The main function of the towers was less shooting down Allied bombers, although that was important, but more to put up such a mass of anti-aircraft fire as to hinder bombing attacks on the area immediately around them. Flak, a word used by both sides, is the abbreviation of the German word “Fliegerabwehrkanone,” which translates as “air defense cannon”.

 
Three such towers were built in Berlin, three in Vienna, and two in Hamburg. Each tower actually consisted of two towers: the very large gun tower known as the ‘G-Tower’ and a smaller fire-control tower located nearby known as the ‘L Tower’. The fire control tower transmitted the targeting values to the gun tower by wire – that is telephone/telegraph wire – that was buried deep below ground in a concrete tunnel to protect the wires from being severed.

 
In addition to serving as platforms for anti-aircraft guns, each G Tower had a large bomb shelter for civilians. These shelters were designed to accommodate thousands of civilians, a hospital, workshops of various sorts, and Wehrmacht command posts. Each tower had an independent supply of electricity and water as well as barracks and offices for the Luftwaffe personnel who operated the tower and the guns. In the Third Reich, all anti-aircraft defense was the responsibility of the Luftwaffe.

 
The towers were almost indestructible with the walls on each tower being 2.5 meters thick or 8 1/2 feet of solid concrete. The towers could – and often did – survive direct hits by Allied bombs. Because these were such massive structures, many of them remain since no one can figure out how to dismantle them without wrecking an entire neighborhood. I think the surviving towers are an important part of the history of WW Two and should be preserved.

 
The best, and to my knowledge, the only book devoted to the towers is The Flak Towers: In Berlin, Hamburg and Vienna 1940-1950 by Michael Foedrowitz. The book was translated from the original German. The research is impeccable. The author worked almost exclusively from primary sources as well as interviewing the leading expert on the towers. Four stars.

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Audio Clip: BBC reports on children being evacuated from London (1939-09-01).

Aug 31, 1936 US Neutrality Bill, no shipping to combatant nations. “Schools, not battleships.”

Aug 31, 1938 Churchill suggests alliance with US and USSR over Sudeten.

Aug 31, 1939 The British fleet was mobilized.

Aug 31, 1939 In London, civilian evacuations began. Edward R. Murrow describes the evacuation of school kids from London. (Image Gallery)

Aug 31, 1941 Finnish army regains their border.

Aug 31, 1943 The USS Harmon, first U.S. Navy ship to be named for an African American, commissioned.

Aug 31, 1944 The British 8th Army broke through the German’s “Gothic Line.” The defensive line was drawn across northern Italy.

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It seems odd that in the middle of total war between the Allies and Nazi Germany, that such formalities as exchanging badly wounded prisoners-of-war were not only negotiated but carried out. British Merchant Marine officer Peter Guy, cited in Convoy: Merchant Sailors At War 1939-1945 by P. Kaplan and J. Currie (4 stars), describes an exchange which occurred in the late December of 1944.

He is aboard the British merchant ship Arundel Castle and their destination is Goteborg, in neutral Sweden where the exchange will take place.

 
It is important to note that both Norway and Denmark were occupied by the Germans at this time so the German gunners he refers to are stationed in those countries.

[Image courtesy of Naval-History.net.]

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Almost a year has passed since the war began, and it is natural for us, I think, to pause on our journey at this milestone and survey the dark, wide field. It is also useful to compare the first year of this second war against German aggression with its forerunner a quarter of a century ago. Although this war is in fact only a continuation of the last, very great differences in its character are apparent. In the last war millions of men fought by hurling enormous masses of steel at one another. “Men and shells” was the cry, and prodigious slaughter was the consequence. In this war nothing of this kind has yet appeared. It is a conflict of strategy, of organization, of technical apparatus, of science, mechanics and morale. The British casualties in the first 12 months of the Great War amounted to 365,000. In this war, I am thankful to say, British killed, wounded, prisoners and missing, including civilians, do not exceed 92,000, and of these a large proportion are alive as prisoners of war. Looking more widely around, one may say that throughout all Europe, for one man killed or wounded in the first year perhaps five were killed or wounded in 1914-15.

The slaughter is only a small fraction, but the consequences to the belligerents have been even more deadly. We have seen great countries with powerful armies dashed out of coherent existence in a few weeks. We have seen the-French Republic and the renowned French Army beaten into complete and total submission with less than the casualties which they suffered in any one of half a dozen of the battles of 1914-18. The entire body-it might almost seem at times the soul-of France has succumbed to physical effects incomparably less terrible than those which were sustained with fortitude and undaunted will power 25 years ago. Although up to the present the loss of life has been mercifully diminished, the decisions reached in the course of the struggle are even more profound upon the fate of nations than anything that has ever happened since barbaric times. Moves are made upon the scientific and strategic boards, advantages are gained by mechanical means, as a result of which scores of millions of men become incapable of further resistance, or judge themselves incapable of further resistance, and a fearful game of chess proceeds from check to mate by which the unhappy players seem to be inexorably bound.

There is another more obvious difference from 1914. The whole of the warring nations are engaged, not only soldiers, but the entire population, men, women and children. The fronts are everywhere. The trenches are dug in the towns and streets. Every village is fortified. Every road is barred. The front line runs through the factories. The workmen are soldiers with different weapons but the same courage. These are great and distinctive changes from what many of us saw in the struggle of a quarter of a century ago. There seems to be every reason to believe that this new kind of war is well suited to the genius and the resources of the British nation and the British Empire; and that, once we get properly equipped and properly started, a war of this kind will be more favorable to us than the somber mass slaughters of the Somme and Passchendaele. If it is a case of the whole nation fighting and suffering together, that ought to suit us, because we are the most united of all the nations, because we entered the war upon the national will and with our eyes open, and because we have been nurtured in freedom and individual responsibility and are the products, not of totalitarian uniformity, but of tolerance and variety. If all these qualities are turned, as they are being turned, to the arts of war, we may be able to show the enemy quite a lot of things that they have not thought of yet. Since the Germans drove the Jews out and lowered their technical standards, our science is definitely ahead of theirs. Our geographical position, the command of the sea, and the friendship of the United States enable us to draw resources from the whole world and to manufacture weapons of war of every kind, but especially of the superfine kinds, on a scale hitherto practiced only by Nazi Germany.

Hitler is now sprawled over Europe. Our offensive springs are being slowly compressed, and we must resolutely and methodically prepare ourselves for the campaigns of 1941 and 1942. Two or three years are not a long time, even in our short, precarious lives. They are nothing in the history of the nation, and when we are doing the finest thing in the world, and have the honor to be the sole champion of the liberties of all Europe, we must not grudge these years or weary as we toil and struggle through them. It does not follow that our energies in future years will be exclusively confined to defending ourselves and our possessions. Many opportunities may lie open to amphibious power, and we must be ready to take advantage of them. One of the ways to bring this war to a speedy end is to convince the enemy, not by words, but by deeds, that we have both the will and the means, not only to go on indefinitely, but to strike heavy and unexpected blows. The road to victory may not be so long as we expect. But we have no right to count upon this. Be it long or short, rough or smooth, we mean to reach our journey’s end.

It is our intention to maintain and enforce a strict blockade, not only of Germany, but of Italy, France, and all the other countries that have fallen into the German power. I read in the papers that Herr Hitler has also proclaimed a strict blockade of the British Islands. No one can complain of that. I remember the Kaiser doing it in the last war. What indeed would be a matter of general complaint would be if we were to prolong the agony of all Europe by allowing food to come in to nourish the Nazis and aid their war effort, or to allow food to go in to the subjugated peoples, which certainly would be pillaged off them by their Nazi conquerors.

There have been many proposals, founded on the highest motives, that food should be allowed to pass the blockade for the relief of these populations. I regret that we must refuse these requests. The Nazis declare that they have created a new unified economy in Europe. They have repeatedly stated that they possess ample reserves of food and that they can feed their captive peoples. In a German broadcast oL27th June it was said that while Mr. Hoover’s plan for relieving France, Belgium and Holland deserved commendation, the German forces had already taken the necessary steps. We know that in Norway when the German troops went in, there were food supplies to last for a year. We know that Poland, though not a rich country, usually produces sufficient food for her people. Moreover, the other countries which Herr Hitler has invaded all held considerable stocks when the Germans entered and are themselves, in many cases, very substantial food producers. If all this food is not available now, it can only be because it has been removed to feed the people of Germany and to give them increased rations-for a change-during the last few months. At this season of the year and for some months to come, there is the least chance of scarcity as the harvest has just been gathered in. The only agencies which can create famine in any part of Europe, now and during the coming winter, will be German exactions or German failure to distribute the supplies which they command.

There is another aspect. Many of the most valuable foods are essential to the manufacture of vital war material. Fats are used to make explosives. Potatoes make the alcohol for motor spirit. The plastic materials now so largely used in the construction of aircraft are made of milk. If the Germans use these commodities to help them to bomb our women and children, rather than to feed the populations who produce them, we may be sure that imported foods would go the same way, directly or indirectly, or be employed to relieve the enemy of the responsibilities he has so wantonly assumed. Let Hitler bear his responsibilities to the full, and let the peoples of Europe who groan beneath his yoke aid in every way the coming of the day when that yoke will be broken. Meanwhile, we can and we will arrange in advance for the speedy entry of food into any part of the enslaved area, when this part has been wholly cleared of German forces, and has genuinely regained its freedom. We shall do our best to encourage the building up of reserves of food all over the world, so that there will always be held up before the eyes of the peoples of Europe, including-I say deliberately-the German and Austrian peoples, the certainty that the shattering of the Nazi power will bring to them all immediate food, freedom and peace.

Rather more than a quarter of a year has passed since the new Government came into power in this country. What a cataract of disaster has poured out upon us since then! The trustful Dutch overwhelmed; their beloved and respected Sovereign driven into exile; the peaceful city of Rotterdam the scene of a massacre as hideous and brutal as anything in the Thirty Years’ War; Belgium invaded and beaten down; our own fine Expeditionary Force, which King Leopold called to his rescue, cut off and almost captured, escaping as it seemed only by a miracle and with the loss of all its equipment; our Ally, France, out; Italy in against us; all France in the power of the enemy, all its arsenals and vast masses of military material converted or convertible to the enemy’s use; a puppet Government set up at Vichy which may at any moment be forced to become our foe; the whole western seaboard of Europe from the North Cape to the Spanish frontier in German hands; all the ports, all the airfields on this immense front employed against us as potential springboards of invasion. Moreover, the German air power, numerically so far outstripping ours, has been brought so close to our Island that what we used to dread greatly has come to pass and the hostile bombers not only reach our shores in a few minutes and from many directions, but can be escorted by their fighting aircraft. Why, Sir, if we had been confronted at the beginning of May with such a prospect, it would have seemed incredible that at the end of a period of horror and disaster, or at this point in a period of horror and disaster, we should stand erect, sure of ourselves, masters of our fate and with the conviction of final victory burning unquenchable in our hearts. Few would have believed we could survive; none would have believed that we should today not only feel stronger but should actually be stronger than we have ever been before.

Let us see what has happened on the other side of the scales. The British nation and the British Empire, finding themselves alone, stood undismayed against disaster. No one flinched or wavered; nay, some who formerly thought of peace, now think only of war. Our people are united and resolved, as they have never been before. Death and ruin have become small things compared with the shame of defeat or failure in duty. We cannot tell what lies ahead. It may be that even greater ordeals lie before us. We shall face whatever is coming to us. We are sure of ourselves and of our cause, and that is the supreme fact which has emerged in these months of trial.

Meanwhile, we have not only fortified our hearts but our Island. We have rearmed and rebuilt our armies in a degree which would have been deemed impossible a few months ago. We have ferried across the Atlantic, in the month of July, thanks to our friends over there, an immense mass of munitions of all kinds: cannon, rifles, machine guns, cartridges and shell, all safely landed without the loss of a gun or a round. The output of our own factories, working as they have never worked before, has poured forth to the troops. The whole British Army is at home. More than 2,000,000 determined men have rifles and bayonets in their hands tonight, and three-quarters of them are in regular military formations. We have never had armies like this in our Island in time of war. The whole Island bristles against invaders, from the sea or from the air. As I explained to the House in the middle of June, the stronger our Army at home, the larger must the invading expedition be, and the larger the invading expedition, the less difficult will be the task of the Navy in detecting its assembly and in intercepting and destroying it in passage; and the greater also would be the difficulty of feeding and supplying the invaders if ever they landed, in the teeth of continuous naval and air attack on their communications. All this is classical and venerable doctrine. As in Nelson’s day, the maxim holds, “Our first line of defense is the enemy’s ports.” Now air reconnaissance and photography have brought to an old principle a new and potent aid.

Our Navy is far stronger than it was at the beginning of the war. The great flow of new construction set on foot at the outbreak is now beginning to come in. We hope our friends across the ocean will send us a timely reinforcement to bridge the gap between the peace flotillas of 1939 and the war flotillas of 1941. There is no difficulty in sending such aid. The seas and oceans are open. The U-boats are contained. The magnetic mine is, up to the present time, effectively mastered. The merchant tonnage under the British flag, after a year of unlimited U-boat war, after eight months of intensive mining attack, is larger than when we began. We have, in addition, under our control at least 4,000,000 tons of shipping from the captive countries which has taken refuge here or in the harbors of the Empire. Our stocks of food of all kinds are far more abundant than in the days of peace, and a large and growing program of food production is on foot.

Why do I say all this? Not, assuredly, to boast; not, assuredly, to give the slightest countenance to complacency. The dangers we face are still enormous, but so are our advantages and resources. I recount them because the people have a right to know that there are solid grounds for the confidence which we feel, and that we have good reason to believe ourselves capable, as I said in a very dark hour two months ago, of continuing the war “if necessary alone, if necessary for years.” I say it also because the fact that the British Empire stands invincible, and that Nazidom is still being resisted, will kindle again the spark of hope in the breasts of hundreds of millions of down-trodden or despairing men and women throughout Europe, and far beyond its bounds, and that from these sparks there will presently come cleansing and devouring flame.

The great air battle which has been in progress over this Island for the last few weeks has recently attained a high intensity. It is too soon to attempt to assign limits either to its scale or to its duration. We must certainly expect that greater efforts will be made by the enemy than any he has so far put forth. Hostile air fields are still being developed in France and the Low Countries, and the movement of squadrons and material for attacking us is still proceeding. It is quite plain that Herr Hitler could not admit defeat in his air attack on Great Britain without sustaining most serious injury. If after all his boastings and bloodcurdling threats and lurid accounts trumpeted round the world of the damage he has inflicted, of the vast numbers of our Air Force he has shot down, so he says, with so little loss to himself; if after tales of the panic-stricken British crushed in their holes cursing the plutocratic Parliament which has led them to such a plight-if after all this his whole air onslaught were forced after a while tamely to peter out, the Fuhrer’s reputation for veracity of statement might be seriously impugned. We may be sure, therefore, that he will continue as long as he has the strength to do so, and as long as any preoccupations he may have in respect of the Russian Air Force allow him to do so.

On the other hand, the conditions and course of the fighting have so far been favorable to us. I told the House two months ago that, whereas in France our fighter aircraft were wont to inflict a loss of two or three to one upon the Germans, and in the fighting at Dunkirk, which was a kind of no-man’s-land, a loss of about three or four to one, we expected that in an attack on this Island we should achieve a larger ratio. This has certainly come true. It must also be remembered that all the enemy machines and pilots which are shot down over our Island, or over the seas which surround it, are either destroyed or captured; whereas a considerable proportion of our machines, and also of our pilots, are saved, and soon again in many cases come into action.

A vast and admirable system of salvage, directed by the Ministry of Aircraft Production, ensures the speediest return to the fighting line of damaged machines, and the most provident and speedy use of all the spare parts and material. At the same time the splendid-nay, astounding-increase in the output and repair of British aircraft and engines which Lord Beaverbrook has achieved by a genius of organization and drive, which looks like magic, has given us overflowing reserves of every type of aircraft, and an ever-mounting stream of production both in quantity and quality. The enemy is, of course, far more numerous than we are. But our new production already, as I am advised, largely exceeds his, and the American production is only just beginning to flow in. It is a fact, as I see from my daily returns, that our bomber and fighter strength now, after all this fighting, are larger than they have ever been. We believe that we shall be able to continue the air struggle indefinitely and as long as the enemy pleases, and the longer it continues the more rapid will be our approach, first towards that parity, and then into that superiority, in the air upon which in a large measure the decision of the war depends.

The gratitude of every home in our Island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world, except in the abodes of the guilty, goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the World War by their prowess and b~ their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. All hearts go out to the fighter pilots, whose brilliant actions we see with our own eyes day after day; but we must never forget that all the time, night after night, month after month, our bomber squadrons travel far into Germany, find their targets in the darkness by the highest navigational skill, aim their attacks, often under the heaviest fire, often with serious loss, with deliberate careful discrimination, and inflict shattering blows upon the whole of the technical and war-making structure of the Nazi power. On no part of the Royal Air Force does the weight of the war fall more heavily than on the daylight bombers, who will play an invaluable part in the case of invasion and whose unflinching zeal it has been necessary in the meanwhile on numerous occasions to restrain.

We are able to verify the results of bombing military targets in Germany, not only by reports which reach us through many sources, but also, of course, by photography. I have no hesitation in saying that this process of bombing the military industries and communications of Germany and the air bases and storage depots from which we are attacked, which process will continue upon an ever-increasing scale until the end of the war, and may in another year attain dimensions hitherto undreamed of, affords one at least of the most certain, if not the shortest, of all the roads to victory. Even if the Nazi legions stood triumphant on the Black Sea, or indeed upon the Caspian, even if Hitler was at the gates of India, it would profit him nothing if at the same time the entire economic and scientific apparatus of German war power lay shattered and pulverized at home.

