http://www.etherit.co.uk/month/0/31.htm
January 31st, 1945 (WEDNESDAY)
FRANCE: The US Army today shot dead Private Eddie Slovik for desertion. It was the first such execution since the American Civil War 80 years ago. Slovik, aged 24, a sub-literate petty criminal, failed to join his unit in Normandy and latched on to a Canadian corps instead. When he finally caught up with his own unit, he deserted for a second time.
Slovik was executed on January 31st in the courtyard of a villa in the town of Ste-Marie-aux-Mines, deep in the Vosges Mountains in Alsace. There were severe manpower problems and also problems with desertion and self-inflicted wounds in the theater at the time and Eisenhower probably thought that Slovik’s execution would help remedy these. D’Este writes that the execution was publicized in the 28th Infantry Division but not in other units in the ETO. I was in Alsace at the time and never heard a word about Slovik until I read Huie’s book. I doubt that many other soldiers knew of the event. No one will ever know what Eisenhower was thinking about when he approved Slovik’s execution. Shortly after this he commuted the sentences of two other soldiers who had been convicted of desertion. (William J. Stone)
GERMANY: East Prussia: Soviet troops surround Königsberg.
U-3520 (Type XXI) is sunk by mines in the Baltic Sea, northeast of Bülk, at position 54.28N, 10.12E. 59 dead (all hands lost). (Alex Gordon)
U-3525 commissioned.
U-3037 launched.
U-927 sailed from Kristiansand on her first and final patrol.
U.S.S.R.: Moscow: The first congress of the Russian Orthodox Church since the Revolution opens, with prayers for Stalin and victory.
Moscow: General Zhukov has crossed the German frontier, thrust 12 miles deep into Pomerania and captured Driesen, 95 miles from Berlin. His men stand on the bank of the Oder river. The new advance has cut the railway line from Berlin to Danzig, and poses a threat to Frankfurt an der Oder, just 45 miles east of Berlin.
The imminence of danger to the capital of Germany has been admitted by Dr. Ley, the Labour Front leader. Writing in Der Angriff, he pledges in a pale echo of Churchill’s words: “We shall fight before Berlin, inside Berlin and behind Berlin.” German hopes rest to some degree on the defence of the fortified towns which have been bypassed by the Red Army. Poznan, some miles behind the front on the Warsaw to Berlin road, is one of these towns and, with 60,000 troops behind its concrete defences, is resisting fiercely. The front-line troops are supported by the Volkssturm and cadets from an officers’ training school who are used in defence while regular units mount counter-attacks, sometimes several battalions strong, with Panzer elements.
Elsewhere, the Red Army’s advance continues. Marshal Rokossovsky has now cut off three German armies in East Prussia. When he captured Tannenburg, the scene of the crushing German victory over the Czar’s army in the last war, he discovered that the Germans had removed the sarcophagus of the victor, von Hindenburg, and blown up the monument commemorating his victory. Von Hindenburg won his victory as czarist officers advancing into East Prussia were trying to decide which horses to ride into Berlin. It is doubtful if even he could have saved Berlin in this war.
Danzig: The German “Strength Through Joy” liner Wilhelm Gustloff was torpedoed by the Russian submarine S-13 off the Hela peninsula last night. Crowded with refugees and wounded from East Prussia, the liner sank swiftly in the freezing seas and it is feared that some 7,000 people died, the greatest sea tragedy yet recorded. The refugees had struggled to get on board the doomed liner. As she cast off small boats appeared and women held up their children crying: “Take us with you. Save the children.” The liner drifted while the ship’s crew put out nets and the refugees scrambled aboard. Few survived.
The S-13 is one of the Baltic submarines now active following the uncorking of the Baltic after Finland’s departure from the war. Commanded by Captain Third Class Sasha Marinescu, she is based at the Finnish port of Turku. The tragic irony of this disaster is that Marinescu might not have been in position to intercept the Wilhelm Gustloff if he had not put to sea to escape the secret police after a heavy drinking bout.
