Most Intense Day of WWII

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Globalization41
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Most Intense Day of WWII

#1

Post by Globalization41 » 30 Jul 2014, 04:31

What would be the most intense day of WWII, taking parity between the Axis and Allies into consideration?

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South
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Re: Most Intense Day of WWII

#2

Post by South » 30 Jul 2014, 11:30

Good morning Globe,

If you will define "intense" annotated with examples from other wars, if pertinent to the definition, I'll offer some early morning ramblings especially about the first atomic bombing.


Warm regards,

Bob


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Re: Most Intense Day of WWII

#3

Post by Globalization41 » 30 Jul 2014, 19:04

Hi Bob. ... For example, July 1, 1944, would be intense. The Germans, Japanese, Americans, British, Australians, and the Soviet Union were each militarily proficient and powerful. The Allies were still bottled up at Normandy in intense fighting. The Allied Air Forces were pounding the Japanese and Germans. The Germans were still defending Italy. The Soviets had launched massive offensives on the Eastern Front, with heavy fighting reported. The Pacific War was raging. There were battles in Burma and China. ... The periods during the Battle of Kursk and Stalingrad were intense with North Africa and the Pacific theaters active. ... The U.S. was still neutral in 1941 and Germany was weak or out of the war in 1945, so the date would have to be from 1942 to 1944.

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Rob Stuart
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Re: Most Intense Day of WWII

#4

Post by Rob Stuart » 30 Jul 2014, 22:54

It would be pretty hard to identify a single day when there was widespread intensive fighting, but if we instead look for the most intense short period, then I'd vote for 4-22 June 1944:

4 June: fall of Rome
6 June: first day of Overlord
9 June: first day of major Soviet offensive against Finland
13 June: first V-1 attacks on the UK
15/16 June: first B-29 attack on Japan
19-20 June: Battle of the Philippine Sea
22 June: first day of Bagration

Throughout this period:

Battle of Kohima (4 April to 22 June)
Battle of Imphal (8 March to 3 July)

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Most Intense Day of WWII

#5

Post by Globalization41 » 31 Jul 2014, 02:25

June 1944 looks good to me too Rob. ... The U.S. landed on Saipan on June 15. The Red Army opened its summer offensive on June 22. ... ... July 1943 would be an intense period too: the bombing of Rome, the Solomon Battles, the Russian counteroffensive after Kursk, the invasion of Sicily, etc. It was total worldwide war in July.

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Re: Most Intense Day of WWII

#6

Post by AJFFM » 31 Jul 2014, 11:19

July 44 was probably the bloodiest month of the entire war. In addition to the western and eastern front battles mentioned earlier (Soviet offensive against Finland and Invasion as well as bombing of Romania and the capture of Lviv also happened in the same time period) major campaigns in Burma-India front, the Pacific Islands (Mariana and Palau), New Guinea and China.

As for the bloodiest day? I think August 6th 1945 was probably the bloodiest. Nuking Hiroshima killed nearly 160k people.

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Re: Most Intense Day of WWII

#7

Post by wenty » 31 Jul 2014, 12:22

Unfortunately most of the "intense" days came as part of a larger battle that spread across weeks if not months. Many of those have been highlighted already on this thread.

Having said that, if I had to single out one day, I would say D-Day. Purely because not only was it an intense day battle wise, but it was the day on which the screws were really turned on Germany. From then on, there could be little doubt that they were going to lose the war.

Cheers,
Adam.

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Most Intense Day of WWII

#8

Post by Globalization41 » 02 Aug 2014, 07:22

D-Day may have eventually opened the door into Berlin for Stalin. ... ... September 14, 1942, saw widespread action. The Germans entered Stalingrad. ... The Japanese moved closer to Port Moresby. ... The Allies Launched Successful Air Raids in Western Europe and on German cities. ... British invasion of Madagascar Continued. ... The British campaigned against the French in Africa. ... Rommel suffered setbacks in North Africa. ... China advanced against Japan in Yunnan Province. ... Allied planes bombed and strafed Japanese troops and facilities at Buna. ... Japanese troops attempt to dislodge from Guadalcanal-Tulagi in the Solomons.

9/14/1942, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Week's War Events

9/14/1942, Raid on Buna

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