The fact that the invasion of this Island upon a large scale has become a far more difficult operation with every week that has passed since we saved our Army at Dunkirk, and our very great preponderance of sea power enable us to turn our eyes and to turn our strength increasingly towards the Mediterranean and against that other enemy who, without the slightest provocation, coldly and deliberately, for greed and gain, stabbed France in the back in the moment of her agony, and is now marching against us in Africa. The defection of France has, of course, been deeply damaging to our position in what is called, somewhat oddly, the Middle East. In the defense of Somaliland, for instance, we had counted upon strong French forces attacking the Italians from Jibuti. We had counted also upon the use of the French naval and air bases in the Mediterranean, and particularly upon the North African shore. We had counted upon the French Fleet. Even though metropolitan France was temporarily overrun, there was no reason why the French Navy, substantial parts of the French Army, the French Air Force and the French Empire overseas should not have continued the struggle at our side.

Shielded by overwhelming sea power, possessed of invaluable strategic bases and of ample funds, France might have remained one of the great combatants in the struggle. By so doing, France would have preserved the continuity of her life, and the French Empire might have advanced with the British Empire to the rescue of the independence and integrity of the French Motherland. In our own case, if we had been put in the terrible position of France, a contingency now happily impossible, although, of course, it would have been the duty of all war leaders to fight on here to the end, it would also have been their duty, as I indicated in my speech of 4th June, to provide as far as possible for the Naval security of Canada and our Dominions and to make sure they had the means to carry on the struggle from beyond the oceans. Most of the other countries that have been overrun by Germany for the time being have persevered valiantly and faithfully. The Czechs, the Poles, the Norwegians, the Dutch, the Belgians are still in the field, sword in hand, recognized by Great Britain and the United States as the sole representative authorities and lawful Governments of their respective States.

That France alone should lie prostrate at this moment is the crime, not of a great and noble nation, but of what are called “the men of Vichy.” We have profound sympathy with the French people. Our old comradeship with France is not dead. In General de Gaulle and his gallant band, that comradeship takes an effective form. These free Frenchmen have been condemned to death by Vichy, but the day will come, as surely as the sun will rise tomorrow, when their names will be held in honor, and their names will be graven in stone in the streets and villages of a France restored in a liberated Europe to its full freedom and its ancient fame. But this conviction which I feel of the future cannot affect the immediate problems which confront us in the Mediterranean and in Africa. It had been decided some time before the beginning of the war not to defend the Protectorate of Somaliland. That policy was changed in the early months of the war. When the French gave in, and when our small forces there, a few battalions, a few guns, were attacked by all the Italian troops, nearly two divisions, which had formerly faced the French at Jibuti, it was right to withdraw our detachments, virtually intact, for action elsewhere. Far larger operations no doubt impend in the Middle East theater, and I shall certainly not attempt to discuss or prophesy about their probable course. We have large armies and many means of reinforcing them. We have the complete sea command of the eastern Mediterranean. We intend to do our best to give a good account of ourselves, and to discharge faithfully and resolutely all our obligations and duties in that quarter of the world. More than that I do not think the House would wish me to say at the present time.

A good many people have written to me to ask me to make on this occasion a fuller statement of our war aims, and of the kind of peace we wish to make after the war, than is contained in the very considerable declaration which was made early in the autumn. Since then we have made common cause with Norway, Holland and Belgium. We have recognized the Czech Government of Dr. Benes, and we have told General de Gaulle that our success will carry with it the restoration of France. I do not think it would be wise at this moment, while the battle rages and the war is still perhaps only in its earlier stage, to embark upon elaborate speculations about the future shape which should be given to Europe or the new securities which must be arranged to spare mankind the miseries of a third World War. The ground is not new, it has been frequently traversed and explored, and many ideas are held about it in common by all good men, and all free men. But before we can undertake the task of rebuilding we have not only to be convinced ourselves, but we have to convince all other countries that the Nazi tyranny is going to be finally broken

The right to guide the course of world history is the noblest prize of victory. We are still toiling up the hill; we have not yet reached the crest-line of it; we cannot survey the landscape or even imagine what its condition will be when that longed-for morning comes. The task which lies before us immediately is at once more practical, more simple and more stern. I hope-indeed, I pray-that we shall not be found unworthy of our victory if after toil and tribulation it is granted to us. For the rest, we have to gain the victory. That is our task.

There is, however, one direction in which we can see a little more clearly ahead. We have to think not only for ourselves but for the lasting security of the cause and principles for which we are fighting and of the long future of the British Commonwealth of Nations. Some months ago we came to the conclusion that the interests of the United States and of the British Empire both required that the United States should have facilities for the naval and air defense of the Western Hemisphere against the attack of a Nazi power which might have acquired temporary but lengthy control of a large part of Western Europe and its formidable resources. We had therefore decided spontaneously, and without being asked or offered any inducement, to inform the Government of the United States that we would be glad to place such defense facilities at their disposal by leasing suitable sites in our Transatlantic possessions for their greater security against the unmeasured dangers of the future. The principle of association of interests for common purposes between Great Britain and the United States had developed even before the war. Various agreements had been reached about certain small islands in the Pacific Ocean which had become important as air fueling points. In all this line of thought we found ourselves in very close harmony with the Government of Canada.

Presently we learned that anxiety was also felt in the United States about the air and naval defense of their Atlantic seaboard, and President Roosevelt has recently made it clear that he would like to discuss with us, and with the Dominion of Canada and with Newfoundland, the development of American naval and air facilities in Newfoundland and in the West Indies. There is, of course, no question of any transference of sovereignty-that has never been suggested-or of any action being taken without the consent or against the wishes of the various Colonies concerned; but for our part, His Majesty’s Government are entirely willing to accord defense facilities to the United States on a 99 years’ leasehold basis, and we feel sure that our interests no less than theirs, and the interests of the Colonies themselves and of Canada and Newfoundland, will be served thereby. These are important steps. Undoubtedly this process means that these two great organizations of the English-speaking democracies, the British Empire and the United States, will have to be somewhat mixed up together in some of their affairs for mutual and general one can stop it. Like the Mississippi, it just keeps rolling alone. Let it roll. Let it roll on full flood, view the process with any misgivings. I could not stop it if I wished; no one can stop it. Like the Mississippi, it just keeps rolling alone. Let it roll. Let it roll on full flood, inexorable, irresistible, benignant, to broader lands and better days.

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WWII Gallery link: http://wwii.cc/9rKjED

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Audio: Mussolini Resigns (1943-07-25)

Jul 25, 1934 – Austrian chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss was shot and killed by Nazis.

Jul 25, 1937 – Japanese 20th Division clashed with Chinese troops at the city of Langfang, China, major rail junction between Beijing and Tianjin. This was the first major battle of the Second Sino-Japanese War.

Jul 25, 1940 – US embargos scrap metal and petroleum to Japan.

Jul 25, 1940 – The German Reich Economic Minister outlined the New Order for Europe, citing use of forced labor from occupied nations.

Jul 25, 1941 – US and UK freeze Japanese assets.

Jul 25, 1943 – The Italian dictator, Benito Mussolini, steps down as head of the armed forces and the government following a coup.

Jul 25, 1943 – USS Harmon (DE-678) was launched at Bethlehem Steel’s Fore River shipyard, Quincy, MA. She was the first U.S. Navy ship to be named for an African-American. The ship’s namesake, Mess Attendant First Class Leonard Roy Harmon, also posthumously received the Navy Cross for heroism during the Battle of Guadalcanal.

Jul 25, 1944 – Allied forces begin the breakthrough of German lines in Normandy.

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World War II History for June 4

Audio: MBS News – The Battle of Midway 06.04.1942

Jun 04, 1940 “We must be very careful not to assign to this deliverance the attributes of a victory. War’s are not won by evacuations.” – Winston Churchill – To Parliament

Jun 04, 1942 Battle of Midway

Jun 04, 1942 Battle of Midway – PBYs attack Occupation Force northwest of Midway; one PBY torpedoes fleet tanker Akebono Maru.

Jun 04, 1942 Battle of Midway – Japanese carrier fleet – Akagi, Kaga, Soryu, and Hiryu – sends its aircraft against defensive installations on Midway. Although defending USMC F2A’s and F4F’s suffer disastrous losses, damage to facilities on Midway is comparatively slight.

Jun 04, 1942 Battle of Midway – Japanese carrier fighters and antiaircraft fire annihilates the USMC SBD’s and SB2U’s, Navy’s new TBF’s, and USAAF torpedo-carrying B-26′s sent from Midway Island to attack the Japanese carriers. USAAF B-17′s likewise bomb the Japanese carrier force without success.

Jun 04, 1942 Battle of Midway – Concentrating on the destruction of Midway air forces, the Japanese carriers were caught unprepared for the U.S. carrier air attack.

Jun 04, 1942 Battle of Midway – Torpedo bombers (TBD’s) from American carrier striking force Hornet (CV-8), Enterprise (CV-6), and Yorktown (CV-5) attack the enemy carriers. Although mauled by the defending combat air patrol and antiaircraft fire, they draw off the former and leave the skies open for dive bombers (SBD’s) from Enterprise and Yorktown.

Jun 04, 1942 Battle of Midway – SBD’s from Enterprise sink carrier Kaga and bomb Akagi (flagship) SBD’s; SBD’s from Yorktown bomb and sink carrier Soryu.

Jun 04, 1942 Battle of Midway – Submarine Nautilus (SS-168) torpedoes carrier Kaga but her “fish” do not explode.

Jun 04, 1942 Battle of Midway – Hiryu escapes destruction that morning, launches dive bombers that temporarily disable Yorktown. Fletcher transfers flag to Astoria (CA-34) .

Jun 04, 1942 Battle of Midway – A second Japanese counter attack 2 hours later, damages Yorktown with bombs and torpedoes so severely that she was abandoned.

Jun 04, 1942 Battle of Midway – In the late afternoon, SBD’s from Enterprise, including Yorktown planes, hit the Japanese Force again, striking Hiryu, the fourth and last of the Japanese carriers.

Jun 04, 1942 Battle of Midway – TF-16 (Spruance) released at dusk.

Jun 04, 1942 Battle of Midway – With control of the air irretrievably lost, the Japanese are compelled to abandon Midway invasion plans and the invasion force retires westward.

Jun 04, 1942 – Jun 05, 1942 Battle of Midway – Overnight – Three Japanese fleets, with ten battleships, including Yamato, the world’s largest battleship, two escort carriers, cruisers, and destroyers race to engage the U.S. carriers.

Jun 04, 1942 – Jun 05, 1942 Battle of Midway – Overnight – The U.S. fleet withdraws till midnight, then returns to the protective air cover of Midway.

Jun 04, 1942 – Jun 05, 1942 Battle of Midway – Overnight – Finding nothing, the Japanese battle fleets also withdraws.

Jun 04, 1942 Battle of Midway – 4:1 win in favor of US

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May 26, 1940
Hitler after a critical two-day delay, ordered German troops to attack Dunkirk. The first units could not advance until late in the day, but the main force could not be organized until the following day. “By then,” said General Guderain, “it was too late to achieve a great victory.”

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3) Mention DVD Contest #1 somewhere in your post.

OR

Worst case scenario… send an email to “contests (at) wwarii.com” and share a piece of personal WWII history, photo with description, or other accurate WWII trivia you find interesting with us.

What are we competing for?

DVD Set #1 Contains-

*WORLD WAR II: THE WAR IN THE PACIFIC* features the drama and intensity of history’s greatest conflict. This extraordinary collection from the History Channel and A&E Entertainment is the most complete account of World War II’s Pacific Theater ever created.

Combining graphic combat footage and expert commentary, it’s a commanding view of the battles and strategy, the men and machines, and the horror and heroism that marked this epic conflict.

*DISC ONE* (approx 90 mins)
ISLAND HOPPING: THE ROAD BACK–The epic story of the Allies’ island-by-island Pacific campaign, using massive amphibious assaults.

JUNGLE WARFARE: NEW GUINEA TO BURMA–In the steamy jungles of the Pacific, soldiers battled not only the Japanese, but malaria, heat exhaustion, and swarms of parasites.

AIR WAR IN THE PACIFIC–From the war’s first days, to the suicidal Kamikaze attacks and the bombing missions that brought the war to the Japanese homeland.

THE BLOODY RIDGES OF PELELIU–From the opening Naval bombardment, to the hand-to-hand combat and vicious guerrilla warfare, this is the complete story of this brutal and historic battle.

*DISC TWO* (approx 95 min)
THE RETURN TO THE PHILIPPINES–From MacArthur’s strategy to the heroics of the ground, naval, and air troops, it’s a stunning story of unstoppable determination.

OKINAWA…THE LAST BATTLE–Witness the desperate, suicidal resistance of the Japanese in the final battle of the Pacific campaign.

ADMIRAL WILLIAM ‘BULL’ HALSEY: NAVAL WARRIOR–Sail into battle with one of the most celebrated naval commanders in American history.

Terms & Conditions

This contest is for a copy of History’s WWII:The War in the Pacific (2-DVD) Collection to 1 contest winner. The set is brand new and provided by the publisher. All entrants must complete the entry task(s), or in case of any issues an email to contests@wwarii.com. One entry per household. All information provided will be kept confidential. Entries must be received by May 31, 2010 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time. Contest winners will be drawn at random and notified after the close of the contest. The DVD’s will be shipped directly to the winners. US residents only.

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Now Available! Released 5/18/2010

In 1942 19-year-old Don Smith left everything behind … his home and family, his hopes and dreams, his newfound love … to serve his country valiantly during World War Two. His profound journey takes this reluctant hero from his Oregon mill town to the beaches at Normandy and finally to a snow covered forest in Germany where his personal sacrifices lead to a decisive victory during the infamous Battle of the Bulge.

As Smith fights to retain his humanity against the horrors of war, what starts as a simple love letter to the girl he left behind becomes his only lifeline of hope in the midst of desperation and fear.

Over three long years this letter he can never mail sustains him as he battles Everyman’s War … the war that rages in every man and woman who is called to duty and away from their dreams … and helps him reconcile that the loss of hope can sometimes be worse than the loss of life.

This WWII action‐love story stars an ensemble cast including newcomers Cole Carson and Lauren Bair as the reluctant small-town hero and the girl who waits at home.

One man's courage…One man's hope…Everyman's War.

As the seasoned infantry and tank units of the German 11th Panzer “Ghost” division move silently into position on the snow covered hills around Nennig, Germany, a battle weary GI and his unit stand ready to defend the small town, a key position in the Allied advance to win the war. Outgunned and outnumbered, Staff Sgt. Don Smith struggles to find hope and courage against overwhelming odds in one of the decisive confrontations in the “Battle of the Bulge” during WWII.

Review Coming Soon!

Order your copy of the film:
Everyman’s War

YouTube Trailer URL:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Mcqhn-Ib3A

Behind The Scenes video can be found and embedded at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/xfactoradvertising

Film Details

* Actors: Cole Carson, Michael J. Prosser
* Directors: Thad Smith
* Format: Color, DVD, Letterboxed, NTSC
* Language: English
* Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
* Number of discs: 1
* Rated: Unrated
* Studio: Virgil Films and Entertainment
* DVD Release Date: May 18, 2010

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GRAND PRIZE Pacific Ultimate Gift Set valued at $300:

* The Pacific DVD
* The Pacific Soundtrack
* The Pacific Leather Bound Book signed by Hugh Ambrose
* With the Old Breed by E.B. Sledge
* Helmet for My Pillow by Robert Leckie
* Limited Edition Pacific framed print

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I have just started blogging and am doing my best to stick to the theme suggested by my domain name which is http://www.70-years-ago.com/blog. To be honest I am finding it difficult to stick strictly to the ’70 years ago’ theme as in the course of researching what happened exactly on that day in 1940 as I find so many other pictures, films, audio and assorted other information of interest. In my ’70 years ago’ world right now we are dealing with the end of the ‘Sitzkreig’. The ‘Phoney War’ since the invasion of Poland has come to an abrupt end with the invasion of Poland and Denmark.

What impressed me most about this period of German aggression is that it was not the cake walk that I had thought it was. The Germans had to do some real fighting. The Norwegians, the Danes and the British put up a valiant defense that is well documented. That is another thing that surprised me. How some of these events were so well documented. The Germans had a well oiled publicity machine that traveled with their troops and kept their homefront well informed.

A subtopic that I am becoming most interested in is the civilian involvement in World War II. What went on at the homefront? How did the people without uniforms become a part of the battle as with terror bombing? How did both sides react to this unprecedented interruption of their lives? How did they affect the conduct of the war? What was the slippery slope that was slid down from the invasion of Poland to the terror bombing of both sides that followed? How did the rules of civilian engagement change from the beginning of the war until the bitter end in the streets of Berlin?

Many questions that I will attempt to address in a thoughtful manner. I am always looking for comments on content and presentation. I will be constantly on the lookout for new ways to stretch the boundaries of WordPress and the blogging format. For me the most outstanding feature of a blog is its ability to interact with the visitor. Please accept my invitation to interact. All it takes is a glance at World War II History’s incredible blog to see that there is a wealth of historical knowledge here. I look forward to sharing with you all.

Jim Lee
sasjzl ‘at’ earthlink.net
http://www.70-years-ago.com/blog

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Audio: 1942-05-07 – Gen Wainwright Broadcasts Surrender Of Corregidor

May 07, 1940 – May 10, 1940 – British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain resigns in disgrace. He will be replaced by Winston Churchill on 05.10.

May 07, 1940 – Pacific fleet ordered to Pearl Harbor as a warning to Japan

May 07, 1942 – Japanese carriers attack US oilier Neosho and destroyer Sims thinking they are a carrier and cruiser.

May 07, 1942 – US carriers attack escort carrier Shoho thinking it was the main force.

May 07, 1942 – Australian cruiser force sent ahead to block Japanese invasion fleet.

May 07, 1942 – Both sides decide against a night battle and prepare for dawn air attacks.

May 07, 1945 – Germany surrenders unconditionally to General Eisenhower at Rheims, France, and to the Soviets in Berlin. President Truman pronounces the following day, May 8, V-E Day. The U.S., Russia, England, and France agree to split occupied Germany into eastern and western halves.

See more WWII timeline events at http://wwarii.com/db/timeline.php

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This never-before-published image not only captures the chaotic state of Hitler’s bunker when Vandivert made his way there in 1945, but also features an item that recalls the wanton gangsterism and greed that characterized Nazi rule: a 16th-century painting looted from a museum in Milan. In the typed notes (see next slide) that Vandivert sent to LIFE’s New York offices “immediately after getting to Berlin,” Vandivert described his intense and harried visit to the bunker: “(Note and note well),” he wrote “These pix were made in the dark with only candle for illumination since lights were only on in two rooms and when we were there there were no lights at all. Our small party of four beat all rest of mob who came down about forty minutes after we got there.”