BURMA: Myitkyina: The Burma Road from India to China has re-opened, bringing supplies to Chiang Kei-shek’s Nationalist armies. The road - which Chiang has named the “Stilwell Road” - runs via Ledo, Myitkyina and Bhamo. The first convoy, carrying 75mm and 105mm guns, has crossed the Chinese border and been greeted with fireworks. “During the years that China stood alone the Japanese militarists told their people that if the Burma Road were closed our courage would collapse,” Chiang said. “Now comes this caravan, roaring into China over an area which they thought just yesterday to hold in everlasting peace.”
Lt. George Arthur Knowland (b.1922), Royal Norfolk Regt., held up 300 Japanese with a Bren gun, standing firm for 12 hours before being fatally hit. (Victoria Cross)
COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: Luzon: General MacArthur’s US forces are closing fast on all sides on Manila since landing at Lingayen on Luzon three weeks ago. Clark Field, a key airbase 50 miles north of the Philippines capital, was recaptured today by XIV Corps. South of the city US paratroops of the 11th Airborne Division landed at Nasagbu, on the west coast, taking the Japanese defence forces by surprise.
The fierce seven-day battle for Clark Field’s cave and tunnel complex ended with survivors of the 30,000-man Kembu Group retreating further into the Zambales Mountains. General Yamashita, the Japanese Philippines C-in-C is fighting similar delaying actions in the north-east with his 150,000-man Shobu Group, hoping to prevent Luzon from becoming the launching pad for an attack on Japan.
BONIN ISLANDS: USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24s begin the task of softening up Iwo Jima’s defenses.
U.S.A.: Hanford, Washington: The first weapon-grade plutonium is ready for shipment.
General George C. Marshall
To Lieutenant General Joseph T. McNarney1
January 31, 1945 Radio. [Valletta, Malta]
Top Secret
For General McNarney’s eyes only from General Marshall.
This message not to be discussed with any other officer.
1. British have just submitted proposed directive for Alexander for solidly holding front already reached and at earliest possible date to transfer three Allied divisions to SCAEF. As divisions are withdrawn from Greece to transfer two additional divisions to SCAEF. There not to be any significant transfer of Tactical Air Forces. They propose for transfer two Canadian, two U.S. and two British divisions.2
2. Questions: Would withdrawal of two American divisions have seriously adverse effect on U.S. morale? Would you prefer that four British instead of two be transferred? We may agree to transfer of total of five only.
3. What is your comment regarding nonwithdrawal of U.S. Tactical Air, as to necessities of your theater with reduced mission and divisional strength? Rush reply.3
Document Copy Text Source: Records of the War Department General and Special Staffs (RG 165), Records of the Operations Division (OPD), Executive File 5, Item 18, National Archives and Records Administration, College Park, Maryland.
Document Format: Typed radio message.
1. McNarney was Deputy Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations and commander of U.S. Army Forces in the Mediterranean.
2. The Combined Chiefs of Staff discussed the proposed directive to Field Marshal Harold Alexander, the Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean, during their afternoon meeting at Montgomery House on January 31. (Foreign Relations, Conferences at Malta and Yalta, pp. 484-88.)
3. “The withdrawal of three or more divisions of any nationality would have an adverse effect on US morale as it would point up the common expression that this is a forgotten front,” replied McNarney. The transfer of all “Empire Divisions would have greater adverse effect on US morale than if some American Divisions were included” because “our national pride makes us believe we are superior in fighting efficiency and any indication that Empire Divisions are preferred for service on an active front would not set well.” Transfer of two U.S. divisions would result in “no really serious adverse effect” on morale as long as the front “remains static with battle casualties remaining low. However, if after transfer of three or more divisions from this Theater it should become necessary to launch an all out attack against the strong natural obstacles confronting Fifth Army, it will be difficult to make our soldiers see the reasons.” McNarney concluded, “On balance I personally prefer that four British Divisions instead of two be transferred as this would more evenly balance British and American controlled divisions.” He reported a “very satisfactory” existing ratio of Tactical Air and Ground that formed a “true combat team.” If their mission and divisional strength were reduced, he recommended a proportionate reduction in fighter-bomber strength. McNarney believed that keeping the medium bombers in his theater would “pay dividends in hampering the transfer of enemy divisions.” (McNarney to Marshall, Radio No. F-18335, January 31, 1945, NA/RG 165 [OPD, Exec. 5, Item 18].) The Combined Chiefs of Staff issued a directive to Alexander on February 2. (C.C.S. to War Department, Radio No. CRICKET 3A, February 2, 1945, ibid. The directive is printed in Foreign Relations, Conferences at Malta and Yalta, pp. 832-33.)
