CANADIANS DRIVE ON, NOW 4 MILES FROM CLEVE; ROER’S BIGGEST DAM IS UNDER AMERICAN FIRE (2/10/45)

Microfilm-New York Times archives, Monterey Public Library | 2/10/45 | Clifton Daniel, Ned Nordness, Gene Currivan, Charles E. Egan

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles and the occasional radio broadcast delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile. Also visit our general discussion thread.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Selections from West Point Atlas for the Second World War
Luzon, P.I., 1941: Final Operations on Luzon, 3 February-20 July 1945
West-Central Germany and Belgium, 1945: The Rhineland Campaign – Operations, 8 February-5 March 1945
Eastern France and the Low Countries, 1944: Summary – The Rhineland Campaign, 8 February-21 March 1945
Poland, 1945: Russian Offensive to the Oder – Operations 12 January-30 March 1945
China, 1941: Operation Ichigo, 1945 and Final Operations in the War
China-Burma, 1941: Third Burma Campaign – Slim’s Offensive, June 1944-March 1945

[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Nimitz Graybook

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from yesterday.

John Toland, The Rising Sun: The Decline and Fall of the Japanese Empire, 1936-1945

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Winston S. Churchill, Triumph and Tragedy

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Billboard Top Ten for the Week of February 10, 1945

#1 - “Rum and Coca-Cola” - Andrews Sisters
#2 - “Don’t Fence Me In” – Bing Crosby, with the Andrews Sisters
#3 – “Accentuate the Positive” - Johnny Mercer, with Pied Pipers
#4 – “Accentuate the Positive” – Bing Crosby, with the Andrews Sisters
#5 - “Don’t Fence Me In” - Sammy Kaye, with Billy Williams
#6 - “I Dream of You” – Tommy Dorsey, with Freddie Stewart
#6 - “Saturday Night (Is the Loneliest Night In the Week)” - Frank Sinatra
#7 - “A Little on the Lonely Side” - Frankie Carle, with Paul Allen
#8 - “Cocktails For Two” - Spike Jones, with Carl Grayson
#9 – “Accentuate the Positive” – Artie Shaw, with Imogene Lynn
#10 - “I Dream of You” - Frank Sinatra

[Homer_J_Simpson]

14 Towns Captured (Daniel) – 2-3
Canadians’ Path ‘Valley of Death’ (by Ned Nordness, first-time contributor) – 4
Canadian Troops Start New Offensive (photo) – 4
Rampaging Rivers Hold Up Third Army (Currivan) – 5-6
Third Army Soldiers Waiting the Order to Move Up in Germany (photo) – 5
Soviet Drive Gains – 6-7
Jet Planes Hit U.S. ‘Heavies’ in Swirling Fight over Reich (Egan) – 7
Japanese Fighting Fiercely in Manila – 8
American Forces Meet Resistance at a Bridge on Luzon (photo) – 9
Wainwright and 176 Others Sent from Formosa to Mukden Prison – 9
Kobe Again Reported B-29 Target; Foe Lists Six Blows in Six Days – 10
War News Summarized – 10
The Texts of the Day’s Communiques on the War – 12-14
Big 3 Said to Mass Men to Rule Reich – 14
Anti-War Group Scores Von Paulus – 14

[Homer_J_Simpson]

http://www.etherit.co.uk/month/1/10.htm

February 10th, 1945 (SATURDAY)

UNITED KINGDOM: Repair ship HMS Buchan Ness launched.

FRANCE: U-275 put in to Lorient due to Schnorkel problems.

GERMANY: The Germans open the Schwammenauel Dam to slow the US 1st Army. This makes it impossible to bridge the Roer river.

Elbing, on the Baltic, falls to the Soviets, cutting off East Prussia.

For ten days now, Marshal Zhukov has been halted on the Oder river after securing a small bridgehead at Kustrin, some 40 miles short of Berlin. The halt has caused disappointment in Moscow, where it was hoped that the German capital would be captured this month.

There are, however, good reasons for Zhukov’s reluctance to attack. He has suffered heavy casualties in his storming advance across Poland, has begun to outrun his supply lines and has had to divert strong forces to deal with the Festung [fortress] city of Poznan. At the same time “General Mud” has come to the aid of the Germans with a thaw turning the battlefield into a quagmire and melting ice on the Oder. Zhukov therefore needs time to reorganize, resupply and prepare for a river crossing.

He is also conscious of the presence of strong German forces along his exposed northern flank in Pomerania. These forces, named Army Group Vistula, are commanded by SS Reichsfuhrer Heinrich Himmler, a man with no military training. His appointment reveals how little Hitler trusts his generals.