Blood in the Bunker

With only candles to light their way, war correspondents examine a couch stained with blood (see dark patch on the arm of the sofa) located inside Hitler’s bunker. In his typed notes Vandivert wrote: “Pix of [correspondents] looking at sofa where Hitler and Eva shot themselves. Note bloodstains on arm of soaf (sic) where Eva bled. She was seated at far end …. Hitler sat in middle and fell forward, did not bleed on sofa. This is in Hitler’s sitting room.” Remarkable stuff — but, it turns out, only about half right. Historians are now quite certain that Braun actually committed suicide by biting a cyanide capsule, rather than by gunshot — meaning that the blood stains on the couch are quite likely Hitler’s, and not Eva Braun’s, after all.

Source: LIFE.com, Used with Permission.

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It’s time for a new contest! On April 21, 2010 Reader’s Digest released a brand new DVD collection titled WWII in the Pacific containing over 12 hours of video. From the pivotal battles that changed the course of WWII to the heroic soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of democracy, WWII in the Pacific is a gripping chronicle of the Pacific. This beautiful, gold foil-embossed 6 DVD set of authentic combat footage and newsreels from WWII is a wonderful addition to any history lover’s collection. Questar Entertainment has kindly furnished us with 2 copies to give away!

You can enter the contest in 2 ways, just follow the directions below!

Contest entry:

1) Become a Fan on Facebook AND Share a piece of personal WWII history, Photo with description, or other accurate WWII trivia you find interesting, as a post on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/WWIIHistory.

or

2) Send us an email with your name and reply email address to “contests (at) wwarii.com” AND include a piece of personal WWII history, photo or other accurate WWII trivia you find interesting.

We will pick the winners on May 3, 2010, US residents only.

If you aren’t the lucky winner, or would like to order your own copy of this great DVD set, check the links below.

Purchase Reader’s Digest WWII in the Pacific Now and see over 12 hours of live action video in this collection!

Good luck!

*Terms & Conditions – This contest is for a copy of Reader’s Digest WWII in the Pacific (6-DVD) Collection to 2 contest winners. The sets are brand new and provided by the publisher. All entrants must complete the entry task(s), or in case of any issues an email to contests@wwarii.com. One entry per household. All information provided will be kept confidential. Entries must be received by May 3, 2010 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time. Contest winners will be drawn at random and notified after the close of the contest. The DVD’s will be shipped directly to the winners. US residents only.

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World War II History for April 14

Audio Clip: CBS Reports on FDR’s Death Apr 13, 1945

Apr 14, 1931 – Spanish Republic proclaimed; recognized by US and western nations. (More…)

Apr 14, 1940 – 350 British Royal Marines landed at Namsos, Norway to prepare for the arrival of the 146th Territorial Brigade. These Marines were the first British forces to land in Norway. (More…)

Apr 14, 1941 – German troops reached the Aliakmon River in Greece. (More…)

Apr 14, 1941 – Tobruk’s defenders beat back a determined assault by the German 5th Light Div on the encircled city. (More…)

Apr 14, 1941 – Yugoslavia sues for peace, seeking to negotiate a surrender with Germany. (More…)

Apr 14, 1942 – Adm Nimitz assigned to South Pacific. Sends Yorktown (CV-5, RAdm Fletcher) to Tongatabu, south of Samoa, to replenish for anticipated defense of New Guinea and Solomon Islands at the end of the month. (More…)

Apr 14, 1942 – Destroyer USS Roper sinks U-85, the 1st submarine kill by a US ship. (More…)

Apr 14, 1942 – Marshal Petain became Vichy French chief of state, and Pierre Laval became chief of government. Laval thus assumed actual direction of the Vichy administration, and the aging Petain remained to perform an essentially ceremonial function. (More…)

Apr 14, 1942 – British forces began destroying the Yenangyaung oil fields in Burma as the Japanese pressed their drive northward. (More…)

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World War II History for April 7

Apr 07, 1939 Mussolini invades Albania. (More…)

Apr 07, 1941 Quarter of Pacific Fleet ordered to Atlantic : 3BB, 1CV, 4CL, 18DD, 3AO. (More…)

Apr 07, 1942 Japanese subs off western India sink 5 merchantmen this week. (More…)

Apr 07, 1942 Colorado only western state to agree to accept voluntary relocation of enemy aliens. (More…)

Apr 07, 1942 Relocation begins of Japanese from coastal defense zones. (More…)

Apr 07, 1943 Marine 1st Lt. James Swett, on his 1st combat mission, shot down 7 Japanese VAL’s over Guadalcanal-the 1st American to achieve this score in a single mission. (More…)

Apr 07, 1943 British and American armies linked up between Wadi Akarit and El Guettar in North Africa to form a solid line against the German army. (More…)

Apr 07, 1944 Kohima’s water supply is cut off by the Japanese. (More…)

Apr 07, 1944 Counterattacking German forces make some advances in the Crimea but suffer heavy casualties. (More…)

Apr 07, 1944 Two Jewish inmates escaped from Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp and made it safely to Slovakia. One of them, Rudolf Vrba, submitted a report to the Papal Nuncio in Slovakia, which was forwarded to the Vatican. (More…)

Apr 07, 1945 Soviet units cross the Danube River and smash into Vienna. Street fighting commenced. (More…)

Apr 07, 1945 Gottingen was taken by US troops. (More…)

Apr 07, 1945 Japanese air and naval units suffer a disastrous defeat in the battle of the East China Sea. Task Force 58 planes intercepted the Japanese Second Fleet heading for Okinawa. The 72,200-ton battleship Yamato was subjected to 3 hrs of bombing and torpedo attacks and finally capsized with only 269 survivors from the 3,292 man crew. It was the largest single loss involving a warship in history. Other casualties of the battle were the cruiser Yahagi, 4 destroyers and 54 aircraft. The US only lost 10 planes out of the 900 sortied. (More…)

Apr 07, 1945 British 14th Army forces isolated a large Japanese force between Mandalay and Meiktila. (More…)

Apr 07, 1945 Iwo Jima based aircraft make their first attacks on Japan. Fighters begin arriving on Okinawa. (More…)

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Look for our next contest coming soon!

If you didn’t win and would like to read this great book, you can find it here: http://wwii.cc/bewl1m

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It’s time for a new contest! On March 14, 2010 the new HBO miniseries The Pacific began airing and will be shown Sundays at 9pm on HBO. One of the Marines featured in The Pacific, Robert Leckie, has written several books including Strong Men Armed, The United States Marines Against Japan. Da Capo Press has kindly furnished us with 4 copies to give away!

You can enter the contest in 2 ways, just follow the directions below!

Contest entry:

1) Become a Fan on Facebook AND Share a piece of personal WWII history or other accurate WWII trivia you find interesting, as a post on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/WWIIHistory.

or

2) Send us an email with your name and reply email address to “contests (at) wwarii.com” AND include a piece of personal WWII history, photo or other accurate WWII trivia you find interesting.

We will pick the winners on March 30, 2010, US residents only.

If you aren’t the lucky winner, or would like to order your own copy of Strong Men Armed, check the links below.

Purchase Strong Men Armed Now and get the full story for HBO’s The Pacific.

Strong Men Armed Book Details & Author Bio

Good luck!

*Terms & Conditions – This contest is for a copy of Strong Men Armed (Paperback) from Da Capo Press to 4 contest winners. The books are brand new and provided by the publisher. All entrants must complete the entry task(s), or in case of any issues an email to contests@wwarii.com. All information provided will be kept confidential. Entries must be received by March 29, 2010 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time. Contest winners will be drawn at random and notified after the close of the contest. The books will be shipped directly to the winners. US residents only.

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Audio Clip: March 19, 1944 edition of CBS World News Today

19 Mar 1940 – The French government of Daladier fell.

19 Mar 1940 – 50 RAF bombers strike Hornum, the German seaplane base on the island of Sylt, but inflict no significant damage.

19 Mar 1941 – Admiral Raeder met with the Japanese ambassador in Berlin to discuss his desire for Japan to attack Singapore.

19 Mar 1945 – About 800 people were killed as Japanese kamikaze planes attacked the U.S. carrier Franklin off Japan.

19 Mar 1945 – Adolf Hitler issued his “Nero Decree” which ordered the destruction of German facilities that could fall into Allied hands as German forces were retreating.

19 Mar 1945 – General Fromm executed for plot against Hitler

On this day, the commander of the German Home Army, Gen. Friedrich Fromm, is shot by a firing squad for his part in the July plot to assassinate the Fuhrer, as portrayed in the movie Valkyrie. The fact that Fromm’s participation was half-hearted did not save him.

By 1945, many high-ranking German officials had made up their minds that Hitler must die. He was leading Germany in a suicidal war on two fronts, and they believed that assassination was the only way to stop him. According to the plan, coup d’etat would follow the assassination, and a new government in Berlin would save Germany from complete destruction at the hands of the Allies. All did not go according to plan, however. Col. Claus von Stauffenberg was given the task of planting a bomb during a conference that was to be held at Hitler’s holiday retreat, Berchtesgaden (but was later moved to Hitler’s headquarters at Rastenburg). Stauffenberg was chief of staff to Gen. Friedrich Fromm. Fromm, chief of the Home Army (composed of reservists who remained behind the front lines to preserve order at home), was inclined to the conspirators’ plot, but agreed to cooperate actively in the coup only if the assassination was successful.

On the night of July 20, Stauffenberg planted an explosive-filled briefcase under a table in the conference room at Rastenburg. Hitler was studying a map of the Eastern Front as Colonel Heinz Brandt, trying to get a better look at the map, moved the briefcase out of place, farther away from where the Fuhrer was standing. At 12:42 p.m. the bomb went off. When the smoke cleared, Hitler was wounded, charred, and even suffered the temporary paralysis of one arm-but was very much alive.

Meanwhile, Stauffenberg had made his way to Berlin to meet with his co-conspirators to carry out Operation Valkyrie, the overthrow of the central government. Once in the capital, General Fromm, who had been informed by phone that Hitler was wounded but still alive, ordered Stauffenberg and his men arrested, but Fromm was located and locked in an office by Nazi police. Stauffenberg and Gen. Friedrich Olbricht began issuing orders for the commandeering of various government buildings. Then the news came through from Herman Goering that Hitler was alive. Fromm, released from confinement by officers still loyal to Hitler, and anxious to have his own association with the conspirators covered up quickly, ordered the conspirators, including two Stauffenberg aides, shot for high treason that same day. (Gen. Ludwig Beck, one of the conspiracy leaders and an older man, was allowed the “dignity” of committing suicide.)

Fromm’s last-ditch effort to distance himself from the plot failed. Within the next few days, on order of Heinrich Himmler, who was now the new head of the Home Army, Fromm was arrested. In February 1945, he was tried before the People’s Court and denigrated for his cowardice in refusing to stand up to the plotters. But because he went so far as to execute Stauffenberg and his partners on the night of July 20, he was spared the worst punishment afforded convicted conspirators-strangulation on a meat hook. He was shot by a firing squad on March 19.[1]

[1] “General Fromm executed for plot against Hitler,” The History Channel website, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Article&id=6747 (accessed Mar 19, 2009).

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On December 7, 2009, the George H.W. Bush Gallery was re-opened after a multi-million dollar remodeling project. It was completely redesigned to provide an interactive experience in reliving the war in the Pacific. Comprising many current technologies, the exhibits provide not only a traditional museum experience, but is enhanced with multimedia videos and kiosks where patrons can interact and experience portions of what life was like during World War II.

Stepping into the museum exhibit path is like stepping back in time. The initial room surrounds you with a panoramic multimedia wall and presentation taking you back to the great depression and examining what happened building up to the world war, setting the tone for the rest of the museum and starting you on the path of the museum timeline. As you proceed, the exhibits immerse you in the lives and cultures not only of Americans, but from all nationalities involved in the Pacific War. The museum does an excellent job of taking an impartial stand in presenting the experience of the war, presenting all sides as the war happened, examining the struggles and strife individuals endured.

Though the museum is housed on only 33,000 sq ft, the George Bush Gallery alone consists of 36 separate sections and houses many restored full size aircraft including a B-25 Mitchell bomber, several Japanese and American fighters, an Admirals Barge, multiple tanks and other land vehicles and artillery, and one of the five Japanese Midget Submarines that were used in the attack on Pearl Harbor, all inside the museum! Adjacent to the main museum complex is the Pacific Combat Zone which is both an indoor and outdoor experience designed to show visitors what it looked like in the Pacific, highlighted by an aircraft, armored vehicles/tanks, and a PT boat exhibit.

Visiting National Museum of the Pacific War is a rich and rewarding experience that will give anyone a better appreciation for the war. For veterans, it is a chance to find peace and remember where they were when the different events happened. Seeing many of them walking through quietly reliving their own personal wars, pointing out things they recognized and events they experienced was very touching. Getting to talk with them and hear their stories helps make the museum come to life and brings home the reality that this war affected so many across the globe on an individual level. Visiting the museum is something that students, families, and veterans alike can learn from, appreciate the war’s trials, reflect on the past, and for many come to peace.

If you are interested in seeing a little more of what the museum has to offer, we have a little virtual tour, but be sure to visit in person as the photos do not do any justice to the full experience the museum provides!

More images at our National Museum of the Pacific War – Photo Gallery

Special thanks go out to the Fredericksburg Convention and Visitor Bureau (888)997.3600, the Hangar Hotel and Airport Diner, the Cabernet Grill, and Geiger & Associates for making this tour possible.

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World War II History for March 17

*St. Patricks Day*

Audio Clip: CBS World News Today (03.14.1943)

17 Mar 1940 - Dr. Fritz Todt was appointed Germany’s Minister for Weapons and Munitions.

17 Mar 1941 – The US Senate begins debating the Lend-Lease bill.

17 Mar 1942 – United States assumes strategic defense of the Pacific Ocean.

17 Mar 1942 – MacArthur arrives Australia by B-17 during Japanese attack and became the Supreme Commander of the United Nations forces in the Southwestern Pacific.

17 Mar 1943 – British forces capture Medenine in Tunisia, but US and British forces in other North African fronts begin falling back in the face of heavy German armor attacks. The Mark IV tanks prove effective for the Germans since their introduction.

17 Mar 1944 – US forces bomb Vienna.

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See more FDR photos.

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World War II History for March 12

Audio Clip: Below you will find President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first Fireside Chat from 1933 “On the Bank Crisis.” Included is a link to the full text and a video clip.

12 Mar 1933 – President Paul von Hindenburg dropped the flag of the German Republic and ordered that the swastika and empire banner be flown side by side.

12 Mar 1933 – Outside Berlin, the first concentration camp opened at Oranienburg.

12 Mar 1933 - FDR gives first fireside chat “On the Bank Crisis.”

Full text of the On the Bank Crisis speech from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library.

Video clip of Roosevelt speech at History.com.

On this day in 1933, eight days after his inauguration, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gives his first national radio address or “fireside chat,” broadcast directly from the White House.

Roosevelt began that first address simply: “I want to talk for a few minutes with the people of the United States about banking.” He went on to explain his recent decision to close the nation’s banks in order to stop a surge in mass withdrawals by panicked investors worried about possible bank failures. The banks would be reopening the next day, Roosevelt said, and he thanked the public for their “fortitude and good temper” during the “banking holiday.”

At the time, the U.S. was at the lowest point of the Great Depression, with between 25 and 33 percent of the work force unemployed. The nation was worried, and Roosevelt’s address was designed to ease fears and to inspire confidence in his leadership.

Roosevelt went on to deliver 30 more of these broadcasts between March 1933 and June 1944. They reached an astonishing number of American households, 90 percent of which owned a radio at the time.

Journalist Robert Trout coined the phrase “fireside chat” to describe Roosevelt’s radio addresses, invoking an image of the president sitting by a fire in a living room, speaking earnestly to the American people about his hopes and dreams for the nation. In fact, Roosevelt took great care to make sure each address was accessible and understandable to ordinary Americans, regardless of their level of education. He used simple vocabulary and relied on folksy anecdotes or analogies to explain the often complex issues facing the country.

Over the course of his historic 12-year presidency, Roosevelt used the chats to build popular support for his groundbreaking New Deal policies, in the face of stiff opposition from big business and other groups. After World War II began, he used them to explain his administration’s wartime policies to the American people. The success of Roosevelt’s chats was evident not only in his three re-elections, but also in the millions of letters that flooded the White House. Farmers, business owners, men, women, rich, poor-most of them expressed the feeling that the president had entered their home and spoken directly to them. In an era when presidents had previously communicated with their citizens almost exclusively through spokespeople and journalists, it was an unprecedented step.[2]

12 Mar 1938 – The “Anschluss” took place as German troops entered Austria.

The German term Anschluss, meaning “unification” or “political union,” is most frequently used in reference to the Nazis’ 1938 annexation of Austria into Greater Germany. When the Nazis entered Austria to enforce the Anschluss, they encountered no military opposition and quickly took control of the newly created German province. The US, USSR, and UK signed a declaration proclaiming the Anschluss null and void in 1943.

Union with Germany had been a dream of Austrian Social Democrats since 1919. The rise of Adolf Hitler and his authoritarian rule made such a proposition less attractive, though, which was an ironic twist, since a union between the two nations was also a dream of Hitler’s, a native Austrian. Despite the fact that Hitler did not have the full approval of Austrian Social Democrats, the rise of a pro-Nazi right-wing party within Austria in the mid-1930s paved the way for Hitler to make his move. In 1938, Austrian Chancellor Kurt von Schuschnigg, bullied by Hitler during a meeting at Hitler’s retreat home in Berchtesgaden, agreed to a greater Nazi presence within Austria. He appointed a Nazi minister of police and announced an amnesty for all Nazi prisoners. Schuschnigg hoped that agreeing to Hitler’s demands would prevent a German invasion. But Hitler insisted on greater German influence on the internal affairs of Austria-even placing German army troops within Austria- and Schuschnigg repudiated the agreement signed at Berchtesgaden, demanding a plebiscite on the question. Through the machinations of Hitler and his devotees within Austria, the plebiscite was canceled, and Schuschnigg resigned.

