Re: WWII: European Theater daily - 1944 (was Normandy Daily)
February 21, 1945: After days of door-to-door fighting, Canadian 1st Army captures the remainder of Goch. Further south, continuing its incredible pace, Patton’s US 3rd Army smashes through the West Wall defenses, widening the breach and enveloping (and destroying) German positions between the Our and Gay Rivers, while capturing Strickscheid, Euscheid, Stalbach, Binscheid, Halenbach, Hickeshausen, Roscheid, Dahnen, Dasburg, Reipeldingen, Daleiden, Roth, Korperich, Lahr, Rehlingen, Nittel, Temmels, Fellerich, Wawern, and over-running a number of towns and villages along the way. Elements of the US 7th Army continues house-to-house fighting in Forbach, capturing about one-third of the city, while others capture Spicheren and reach the heights beyond, holding a commanding view of Saarbruecken and Stiring Wendel.
In the skies above Axis territory, US 8th Air Force attacks Nuremberg with 1,204 bombers escorted by 600 fighters and US 15th Air Force attacks Vienna and other targets in Austria. RAF Bomber Command sends 373 aircraft to attack Duisburg overnight. RAF Bomber Command sends 349 aircraft to attack Worms overnight, 177 aircraft to attack the Mittelland canal overnight, and 77 aircraft to attack Berlin overnight.
On the eastern front, 8th Guards Army of Soviet 1st Belorussian Front attacking isolated German garrison of Posen while the Soviet 1st Ukrainian Front (Konev) captures Guben.
In Italy, 10th Mountain Division of US 5th Army attacking toward Monte Torraccia (against strong opposition) while Brazilian 1st Infantry Division attacks toward Monte Castello. US 12th Air Force bombers attack bridges while fighters provide support to US 5th Army operations and US 15th Air Force attacks Fiume and Trieste.
Pictured: Accompanied by Shermans M4A3E2 “Jumbo”, GIs of the 39th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division “Old Reliables” near the town of Rath, during the Operation Grenade, plan for Ninth US Army to cross the Roer river. Rhineland, Germany, February 21, 1945
US 8th Air Force bombers on their way to Nuremberg
Cable tramway constructed to evacuate American wounded from Mt. Mancinello-Pizzo di Campiano ridge in Italy, February 21, 1945
Bonus: As the battle for Iwo Jima continues, day three brings bad weather which slows the attack - despite this, more stories of amazing heroism unfold as two more men are awarded the Medal Of Honor. Eventually, 27 men will earn the medal during the two-month battle for Iwo Jima.
Sergeant R. Franklin Gray’s Medal Of Honor citations reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Acting Platoon Sergeant serving with Company A, First Battalion, Twenty-Fifth Marines, Fourth Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, February 21, 1945. Shrewdly gauging the tactical situation when his platoon was held up by a sudden barrage of hostile grenades while advancing toward the high ground northeast of Airfield Number One, Sergeant Gray promptly organized the withdrawal of his men from enemy grenade range, quickly moved forward alone to reconnoiter and discovered a heavily mined area extending along the front of a strong network of emplacements joined by covered communication trenches. Although assailed by furious gunfire, he cleared a path leading through the mine field to one of the fortifications then returned to the platoon position and, informing his leader of the serious situation, volunteered to initiate an attack while being covered by three fellow Marines. Alone and unarmed but carrying a twenty-four pound satchel charge, he crept up the Japanese emplacement, boldly hurled the short-fused explosive and sealed the entrance. Instantly taken under machine-gun fire from a second entrance to the same position, he unhesitatingly braved the increasingly vicious fusillades to crawl back for another charge, returned to his objective and blasted the second opening, thereby demolishing the position. Repeatedly covering the ground between the savagely defended enemy fortifications and his platoon area, he systematically approached, attacked and withdrew under blanketing fire to destroy a total of six Japanese positions, more than twenty-five of the enemy and a quantity of vital ordnance gear and ammunition. Stouthearted and indomitable, Sergeant Gray had single-handedly overcome a strong enemy garrison and had completely disarmed a large mine field before finally rejoining his unit and, by his great personal valor, daring tactics and tenacious perseverance in the face of extreme peril, had contributed materially to the fulfillment of his company's mission. His gallant conduct throughout enhanced and sustained the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.”
Sergeant Gray was killed on Iwo Jima just six days after this amazing display of courage.
Captain Joseph J. McCarthy’s Medal Of Honor citations reads:
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as commanding officer of a rifle company attached to the 2d Battalion, 24th Marines, 4th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, on 21 February 1945. Determined to break through the enemy's cross-island defenses, Capt. McCarthy acted on his own initiative when his company advance was held up by uninterrupted Japanese rifle, machine gun, and high-velocity 47mm. fire during the approach to Motoyama Airfield No. 2. Quickly organizing a demolitions and flamethrower team to accompany his picked rifle squad, he fearlessly led the way across 75 yards of fire-swept ground, charged a heavily fortified pillbox on the ridge of the front and, personally hurling hand grenades into the emplacement as he directed the combined operations of his small assault group, completely destroyed the hostile installation. Spotting 2 Japanese soldiers attempting an escape from the shattered pillbox, he boldly stood upright in full view of the enemy and dispatched both troops before advancing to a second emplacement under greatly intensified fire and then blasted the strong fortifications with a well-planned demolitions attack. Subsequently entering the ruins, he found a Japanese taking aim at 1 of our men and, with alert presence of mind, jumped the enemy, disarmed and shot him with his own weapon. Then, intent on smashing through the narrow breach, he rallied the remainder of his company and pressed a full attack with furious aggressiveness until he had neutralized all resistance and captured the ridge. An inspiring leader and indomitable fighter, Capt. McCarthy consistently disregarded all personal danger during the fierce conflict and, by his brilliant professional skill, daring tactics, and tenacious perseverance in the face of overwhelming odds, contributed materially to the success of his division's operations against this savagely defended outpost of the Japanese Empire. His cool decision and outstanding valor reflect the highest credit upon Capt. McCarthy and enhance the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.”
Captain McCarthy later returned from the war and live to the age of 84.
