Thread: This Day on ....................................

This Happened on the 8th October 1939


Nothing reported on this day


This Happened on the 8th October 1940

Britain refuses to close the Burma Road by which Western supplies can reach the army of Chaing Kai-shek

This Happened on the 8th October 1941

Eastern Front In the southern sector the Germans reach Mariupol where they surround seven Russian Divisions. The mobile formations of the Germans advance in the central sector are seriously held up by rain and mud.

This Happened on the 8th October 1942

Guadalcanal Bad rain force the Marines to break off their attack on the enemy beyond the river. Some of the units however after some bitter fighting reduce the enemies bridgehead. Reports come in that thev Japanese are preparing to attack and the Marines are ordered to strike against the Japanese forces at Cruz Point and then return to the Lunga perimeter.

This Happened on the 8th October 1943

Germany The American 8th Air Force carry out bombing raids on Bremen and Vegesack using 357 bombers.

This Happened on the 8th October 1944

Western Europe The Canadian II Corps advance from Hoogerheide to Korteven on the road from Antwerp to Bergen-op-Zoom. This is quickly stopped by Germans of the 15th Army who drive the Canadians back to their start point.
Units of the US XIX Corps advance south and take Herzoggenrat. After a German counter attack near Mariadorf the US advance is held up. Hand to hand fighting in the town of Maizieres-les-Metz the units of the 90th Division have to fight for every house. The American XII Corps fair much better where after a intensive barrage begin to advance and take the towns of Moivron, Arraye-et-Han, Lixieres and Fossieux along the banks of the Seille.

Greece The Germans evacuate Corinth which is occupied by British units from Araxos. Elements of the British 9th Commando reach Nauplia, south of Corinth.

This Happened on the 11th October 1939

The French Premier, Edouard Daladier in a broadcast to the French Nation dismisses Hitler’s proposals of 6th October.

This Happened on the 11th October 1940

Marshal Petain says that France must free herself from the so-called friendships and enmities.

This Happened on the 11th October 1941

Nothing reported on this day

This Happened on the 11th / 12th October 1942


Guadalcanal The Air Battle of Cape Esperance. An American squadron commanded by Rear Admiral Norman Scott including the heavy cruiers San Francisco and Salt Lake City, light cruisers Boise and Helena and five destroyers were patrolling the waters off the Solomons preventing the ‘Tokyo Night Express’ bringing reinforcements and supplies was east of Savo Island. They intercepted a squadron of Japanese ships bringing heavy artillery to the Japanese on the islands. The Japanese squadron commanded by Rear Admiral Aritomo Goto was made up of the heavy cruisers Aoba, Kinugasa, and Furutaka and included two seaplane carriers and eight destroyers. During the battle which started on the evening of the 11th and lasted most of the next day the Japanese heavy cruiser Furutaka and three destroyers were sunk as well as one American destroyer, with the American cruiser Salt Lake City and Boise and two destroyers damaged. Rear Admiral Goto is killed during the battle and the Americans considered this as revenge for the defeat of Savo.
However the Japanese managed to land about 800 men and some heavy material. They suffered very high casualties and many of the Japanese seamen refused to be picked up by American ships preferring to be eaten by the many sharks, which infested the waters.
Huge Japanese air formations put Henderson field out of action by destroying the runway, aircraft and precious stocks of fuel

This Happened on the 11th October 1943

Eastern Front The Armies of the Bryansk Front under Popov tighten their hold round Gomel and manage to capture one of the suburbs. But German resistance is getting stronger.

Italian Front In the Eastern sector where the British 8th Army operate under Montgomery the V Corps including the 78th Division and the 8th Indian Division are deployed on the right flank while XIII Corps man the central sector.

This Happened on the 11th October 1944

Western Europe The 30th Division of the US XIX Corps captures Bardenberg which opens the way north towards Wurselen. At Aachen the ultimatum given to the Germans within the town expires and the Americans resume with heavy artillery and air bombardments.

Italian Front Along the whole front the Allies advance though it is now being slowed down by a more determined German defence, who fight on every ravine and hill. In the eastern sector where the British 8th Army are operating the 10th Indian Division and the 46th Division of V Corps advance towards the rivers Savio and Cesena, capturing the heights east of the river Rubicon. The Canadian 1st Division of the I Corps widens its bridgehead across the river and advances along highway 9 as far as Rigossa. The New Zealand 2nd Division establishes two bridgeheads across the Rubicon without meeting any opposition and during the night take Gatte a Mare.

Eastern Front The 2nd Ukraine Front cross the river Tisza along a wide front at Szeged, Hungary’s second largest city. Further east they besiege Dbrecen which is another major German strongpoint in their defensive system. In a battle before Cluj the Rumanians are fighting alongside the Russians.

Phillipines Aircraft from two task forces led by Vice Admiral Cain and Rear Admiral Davison attack Japanese airfields and other installations in the south of Luzon Island.

China Chaing Kai-shek asks Roosevelt to recall General Stilwell immediately.