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CHRONICLES OF HEROIC ARIZONA CHINESE- AMERICAN SERVICEMEN OF WORLD WAR II (5)
CHINESE-AMERICAN SOLDIERS ON THE EUROPEAN BATTLEFIELD
Preparations for an attack on German-occupied France continued as the campaigns in the Mediterranean. The defeat of the German U-boat threat, critical to the successful transport of men and materiel across the Atlantic, had been largely accomplished by the second half of 1943. Sgt. Roy Hoy made 7 trips across the Atlantic dodging U-Boats while escorting troops to England. By early 1944 an Allied strategic bombing campaign so reduced German strength in fighters and trained pilots that t Allies effectively established complete air superiority over western Europe. Sgt Henry ong, Jr. assigned to the 837th Bomb Squadron, 487th Bomb Group of the 8th Air Force completed 24 missions in B-24's, when the 8th Air Force changed to B-17s. Aug 1944, this crew was scheduled to fly on their last mission, their 30th. The designated target was the engine plant Berlin. After releasing the bombs over the target, the plane was hit by enemy anti-aircraft fire. The plane dropped from 27,000 feet to 4,000 feet, the crow was order to bail-out. Henry was wounded by flak and sustained multiple cuts and bruises. All the crew members were captured by German soldiers. Their bombardier dead of wounds. They were prisoners of war until the war in Europe was over.
Henry ong, Jr ( 2015) Photo by Honer Zhang Developments on the Eastern Front also aided the success of the invasion. In early 1943, the Russians destroyed a German army at Stalingrad. The Germans tried Ito regain the initiative in the summer of 1943, attacking the Russian City of Kursk. In the largest tank battle known to history, they suffered a resounding defeat. Thereafter, they remained on the defensive, in constant retreat, while the Soviets advanced westward. By March 1944, the Soviet forces had reentered Polish territory, and a Soviet summer offensive had prevented the Germans from transferring troops to Franc. On 5 June 1944, General Eisenhower took advantage of a break in stormy weather to order the invasions of "fortress Europe." In the bours before dawn, 6 June 1944, one British and two U.S. airborne divisions dropped behind the beaches. After sunrise, British, Canadian, and U.S. troops began to move ashore. The British and Canadians met modest opposition. Units of the U.S. VII Corps quickly broke though defenses at a beach code-named Utah and began moving inland, making contact with the airborne troops within twenty-four hours. But heavy German fire swept OMAHA, the other American landing area. Elements of the 1st and 29th Infantry Divisions and the 2d and 5th Ranger Battalions clung to a narrow stretch of stony bench until late in the day, when they were finally able to advance, outflanking the German positions.
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