http://www.etherit.co.uk/month/thismonth/19.htm
February 19th, 1944 (SATURDAY)
UNITED KINGDOM: HMC MTB 748 commissioned.
Frigate HMS St Helena commissioned.
ITALY: Anzio: After three days of desperate fighting the Allied divisions trapped on the Anzio beach-head today halted a major German offensive. The attack was launched on 16 February, with General von Mackensen’s Fourteenth Army supported by the Luftwaffe. A sustained artillery barrage opened up a gap in the sector held by the US 45th Division, and for a time, it appeared as though the Allied would be split in two. Panzers poured through the gap, but themselves came under attack as the Allies concentrated their own fire more effectively. Still, though, the Germans pushed the Allies back towards the beaches. But tonight determined fighting by the British 1st and US 45th Divisions, backed by air and naval bombardment, has checked the Germans at Carroceto Creek.
Twelfth Air Force B-25s blast troop concentrations to the north of Anzio beachhead; A-36s and P-40s keep troops, tanks, and motor transport in the beachhead battle area under attack, flying 200+ sorties in 20+ missions as an Allied counterattack turns the tide of battle; fighters maintain control over the northern part of the battle area.
CHINA: Fourteenth Air Force B-24s, B-25s, and P-40s fly sea sweeps over wide-spread coastal areas from the Formosa Straits to French Indochina, claiming 3 ships sunk and others damaged; railroad bridges, trains, and other
BURMA: The Tenth Air Force dispatches 60+ A-36 Apaches and P-51 Mustangs and a few B-25 Mitchells to hit a variety of targets including fuel and supply dumps at Manywet and in the Shaduzup area; the Tonkin-Kansi road and a junction west of Manywet; the Mu River bridge at Ye-u; and railroad cars and tracks, locomotives, and river traffic between Monywa and Natyekan and between Alon and Segyi. Rail and road traffic in the Bhamo and Hukawng Valley-Kamaing areas is also hit.
BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: A USMC and USN strike force consisting of 48 SBD Dauntlesses and 23 TBF Avengers escorted by 68 USAAF, USMC and USN fighters bomb Lakunai Airfield and other Japanese installations at Rabaul on New Britain Island; they are intercepted by less than 50 Japanese aircraft. Twelve minutes later, Lakunai and Tobera Airfields are attacked by 20 USAAF B-24 Liberators escorted by 35 fighters. The area has been repeatedly pounded, and after this date the Japanese abandon air defence of Rabaul.
Twelve Fifth Air Force B-25 Mitchells attack Japanese shipping southwest of New Ireland Island, claiming a small freighter and a patrol boat sunk and other vessels damaged. Seven A-20 Havocs hit shipping at Kavieng, New Ireland Island while single B-24 Liberators and B-25s carry out armed reconnaissance over wide areas of the Bismarck Sea.
MARSHALL ISLANDS: The U.S. Army’s 106th Infantry Regiment, backed by a Marine battalion and supported by naval bombardment, land on two beaches of Eniwetok Island in Eniwetok Atoll at 0907 hours local. The landing is under Brigadier General Thomas E. Watson, USMC, and the overall operation is under Rear Admiral Harry W. Hill, USN. The Japanese garrison of about 800 troops is finally overcome at 1630 hours on 21 February. U.S. casualties are light, 37 KIA and 94 WIA; 23 Japanese are captured.
Seventh Air Force B-25s from Tarawa hit Wotje Atoll while Makin-based P-40s bomb and strafe Mille Atoll.
CAROLINE ISLANDS: Seventh Air Force B-24s from Tarawa Atoll and Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands pound Ponape and Kusaie Islands.
PACIFIC OCEAN: The Japanese lose 13 ships, six to USN submarines and seven to USAAF aircraft.
The crippled USS INTREPID is swung back and forth by high winds. These have tended to weathercock the ship with her bow pointed toward Tokyo. Captain Sprague later confesses: “Right then I wasn’t interested in going in that direction.” At this point her crew fashioned a jury-rig sail of hatch covers and scrap canvas which swung Intrepid about and held her course. (Skip Guidry)
CANADA: Minesweepers HMCS Caraquet, Vegreville, Malpequet and Cowichan departed Halifax for Devonport via Azores.
U.S.A.: Al Trace and his Silly Symphonists’ record of “Mairzy Doats” with vocals by “Red” Maddock and Al Trace and the group makes it to the Billboard Pop Singles chart. This is their first single to make the charts and it stays there for 6 week reaching Number 7.
The USAAF ordered 650 Vultee SNV-2s for the USN; these aircraft, which were identical to the BT-13Bs, were designated Model 79As.
Escort carrier USS Kwajalein laid down.
Frigate USS Grand Island launched.
Destroyer escorts USS Robert F Keller and Maurice J Manuel launched.
Escort carrier USS Sitkoh Bay launched.
Destroyer escorts USS Alexander J Luke and Lyman commissioned.
Frigate USS Muskegon commissioned.
Submarine USS Pomfret commissioned.
ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-264 is sunk at 17:07 hours in position 48.31N, 22.05W, by depth charges from the British sloops HMS Woodpecker and Starling. 52 survivors (No casualties).
U-386 is sunk in position 48.51N, 22.44W, by depth charges from the British frigate HMS Spey. 33 dead and 16 survivors. (Alex Gordon)
They seem to be implying that people iron other brands of long underwear. But that seems impossible ...