SprueStack Zero Hour: WW2 day by day

23 March 1944

What happened on this day in the Second World War, from 1939 to 1945, with a source for every entry.

About this page

Each day we list events from the Second World War that happened on that date, from 1939 to 1945. Every entry names its source and links to it, so you can read further. Entries are sourced and machine-screened before they go up, a subset is human-reviewed, and we add more over time.

7 of 10 sourced entries for this date, chosen by the editor.

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Entries

Bougainville

Japanese begin general assault against 129th Inf, 37th Div, after dark. Counterpreparation by U.S. arty makes attack largely ineffective, but enemy achieves small penetration.

Source US Army CMH chronology (opens external site)
Burma

In NCAC area, U.S. forces of 5307th Unit arrive in position to block Kamaing Road in Inkangahtawng, although 1st Bn is still far behind. Patrols find enemy entrenched at Inkangahtawng. Flanking forces of 64th Inf, Ch 22d Div, join 66th Inf.

Source US Army CMH chronology (opens external site)
St Matthias Is.

U.S. DD’s bombard Eloaue, small island off SW coast of Mussau, where patrol from Emirau has discovered that Japanese are operating small seaplane base.

Source US Army CMH chronology (opens external site)
Battle of Anzio

The U.S. 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which had fought with distinction but suffered many losses, was withdrawn to England on 23 March 1944.

Source Wikipedia (opens external site)
Operation Overlord

Paratroopers conducted exercises, including a huge demonstration drop on 23 March 1944 observed by Churchill, Eisenhower, and other top officials.

Source Wikipedia (opens external site)
China-Burma-India Theater

THOR mission records show at least 26 Allied sorties (6 recorded unit missions) in the China-Burma-India Theater on 1944-03-23, flown by USAAF 10th Air Force. Targets included BURMA.

Source US Air Force THOR (opens external site)

THOR is a secondary compilation with known gaps, not a complete record.
Mediterranean Theater

THOR mission records show at least 235 Allied sorties (13 recorded unit missions) in the Mediterranean Theater on 1944-03-23, flown by USAAF 12th Air Force, RAF. Targets included ITALY, GREECE.

Source US Air Force THOR (opens external site)

THOR is a secondary compilation with known gaps, not a complete record.

The full list for this date is being cleaned and will return soon.

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23 March in other years 1940 1941 1942 1943 1945

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23 March 1944

Entries

Japanese begin general assault against 129th Inf, 37th Div, after dark. Counterpreparation by U.S. arty makes attack largely ineffective, but enemy achieves small penetration.

In NCAC area, U.S. forces of 5307th Unit arrive in position to block Kamaing Road in Inkangahtawng, although 1st Bn is still far behind. Patrols find enemy entrenched at Inkangahtawng. Flanking forces of 64th Inf, Ch 22d Div, join 66th Inf.

U.S. DD’s bombard Eloaue, small island off SW coast of Mussau, where patrol from Emirau has discovered that Japanese are operating small seaplane base.

The U.S. 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which had fought with distinction but suffered many losses, was withdrawn to England on 23 March 1944.

Paratroopers conducted exercises, including a huge demonstration drop on 23 March 1944 observed by Churchill, Eisenhower, and other top officials.

THOR mission records show at least 26 Allied sorties (6 recorded unit missions) in the China-Burma-India Theater on 1944-03-23, flown by USAAF 10th Air Force. Targets included BURMA.

THOR mission records show at least 235 Allied sorties (13 recorded unit missions) in the Mediterranean Theater on 1944-03-23, flown by USAAF 12th Air Force, RAF. Targets included ITALY, GREECE.

Talk about it