Recommended Citation: ThePapers of George Catlett Marshall, ed.Larry I. Bland and Sharon Ritenour Stevens(Lexington, Va.: The George C. Marshall Foundation, 1981- ). Electronic version based on The Papers of George Catlett Marshall, vol. 5, “The Finest Soldier,” January 1, 1945-January 7, 1947 (Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2003), pp. 46-47.
Digital Downloads
5-032.doc
Collection
Papers of George Catlett Marshall, Volume 5: The Finest Soldier
http://marshallfoundation.org/library/digital-archive/to-lieutenant-general-joseph-t-mcnarney1-3/
From Franklin D. Roosevelt day by day
http://www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu/daybyday/daylog/january-31st-1945/
Times Log Location Source
12:15am
Task group made radar contact on Laroche, a point on the coast of West Africa, bearing 087, distant 89 miles.
USS Quincy
TRP
1:00am
All ships of the task group set clocks ahead one hour to Greenwich Civil Time.
USS Quincy
TRP
3:25am
Radar contact was made with the destroyer USS Champlin en route from Oran, Tunisia to join the group, and the USS Champlin was directed to take station in the submarine screen.
USS Quincy
TRP
3:50am
Sighted Cape Spartel Light, bearing 086.5, distant 30 miles.
USS Quincy
TRP
4:00am –
6:40am
The task group steamed on various courses and at various speeds while making the approach to and passing through the Straits of Gibraltar. A few of the party were up to watch the passage of the Straits. Party entered by waning moonlight and had full daylight before the USS Quincy was through. It was a beautiful sight and well worth the early rise.
USS Quincy
TRP
6:40am
Passage of the Straits of Gilbralta having been completed, course was set at 098 and speed at 21 knots.
USS Quincy
TRP
8:46am
The USS Champlin came alongside the USS Quincy and transferred a shipment of White House mail. This mail had been transported from Washington, DC to Oran, Tunisia by air, and brought out from Oran in the USS Champlin.
USS Quincy
TRP
11:52am
The USS Murphy, Frankford and Baldwin were detached from the task group and departed for Oran, Tunisia.
USS Quincy
TRP
12:00pm
Position and course noted.
USS Quincy
TRP
12:01pm
Task group changed speed to 21.5 knots.
USS Quincy
TRP
12:30pm
The USS Quincy catapaulted 2 observation sea planes to assist in the air search along the path of the ship’s advance. Air coverage was now being furnished by two “Venturas” and a Navy blimp operating from American bases in North Africa.
USS Quincy
TRP
4:00pm –
5:00pm
FDR worked on his mail during the afternoon, signing all mail received in the pouch that arrived this forenoon.
USS Quincy
TRP
7:05pm
Task group crossed Greenwich Meridian and entered into East Longitude.
USS Quincy
TRP
8:00pm
FDR and members of his mess attended movies in the Flag Cabin. The picture shown was “The Unknown Guest”.
USS Quincy
TRP
10:05pm
Numerous changes of course were made by the task group during the afternoon and evening and 2205 found the group steaming on course 079.
USS Quincy
TRP
ER
In Washington, DC
USH
Houseguest
Elliott Roosevelt, Jr., Chandler Roosevelt, and David Roosevelt with two maids (dep. 5:05)
USH
USH = White House Usher’s Diary, STE = Stenographer’s Diary, PC = Press Conference, TU = Tully’s Appointment Diary
These transcripts are based on archival sources documenting President Roosevelt’s daily activities, including the White House Usher’s Log and the White House Stenographer’s Diary. The transcripts were created for reference purposes.
The Soviet advance to the Oder, January–February 1945
At the end of 1944 the Germans still held the western half of Poland, and their front was still 200 miles east of where it had been at the start of the war in 1939. The Germans had checked the Soviets’ summer offensive and had established a firm line along the Narew and Vistula rivers southward to the Carpathians, and in October they repelled the Red Army’s attempted thrust into East Prussia. Meanwhile, however, the Soviet left, moving up from the eastern Balkans, had been gradually pushing around through Hungary and Yugoslavia in a vast flanking movement; and the absorption of German forces in opposing this side-door approach detracted considerably from the Germans’ capacity to maintain their main Eastern and Western fronts.
