×
Home Intro People Events Equipment Places Maps Books Photos Videos Other Reference FAQ About
     

World War II Database

20 May 1944
  • Eisenhower addressed French Resistance groups via a broadcast in preparation for the planned cross-Channel invasion. On the same day, 5,000 Allied bombers conducted coordinated strikes against many rail targets and 9 airfields in France and Belgium. ww2dbase [Normandy Campaign, Phase 1 | TH]
  • USS Gar began her twelfth war patrol. ww2dbase [Gar | CPC]
  • Destroyer USS Taussig (DD-746) was commissioned with Commander Joseph A. Robbins in command. ww2dbase [AC]
  • USS Baya was commissioned into service with Commander A. H. Holtz in command. ww2dbase [Baya | CPC]
Burma
  • Food and ammunition arrived at the Myitkyina Airfield in Burma for the first time. Meanwhile, three battalions of Chinese 150th Regiment attacked the city of Myitkyina in the afternoon; strong Japanese defenses led to high casualties, and battlefield confusion led to a series of fatal friendly fire incidents. ww2dbase [Battle of Myitkyina | Myitkyina | CPC]
France Guam
  • Off Apra Harbor, Guam, Gato-class submarine USS Silversides torpedoed and sank Japanese gunboat Shosei Maru. ww2dbase [Silversides | DS]
Iceland
  • Iceland began a four-day plebiscite on whether to terminate the personal union with the King of Denmark and establish a republic. ww2dbase [CPC]
India
  • Japanese troops evacuated the forward-most positions near Imphal, India. Meanwhile, a bloody clash took place between Japanese and Anglo-Indian troops at Torbung. ww2dbase [Battle of Imphal-Kohima | Imphal, Manipur | CPC]
Italy Mariana Islands
  • USS Wasp's aircraft attacked Japanese positions in support of the upcoming Mariana Islands invasion. ww2dbase [Wasp (Essex-class) | CPC]
Philippines
  • Patrol Boat No. 102 completed repairs of her No. 2 boiler while at sea. At 2105 hours, she arrived at Manila, Philippines with the rest of the convoy. ww2dbase [Stewart | Manila | CPC]
Poland
  • Members of the Polish underground captured a top secret V2 rocket intact. Since the Germans set up a test site at Bliza, Poland, the underground had operated a chain of small units responsible for bearing the Germans to the sites of crashed test rockets and salvaging whatever they could before the soldiers arrived. One V2 landed in a marsh close to the banks of the River Bug 80 miles east of Warsaw. The resistance got there first and found it sticking out of the mud. They pushed it deeper into the water to hide it and later dismantled the missile and flew vital parts to England, United Kingdom via an RAF Dakota aircraft. ww2dbase [AC]
US Pacific Islands Photo(s) dated 20 May 1944
Inflated tanks used by the Allies as deception before Normandy, late May 1944Troops of 325th Glider Infantry of US 82nd Airborne Division in a Horsa glider, training or preparing for Normandy, France invasion, England, United Kingdom, May-Jun 1944UK Royal Air Force Stirling bombers, acting as glider tugs, lining at the runway at Tarrant Rushton, England, United Kingdom, May-Jun 1944; note invasion stripsAerial photo of the gun battery at Merville, Normandy, France after bombardment, circa May 1944; note the bombing failed to neutralize the battery before Normandy landings
See all photos dated 20 May 1944

20 May 1944 Interactive Map

Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis




Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds

Change View
Desktop View

Search WW2DB


Famous WW2 Quote
"With Germany arming at breakneck speed, England lost in a pacifist dream, France corrupt and torn by dissension, America remote and indifferent... do you not tremble for your children?"

Winston Churchill, 1935


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!