The Austrian president, Wilhelm Miklas, refused to appoint a pro-Nazi chancellor in Schuschnigg’s stead. German foreign minister Hermann Goering then faked a crisis by engineering a “plea” for German assistance from inside the Austrian government (really from a German agent). On March 12, 1938, German troops marched into Austria. Hitler announced his Anschluss, and a plebiscite was finally held on April 10. Whether the plebiscite was rigged or the resulting vote simply a testament to Austrian terror at Hitler’s determination, the Fuhrer garnered a whopping 99.7 percent approval for the union of Germany and Austria.

Austria was now a nameless entity absorbed by Germany. It was not long before the Nazis soon began their typical ruthless policy of persecuting political dissidents and, of course, all Jewish citizens.[1]

12 Mar 1940 – During World War II, Finland and the Soviet Union concluded an armistice.

12 Mar 1942 – US Army lands on New Caledonia (French) to establish base at Noumea.

12 Mar 1942 – Fall of the East Indies (Netherlands) to the Japanese.

[1]“Hitler announces an Anschluss with Austria,” The History Channel website, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=6740 (accessed Mar 12, 2009).
[2]“FDR gives first fireside chat,” The History Channel website, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=4829 (accessed Mar 12, 2009).

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“The battle of Iwo Island has been won. The United States Marines by their individual and collective courage have conquered a base which is as necessary to us in our continuing forward movement toward final victory as it was vital to the enemy in staving off ultimate defeat.

By their victory, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the Fifth Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their country which only history will be able to value fully. Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue.”

–Admiral Chester W. Nimitz

Members of the Marine Corps Dog platoon head to the front lines – great assets in this type of operation due to their ability to find snipers and as speedy messengers

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/audio-landing-on-iwo-jima/feed 3 4:49 Audio Clip: 02.19.1945 - Live Coverage Of U.S. Marines Landing On Iwo Jima "The battle of Iwo Island has been won. The United States Marines by ... Audio Clip: 02.19.1945 - Live Coverage Of U.S. Marines Landing On Iwo Jima "The battle of Iwo Island has been won. The United States Marines by their individual and collective courage have conquered a base which is as necessary to us in our continuing forward movement toward final victory as it was vital to the enemy in staving off ultimate defeat. By their victory, the 3rd, 4th and 5th Marine Divisions and other units of the Fifth Amphibious Corps have made an accounting to their country which only history will be able to value fully. Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island, uncommon valor was a common virtue." --Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Members of the Marine Corps Dog platoon head to the front lines - great assets in this type of operation due to their ability to find snipers and as speedy messengers Country - Japan, Images, Media, Pacific Theater, Podcast, Today WWarII.com no no http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/audio-battle-for-iwo-jima http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/audio-battle-for-iwo-jima#comments Fri, 19 Feb 2010 19:09:29 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=607 On 02.19.1945 at 0905 hrs, the first of 30,000 US Marines land on Iwo Jima.

Battle for Iwo Jima Photo Gallery

Audio Clip: Arthur Prim Reports the First Strikes on Iwo Jima

Amphibious Tractors landing on Iwo Jima Feb 1945

Iwo Jima, which means Sulfur Island, was strategically important as an air base for fighter escorts supporting long-range bombing missions against mainland Japan. Because of the distance between mainland Japan and U.S. bases in the Mariana Islands, the capture of Iwo Jima would provide an emergency landing strip for crippled B-29s returning from bombing runs. The seizure of Iwo would allow for sea and air blockades, the ability to conduct intensive air bombardment and to destroy the enemy’s air and naval capabilities.

Photo & Text source: http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/battleiwojima.htm

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/audio-battle-for-iwo-jima/feed 0 1:11 On 02.19.1945 at 0905 hrs, the first of 30,000 US Marines land on Iwo Jima. Battle for Iwo Jima Photo Gallery Audio Clip: Arthur Prim Reports the ... On 02.19.1945 at 0905 hrs, the first of 30,000 US Marines land on Iwo Jima. Battle for Iwo Jima Photo Gallery Audio Clip: Arthur Prim Reports the First Strikes on Iwo Jima Amphibious Tractors landing on Iwo Jima Feb 1945 Iwo Jima, which means Sulfur Island, was strategically important as an air base for fighter escorts supporting long-range bombing missions against mainland Japan. Because of the distance between mainland Japan and U.S. bases in the Mariana Islands, the capture of Iwo Jima would provide an emergency landing strip for crippled B-29s returning from bombing runs. The seizure of Iwo would allow for sea and air blockades, the ability to conduct intensive air bombardment and to destroy the enemy's air and naval capabilities. Photo & Text source: http://www.history.navy.mil/library/online/battleiwojima.htm Images, Media, Pacific Theater, Podcast, Today WWarII.com no no http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-february-19 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-february-19#comments Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:30:57 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=606 Today in WWII History

World War II History for February 19

Audio Clip: 02.18.1943 Soong Mei-Ling Appeals to Congress to Aid Chinese Nationalists

02.19.1932 – The Sino-Japanese dispute was referred to the Assembly by the League of Nations Council.

02.19.1937 – An attempt was made in Addis Ababa to assassinate the Italian viceroy of Ethiopia, General Rodolfo Graziani. Though he was only wounded, the Italians launched large scale reprisals vowing to keep the Ethiopians in line.

02.19.1938 – The British Cabinet rejects Foreign Secretary Eden’s proposal to have Italian troops withdraw from Spain. Their hope was misplaced, believing that Italy would check any further advances by Germany (they had already occupied Austria).

02.19.1938 – Nazis were permitted to join the ruling party of Austria, the Fatherland Front.

02.19.1939 – A trade agreement was signed between the Soviet Union and Poland in an attempt to strengthen Poland as a buffer against Germany.

02.19.1940 – Ambassador Hull extends the US moral embargo to the Soviet Union.

02.19.1941 – The 8th Australian Division lands in Singapore.

02.19.1942 – Executive Order 9066 is signed by President Roosevelt, authorizing the transfer of more than 100,000 Japanese-Americans living in coastal Pacific areas to concentration camps in various inland states (and including inland areas of California). The interned Japanese-Americans lose an estimated 400 million dollars in property, as their homes and possessions are taken from them.

02.19.1942 – Japanese air raids on Darwin, Australia. Considered the “Pearl Harbor of Australia”, they largest attacks ever mounted by a foreign power against Australia. The raids were the first of almost 100 air raids against Australia during 1942-43.

02.19.1942 – Battle of Badoeng Strait begins; ABDA force attacks retiring Japanese Bali occupation force with 1 Dutch DD sunk, 2 CL and 1 DD damaged.

02.19.1942 – Mandalay came under aerial attack for the first time. Defending forces are ordered back from the Bilin River.

02.19.1942 – Japanese troops landed on the Portuguese island of Timor in the East Indies. Tokyo says the action is taken in self-defense and that its forces would withdraw when the area was secure. The neutral Portuguese accept the occupation.

02.19.1942 – Canada’s Parliament vote to begin military conscription.

02.19.1942 – The Supreme Court of Vichy France begin trials in Riom to establish responsibility for the defeat in 1940.

02.19.1943 – Allied defenses in Tunisia are restructured in the face of a deteriorating position. The Axis forces begin frontal assaults on American positions in the Kasserine Pass.

02.19.1943 – German Army Group South opens a counteroffensive toward Kharkov and Belgorod.

02.19.1944 – US forces land on Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

02.19.1945 – Units of the US 8th Div begin encircling German troops trapped within the Siegfried Line.

02.19.1945 – Himmler makes his first peace overtures to Swedish Count Folke Bernadotte of the Red Cross.

02.19.1945 US troops land on Samar and Capul Islands in the Philippines.

02.19.1945 (0905 hrs) – The first of 30,000 US Marines land on Iwo Jima. /via World War II Database

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-february-19/feed 0 3:42 Today in WWII History World War II History for February 19 Audio Clip: 02.18.1943 Soong Mei-Ling Appeals to Congress to Aid Chinese Nationalists 02.19.1932 - The Sino-Japanese dispute ... Today in WWII History World War II History for February 19 Audio Clip: 02.18.1943 Soong Mei-Ling Appeals to Congress to Aid Chinese Nationalists 02.19.1932 - The Sino-Japanese dispute was referred to the Assembly by the League of Nations Council. 02.19.1937 - An attempt was made in Addis Ababa to assassinate the Italian viceroy of Ethiopia, General Rodolfo Graziani. Though he was only wounded, the Italians launched large scale reprisals vowing to keep the Ethiopians in line. 02.19.1938 - The British Cabinet rejects Foreign Secretary Eden's proposal to have Italian troops withdraw from Spain. Their hope was misplaced, believing that Italy would check any further advances by Germany (they had already occupied Austria). 02.19.1938 - Nazis were permitted to join the ruling party of Austria, the Fatherland Front. 02.19.1939 - A trade agreement was signed between the Soviet Union and Poland in an attempt to strengthen Poland as a buffer against Germany. 02.19.1940 - Ambassador Hull extends the US moral embargo to the Soviet Union. 02.19.1941 - The 8th Australian Division lands in Singapore. 02.19.1942 - Executive Order 9066 is signed by President Roosevelt, authorizing the transfer of more than 100,000 Japanese-Americans living in coastal Pacific areas to concentration camps in various inland states (and including inland areas of California). The interned Japanese-Americans lose an estimated 400 million dollars in property, as their homes and possessions are taken from them. 02.19.1942 - Japanese air raids on Darwin, Australia. Considered the "Pearl Harbor of Australia", they largest attacks ever mounted by a foreign power against Australia. The raids were the first of almost 100 air raids against Australia during 1942-43. 02.19.1942 - Battle of Badoeng Strait begins; ABDA force attacks retiring Japanese Bali occupation force with 1 Dutch DD sunk, 2 CL and 1 DD damaged. 02.19.1942 - Mandalay came under aerial attack for the first time. Defending forces are ordered back from the Bilin River. 02.19.1942 - Japanese troops landed on the Portuguese island of Timor in the East Indies. Tokyo says the action is taken in self-defense and that its forces would withdraw when the area was secure. The neutral Portuguese accept the occupation. 02.19.1942 - Canada's Parliament vote to begin military conscription. 02.19.1942 - The Supreme Court of Vichy France begin trials in Riom to establish responsibility for the defeat in 1940. 02.19.1943 - Allied defenses in Tunisia are restructured in the face of a deteriorating position. The Axis forces begin frontal assaults on American positions in the Kasserine Pass. 02.19.1943 - German Army Group South opens a counteroffensive toward Kharkov and Belgorod. 02.19.1944 - US forces land on Engebi Island, Eniwetok Atoll in the Marshall Islands. 02.19.1945 - Units of the US 8th Div begin encircling German troops trapped within the Siegfried Line. 02.19.1945 - Himmler makes his first peace overtures to Swedish Count Folke Bernadotte of the Red Cross. 02.19.1945 US troops land on Samar and Capul Islands in the Philippines. 02.19.1945 (0905 hrs) - The first of 30,000 US Marines land on Iwo Jima. /via World War II Database African Theater, Asian Theater, Country - Germany, Country - Japan, Country - USA, Europe Theater, Facts, Media, North America, Pacific Theater, Podcast, Today WWarII.com no no http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wwii-in-hd-contest-results http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wwii-in-hd-contest-results#comments Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:22:35 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wwii-in-hd-contest-results Congrats to Toni from NY on winning the WWII in HD giveaway contest! We hope you enjoy it, the series is very moving and shows a lot of scenes never before made public.

If you weren’t the lucky winner this time you can order the DVD at the links below.

Check back soon for the next contest!

WWII in HD DVD set:
http://shop.history.com/detail.php?p=108161&v=history_show_wwii-in-hd&pagemax=all

And for the Blu ray edition:
http://shop.history.com/detail.php?p=108164&v=history_show_wwii-in-hd&pagemax=all

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wwii-in-hd-contest-results/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/international-conference-on-wwii http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/international-conference-on-wwii#comments Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:19:09 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=603 The National World War II Museum announces next International Conference on WWII
Stellar lineup of historians, authors, filmmakers, veterans and more
to explore the war that changed the world

NEW ORLEANS (January 28, 2010) – The National World War II Museum’s first International Conference on World War II in 2006 set the precedent for outstanding scholarship and public history on the most pivotal event of the modern era. The Museum continues this important initiative on March 18-20 in New Orleans as the 2010 International Conference features riveting presentations of the most comprehensive knowledge and perspectives on World War II. Among the compelling speakers are such noted historians and authors as Dr. Donald Miller, Rick Atkinson, Dr. Gerhard Weinberg, Robert Edsel, Alex Kershaw and Sir Max Hastings.

featuring
Rick Atkinson • Carlo D’Este • Robert Edsel • Max Hastings • Walter Isaacson • Donald Miller • Allan Millett • Gerhard Weinberg

covering topics such as
Art & War • D-Day • Women in War • Espionage • War Crimes Trials • The Bombing of Auschwitz

And offering a unique opportunity for our guests: “Meet the Speakers”– an evening of refreshments, book signing and
conversation with some of the best and brightest minds in the field of World War II history.

Click here for Conference Program

Register Online here

or download, print, and mail this form

“We are proud to present our third international conference on World War II,” said Dr. Gordon “Nick” Mueller, President and CEO of The National World War II Museum, “the global conflict that changed America and the world in the middle of the last century. We are excited that these renowned speakers will be with us to illuminate the controversies and debates over battles and pivotal decisions of the war as well as new discoveries on such topics as Art and War, and new insights into the Holocaust.” The Conference will explore why the war was fought, how it was won, and what it means today.

Among the most popular sessions of the conference are sure to be panels of World War II veterans who will share their personal experiences, such as Herman “Dutch” Prager, a Submariner veteran who served on the USS Kingfish.

As a highlight of the 2010 Conference, The National World War II Museum is working with HBO to present an exclusive, behind-the-scenes program on the making of the HBO Miniseries, THE PACIFIC, featuring the creative team involved in this blockbuster premiering nationally on HBO in March.

The “dean” of World War II historians, Dr. Gerhard Weinberg, will present the opening keynote address, “Visions of Victory,” showing how eight war leaders, including Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo, planned to change our future if they had emerged victorious.

Other announced sessions include Carlo D’Este and Mark Stoler on “Churchill and FDR: Allies at War,” Donald Miller on “Terror from the Sky,” Robert Edsel and Rick Atkinson on “Art and War,” and Walter Isaacson on “Einstein and the Bomb.” Additional intriguing topics include “People of Color in a White Man’s Army,” “Should Auschwitz Have Been Bombed?,” “Women in War,” “The Silent Service,” “War Crimes Trials,” and “Aftermath: Occupations, Decolonizations and the Coming of the Cold War.”

Additional noted presenters include Mark Pachter, Dr. Conrad Crane, Dr. Guenter Bischof, Dr. Allan Millett, and Hugh Ambrose. A “Meet the Speakers” reception is planned, including round table chats with speakers, book signings, and a special screening of Beyond All Boundaries, the Museum’s new 4-D, multisensory film at the Solomon Victory Theater.

Conference tickets are now on sale and registration options include hotel and conference packages as well as one day passes to events. To register for the conference or for more information, visit www.ww2conference.com.

The National World War II Museum tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world – why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today. Dedicated in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum and now designated by Congress as America’s National World War II Museum, it celebrates the American Spirit, the teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifice of the men and women who fought on the battlefront and the Home Front. For more information, call 877-813-3329 or 504-528-1944 or visit www.nationalww2museum.org.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/international-conference-on-wwii/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/contest-wwii-in-hd http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/contest-wwii-in-hd#comments Mon, 25 Jan 2010 20:40:46 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=602 It’s time for a new contest! On January 26 A&E Home entertainment (History Channel) is releasing the DVD and Blu-ray edition of WWII in HD. We have a DVD copy to give away!

We will pick the winner this Friday (Jan 29, 2010), US residents only, sorry!

You can enter the contest in 2 ways, plus a bonus entry option!

Contest entry:

1) Send us an email with your name and reply email address to steve (at) wwarii.com

or

2) Follow us on twitter and re-tweet the following message: “CONTEST-Follow @WWarII and retweet this message to enter to win a DVD set of WWII in HD http://wp.me/pcyqd-9I”

Send Contest Twitter Here

BONUS ENTRY

To get a bonus entry complete one of the two methods above and share a piece of personal WWII history or other accurate WWII trivia you find interesting, as a reply to this post, or over at our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/WWIIHistory.

If you aren’t the lucky winner, or would like to pre-order your own set of WWII in HD, check the links below.

Here’s the pre-order link for the DVD set:
http://shop.history.com/detail.php?p=108161&v=history_show_wwii-in-hd&pagemax=all

And for the Blu ray edition:
http://shop.history.com/detail.php?p=108164&v=history_show_wwii-in-hd&pagemax=all

You can find more information about the WWII in HD here: http://www.history.com/content/wwii-in-hd

Good luck!

*Terms & Conditions – This contest is for 1 copy of WWII in HD (DVD) from A&E Home Entertainment. The DVD is brand new (sealed) and was provided by the publisher. All entrants must complete the entry task(s), or in case of any issues an email to steve@wwarii.com. All information provided will be kept confidential. Entries must be received by January 29, 2010 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time. Contest winner will be drawn at random and notified after the close of the contest. The DVD will be shipped directly to the winner. US residents only.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/contest-wwii-in-hd/feed 2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-january-18 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-january-18#comments Mon, 18 Jan 2010 17:42:19 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=600 Today in WWII History

World War II History for January 18

Podcast: 01.18.1940 – CBS Today In Europe

1942 - Russian forces under General Timoshenko launched a fresh offensive against the Germans on the central front. The southern front was marked by strong gains by the Red Army in the Ukraine.

1942 - Burma’s Premier U Saw was “detained” by the British for allegedly being in communication with the Japanese.

1942 - Germany, Italy, and Japan sign a military convention in Berlin, laying down “guidelines for common operations against the common enemies.”