Nevertheless, Himmler, the most feared man in Germany, is under orders to strike at Zhukov in five days time. The Russian high command, however, has already given Marshal Rokossovsky orders to strike into Pomerania to clear away the danger. This morning the Russians headed north.

U-3040 launched.

NORWAY: In a daring move, U-995 entered the Soviet-held harbour at Kirkenes and fired at the Norwegian freighter Idefjord, but missed.

BALTIC SEA: The German cruise ship General von Steuben, carrying over 5,000 passengers and crew including at least 1,000 German evacuees from East Prussia, is sunk by two torpedoes from the Soviet submarine, S-13. 4,500 go down with the ship. there are 659 survivors. The S-13 had left the Finnish port of Hangö and returned to Turku (Åbo). (Peter Kilduff and Mikko Härmeinen)

HUNGARY: Budapest falls to the Soviet Army. The Germans fought for 2 months to hold this city. The city was also defended by numerous foreign volunteer formations, including thousands of Hungarian forces in many Waffen-SS units.

AUSTRALIA: The British Pacific Fleet sails into Sydney Harbour.
Submarine USS Bluegill ends her 4th war patrol when she returns to Fremantle.

Submarine USS Bream ends her 4th war patrol at Fremantle.

JAPAN: US B-29 bombers destroyed the Nakajima aircraft plant at Ota, near Tokyo, today in the largest daylight raid yet over the Japanese mainland. Out of the 84 B-29s that took off from US airbases on the Mariana Islands, 12 were lost over the target area as Japanese fighters put up heavy opposition, suffering 21 losses in the fight.

In a separate raid today, B-24s based on Guam bombed Iwo Jima and Okimura.

COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: 2nd Lt. Louis Curdes, USAAF, 4th FS (Commando), 3rd FG (Commando), shoots down an American C-47 which is attempting to land on a Japanese-held airstrip in the Batan Islands, a chain of small islands north of Luzon. The aircraft force landed and thirteen crew and passengers are rescued. One of the passengers was a nurse that he later married. An American flag was added to the German, Italian and Japanese flags painted on his P-51D. (Stuart Kohn)

CANADA:
Corvette HMCS Bittersweet completed refit at Halifax.

Corvette HMCS Smiths Falls departed Halifax for workups at Bermuda.

U.S.A.: Destroyer USS Hawkins commissioned.

LCdr. A.H. Higgs relieves LCdr. T.S. Baskett as Commanding Officer of USS Tautog.

[bert]

I finally gave in and looked up all the acronyms..... To read the Nimitz Gray sheets TYPE DESIGNATIONS: U.S. NAVAL VESSELS PRINCIPAL COMBATANT TYPES BB Battleship CB Large Cruiser CV Aircraft Carrier CVL Aircraft Carrier (Light) CVE Aircraft Carrier (Escort) CA Heavy Cruiser CL Light Cruiser DD Destroyer DE Destroyer Escort Vessel SS Submarine SM Minelaying Submarine MINOR COMBATANT TYPES CM Minelayer DM Light Minelayer DMS High-Speed Minesweeper AM Minesweeper AN Net-Laying Ship PF Frigate PE Eagle Boat PG Gunboat PC Submarine Chaser PCE Patrol Craft Escort PCS Submarine Chaser (136′) SC Submarine Chaser (110′) PT PTC Motor Torpedo Boat PY Yacht NAVAL AUXILIARIES Tenders AD Destroyer Tender AH Hospital Ship AS Submarine Tender ASR Submarine Rescue Vessel AR Repair Shop ARB Battle Damage Repair Ship ARG Internal Combustion Engine Repair Ship ARH Hull Repair Ship ARL Landing Craft Repair Ship ARS Salvage Vessel AV Seaplane Tender AVD Destroyer Seaplane Tender AVP Small Seaplane Tender AGP Motor Torpedo Boat Tender CARGO AND FUEL SHIPS AE Ammunition Ship AF Provision Storeship AK Cargo Ship AKA Attack Cargo Ship AKS Stores Issue Ship AO Oiler AOG Gasoline Tanker TRANSPORTS AP Troop Transport APA Attack Transport APD High-Speed Transport APN Wounded Evacuation Transport APM Mechanized Artillery Transport APR Rescue Transport APV Aircraft Transport AGC Operations And Command Headquarters Ship LANDING CRAFT LCC Control Landing Craft LCI Infantry Landing Craft LCT Tank Landing Craft LSO Dock Landing Ship LST Tank Landing Ship LCM Mechanized Equipment Landing Craft LCV Vehicle Landing Craft LCS Support Landing Craft LCP Personnel Landing Craft LVT Tracked Landing Craft LCR Rubber Landing Craft NAVAL AUXILIARIES Base Craft AB Crane Ship ABD Advance Base Dock ABSO Advance Base Sectional Dock AFD Mobile Floating Dock APL Barracks Ship APC Coastal Transport ARDC Concrete Repair Dock ARD Floating Drydock AT Ocean-Going Tug ATR Rescue Tug AVR Aircraft Resscue Vessel AMB Harbor Minesweeper Miscellaneous AG Miscellaneous Auxiliaries AGS Surveying Ship IX Unclassified DISTRICT CRAFT YAG Miscellaneous District Auxiliaries YMS Motor Minesweeper YMT Motor Tug YN Net Tender YNG Gate Tender YP District Patrol Vessel YT Harbor Tug CMC Coastal Minesweeper Barges YCD Fueling Barge YO Fuel-Oil Barge YOS Oil Storage Barge YPK Pontoon Storage Barge YS Stevedoring Barge YSR Sludge Removal Barge YTT Torpedo Testing Barge YW Water Barge LIGHTERS YA Ash Lighter YC Open Lighter YCK Open Cargo Lighter YCV Aircraft Transport Lighter YF Covered Lighter YFT Torpedo Transport Lighter YG Garbage Lighter YLA Open Landing Lighter MISCELLANEOUS YCF Car Floats YD Floating Derrick YDG Degaussing Vessel YDT Diving Tender YE Ammunition Tender YFB Ferry Boat YFD Floating Drydock YHB Houseboat YHT Heating Scow YM Dredge YPD Floating Pile Driver YR Floating Workshop YRDH Dry Dock Workshop–Hull YSD Seaplane Wreck Derrick YSP Salvage Pontoon

