division bridgehead over the Trigno River. The main German defenses continue to hold.
On the Eastern Front... German forces launch limited counterattacks south of Nikopol on the Nogaysk Steppe in an attempt to prevent Soviet forces from cutting off the Crimea.
In the Solomon Islands... New Zealand troops land on the Treasury Islands. Soldiers of the 8th Brigade (General Row) meet no opposition on Stirling Island and only a few Japanese on Mono Island.
Thursday, October 28, 1943
In the Solomon Islands... The US 2nd Marine Parachute Battalion is landed by sea at Voza on Choiseul Island (Operation Blissful). They engage Japanese forces. This is a diversion from the intended attack on Bougainville.
In the United States... As a consequence of a number of unresolved disputes, a coal miners strike gains momentum. About 500,000 miners are on strike at this point.
Friday, October 29, 1943
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces pressure German forces between Orsha and Vitebsk. The brunt of the offensive falls on the German 4th Army commanded by General Heinrici, the foremost defensive tactician in the German Army. Soviet forces fail to break through the German defenses.
In Italy... Troops of the British 13th Corps (part of 8th Army) capture Cantalupo.
In the Solomon Islands... The US 2nd Marine Parachute Battalion on Choiseul continue to engage Japanese forces. This is a diversion from the intended attack on Bougainville.
Saturday, October 30, 1943
In Italy... The US 5th Army captures Mondragone on the west coast after penetrating the German Barbara Line defenses in the area. Other elements of the army, further inland, continue their advance.
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces advancing across the Nogaysk Steppe reach Genichesk, cutting one land route with the Crimea, where sizeable German forces are located.
In the Solomon Islands... The US 2nd Marine Parachute Battalion on Choiseul continue to engage Japanese forces. This is a diversion from the intended attack on Bougainville.
Sunday, October 31, 1943
On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces capture Chaplinka, thereby cutting all the railroad lines leading to the Crimean. Substantial German forces in the Crimea must now be supplied by sea.
In Italy... The British 10th Corps (part of the US 5th Army) captures Teano in attacks toward Monte Santa Croce. Meanwhile, the US 6th Corps attacks Monte Massico.
In the Solomon Islands... The US 2nd Marine Parachute Battalion on Choiseul continue to engage Japanese forces. This is a diversion from the intended attack on Bougainville.
Copyright © 2018 Ralph Zuljan