1943 - U.S. commercial bakers stopped selling sliced bread. Only whole loaves were sold during the ban until the end of World War II.

1944 - Soviet forces began to arrive at Leningrad, effectively ending the three-year Siege of Leningrad, but fighting would continue for more than another week before German troops withdrew from the area. (from http://ww2db.com/battle_spec.php?battle_id=125)

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-january-18/feed 0 12:35 Today in WWII History World War II History for January 18 Podcast: 01.18.1940 - CBS Today In Europe 1942 - Russian forces under General Timoshenko launched a fresh ... Today in WWII History World War II History for January 18 Podcast: 01.18.1940 - CBS Today In Europe 1942 - Russian forces under General Timoshenko launched a fresh offensive against the Germans on the central front. The southern front was marked by strong gains by the Red Army in the Ukraine. 1942 - Burma's Premier U Saw was "detained" by the British for allegedly being in communication with the Japanese. 1942 - Germany, Italy, and Japan sign a military convention in Berlin, laying down "guidelines for common operations against the common enemies." 1943 - U.S. commercial bakers stopped selling sliced bread. Only whole loaves were sold during the ban until the end of World War II. 1944 - Soviet forces began to arrive at Leningrad, effectively ending the three-year Siege of Leningrad, but fighting would continue for more than another week before German troops withdrew from the area. (from http://ww2db.com/battle_spec.php?battle_id=125) Europe Theater, Ground, Media, North America, Pacific Theater, Podcast, Today WWarII.com no no http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/b-29-commentary http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/b-29-commentary#comments Wed, 30 Dec 2009 17:14:34 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=599 Commentary about the B-29 by Ed Hart:

The B-29 was an inflection point in the history of aviation technology, war fighting…and program management. It certainly rivaled the A-Bomb program, and the fact that the two programs came together to end the war is – I think – instructive to all of us. I recently saw a program on the B-29 on History Channel and thought that I would reach out to this site to see if any “old timers” are out there who might be able to give accuracy to some impressions that I have carried for 50 years. I hold memories of stories told to me by a wonderful vet I knew as a youngster growing up in Ohio. Quentin Walker, of Lancaster, Ohio told me that he had served in the 509th Composite Wing as a flight engineer, having washed out as a pilot. He blew out a knee in a football game when his squadron went from Wendover to California for a football game. Because of that, he did not go to Tinian. Some of the stories he told were hard to believe, but I thought it would be fun to bounce them off of this group of readers to see what might be correct….so here goes:

Quent’s crew had flown out to Kansas (?) to pick up their Silverplate aircraft, arriving at the factory after dark. At that stage, he had never seen a B-29 in person, but when he saw it, he said it solidified his view that there simply was not enough wing to carry the aircraft! He said it looked like a shiny spacecraft to him, shimmering in the factory lights. Having trained in lesser aircraft, however, he said that once he sat in the engineer’s position, in a nice soft seat, he thought this would be an OK way to go to war! He said the rolled it out next day and flew to Wendover (I think).

B-29 Photo Gallery

He said that they when not carrying a payload, the aircraft could easily top 400 mph true airspeed. Possible??

He said that his crew got him some wire to replicate the War Emergency Power wire across the throttle quadrant, so they could “goose” the aircraft for fun. (Later, they would complain that the engines needed work, and get an overhaul!) During training, he described how they would practice taking on P-51s at high altitude. He said that by waiting until the P-51 was committed to its curving attack profile from behind, they would goose the plane with WEP and turn slight inside, causing the P-51 to stall out as he tightened his turn. Possible??

He said that taking each of the aircraft down into the Grand Canyon was a right of passage for the all crews in the group. His group did it. Heard about that? He said that Tibbetts threatened them by saying that the government was going to string cables across the canyon to discourage that kind of thing. ??

Finally, he told me that one day they decided to see how high their B-29s would fly, and with no payload he said they touched 50,000 feet. Possible?? I thought that might be a bit crazy, but I had another friend – younger than Quent – who had been a crew chief on an RB-36H. He flew many of the missions as part of the crew, and said they regularly topped 50,000 ft, in fact he said they topped 55,000 ft when lightly loaded. Yes, a very different wing, but I think I have heard others say that B-29s could “get up there.”

Those conversations left me with a strong view that the B-29 was pretty amazing. For sure, we can say that the B-29 was the point through which ALL aircraft designs passed, for the US, Europe and the Soviets, as well.

Feel free to write directly if you have supporting or conflicting data on these unique Silverplate aircraft.

Thanks,
Ed Hart (ed.hart at comcast.net)

Thanks Ed! If you have a story or commentary about WWII you would like to share with our readers see the about us section of the website and send us an email with your topic.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/b-29-commentary/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wwii-reenacting-for-women http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wwii-reenacting-for-women#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 05:23:41 +0000 Erin Booker http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=597 With an audience as large and diverse as WWarII.com, it’s pretty much a given that some of you readers are reenactors, like me. And if you’ve entered the world of reenacting even a little bit, you’ll notice the lack of a feminine touch. It’s no secret: there are few places for women in WWII reenacting, and those impressions that we can join run the gamut from “Ok, NEXT!” to “::Crickets Chirping::”. It’ not very often that a role comes along that gives us gals a chance to run with the big boys. Below are a few that have made a great strides for women out here in California.

Yes, it’s an Axis impression, but the Deutsches Rotes Kreuz (DRK), Aachen Stadt I of the California Historical Group (CHG) is not only one of the friendliest units I’ve ever met, it’s also one of the most dedicated. The amount of effort and devotion that was put forth to get this young unit rolling has been astonishing. And they’re also a lovely group of gals, as evidenced by their hot-off-the-presses 2010 Calendar. (Buy one – or two! – today!)

The 203rd Rifle Regiment, 70th Guards unit of the Red Army (CHG) is a little bit of heaven for reenactor ladies. Sure, there are some units that will allow a woman to put their hair up and join the boys’ club, but you always feel the difference. Fighting Russian, I’ve always been treated equally when it comes to mealtimes, marching, digging, or sleeping out in the cold. (Thanks, guys!)

Finally, if you’re a gal looking for a fierce impression in your area, Start One! Get in touch with a woman who’s done it already (or me), and you’ll be surprised at how much advice and encouragement you’ll get.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wwii-reenacting-for-women/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/zhukov-archives http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/zhukov-archives#comments Mon, 21 Dec 2009 04:18:08 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=596 As a resource no longer available online I have saved the website zhukov.mitsi.com about Georgi Konstantinovich Zhukov and the eastern front and made it available on the WWarII archives. Below you will find the table of contents:

Georgi Konstantinovich Zhukov
Site Map
Archives
Russo-Japanese War
Barbarossa
General Winter
The Battle of Stalingrad
The Battle of Kursk
The Tide Turns
Assault at Seelow Heights
Battle for Berlin
Soviet Bombing Raids
Act of Surrender

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/zhukov-archives/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/attack-on-pearl-harbor http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/attack-on-pearl-harbor#comments Mon, 07 Dec 2009 19:30:33 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/attack-on-pearl-harbor Time line Pearl Harbor

December 7, 1941

* 0342 Minesweeper CONDOR sights periscope off Honolulu Harbour …notifies patrol destroyer WARD to investigate.

* 0458 Minesweeper CROSSBILL and CONDOR enter Pearl Harbor… defective submarine net remains open.

* 0600 – 200 miles south of Oahu carrier ENTERPRISE launches 18 aircraft to scout ahead…then to land at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor…ETA 0800.

* 0610 – 220 miles north of Oahu Admiral Nagumo orders launching of 1st wave of 183 aircraft off three carriers…2 are lost during takeoff.

* 0630 Destroyer WARD again notified of submarine sighting this time by supply ship ANTARES off Pearl Harbor entrance…Navy patrol plane (PBY) dispatched to the scene.

* 0645 WARD opens fire on target hitting conning tower…as she closes in drops depth charges..air attack by PBY follows.

* 0653 WARD’S commander Captain Outerbridge sends message to Commandant 14th Naval District: “We have attacked, fired upon and dropped depth charges upon submarine operating in defensive sea area”.

* 0700 Commander Fuchida flying towards Oahu directs his pilots to home in on local radio station.

* 0702 Private’s Lockhard and Elliott of Opana Radar Station pick up what appears to be a flight of unidentified aircraft bearing in 132 miles north of Oahu…discussion follows.

* 0706 Private Elliott phones switchboard operator Joseph McDonald at Information Center, Ft. Shafter, telling of a large formation of aircraft approaching the Island.

* 0715 Capt. Outerbridge’s attack message, delayed in decoding is delivered to duty officer, 14th Naval District, and to Admiral Kimmel’s duty officer…Japanese launch 2nd wave of 168 assault aircraft…

* 0720 Joseph McDonald finding Lt. Tyler in Information Center, calls Opana and patches Lt. Tyler thru to Private Lockard who describes the large flight picked up on radar and is told, “Well don’t worry about it.” ( see Pvt.Joseph McDonald’s account under the Survivor Rememberances “An Army Private is one of the 1st to know of the coming attack)”

* 0733 Important message from Gen Marshall from Washington to Short received via RCA in Honolulu…cablegram has no indication of priority…messenger Tadao Fuchikami proceeds on normal route…

* 0735 Reconnaissance plane from cruiser CHIKUMA reports main fleet in Pearl Harbor…

* 0739 Opana Station loses aircraft on radar 20 miles off coast of Oahu due to “dead zone” caused by surrounding hills…

* 0740 1st wave sights North Shore of Oahu…deployment for attack begins…

* 0749 Commander Fuchida orders attack…all pilots to begin assault on military bases on Oahu…

* 0753 Fuchida radios code to entire Japanese Navy “TORA TORA TORA” indicating success…maximum strategic surprise…Pearl Harbor caught unaware…

* 0755 Island wide attack begins…Japanese dive bombers to strike airfields Kaneohe, Ford Island, Hickam, Bellows, Wheeler, Ewa…Aerial torpedo planes begin their run on ships in Pearl Harbor…

** ATTACK ERUPTS AT PEARL HARBOR**

Along Battleship Row, battlewagons feel the sting of the newly perfected torpedoes specifically designed for the shallow waters of Pearl Harbor At 1010 dock violent explosions rock light cruiser HELENA on her starboard side crippling both her and minelayer OGLALA moored beside her.. On the other side of Battleship row, Ford Island, target ship UTAH also feels the sting of the torpedoes…and like the battleship OKLAHOMA begins to capsize… Light cruiser RALEIGH moored ahead of the UTAH takes measures to prevent capsizing… Commander Logan Ramsey of Ford Island Command Center sends out message for all radiomen on duty to send out in plain English “AIR RAID PEARL HARBOR THIS IS NO DRILL”…2nd dispatch orders all patrol planes to seek out enemy… Simultaneously the call for General Quarters echos throughout Pearl Harbor…each ship and their personnel in turn swing into action against the attacking Japanese…one quarter of all guns respond to the enemy…

* 0800 B-17′s from the mainland reach Oahu after 14 hour flight…Aircraft from carrier ENTERPRISE arrive Ford Island…both caught between enemy and friendly fire…

* 0802 Machine guns on battleship NEVADA open fire on torpedo planes approaching her port beam…two planes hit…however one missile tears huge hole in ship’s port bow…

* 0805 Repair ship VESTAL moored outboard of battleship ARIZONA opens fire…Admiral Kimmel arrives CINCPAC headquarters..Battleship CALIFORNIA receives second torpedo “portside at frame 110″… prompt action directed by Ensign Edgar M. Fain prevents ship from capsizing…High level bombers begin their run “on both bows” of battleship row…

* 0808 KGMB radio interrupts music calling for: “All Army, Navy, and Marine personnel to report to duty”… High level bombers unleash armour piercing, delayed action bombs from altitude of 10,000 feet scoring hits on battleships…

* 0810 Forward magazines on battleship ARIZONA suddenly ignite resulting in a tremendous explosion and huge fireball sinking the battleship within nine minutes…concussion of explosion blows men off repair ship VESTAL…

* 0812 General Short advises entire Pacific Fleet and Washington, “Hostilities with Japan commenced with air raid on Pearl Harbor”

* 0815 KGMB interrupts music with 2nd call ordering all military personnel to report for duty…

* 0817 USS HELM first of several destroyers to clear Pearl Harbor spots a midget submarine struggling to enter harbor…shots fired misses target…sub frees itself from reef and submerges…

* 0825 Using a Browning Automatic Rifle Lt. Stephen Saltzman and Sgt. Lowell Klatt shot down enemy plane making strafing run on Schofield Barracks…

* 0826 Honolulu Fire Department responds to call for assistance from Hickam Field…3 firemen killed…6 wounded…

* 0830 3rd call out for military via local radio stations…

* 0835 Tanker NEOSHO half loaded with high octane aviation fuel moves clear of Battleship Row and oil tanks on Ford Island… Damage reported in city…Police warn civilians to leave streets and return to their homes…

* 0839 Seaplane tender CURTISS sights midget sub in harbor and commences to fire..Destroyer MONAGHAN heads for intruder at ramming speed…

* 0840 Submarine surfaces after sustaining damage…MONAGHAN hits sub and drops depth charges as she passes…1st explanation over local radio stations. “A sporadic air attack…rising sun sighted on wing tips”…

* 0850 Lt. Commander Shimazaki orders deployment of 2nd wave over military bases on Oahu…

* 0854 Attack run begins…54 high-level bombers hit Naval air stations, 78 dive bombers hit ships in Pearl, 36 fighters circle over harbor to maintain air control…

* 0900 Crew of the Dutch liner JAGERSFONTEIN opens up with her guns, the first Allies to join the fight…Radios throughout the island crack out urgent messages “Get off roads and stay off.. Don’t block traffic…Stay at home…This is the real McCoy”…

* 0930 Tremendous explosions rocks destroyer SHAW sending debris everywhere… bomb falls near Governor’s home…

* 1000 First wave arrives back on carriers, 190 miles north of Oahu…

* 1005 Governor Poindexter calls local papers announcing state of emergency for entire territory of Hawaii

* 1030 Mayor’s Major Disaster Council meets at city hall…Reports from local hospitals pour in listing civilian casualties…

* 1100 Commander Fuchida circles over Pearl Harbor…assesses damage then returns to carrier task force…All schools on Oahu ordered to close…

* 1115 State of emergency announced over radio by Governor Poindexter…

* 1142 As per orders by Army local stations go off the air…General short confers with Governor regarding martial law…

* 1146 First report of many false sightings of enemy troops landing on Oahu…

* 1210 American planes fly north in search for enemy with negative results…

* 1230 Honolulu police raid Japanese embassy…find them burning documents…Blackout to begin at night ordered by Army…

* 1240 Governor confers with President Roosevelt regarding martial law…both agree it necessary that the military take over the civilian government…

* 1300 Commander Fuchida lands on board carrier AKAGI…discussion follows with Admiral Nagumo and staff concerning feasibility of launching 3rd wave…

* 1330 Signal flags on carrier AKAGI orders Japanese task force to withdraw… Territorial director of civil defense orders blackout every night until further notice…

* 1458 Tadao Fuchikami delivers message from Washington…message decoded and given to General Short regarding ultimatum from Japan to be given at 1300 Washington time…”Just what significance the hour set may have we do not know, but be on the alert accordingly”…

* 1625 Governor signs Proclamation…martial law put into effect…

Time line courtesy of Tri-City Chapter 31, Pearl Harbor Survivors Association

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/attack-on-pearl-harbor/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-december-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-december-2#comments Wed, 02 Dec 2009 23:02:33 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-december-2 Today in WWII History

World War II History for December 2

12.2.1941 – The Japanese embassy in Washington was ordered to destroy all but its most secret coding facilities. Similar orders went out to Japanese missions in British, Dutch, and Canadian cities, Cuba, the Philippines and the South Pacific.

12.2.1941 Tojo rejects peace feelers from US officials.

12.2.1942 Enrico Fermi sets off the first nuclear chain reaction below U. of Chicago stadium bleachers.

12.2.1944 Edward R. Stettinius Jr. became secretary of state of the United States after the retirement of Cordell Hull.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-december-2/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/grand-opening-of-the-george-hw-bush-gallery http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/grand-opening-of-the-george-hw-bush-gallery#comments Wed, 02 Dec 2009 22:56:03 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/grand-opening-of-the-george-hw-bush-gallery Grand Opening of the George H.W. Bush Gallery at The National Museum of the Pacific War – Fredericksburg, Texas

President George H.W. Bush, Governor Rick Perry, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, and General James T. Conway, USMC, Marine Corps Commandant, will be honored guests at the grand opening on Monday, December 7 (Pearl Harbor Day) of the expanded George H.W. Bush Gallery of the National Museum of the Pacific War, located at 311 East Austin Street in Fredericksburg, Texas. Events begin at 9:30 a.m. with a precision parachute jump by the Golden Knights, the U.S. Army Parachute Team; immediately followed by a ribbon cutting ceremony. The conclusion of the ceremony will be marked by a flyover of World War II aircraft and with a performance of the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps.
From noon to 9:00 p.m. the public will be invited to take free timed tours of the new $15.3 million, 33,000-square-foot gallery. For a complete schedule of weekend activities in Fredericksburg relating to the grand opening of the gallery or to request times tour tickets for December 7, visit www.nationalmuseumpacificwar.org .

The National Museum of the Pacific War is a project of the Admiral Nimitz Foundation and the Texas Historical Commission.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/grand-opening-of-the-george-hw-bush-gallery/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/more-than-4000-wwii-objects-sold-in-auction http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/more-than-4000-wwii-objects-sold-in-auction#comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:30:07 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/more-than-4000-wwii-objects-sold-in-auction More Than 4,000 Objects Sold in Auction by Leading Militaria Auction House, Hermann Historica oHG

Largest Private Collection of Normandy Invasion Artifacts Fetches Nearly US$2 Million in Auction

Hermann Historica oHG of Munich, Germany, the world leader in handling sales of militaria antiquities, antique arms and armour, firearms, hunting collectibles, orders and decorations as well as objects of military history, today concluded its auction of one of the most extensive and well preserved private collections of World War II artifacts.

Following two days of bidding at the auction site in La Gua, France, as well as by telephone and Internet, the significant collection of more than 4,000 American, British, French and German military objects sold for a total of €1,300,000 (US$1,937,000), far exceeding the house’s most recent sale of World War II militaria, for €830,000 (US$1,215,000).

The collection was amassed by 81 year-old Maurice Bazin over his lifetime in Normandy, beginning in 1959 when a business client of his gave him an old German rifle. Most of the 4,000+ artifacts relate to the D-Day Normandy landings of the Allied army infantry and armored divisions.

Notable items from the sale include:

· Lot 8076: A German paratrooper semi-automatic rifle FG 42-1, stamped ‘fsz’ on top of the receiver (Henrich Krieghoff in Suhl), Calibre 7,92 x 57, serial number 1517, with a repainted non-matching 20-shot magazine. Cooking handle, sear and handle missing, minor frame damages. This rifle still has its original bipod and spike bayonet. With a scope milling over the receiver. Offered at €5,000 (US$7,460), it sold for €16,000 (US$23,872).

· Lot 8278: A U.S. paratrooper officer jump dress uniform on mannequin, including a jacket made of olive cloth from a paratrooper unit, rare pattern with reinforcing patches on pockets and elbows (modifications for the units which jumped on Normandy on the 6th of June 1944), rank insignia, 101st Airborne Division insignia, complete with all press-studs, zip fasteners and belt, jump trousers of olive cloth with reinforced pockets and knees, complete with all adjustment straps, jump boots of brown leather, gas cuff title, ammunition bag, US M3 fighting knife in its leather sheath, EM belt, canteen with cover, TL 122 C flashlight. Offered at €8,500 (US$12,682), it sold for €20,500 (US$30,586).

· Lot 8324: A U.S. 101st Airborne paratrooper helmet, identified by the ace of hearts from the 502nd PIR, retaining 50% of its paint and both insignia, period modified half-circle bale and M1 chinstrap. A second pattern liner added with leather padded chinstrap and small pattern bale. This famous unit was in the forefront of the U.S. parachute drops over Normandy on the 6th of June, 1944, especially in Sainte Mère l’Eglise where this helmet was found in the 1960s. Offered at €3,500 (US$5,222), it sold for €46,000 (US$68,621).

The full catalogue for the collection and final list of selling prices are available online at http://www.hermann-historica.de/gb/index_58_auktion_nov.htm.

About Hermann Historica
Hermann Historica oHG (www.hermann-historica.com/), based in Munich, Germany, is a leading world auction house in the special areas of antique arms and armour, hunting, antiquities, medals and orders, as well as historical objects and military history.

Hermann Historica conducts at least two auction sales each year offering over 10,000 collectors’ items with turnover in recent years of more than €10,000,000 (US$14,600,000).

It was founded nearly 50 years ago by Count Erich Klenau von Klenova, Baron von Janowitz in Nuremberg as an auction house for coins, orders, medals and other military objects. At the beginning of the seventies, the offerings were expanded to include antique weapons. On the basis of the comprehensive scope of the objects offered and the carefully researched and high quality production of the special catalogues, those offerings were an immediate and enthusiastic success with international collectors and museums. In 1982, the present owners changed the name of the auction house to Hermann Historica oHG.

Previous notable auctions have included numerous objects which were formerly possessions of great noble families, in particular those from the Austrian and German Imperial houses, that have attracted great international interest. Collections including the famous hunting treasures from Castle Fuschl at Salzburg, the historical technical museum in Nümbrecht and the antiquities collection of the world-renowned Berlin collector, Axel Guttmann, were offered at auction by Hermann Historica.

# # #

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/more-than-4000-wwii-objects-sold-in-auction/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/lois-herr-author-dear-coach http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/lois-herr-author-dear-coach#comments Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:33:36 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/lois-herr-author-dear-coach Author Lois Herr has stopped by to share with us a letter taken from her new book “Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII.” Please join me in welcoming Lois Herr.

Thank you for having me! In “Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII” I’ve compiled together a variety of the letters mom and I stumbled across in the attic written to dad by his athletes during WWII, with pictures, scrapbook clippings, newspaper articles and a wide variety of historical information from the time to paint a picture of what life must have been like for these small-town college men and women as not only their country went into war, but so did their friends and family. I hope you enjoy the following letter written by athlete and pilot Wib Raffensperger (featured on the cover of “Dear Coach”) on February 2, 1943 to my father, Coach Ira Herr.

Dear Coach,

I don’t think that Mrs. Raffensperger ever thought that her little boy would be spending quite a lot of his time enjoying the horrors of war in North Africa, but strange and fantastic as it all may have sounded a few years ago when Disney, Shirk and a short little jerk, were pounding the boards for you, it has sure developed into a lot of possibilities.

I can’t say just where I am in North Africa, but any time you read of a bombing raid by the same kind of airplanes I flew when I was last home, you just sit back and tell your wife, and all the boys that Raff was in there laying those big eggs on Rommel and making it plenty hot for his boys.

To say the least, Coach, it’s plenty rough between dodging bullets and flak, and keeping warm and healthy. I don’t know which is the toughest for the boys.

What your wife taught me in school really comes in handy. I have sort of a head start on the boys when it comes to meeting the women. As for the women— they’re all for pleasing the American Officers. I always remember what you told me as a parting warning and have been pretty lucky. One of my men got a little careless with the women, and as a result he is now in the hospital and a total loss to us as a crew member. The rate is plenty high and he has lots of company.

Take it easy and give my regards to all the boys and Lilly Mae know where I am. Lots of luck and Bon soir.

Wib

While none of my father’s letters written back to the athletes have survived the passage of time, it’s obvious from the above that Dad imparted some “fatherly advice” to a few of his boys. As for the mention of my mother, she taught many of the local athletes French when they were students at Elizabethtown High School and therefore they often included messages to her as well in their letters.

I hope you have as enlightening of a time reading “Dear Coach” as I did writing it. Thank you again to the WWII Blog for having me!

Follow the rest of Lois Herr’s virtual book tour by stopping by her official blog to see where she’s headed next!

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/lois-herr-author-dear-coach/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/dear-coach-letters-home-from-wwii http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/dear-coach-letters-home-from-wwii#comments Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:34:42 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/dear-coach-letters-home-from-wwii On November 17th, Lois Herr, author of “Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII” will be stopping by to share a sample letter from her new book with us.

A collection of not only letters but historical facts, pictures and vivid commentary, “Dear Coach” features letters from WWII that were sent to Lois’s father, the famous Elizabethtown College coach Ira Herr, by various students, friends and family members who once played for the coach. The book gives an inside look at not only the impact of war to a small college community, but that of multiple heartfelt player and coach relationships.

To order your own copy, visit the author’s website: http://loisherr.com.

To learn more about the author and book please feel free stop by her official “Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII” virtual tour blog and read up on reviews, tour stops and so much more.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/dear-coach-letters-home-from-wwii/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wwii-history-for-november-9-kristallnacht http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wwii-history-for-november-9-kristallnacht#comments Tue, 10 Nov 2009 01:49:36 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wwii-history-for-november-9-kristallnacht Today in WWII History

World War II History for November 9

11.09.1938-11.10.1938 – Kristallnacht, “Crystal Night” or “Night of Broken Glass.”

Nazi’s launch a campaign of terror against Jews in Germany in retaliation to the killing German diplomat Ernst vom Rath in Paris. The event got it’s name from the shattered window glass which was valued at over 6 million marks. 267 synagogues and 815 shops were wrecked, 36 Jews were killed and 20,000 were arrested.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wwii-history-for-november-9-kristallnacht/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/franklin-d-roosevelt http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/franklin-d-roosevelt#comments Tue, 03 Nov 2009 17:23:40 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=449 Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945)
32nd President of the United States

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born on January 30, 1882 in Hyde Park, New York to James and Sara Roosevelt, both from wealthy old New York families. He grew up in a privileged home, going to boarding school and later to Harvard. After graduating from Harvard he went on to Columbia Law School (1905) until 1907 when he passed the New York Bar Exam and started work in corporate law.

On March 17, 1905, Roosevelt married Eleanor, with his 5th cousin (and Elanor’s uncle) President Theodore Roosevelt standing for her. They had 6 children, with Franklin Jr. dying before he was 1.

In 1910 FDR was elected to the New York State Senate (Democrat) where he was elected for two consecutive terms. In 1913 he resigned to become Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Woodrow Wilson. Here he founded the US Navy Reserve and developed a life long affinity for the Navy. He resigned from this post in July 1920 for a failed bid for Vice President of the United States. After the defeat he went back to private law practice.

In August 1921, Roosevelt contracted an illness, at the time believed to be polio, which resulted in his total and permanent paralysis from the waist down. He refused to be held down by this and after he became President helped to found the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (now known as the March of Dimes). His leadership in this organization is one reason he is commemorated on the dime.

In 1928, Roosevelt was elected Governor of New York for two terms(1929-1932).

FDR’s dog, Fala, also became well-known during his time in the White House, and was called the “most photographed dog in the world.”

(This entry is a work in progress and will be routinely updated. Please feel free to send any suggestions that you feel should be added about FDR.)

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/franklin-d-roosevelt/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-october-26 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-october-26#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:24:49 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-october-26 Today in WWII History

World War II History for October 26

26 October 1942 – The US carrier USS Hornet and destroyer USS Porter were sunk in the Battle of Santa Cruz. It was the last time carrier based aircraft were used by the Japanese in the Guadalcanal campaign.

26 October 1944 – The Battle of Leyte Gulf ended. The battle was won by American forces and brought the end of the Pacific phase of World War II into sight.

USS Hornet (CV-8) Abandoning Ship, Battle of Santa Cruz (26 Oct 1942)

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-october-26/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/friday-featured-book-evacuees-of-the-second-world-war http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/friday-featured-book-evacuees-of-the-second-world-war#comments Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:48:16 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/friday-featured-book-evacuees-of-the-second-world-war Friday Featured Book: Evacuees of the Second World War by Mike Brown

This book isn’t about the front lines of battle during WWII, it is all about those who were behind the soldiers, namely the British children and families they were defending. London was under heavy attack by the Germans and thousands of children had to be evacuated from the city. The countryside and even international countries took these evacuee children in to save their lives. This is their story, the details of how young children were forced to cope with a world war and many without their parents to comfort them.

Find Evacuees of the Second World War Online

Book Specifics
* Pub. Date: October 2009
* Publisher: Osprey Publishing, Limited
* Format: Paperback, 56pp
* Series: Shire Library Series
* ISBN-13: 9780747807452
* ISBN: 0747807450

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/friday-featured-book-evacuees-of-the-second-world-war/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-october-22-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-october-22-2#comments Thu, 22 Oct 2009 21:00:53 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=585 Today in WWII History

World War II History for October 22

22 Oct 1942 – The Allies met to discuss Operation Torch. Operation Torch was to be the first Allied amphibious landing of World War II (North Africa), mainly as an induction of US ground forces against the Germans. Operation Torch takes place 8 Nov 1942.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-october-22-2/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/letters-from-hms-zambesi http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/letters-from-hms-zambesi#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 17:39:40 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=584 Letter home from Midshipman Derek Hirst HMS Zambesi 8th May 1945
forargyll.com published this on 10:51 am, Wednesday, 30th September, 2009

HMS Zambesi entered Bergen, Norway, on 8th May 1945, the day WWII formally ended. The following is from a letter by Midshipman Derek Hirst to his mother started on 14th May and completed shortly after leaving Bergen on the 21st May.

May 14th 1945

18.00. It’s a calm night with just a slight breeze blowing. Everyone is fallen in for leaving harbour & on the bridge the Captain is standing on the compass platform waiting to give the order to slip. A few minutes later the order came – the slip rope was hauled in board & once again the ship was under way, but through the boom we went, as we had done so many times before, closely followed by HMS Obedient. Outside the flow (Scapa Flow) the cruiser HMS Norfolk joined us & together we sailed out into the night. The middle watch passed very pleasantly & by 04.00 we were 40 miles N E of the Shetlands. We then turned East & set course for Bergen.

11.30. Land-ho! Just over the horizon loomed Norway with its snow capped mountains silhouetted brightly against the sky. We were still 60 miles or more away & as we closed in we saw the ruggedness & terrific height of the mountains more plainly. We were doing 20 knots so it took us just on three hours before we reached the Fiord which led to Bergen. At the entrance we stopped main engines & waited for a pilot to come aboard. We still had another two hours steaming to go up the fiord before we should finally reach the harbour and town of Bergen itself.

Read the rest of the post here…

forargyll.com, Argyll News: Letter home from Midshipman Derek Hirst HMS Zambesi 8th May 1945 :Argyll,Scapa Flow,Bergen,World War II, | For Argyll, May 1945

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/letters-from-hms-zambesi/feed 2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/b-29-photos http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/b-29-photos#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 19:20:09 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=583 8 New B-29 Superfortress photos added to the WWII History Image Gallery! Check them out…

B-29′s dropping bombs.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/b-29-photos/feed 6 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-september-17-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-september-17-2#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:23:30 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=582 Today in WWII History

World War II History for September 17

1939 - The Soviet Union invaded Poland. Germany had invaded Poland on September 1.

1944 - Operation “Market Garden” was launched by Allied paratroopers during World War II. The landing point was behind German lines in the Netherlands.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-september-17-2/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/guide-to-german-soldiers-equipment http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/guide-to-german-soldiers-equipment#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:57:11 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=581 A Guide to German Soldiers Equipment from WWII, Review of Deutsche Soldaten

This reference is an excellent source as a visual encyclopedia of the German soldiers equipment during World War II. Casemate Publishing’s Deutsche Soldaten details what the German soldiers lived in and worked with, and the evolution of gear over the several years of constant warfare and location. Every page in vivid full color brings out the reality of each item and how it would have been used, held, or worn by the men of Germany. Agustin Saiz includes valuable commentary and specific item details for each piece from undergarments to chemical warfare equipment.

Though there have been many books published revealing the equipment and lives of the Allies, and especially American soldiers, this book focuses strictly on the German side. It is a revealing experience to be able to so visually relate to how the German soldiers had to survive, often in incredibly harsh conditions. Compared to modern equipment it is amazing to see just how little they had to survive with and how primitive their equipment was. Blended in with the photos of actual militaria artifacts are portions of German manuals on how to use the equipment, photos of soldiers and other related memorabilia.

Deutsche Soldaten is a well put together and comprehensive volume that is a must for any collector of WWII militaria and an excellent research reference for scholars.

- Steve Terjeson
World War II History

Deutsche Soldaten
Uniforms, Equipment & Personal Items of the German Soldier 1939-45
by Agustin Saiz

Publish Date
October 2008

Specifications
8 x 12
356 pages
full color throughout
978-1-932033-96-0
$55
hardback

Casemate Publishing

http://www.casematepublishing.com/cgi/titleinfo.pl?sku=9781932033960

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/guide-to-german-soldiers-equipment/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-in-hd http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-in-hd#comments Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:45:26 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=580

WWII in HD

Twelve lives and a War that changed the World. The only ones who saw the war this way, were the ones who lived it. Premiering this Fall on History. Narrated By Gary Sinise.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-in-hd/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/stars-enlist-for-national-wwii-museum-epic http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/stars-enlist-for-national-wwii-museum-epic#comments Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:38:17 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=578 Stars Enlist For National WWII Museum Epic
Repost from Hollywood at War

Wow. From the NY Post today — The National World War II Museum in New Orleans and Tom Hanks have announced the roster for voicing their new WWII epic Beyond All Boundaries premiering at The Museum on November 6.

It seems like Hanks must have drafted the help of half of Hollywood as the cast list reads like a who’s who of A-Listers including Hanks, its narrator and executive producer, joined by Kevin Bacon, Corbin Bleu, Patricia Clarkson, Kevin Connolly, James Cromwell, Blythe Danner, Viola Davis, Jessie Eisenberg, John Goodman, Neil Patrick Harris, Kevin Jonas, Justin Long, Tobey Maguire, Daran Norris, Wendell Pierce, Chris Pine, Brad Pitt, Bill Sadler, Gary Sinise and Elijah Wood, among others. Are there more? Keep coming back to Hollywood at War for more information about this special cinematic experience opening in New Orleans.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/stars-enlist-for-national-wwii-museum-epic/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-september-1-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-september-1-2#comments Tue, 01 Sep 2009 22:55:46 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=577 Today in WWII History

World War II History for September 1

1939 - World War II began when Germany invaded Poland.

1942 - A federal judge in Sacramento, CA, upheld the wartime detention of Japanese-Americans as well as Japanese nationals.

1945 - The U.S. received official word of Japan’s formal surrender that ended World War II. In Japan, it was actually September 2nd. The war officially lasting 6 years and 1 day.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-september-1-2/feed 1 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-august-31 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-august-31#comments Mon, 31 Aug 2009 16:04:21 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=575 Audio Clip: 08.31.39 – BBC Alvar Liddell Reports On German 16 Point Plan

World War II History for August 31

08.31.39 The British fleet was mobilized.

08.31.39 In London, civilian evacuations began.

London Evacuations

08.31.43 The USS Harmon, first U.S. Navy ship to be named for an African American, commissioned. [1]

Poster – USS Harmon DE-678

USS Harmon DE-678

08.31.44 The British 8th Army broke through the German’s “Gothic Line.” The defensive line was drawn across northern Italy.

Gothic Line – Sept 1943

[1] http://hollywoodatwar.blogspot.com, http://twitter.com/WWIIToday

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-august-31/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-august-27-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-august-27-2#comments Thu, 27 Aug 2009 20:58:45 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=574 Audio Clip: 1939-08-27 CBS HV Kaltenborn Reports On The Eve Of War in Europe

Today in WWII History

World War II History for August 27

1939 - Nazi Germany demanded the Polish corridor and Danzig.

1941 - Japanese prime minister requests a summit meeting with FDR in hopes of preventing their campaign in China from escalating into a world war.

1943 - Japanese evacuate New Georgia Island in the Pacific.

1945 - B-29s made first supply dropping mission to WWII POWs in China.

1945 - American troops landed in Japan after the surrender of the Japanese government at the end of World War II.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-august-27-2/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-august-24-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-august-24-2#comments Mon, 24 Aug 2009 23:20:38 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=572 Today in WWII History

World War II History for August 24

08.24.1942 – U.S. forces sank the Japanese aircraft carrier Ryujo in the Battle of the East Solomon Islands. During this battle the “coastwatchers,” volunteers that reported on Japanese ship and aircraft movement, were a key to American success.

*Edit: The carrier sunk is the Ryujo, not the Ryuho

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-august-24-2/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/sink-the-bismarck http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/sink-the-bismarck#comments Wed, 19 Aug 2009 20:03:07 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=485 Sink the Bismarck: 1941-05-31 BBC First Sea Lord A V Alexander On Sinking Of Bismarck

This is a short clip from the BBC about the Sinking of the Bismarck (31 May 1941).

The story spawned its own 1960 feature film Sink the Bismarck!

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/sink-the-bismarck/feed 0 0:43 Sink the Bismarck: 1941-05-31 BBC First Sea Lord A V Alexander On Sinking Of Bismarck This is a short clip from the BBC about the Sinking ... Sink the Bismarck: 1941-05-31 BBC First Sea Lord A V Alexander On Sinking Of Bismarck This is a short clip from the BBC about the Sinking of the Bismarck (31 May 1941). The story spawned its own 1960 feature film Sink the Bismarck! Atlantic Theater, Europe Theater, Media, Podcast, Sea WWarII.com no no http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/general-patton-enters-messina-1943 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/general-patton-enters-messina-1943#comments Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:43:36 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=571 Audio Clip: 1943-08-17 BBC’s Garry Marsh – General Patton Enters Messina

August 17, 1943, U.S. Gen George S. Patton & 7th Army arrive in Messina, Sicily, hrs before “Monte”

Today’s Related Reads: Assault on Sicily: Monty and Patton at War

Lieutenant Colonel Lyle Bernard, from Colorado, 30th Infantry Regiment, a prominent figure in the second daring amphibious landing behind enemy lines on Sicily’s north coast, discusses the operational situation with Lieutenant General George S. Patton, Jr. This Signal Corps photo was taken near Brolo, Sicily in August of 1943, during Operation Husky.

Patton is leaning over the back of his WC-57 Dodge 3/4 ton 4×4 Command Car.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/general-patton-enters-messina-1943/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-august-10-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-august-10-2#comments Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:05:42 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=570 Today in WWII History

World War II History for August 10

10 Aug 1944 - Hitler moves the entire 2,000-plane Luftwaffe force to Western Europe in a bid to challenge the power of the Allies’ collective air strength.

10 Aug 1944 - U.S. forces defeated the remaining Japanese resistance on Guam, leaving the U.S. with an additional solid forward base in the Marianas from which to bomb the Japanese mainland.

10 Aug 1945 - The day after the atomic bombing of Nagasaki, Japan announced they would surrender. The only condition was that the status of Emperor Hirohito would remain unchanged.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-august-10-2/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/atomic-bomb-destroys-hiroshima http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/atomic-bomb-destroys-hiroshima#comments Thu, 06 Aug 2009 23:58:13 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=568 Audio Clip: 1945-08-06 Atomic Bomb Destroys Hiroshima

World War II History for August 6

6 Aug 1945 - The American B-29 bomber, known as the Enola Gay, dropped the first atomic bomb on an inhabited area. The bomb named “Little Boy” was dropped over the center of Hiroshima, Japan. An estimated 140,000 people were killed.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/atomic-bomb-destroys-hiroshima/feed 1 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wwii-machine-gun-nest http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wwii-machine-gun-nest#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 22:03:39 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=567
WWII Machine Gun Nest, Pacific Theater

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wwii-machine-gun-nest/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-august-3 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-august-3#comments Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:39:52 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=566 Audio Clip: 1945-07-29 Truman Speaks Of Japanese Rejection Of US Ultimatum. This was to be the herald of the upcoming atomic attacks on the Japanese homeland and Japan’s last opportunity for surrender.

Today in WWII History

World War II History for August 3

1940 - Italy began its occupation of British Somaliland in East Africa.

Italy begins its offensive against the British colony of Somaliland, in East Africa, territory contiguous with Italian Somaliland.

Italy had occupied parts of East Africa since 1936 and by 1940, when it officially entered the war, had troops far outnumbering British forces in the region. Despite their numerical superiority, the Italians had been slow to make offensive moves for fear that the British blockade in North Africa would make it impossible to get much-needed supplies, such as fuel and weapons, to sustain long engagements. But if Italy was to make greater territorial gains, it had to act, while British numbers were still relatively small.

After several forays a few miles into Sudan and Kenya, the Italians were ready for a bigger push: British Somaliland. The rationale was that it was actually a defensive move. Afraid that the British could enter Italian-occupied Ethiopia through French Somaliland, the Duke of Aosta (who was also Viceroy of Ethiopia and supreme Italian military commander of the region) ordered an invasion of British Somaliland. The British defenders at the garrison put up a fierce struggle; although they had to eventually withdraw, they inflicted 2,000 casualties on the Italian forces, while suffering only 250 of their own.

Italy would not enter the Somaliland capital, Berbera, until August 19, while Britain built up its African forces in Kenya. The war for East Africa was not over.

1941 - Catholic Bishop Clemems von Galen delivered a sermon in Münster Cathedral in which he attacked the Nazi euthanasia program calling it “plain murder.”

1943 - Gen. George S. Patton verbally abused and slapped a private. Later, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered him to apologize for the incident.

[1] “Italians move on British Somaliland,” History.com, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=6539 (accessed Aug 3, 2009).

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-august-3/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/ww2db-7000th-photo-contest http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/ww2db-7000th-photo-contest#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:36:10 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=564 What will be the 7000th photo be of over at my friend C. Peter Chen’s WW2DB site? You can win a month’s free advertising to your favorite WWII related website if you guess correctly!

Here is the WW2DB Photo Gallery.

To enter your guess, visit the discussion on Facebook here.

Don’t forget to add World War II History to your favorite Facebook pages!

World War II History on Facebook

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/ww2db-7000th-photo-contest/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/bugs-bunny-war-bond-drive-ww2-cartoon http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/bugs-bunny-war-bond-drive-ww2-cartoon#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:03:55 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=563

Bugs Bunny War Bond Drive WWII Cartoon

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/bugs-bunny-war-bond-drive-ww2-cartoon/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-24-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-24-2#comments Sat, 25 Jul 2009 00:32:43 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=562 Today in WWII History

World War II History for July 24

1941 - Vichy France grants Japan bases in its Indochina colonies.

Japan invaded China by moving through Southeast Asia, an area that France had long occupied. France had “agreed” to the occupation under Petain’s puppet government.

1943 - Operation Gomorrah is launched.

On this day in 1943, British bombers raid Hamburg, Germany, by night in Operation Gomorrah, while Americans bomb it by day in its own “Blitz Week.”

Britain had suffered the deaths of 167 civilians as a result of German bombing raids in July. Now the tables were going to turn. The evening of July 24 saw British aircraft drop 2,300 tons of incendiary bombs on Hamburg in just a few hours. The explosive power was the equivalent of what German bombers had dropped on London in their five most destructive raids. More than 1,500 German civilians were killed in that first British raid.

Britain lost only 12 aircraft in this raid (791 flew), thanks to a new radar-jamming device called “Window,” which consisted of strips of aluminum foil dropped by the bombers en route to their target. These Window strips confused German radar, which mistook the strips for dozens and dozens of aircraft, diverting them from the trajectory of the actual bombers.

An Avro Lancaster dropping Window (the crescent-shaped white cloud on the left of the picture) from within the accompanying bomber stream.

WWII Radar Station

To make matters worse for Germany, the U.S. Eighth Air Force began a more comprehensive bombing run of northern Germany, which included two raids on Hamburg during daylight hours.

British attacks on Hamburg continued until November of that year. Although the percentage of British bombers lost increased with each raid as the Germans became more adept at distinguishing between Window diversions and actual bombers, Operation Gomorrah proved devastating to Hamburg-not to mention German morale. When it was over, 17,000 bomber sorties dropped more than 9,000 tons of explosives, killing more than 30,000 people and destroying 280,000 buildings, including industrial and munitions plants. The effect on Hitler, too, was significant. He refused to visit the burned-out cities, as the ruins bespoke nothing but the end of the war for him. Diary entries of high German officials from this period describe a similar despair, as they sought to come to terms with defeat. [1]

[1] “Operation Gomorrah is launched,” History.com, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=6529 (accessed Jul 24, 2009).

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-24-2/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-22-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-22-2#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:53:08 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=560 Today in WWII History

World War II History for July 22

1942 - Deportations from Warsaw ghetto to Treblinka begin

Deportations to Treblinka

On this day in 1942, the systematic deportation of Jews from the Warsaw ghetto begins, as thousands are rounded up daily and transported to a newly constructed concentration/extermination camp at Treblinka, in Poland.

On July 17, Heinrich Himmler, head of the Nazi SS, arrived at Auschwitz, the concentration camp in eastern Poland, in time to watch the arrival of more than 2,000 Dutch Jews and the gassing of almost 500 of them, mostly the elderly, sick, and very young. The next day, Himmler promoted the camp commandant, Rudolph Hoess, to SS major and ordered that the Warsaw ghetto, (the Jewish quarter constructed by the Nazis upon the occupation of Poland, enclosed first by barbed wire and then by brick walls), be depopulated-a “total cleansing,” as he described it and the inhabitants transported to what was to become a second extermination camp constructed at the railway village of Treblinka, 62 miles northeast of Warsaw.

Within the first seven weeks of Himmler’s order, more than 250,000 Jews were taken to Treblinka by rail and gassed to death, marking the largest single act of destruction of any population group, Jewish or non-Jewish, civilian or military, in the war. Upon arrival at “T. II,” as this second camp at Treblinka was called, prisoners were separated by sex, stripped, and marched into what were described as “bathhouses,” but were in fact gas chambers. T.II’s first commandant was Dr. Irmfried Eberl, age 32, the man who had headed up the euthanasia program of 1940 and had much experience with the gassing of victims, especially children. He compelled several hundred Ukrainian and about 1,500 Jewish prisoners to assist him. They removed gold teeth from victims before hauling the bodies to mass graves. Eberl was relieved of his duties for “inefficiency.” It seems that he and his workers could not remove the corpses quickly enough, and panic was occurring within the railway cars of newly arrived prisoners.

By the end of the war, between 700,000 and 900,000 would die at either Treblinka I or II. Hoess was tried and sentenced to death by the Nuremberg Tribunal. He was hanged in 1947. [1]

1943 - American forces led by Gen. George S. Patton captured Palermo, Sicily.

[1] “Deportations from Warsaw ghetto to Treblinka begin,” History.com, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=Article&id=6527 (accessed Jul 22, 2009).

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-22-2/feed 1 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wendell-willkie-audio-clip http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wendell-willkie-audio-clip#comments Tue, 21 Jul 2009 22:23:06 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=558 Audio Clip: 1941-07-23 Wendell Willkie Calls For End Of US Isolationism

Wendell Willkie (February 18, 1892 – October 8, 1944) was a corporate lawyer in the United States and was the Republican Party nominee for the 1940 presidential election, although he had never previously had an elected political office.

Although Willkie won more votes in the 1940 presidential election (22.3 million votes) than any previous Republican candidate, he lost the popular vote 27 million to 22 million and the Electoral College vote to Franklin D. Roosevelt by an extremely wide margin: 449 to 82, carrying ten states.

Wendell Willkie Campaign Poster

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/wendell-willkie-audio-clip/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-20 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-20#comments Mon, 20 Jul 2009 16:40:47 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=557 Audio Clip: 1944-07-21 RRG Adolf Hitler – On July 20th Assassination Attempt

Today in WWII History

World War II History for July 20

1942 - The first detachment of the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, (WACS) began basic training at Fort Des Moines, Iowa.

1942 - An Act of Congress (Public Law 671 – 77th Congress, Chapter 508, 2d Session) established the Legion of Merit Medal.

1944 - Operation Valkyrie – An attempt by a group of German officials to assassinate Adolf Hitler failed. The bomb exploded at Hitler’s Rastenburg headquarters. Hitler was only wounded.

Thirty six year-old Stauffenberg’s final attempt occured on July 20, 1944. Four days earlier, the attempt was decided upon during a meeting at his residence at No. 8 Tristanstrasse, Wansee. Himmler or no Himmler, the attempt must go ahead, come what may. At 12.00pm Stauffenberg and General Fromm report to Field Marshal Keitel’s office for a briefing before entering the conference room. At 12.37pm, Stauffenberg pushes his briefcase containing the bomb, under the map table, then leaves the room on the pretext of making a telephone call. The officer who took his place noticed the briefcase and with his foot pushed it further under the table. At 12.42pm, the bomb explodes. By this time Stauffenberg is on his way back to Berlin. At 6.28pm a radio broadcast from Wolf’s Lair reports that Hitler is alive but only slightly wounded. Later that night, at 12.30am, Stauffenberg and his co-conspirators, Haeften, Olbricht and Mertz, are arrested and executed by firing squad in the inner courtyard of the Bendlerstrasse Headquarters.

THE BOMB PLOT AT HITLER’S HQ. The personnel as at 12.30pm on July 20, 1944. (See the following list.)

Adolf Hitler
General Heusinger
Luftwaffe General Korten (Died of wounds)
Colonel Brandt (Died of wounds)
Luftwaffe General Bodenschatz (Severely wounded)
General Schnunt (Died of wounds)
Lt.Colonel Borgman (Severely wounded)
Rear Admiral Von Puttkamer
Stenographer Berger (Killed on the spot)
Naval Captain Assmann
General Scherff
General Buhle 1
Rear Admiral Voss
SS Group Leader Fegelein
Colonel Von Bellow
SS Hauptsturmfuhrer Gunsche
Stenographer Hagen
Lt.Colonel Von John (Adjutant to Keitel)
Major Buchs (Adjutant to Jodl)
Lt.Colonel Weizenegger
Min.Counsellor Von Sonnleithner
General Warlimont (Concussion)
General Jodl (Lightly wounded)
Field Marshal Keitel

Starring Tom Cruise, VALKYRIE, is the true story of the assassination plot against Adolf Hitler that took place on July 20, 1944 and which was led by, among others, German staff officer Klaus Von Stauffenberg (whom Cruise portrays). Now available on DVD – see the events for yourself!

[1] Assassination Attempts on Hitler’s Life — 1 http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-49252.html

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-20/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/operation-aerial http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/operation-aerial#comments Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:50:45 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=536 Operation Ariel aka Operation Aerial

17 June 1940 – Operation Ariel begins: Allied troops start to evacuate France, following Germany’s takeover of Paris and most of the nation.

Smaller-scale counterpart to Operation Dynamo and designed to remove by sea all British troops in north-west France, largely from the ports of Cherbourg, St Malo, Brest, St Nazaire and La Pallice (16/24 June 1940). Admiral Sir William James, the Commander-in-Chief Portsmouth, was controller of the evacuations from Cherbourg and St Malo, while the others came under the command of Admiral Sir M. Dunbar-Nasmith, Commander-in-Chief Western Approaches. At Cherbourg some 30,630 men of the 52nd Div and Norman Force were lifted between 16 and 18 June; at St Malo 21,474 men of the 1st Canadian Div and other units were picked up between 16 and 18 June; at Brest some 32,584 soldiers and airmen were rescued between 17 and 18 June; at St Nazaire the total was 57,235 troops (including a number from Nantes) evacuated between 16 and 20 June; and at La Pallice 2,303 British and a large number of Polish troops were brought out between 17 and 20 June. Another 19,000 or so troops, most of them Polish, were lifted from ports in the southern half of the French Atlantic coast. At the same time it was decided to evacuate as many as possible from the Channel Islands, and between 19 and 24 June some 22,656 British citizens were removed from these islands, which must inevitably fall to the Germans after the capture of France.

The only major loss during the evacuation from western France was off St Nazaire. Liner Lancastria was bombed and sunk with the death of nearly 3,000 men.

Photo Gallery of the Lancastria

Hundreds of men can be seen clinging to the upturned hull. For most there was no means of escape. Upturned lifeboats can be seen to the left of the picture again with men clinging on and around them hundreds of heads are floating in the water. One survivor can be seen swimming towards the HMS Highlander from where this picture was taken by Frank Clements. To the right of the sinking Lancastria a becalmed area of sea marks the oil slick from the ship’s ruptured tanks. The Germans were continuing their attack when this image was taken, strafing men in the water. The time is approximately 4.05pm, Monday 17th June 1940.

Lancastria survivors – Tired, weary and covered in oil from Lancastria’s tanks. This shot shows survivors aboard the destroyer HMS Highlander, taken by Frank Clements. The survivor standing with the white blanket round his shoulders, behind the man with the cigarette in his mouth, has been identified as Donald Charles Bruce of the RASC. He later took part in the D-Day landings.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/operation-aerial/feed 2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/you-do-your-worst-and-we-will-do-our-best http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/you-do-your-worst-and-we-will-do-our-best#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:25:10 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=556 You Do Your Worst — And We Will Do Our Best (+ Audio)

A tonic for today by Winston Churchill – Speech – House of Commons, July 14, 1941

The impressive and inspiring spectacle we have witnessed displays the vigour and efficiency of the civil defence forces. They have grown up in the stress of emergency. They have been shaped and tempered by the fire of the enemy, and we saw them all, in their many grades and classe – the wardens, the rescue and first-aid parties, the casualty services, the decontamination squads, the fire services, the report and control centre staffs, the highways and public utility services, the messengers, the police. No one could but feel how great a people, how great a nation we have the honour to belong to. How complex, sensitive, and resilient is the society we have evolved over the centuries, and how capable of withstanding the most unexpected strain.

I must, however, admit that when the storm broke in September, I was for several weeks very anxious about the result. Sometimes the gas failed; sometimes the electricity. There were grievous complaints about the shelters and about conditions in them. Water was cut off, railways were cut or broken, large districts were destroyed, thousands were killed, and many more thousands were wounded. But there was one thing about which there was never any doubt. The courage, the unconquerable grit and stamina of our people, showed itself from the very outset. Without that all would have failed. Upon that rock, all stood unshakable. All the public services were carried on, and all the intricate arrangements, far-reaching details, involving the daily lives of so many millions, were carried out, improvised, elaborated, and perfected in the very teeth of the cruel and devastating storm.

