World War II Chronicles

Truk in the Caroline islands was known as the "Gibraltar of the Pacific," and was dubbed the perfect island fortress of nature. For years, Truk's air fields were beyond the reach of U.S. planes, but an American air armada was sent on February 16, 1944.

U.S. strategists realized the need for greater air support for their upcoming offensive in the Marshall Islands. American carriers began raiding the communications center of the islands in Kwajalein. On January 31, 1944, U.S. Marines attacked Kwajalein atoll.

Stalemate had prevailed in the China Burma India theater since the Spring of 1942. Both sides prepared to launch offensives in 1944. In Early 1944, a commando unit was formed to be led by the youngest General in the U.S. Armed Forces: Brigadier General Frank Merrill, age 39. His unit was dubbed "Merrill's Marauders."

In Italy during the Fall of 1943, Allied Forces under General Clark had slowly pushed back the German defenders. But by December the Allied advance had stalled. On January 22, 1944, Allied troops stormed ashore at Anzio. Ultimately, the Battle of Anzio would be a stalemate to last for months.

As the war restricted automobile use, many Americans were forced to take public transportation. By December of 1943, railroads were carrying nearly two million people per month, many of which included military personnel. Threatened by a railroad strike, President Roosevelt ordered the War Department to take control of the railroads. By January 14, Railroad workers accepted terms with the government and returned to work.

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces dined on either garrison or field rations. Field rations were identified by letters including a, b, c, d, and k rations. The C & K rations were the most widely distributed. K rations were initially adopted for airborne units but were soon used by all forward units in emergency.

By December 1943, General MacArthur was prepared to launch the final phase of Operation Cartwheel, the landings on the Island of New Britain. U.S. troops landing in mid-December 1943 were met with little resistance. On December 26, U.S. Marines landed unopposed at Cape Gloucester.

As the Soviet offensive rolled onward, the Russians were aided by Anglo-American merchant convoys. Each convoy faced its own challenges -- including weather conditions and the possibility of Germany ambush. But by 1943, convoys to Russia were achieving greater success.

Soon after entering the war, the United States began flying bombing missions over Germany without fighter protection. U.S. policy called for providing air protection -- for each other. A long-range fighter to escort the bombers on their missions was needed. The solution was the P-51 Mustang Fighter.

Command of the cross-channel invasion known as 'Operation Overlord' was the most coveted command in the war. The decision of who to lead the force would be decided by President Roosevelt. On December 24, Dwight D. Eisenhower was named Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe.