Us B-25 medium bombers on their way to pound
German units dug in amid the ruins of Monte Cassino

The remains of the monastery of Monte Cassino

March 8
Air War, Germany
The US 8th Army Air Force launches a massive daylight precision raid on the Erker ball-bearing works, Berlin. A total of 590 aircraft mount the raid. There are 75 direct hits on the target, but the Americans lose 37 aircraft. This is the third US raid on Berlin under the escort of P-51 Mustang fighters. It results in the halting of ball-bearing production for some time.

March 11
Eastern Front, Ukraine
General Rodion Malinovsky's 2nd Ukrainian Front reaches the Bug River, brushing aside resistance from the German Eighth Army. The Germans hope to halt the Red Army on this great water barrier.

March 11-12
Far East, Burma
In the Arakan, northern Burma, the Allies recapture Buthidaung and then surround and capture the Japanese fortress at Razabil.

March 15-16
Far East, Burma/India
The Japanese 15th and 31st Divisions cross the Chindwin River between Homalin and Thaungdut and move forward with the intention of cutting the Imphal to Kohima road.

March 15-17
Italy, Cassino
Allied aircraft launch a massive raid against the unoccupied monastery of Monte Cassino (which is later criticized by the Vatican). The New Zealand 2nd Division then launches an assault that takes Peak 193. During the evening the 4th Indian Division attacks and captures Peak 165. All Allied attacks on the 16th are frustrated, but on the 17th a breakthrough by the New Zealanders takes Cassino railroad station. They fail, though, to complete the encirclement of the town itself.

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