Sunday January 29, 2012
January 29-30, 1943 - Japanese aircraft score a victory at the Battle of Rennell Island. In January 1943, RAdm. Robert Giffen's Task Force 18, consisting of three heavy cruisers, three light cruisers, two escort carriers, and eight destroyers, was operating between Rennell Island and Guadalcanal. Tasked with screening a convoy of reinforcements, TF 18 was attacked by Japanese bombers on January 29. In the course of the fighting, USS Chicago (right) was hit by two torpedoes. Severely damaged, it was taken under tow by the fleet tug USS Navajo the next morning. Later in the day, TF 18 was ordered to Efate and Giffen left six destroyers to escort Chicago to port. On the afternoon of January 30, Japanese bombers returned, and despite a strong American combat air patrol, succeeded in hitting Chicago with four more torpedoes. The destroyer USS La Vallette was also damaged in the attack. With his ship mortally wounded, Capt. Ralph Davis ordered abandon ship and the crew was removed. The loss of Chicago and withdrawal of TF 18 left the waters around Guadalcanal relatively free of Allied warships which allowed the Japanese to evacuate their troops from the island in early February.
Guadalcanal Campaign - Naval Battles:
Photograph Courtesy of the US Navy History & Heritage Command
Friday January 27, 2012
January 27, 1939 - The prototype of the P-38 Lightning (right) first flies. Developed in response the US Army Air Force's request for a high-altitude interceptor, the P-38 became one of the most distinctive aircraft of World War II. Entering service in 1941, the Lightning was easily recognized by its twin booms and center cockpit nacelle. Flying in all theaters, the P-38 achieved its greatest successes in the skies over the Pacific and Southeast Asia. Benefiting from its long range and high speed, American P-38 pilots, such as Richard Bong and Thomas MacGuire, used the aircraft's heavy armament to down over 1,800 Japanese aircraft during the war. It was largely retired at war's end as the US Air Force moved into the jet age.
American Fighters of World War II:
Photograph Courtesy of the US Air Force
Wednesday January 25, 2012
January 25, 1841 - Admiral of the Fleet John "Jackie" Fisher (right) is born in Ceylon. Entering the Royal Navy in 1856, Fisher swiftly rose through the ranks of during the latter half of the 19th century. An innovator and advocate of reform, he sought to improve the service's weapons and training. An early supporter of torpedo technology, Fisher was promoted to rear admiral in 1890 and radically improved the efficiency of British dockyards. Serving in various administrative posts, he was key in the development of torpedo boat destroyers and worked to merge the command and engineering branches of the officer corps. Made First Sea Lord in 1904, Fisher famously retired ninety obsolete warships and placed an additional sixty-four into reserve. Though criticized for these actions, he pointed out that the ships in question were "too weak to fight and too slow to run away" from modern warships. Pressing forward, he advocated for the creation of "all-big gun" battleships and implemented the concept with the building of HMS Dreadnought in 1906. Over the next four years, Fisher worked tirelessly to build a modern fleet of battleships and battlecruisers as well as argued in favor of switching from coal to oil-fired boilers. Retiring in early 1911, Fisher's actions were key in building the fleet which would confront the Germans during World War I. Recalled as First Sea Lord in October 1914, Fisher only remained in the post for ten months and resigned after frequently clashing with the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, over the Gallipoli Campaign. Dying in 1920, Fisher was instrumental in creating the modern Royal Navy and is often considered the service's second-most important historical figure behind Vice Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson.
Royal Navy in World War I:
Photograph Source: Public Domain
Monday January 23, 2012
January 24, 1891 - Field Marshal Walter Model (right) is born in Genthin, Saxony. Entering the German Army in 1908, Model quickly became known for his blunt personality and lack of tact. Seeing extensive service during World War I, he was retained for duty in the postwar Reichswehr. Rising through the ranks, Model was chief of staff for IV Corps at the start of World War II. Performing well, he received command of the 3rd Panzer Division prior to the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. After taking part in the victory at Kiev, Model took over XLI Panzer Corps during the Battle of Moscow. During the latter stages of the campaign, he demonstrated a mastery of defensive warfare. After a superb show around Rzhev in 1942, Model played a key role in the German defeat at Kursk the following year. In 1944, now a field marshal, Model became known as "Hitler's Fireman" for his ability to rescue bad situations. Through the first half of the year, he commanded various German army groups on the Eastern Front and worked to stabilize the lines. Brought west in August, it was hoped that he could do the same in France. Forced out of France by Allied forces, he was successful in containing Operation Market-Garden in September and badly bled American forces as they attempted to penetrate the Siegfried Line later that fall. In December, Model oversaw the conduct of the Battle of the Bulge, though he though the offensive had little chance of success. Pushed back in early 1945, his forces were trapped in the Ruhr in April. Unwilling to surrender, Model dissolved his army group before committing suicide on April 21.
German Leaders of World War II:
Photograph Source: Public Domain
