MONDAY 5th JANUARY 2015 07:18 GMT

Read my book - ENLIGHTENMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK

Also available - EMOTIONAL MANAGEMENT FOR ORDINARY FOLK

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1. THIS DAY IN WORLD WAR 2 (5th January 2015)
On the Russian Front...
Soviet 2nd Ukrainian Front is heavily engaged in Budapest

In Moscow...
Moscow announces recognition of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Poland, aka Lublin Committee

In London and Washington DC...
The British and US governments announce their continued support of the Polish government-in-exile in London as the provisional government of liberated Poland 

On the Western Front...
The Battle Of The Bulge:
US 1st Army attacks around Consy, Dochamps, Odeigne, Lavaux, Lierneux, and Bergeval on the northern flank of the Bulge
US 3rd Army is heavily engaged on the southern flank of the Bulge

Operation Nordwind:
US 7th Army comes under new German attacks around Gambsheim, Offendorf, Herrlisheim, and Rohrweiler, but nevertheless counterattacks around Fraudenberg, Gros Rederching, Bitche, Wingen, Philippsbourg, Gambsheim, and Kilstett

French 1st Army extends north to relieve US forces around Strasbourg
 
Greece...
Ceasefire between British troops and Greek communist forces. Field Marshal Sir Harold Alexander arrives to meet with Greek government and communist leaders

Italy...
British 8th Army attacks around Cotignola and San Severo 

In the Pacific...
USN destroyer escort Brackett bombards the isolated Japanese garrison on Taroa Island 

Japanese vessels Kanko Maru and Shunsen Maru are sunk by USN submarine Cavalla in the Java Sea 

Elements of US 8th Army and PI guerrillas capture Palauan on Mindoro Island

IJN destroyer escort Momi is sunk by carrier-based aircraft from USN Task Group 77.4 off Manila Bay

USN Task Group 94.9 with three heavy cruisers and six destroyers bombards Iwo Jima and Chichi Jima, sinking IJN T-107, T-154 and midget submarine Ha-71 is sunk by supporting USN PBY aircraft

China...
US air units complete transport of Chinese 14th Infantry Division and 22nd Infantry Division from Burma to China

Burma...
Chinese 30th Infantry Division of Northern Combat Area Command completes the crossing of the Shweli River 

Today's Air Raids...
Airfields and transportation routes in Germany by US 8th Air Force
Ludwigshafen, Hanover and Berlin, Germany by RAF Bomber Command
Houffalize, Belgium on German supply routes by RAF Bomber Command
Celebes Island, Halmahera Island and Luzon by US FEAF 
Celebes Island by RAAF aircraft
Off Luzon on USN shipping by kamikaze aircraft - many ships are damaged but none sunk
Iwo Jima by US 7th Air Force
Airfields at Samah Bay, Hankow and Wuchang, bridges, supply depots, and other targets of opportunity in China by US 14th Air Force
Airfields at Laikhka, Aungban, Kunlon, and Mong Long, and Japanese positions, supply dumps, and other targets around Namhkam, Mongmit, Mong Yaw, Hsenwi, Hpa-Pen, Man Ton, Tunghka, Man Peng, and Longhsu, Burma by US 10th Air Force 

2. TODAY IN MY LIFE
Blogging
The Milk Run
Mega Housework Blitz!
Cooking Supper
Missus Time

Twitter Followers = 1,849 (no change)  
Non-followed Tweeps unfollowing = 0
Unfollowers Eliminated = 0
New Followers followed back = 0
Spammers not followed back = 0
 
3. TODAY'S SELF-OBSERVATION
Christmas finally ends bar the decorations today, and it's back to the comforting structure of the "old routine". It was a good if not perfect holiday, and there are some lessons to take into next year, particularly regarding watchfulness.

Most importantly, I set out into the new year calm, focused determined and grateful fully intending to make the maximum difference.

4. TODAY'S QUESTION FOR YOU
Do you begin the year knowing where you want to go and with a clear plan to achieve it?

5. TODAY'S WEATHER IN BRADFORD
Dry and cloudy throughout, with a mild south-westerly wind
Max Temp: 7 degC at 15:00
Min Temp: 5 degC at 07:00
Sunrise at 08:24
Sunset at 16:01

Weathertrack: High pressure over western Europe will retreat south as a cold front approaches Britain from the west
Air Pressure: 1027 millibars and falling

6. TODAY'S ONELINER
I hate Russian dolls. They're so full of themselves. :D

7. NOW THAT'S FUNNY!
Damon Wayan on being a grandparent and life like a rollercoaster

8. TRIVIA
In the Chinese Tang dynasty, anyone with an education was expected to greet as well as say goodbye to another person in poetic verse composed on the spot.

9. ZEN WISDOM
As we work for the greater good, we build happiness for ourselves and others. The more we do for other people, the more the path of our own happiness will open up. In realizing this, we discover a sense of gratitude in being able to help them.