The Soviet high command was now ready to exploit the fundamental weaknesses of the German situation. Abundant supplies for their armies had been accumulated at the railheads. The mounting stream of American-supplied trucks had by this time enabled the Soviets to motorize a much larger proportion of their infantry brigades and thus, with the increasing production of their own tanks, to multiply the number of armoured and mobile corps for a successful breakthrough.
Before the end of December ominous reports were received by Guderian—who, in this desperately late period of the war, had been made chief of the German general staff. German Army intelligence reported that 225 Soviet infantry divisions and 22 armoured corps had been identified on the front between the Baltic and the Carpathians, assembled to attack. But when Guderian presented the report of these massive Soviet offensive preparations, Hitler refused to believe it, exclaiming: “It’s the biggest imposture since Genghis Khan! Who is responsible for producing all this rubbish?”
If Hitler had been willing to stop the Ardennes counteroffensive in the west, troops could have been transferred to the Eastern Front; but he refused to do so. At the same time he refused Guderian’s renewed request that the 30 German divisions now isolated in Courland (on the Baltic seacoast in Lithuania) should be evacuated by sea and brought back to reinforce the gateways into Germany. As a consequence, Guderian was left with a mobile reserve of only 12 armoured divisions to back up the 50 weak infantry divisions stretched out over the 700 miles of the main front.
The Soviet offensive opened on January 12, 1945, when Konev’s armies were launched against the German front in southern Poland, starting from their bridgehead over the Vistula River near Sandomierz. After it had pierced the German defense and produced a flanking menace to the central sector, Zhukov’s armies in the centre of the front bounded forward from their bridgeheads nearer Warsaw. That same day, January 14, Rokossovsky’s armies also joined in the offensive, striking from the Narew River north of Warsaw and breaking through the defenses covering this flank approach to East Prussia. The breach in the German front was now 200 miles wide.
On January 17, 1945, Warsaw was captured by Zhukov, after it had been surrounded; and on January 19 his armoured spearheads drove into ód. That same day Konev’s spearheads reached the Silesian frontier of prewar Germany. Thus, at the end of the first week the offensive had been carried 100 miles deep and was 400 miles wide—far too wide to be filled by such scanty reinforcements as were belatedly provided.
The crisis made Hitler renounce any idea of pursuing his offensive in the west; but, despite Guderian’s advice, he switched the 6th Panzer Army not to Poland but to Hungary in an attempt to relieve Budapest. The Soviets could thus continue their advance through Poland for two more weeks. While Konev’s spearheads crossed the Oder River in the vicinity of Breslau (Wrocaw) and thus cut Silesia’s important mineral resources off from Germany, Zhukov made a sweeping advance in the centre by driving forward from Warsaw, past Pozna, Bydgoszcz, and Toru, to the frontiers of Brandenburg and of Pomerania. At the same time Rokossovsky pushed on, through Allenstein (Olsztyn), to the Gulf of Danzig, thus cutting off the 25 German divisions in East Prussia. To defend the yawning gap in the centre of the front, Hitler created a new army group and put Heinrich Himmler in command of it with a staff of favoured SS officers. Their fumbling helped to clear the path for Zhukov, whose mechanized forces by January 31, 1945, were at Küstrin, on the lower Oder, only 40 miles from Berlin.
Zhukov’s advance now came to a halt. Konev, however, could still make a northwesterly sweep down the left bank of the middle Oder, reaching Sommerfeld, 80 miles from Berlin, on February 13, and the Neisse River two days later. The Germans’ defense benefited from being driven back to the straight and shortened line formed by the Oder and Neisse rivers. This front, extending from the Baltic coast to the Bohemian frontier, was less than 200 miles long. The menace of the Soviets’ imminent approach to Berlin led Hitler to decide that most of his fresh drafts of troops must be sent to reinforce the Oder; the way was thus eased for the crossing of the Rhine River by the American and British armies.
On February 13, 1945, the Soviets took Budapest, the defense of which had entailed the Germans’ loss of Silesia.