[Tax-chick]

“Easing of Shortage of Cigarettes Seen”

Thank goodness, it’s about time. Now where are the matches?

[Squawk 8888]

To all- please ping me to Canadian topics.

Canada Ping!

[henkster]

The German situation on the Kustrin-Frankfort axis has been stabilized, for the time being. The Germans have a hodge-podge of units committed. The biggest fight appears to be the corridor to Kustrin. Note that the Soviets have brought up regular infantry formations all along the Oder line. While they are at the end of a long supply line, they covered the distance from the Vistula to the Oder in a matter of weeks in frigid winter conditions. Their army is a lot more mobile than the German, thanks to several hundred thousand Studebaker trucks.

On the Stettin-Stargard axis, the Germans are assembling panzer units to oppose the northward movement of Soviet 2nd Guards Tank Army. In fact, Guderian is planning a counterstroke in this area, one of the last ones the Germans will try to execute. However, the forces he wanted to use, Sixth Panzer Army, are headed to Hungary of all places. Instead, what you see is what you get. And it's another hodge-podge of units without a proper army HQ to command it. In fact, the "general" to command the operation is none other than Heinrich Himmler. What could go wrong?

Meanwhile, farther east there is a rather confused engagement taking place northeast of Arnswalde. The Soviet forces of Rokossovksy's 2nd Belorussian Front are trying to move north to the Baltic coast to cut off Danzig. The Germans are bringing up forces to stop them.

[Tax-chick]

Great picture!

[henkster]

Toland’s account of FDR and Stalin dividing China into spheres of influence was one very bad part of the Conference. I’ve always stated that there was nothing that could be done in Eastern Europe; it was going to be dominated by the Soviet Union no matter what we did at Yalta. China was a different matter.

Toland’s passage shows Stalin was playing the old imperial game of spheres of influence, carving out territory from China to be dominated by the Soviet Union. China was an ally of the United States, and FDR didn’t even consult with them on his hasty arrangement with Stalin. FDR conducted a consistent policy that was hostile to the perpetuation of the British Empire, yet he facilitates Stalin in playing the same imperial game.

Liars I can tolerate, but I can’t stand hypocrisy. FDR was a hypocrite at Yalta.

[PapaNew]

NYT Page 10 War News Summarized - “...countries becoming havens for Nazi war criminals.”

Seemed like South America provided some such havens in countries like Argentina I think.

The whole story of Jews organized to hunt down, capture, and try Nazis after the war is fascinating. Was there ever a good movie about that?

[Seizethecarp]

ping to WWII road sign of possible interest!

[onyx]

LOL.
God bless you.
That’s a keeper!!
Thank you very much!

[EternalVigilance]

LOL...

I thought of you too when I saw that pic. Glad someone pinged you to it. :-)

[EternalVigilance]

“Don’t fraternize!” is often good advice! :-)

[Seizethecarp]

...and the sign says don’t fraternize with those German girls like my half German wife who had an uncle fighting against his cousin at the Battle of the Bulge!

I don’t know if you have German ancestry, but I was just reading that 40% of Americans do!