We have to ask ourselves this question: Will the bombing attacks come back again? We have proceeded on the assumption that they will. Many new arrangements are being contrived as a result of the hard experience through which we have passed and the many mistakes which no doubt we have made – for success is the result of making many mistakes and learning from experience. If the lull is to end, if the storm is to renew itself, we will be ready, will will not flinch, we can take it again.

We ask no favours of the enemy. We seek from them no compunction. On the contrary, if tonight our people were asked to cast their vote whether a convention should be entered into to stop the bombing of cities, the overwhelming majority would cry, “No, we will mete out to them the measure, and more than the measure, that they have meted out to us.” The people with one voice would say: “You have committed every crime under the sun. Where you have been the least resisted there you have been the most brutal. It was you who began the indiscriminate bombing. We will have no truce or parley with you, or the grisly gang who work your wicked will. You do your worst – and we will do our best.” Perhaps it may be our turn soon; perhaps it may be our turn now.

We live in a terrible epoch of the human story, but we believe there is a broad and sure justice running through its theme. It is time that the enemy should be made to suffer in their own homelands something of the torment they have let loose upon their neighbours and upon the world. We believe it to be in our power to keep this process going, on a steadily rising tide, month after month, year after year, until they are either extirpated by us or, better still, torn to pieces by their own people.

It is for this reason that I must ask you to be prepared for vehement counter-action by the enemy. Our methods of dealing with them have steadily improved. They no longer relish their trips to our shores. I do not know why they do not come, but it is certainly not because they have begun to love us more. It may be because they are saving up, but even if that be so, the very fact that they have to save up should give us confidence by revealing the truth of our steady advance from an almost unarmed position to superiority. But all engaged in our defense forces must prepare themselves for further heavy assaults. Your organization, your vigilance, your devotion to duty, your zeal for the cause must be raised to the highest intensity.

We do not expect to hit without being hit back, and we intend with every week that passes to hit harder. Prepare yourselves, then, my friends and comrades, for this renewal of your exertions. We shall never turn from our purpose, however sombre the road, however grievous the cost, because we know that out of this time of trial and tribulation will be born a new freedom and glory for all mankind.

More Winston Churchill Speeches:
4 Jun 1940 – Winston Churchill – Speech – “We Shall Fight on the Beaches”
14 Jul 1941 – Winston Churchill – Speech – War of the Unknown Warriors

[1] You Do Your Worst — And We Will Do Our Best (Text) http://www.winstonchurchill.org/learn/speeches/speeches-of-winston-churchill/129-you-do-your-worst-and-we-will-do-our-best

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/you-do-your-worst-and-we-will-do-our-best/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/war-of-the-unknown-warriors http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/war-of-the-unknown-warriors#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:16:28 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=555 War of the Unknown Warriors (+ Audio)

Winston Churchill – Speech – BBC Broadcast, London, July 14, 1940

During June and early July, the German Air Force was regrouped to open the vital first stage of “Operation Sea Lion” (the invasion of Britain) by destroying the Royal Air Force. The Battle of Britain began on July 10.

During the last fortnight the British Navy, in addition to blockading what is left of the German Fleet and chasing the Italian Fleet, has had imposed upon it the sad duty of putting effectually out of action for the duration of the war the capital ships of the French Navy. These, under the Armistice terms, signed in the railway coach at Compiegne, would have been placed within the power of Nazi Germany. The transference of these ships to Hitler would have endangered the security of both Great Britain and the United States. We therefore had no choice but to act as we did, and to act forthwith. Our painful task is now complete. Although the unfinished battleship, the Jean Bart, still rests in a Moroccan harbor and there are a number of French warships at Toulon and in various French ports all over the world, these are not in a condition or of a character to derange our preponderance of naval power. As long, therefore, as they make no attempt to return to ports controlled by Germany or Italy, we shall not molest them in any way. That melancholy phase in our relations with France has, so far as we are concerned, come to an end.

Let us think rather of the future. Today is the fourteenth of July, the national festival of France. A year ago in Paris I watched the stately parade down the Champs Elysees of the French Army and the French empire. Who can foresee what the course of other years will bring? Faith is given to us to help and comfort us when we stand in awe before the unfurling scroll of human destiny. And I proclaim my faith that some of us will live to see a fourteenth of July when a liberated France will once again rejoice in her greatness and in her glory, and once again stand forward as the champion of the freedom and the rights of man. When the day dawns, as dawn it will, the soul of France will turn with comprehension and with kindness to those Frenchmen and Frenchwomen, wherever they may be, who in the darkest hour did not despair of the Republic.

In the meantime, we shall not waste our breath nor cumber our thought with reproaches. When you have a friend and comrade at whose side you have faced tremendous struggles, and your friend is smitten down by a stunning blow, it may be necessary to make sure that the weapon that has fallen from his hands shall not be added to the resources of your common enemy. But you need not bear malice because of your friend’s cries of delirium and gestures of agony. You must not add to his pain; you must work for his recovery. The association of interest between Britain and France remains. The cause remains. Duty inescapable remains. So long as our pathway to victory is not impeded, we are ready to discharge such offices of good will toward the French Government as may be possible, and to foster the trade and help the administration of those parts of the great French Empire which are now cut off from captive France, but which maintain their freedom. Subject to the iron demands of the war which we are now waging against Hitler and all his works, we shall try so to conduct ourselves that every true French heart will beat and glow at the way we carry on the struggle; and that not only France, but all the oppressed countries in Europe may feel that each British victory is a step towards the liberation of the Continent from the foulest thralldom into which it has ever been cast.

All goes to show that the war will be long and hard. No one can tell where it will spread. One thing is certain: the peoples of Europe will not be ruled for long by the Nazi Gestapo, nor will the world yield itself to Hitler’s gospel of hatred, appetite and domination.

And now it has come to us to stand alone in the breach, and face the worst that the tyrant’s might and enmity can do. Bearing ourselves humbly before God, but conscious that we serve an unfolding purpose, we are ready to defend our native land against the invasion by which it is threatened. We are fighting by ourselves alone; but we are not fighting for ourselves alone. Here in this strong City of Refuge which enshrines the title-deeds of human progress and is of deep consequence to Christian civilization; here, girt about by the seas and oceans where the Navy reigns; shielded from above by the prowess and devotion of our airmen-we await undismayed the impending assault. Perhaps it will come tonight. Perhaps it will come next week. Perhaps it will never come. We must show ourselves equally capable of meeting a sudden violent shock or-what is perhaps a harder test-a prolonged vigil. But be the ordeal sharp or long, or both, we shall seek no terms, we shall tolerate no parley; we may show mercy-we shall ask for none.

I can easily understand how sympathetic onlookers across the Atlantic, or anxious friends in the yet-unravished countries of Europe, who cannot measure our resources or our resolve, may have feared for our survival when they saw so many States and kingdoms torn to pieces in a few weeks or even days by the monstrous force of the Nazi war machine. But Hitler has not yet been withstood by a great nation with a will power the equal of his own. Many of these countries have been poisoned by intrigue before they were struck down by violence. They have been rotted from within before they were smitten from without. How else can you explain what has happened to France?-to the French Army, to the French people, to the leaders of the French people?

But here, in our Island, we are in good health and in good heart. We have seen how Hitler prepared in scientific detail the plans for destroying the neighbor countries

of Germany. He had his plans for Poland and his plans for Norway. He had his plans for Denmark. He had his plans all worked out for the doom of the peaceful, trustful Dutch; and, of course, for the Belgians. We have seen how the French were undermined and overthrown. We may therefore be sure that there is a plan-perhaps built up over years-for destroying Great Britain, which after all has the honor to be his main and foremost enemy. All I can say is that any plan for invading Britain which Hitler made two months ago must have had to be entirely recast in order to meet our new position. Two months ago-nay, one month ago-our first and main effort was to keep our best Army in France. All our regular troops, all our output of munitions, and a very large part of our Air Force, had to be sent to France and maintained in action there. But now we have it all at home. Never before in the last war-or in this-have we had in this Island an Army comparable in quality, equipment or numbers to that which stands here on guard tonight. We have a million and a half men in the British Army under arms tonight, and every week of June and July has seen their organization, their defenses and their striking power advance by leaps and bounds. No praise is too high for the officers and men-aye, and civilians-who have made this immense transformation in so short a time. Behind these soldiers of the regular Army, as a means of destruction for parachutists, air-borne invaders, and any traitors that may be found in our midst (but I do not believe there are many-woe betide them, they will get short shrift)-behind the regular Army we have more than a million of the Local Defense Volunteers, or, as they are much better called, the “Home Guard.” These officers and men, a large proportion of whom have been through the last war, have the strongest desire to attack and come to close quarters with the enemy wherever he may appear. Should the invader come to Britain, there will be no placid lying down of the people in submission before him, as we have seen, alas, in other countries. We shall defend every village, every town, and every city. The vast mass of London itself, fought street by street, could easily devour an entire hostile army; and we would rather see London laid in ruins and ashes than that it should be tamely and abjectly enslaved. I am bound to state these facts, because it is necessary to inform our people of our intentions, and thus to reassure them.

This has been a great week for the Royal Air Force, and for the Fighter Command. They have shot down more than five to one of the German aircraft which have tried to molest our convoys in the Channel, or have ventured to cross the British coast line. These are, of course, only the preliminary encounters to the great air battles which lie ahead. But I know of no reason why we should be discontented with the results so far achieved; although, of course, we hope to improve upon them as the fighting becomes more widespread and comes more inland. Around all lies the power of the Royal Navy. With over a thousand armed ships under the White Ensign, patrolling the seas, the Navy, which is capable of transferring its force very readily to the protection of any part of the British Empire which may be threatened, is capable also of keeping open communication with the New World, from whom, as the struggle deepens, increasing aid will come. Is it not remarkable that after ten months of unlimited U-boat and air attack upon our commerce, our food reserves are higher than they have ever been, and we have a substantially larger tonnage under our own flag, apart from great numbers of foreign ships in our control, than we had at the beginning of the war? Why do I dwell on all this? Not, surely, to induce any slackening of effort or vigilance. On the contrary. These must be redoubled, and we must prepare not only for the summer, but for the winter; not only for 1941, but for 1942; when the war will, I trust, take a different form from the defensive, in which it has hitherto been bound. I dwell on these elements in our strength, on these resources which we have mobilized and control-I dwell on them because it is right to show that the good cause can command the means of survival; and that while we toil through the dark valley we can see the sunlight on the uplands beyond.

I stand at the head of a Government representing all Parties in the State-all creeds, all classes, every recognizable section of opinion. We are ranged beneath the Crown of our ancient monarchy. We are supported by a free Parliament and a free Press; but there is one bond which unites us all and sustains us in the public regard-namely (as is increasingly becoming known), that we are prepared to proceed to all extremities, to endure them and to enforce them; that is our bond of union in His Majesty’s Government tonight. Thus only, in times like these, can nations preserve their freedom; and thus only can they uphold the cause entrusted to their care.

But all depends now upon the whole life-strength of the British race in every part of the world and of all our associated peoples and of all our well-wishers in every land, doing their utmost night and day, giving all, daring all, enduring all-to the utmost-to the end. This is no war of chieftains or of princes, of dynasties or national ambition; it is a war of peoples and of causes. There are vast numbers, not only in this Island but in every land, who will render faithful service in this war, but whose names will never be known, whose deeds will never be recorded. This is a War of the Unknown Warriors; but let all strive without failing in faith or in duty, and the dark curse of Hitler will be lifted from our age.

More Winston Churchill Speeches:
4 Jun 1940 – Winston Churchill – Speech – “We Shall Fight on the Beaches”

[1] War of the Unknown Warriors (Text) http://www.winstonchurchill.org/learn/speeches/speeches-of-winston-churchill/126-war-of-the-unknown-warriors

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/war-of-the-unknown-warriors/feed 1 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-14 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-14#comments Tue, 14 Jul 2009 19:07:48 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=554 Audio: General Charles de Gaulle urges America to Join the Allies (14 July 1941)

A 1942 WWII photo portrait of General Charles de Gaulle of the Free French Forces and first president of the Fifth Republic serving from 1958 to 1969.

Today in WWII History

World War II History for July 14

14 July 1933 - All German political parties except the Nazi Party were outlawed.

14 July 1940 - British Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivers War of the Unknown Warriors BBC Broadcast in London. [1]

14 July 1940 - A force of German Ju-88 bombers attacked Suez, Egypt, from bases in Crete.

14 July 1941 - Vichy French Foreign Legionaries signed an armistice in Damascus, which allowed them to join the Free French Foreign Legion.

14 July 1941 - Free French General Charles de Gaulle urges America to Join the Allies.

14 July 1941 - British Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivers You Do Your Worst — And We Will Do Our Best speech to the House of Commons. [1]

14 July 1945 - American battleships and cruisers bombarded the Japanese home islands for the first time.

[1] Selected Speeches of Winston Churchill – http://www.winstonchurchill.org/learn/speeches/speeches-of-winston-churchill

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-14/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-13-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-13-2#comments Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:07:48 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=552 Audio Clip: BBC Charles Gardner Reports On Convoy Attack & Dogfight (14 July 1940)

Today in WWII History

World War II History for July 13

13 July 1941 - Britain and the Soviet Union signed a mutual aid pact, that provided the means for Britain to send war material to the Soviet Union.

13 July 1944 - Soviet General Konev establishes a new western border for the USSR

On this day in 1944, General Ivan Konev, one of the Soviet Union’s most outstanding officers, pursues an offensive against 40,000 German soldiers to capture the East Galician city of Lvov. When the battle was over, 30,000 Germans were dead, and the USSR had a new western border.

The Red Army’s “Operation Bagration” was the westward thrust from June to August 1944, which included the First and Second Ukrainian Fronts, was moving swiftly across Ukraine and Poland.

Konev consults with 38th Army Commander Moskalenko

Joseph Stalin had declared that he wanted the western border of the Soviet Union to be pushed back across the River Bug, territory that was part of prewar Poland, but was now occupied German territory. General Konev, who had led the first offensive against the Germans when they invaded the Soviet Union in 1941 (and who had created the “Konev ambush,” a strategy by which troops retreat from the center of a battle area, only to allow troops from the flanks to close into the breach, used to defeat German General Heinz Guderian’s tank offensive against Moscow), led the Red Army’s new attack westward. He encircled 40,000 German soldiers in the town of Brody. After seven days, 30,000 German soldiers were dead, and Lvov was Soviet-occupied territory and would remain a part of the new postwar Soviet map.

General Konev would go on to cross Poland into Germany and, meeting up with U.S. and other Soviet forces, enter Berlin to see the final downfall of the Axis power.

“Soviet General Konev establishes a new western border for the USSR,” History.com, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=6518 (accessed Jul 13, 2009).

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-13-2/feed 0 3:34 Audio Clip: BBC Charles Gardner Reports On Convoy Attack & Dogfight (14 July 1940) Today in WWII History World War II History for July 13 13 July 1941 ... Audio Clip: BBC Charles Gardner Reports On Convoy Attack & Dogfight (14 July 1940) Today in WWII History World War II History for July 13 13 July 1941 - Britain and the Soviet Union signed a mutual aid pact, that provided the means for Britain to send war material to the Soviet Union. 13 July 1944 - Soviet General Konev establishes a new western border for the USSR On this day in 1944, General Ivan Konev, one of the Soviet Union's most outstanding officers, pursues an offensive against 40,000 German soldiers to capture the East Galician city of Lvov. When the battle was over, 30,000 Germans were dead, and the USSR had a new western border. The Red Army's "Operation Bagration" was the westward thrust from June to August 1944, which included the First and Second Ukrainian Fronts, was moving swiftly across Ukraine and Poland. Konev consults with 38th Army Commander Moskalenko Joseph Stalin had declared that he wanted the western border of the Soviet Union to be pushed back across the River Bug, territory that was part of prewar Poland, but was now occupied German territory. General Konev, who had led the first offensive against the Germans when they invaded the Soviet Union in 1941 (and who had created the "Konev ambush," a strategy by which troops retreat from the center of a battle area, only to allow troops from the flanks to close into the breach, used to defeat German General Heinz Guderian's tank offensive against Moscow), led the Red Army's new attack westward. He encircled 40,000 German soldiers in the town of Brody. After seven days, 30,000 German soldiers were dead, and Lvov was Soviet-occupied territory and would remain a part of the new postwar Soviet map. General Konev would go on to cross Poland into Germany and, meeting up with U.S. and other Soviet forces, enter Berlin to see the final downfall of the Axis power. "Soviet General Konev establishes a new western border for the USSR," History.com, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=6518 (accessed Jul 13, 2009). Europe Theater, Media, Podcast, Today WWarII.com no no http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/open-courseware-for-history-buffs http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/open-courseware-for-history-buffs#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:04:04 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=551 7 Excellent Open Courseware Collections for History Buffs

Learning about history is mostly book learning. While it is true that a classroom setting allows you to debate with others the causes and ramifications of certain historical events, much of the study of history is just in learning what happened. Open courseware collections are perfect for this type of learning because you can pick up all you need to know.

AP History Lesson

AP History Lesson is a courseware collection that focuses on more recent periods of American history. It covers some of the basics and is an excellent introduction for history buffs. Its inclusion of photographs and interviews is sure to spur you on to want to learn more about American history.

The American Civil War

The American Civil War focuses on this period of American history. The Civil War started off as an attempt to restore the integrity of the Union and transformed into a struggle over the issue of slavery and the movement toward the freedom of four million slaves.

American Revolution

American Revolution teaches of the events that transpired as the colonists moved toward creating their own independent nation. The changes went far beyond the political as social norms were also forever changed. It was this series of events that moved this nation towards the continuing growth of freedoms and the development of the nation from a fledgling one to a major player on the world stage.

History Of Western Civilization

History of Western Civilization is a collection that moves into European history. This course begins with ancient times and proceeds into the early modern era. This collection touches on the Crusades, The Renaissance, and the Reformation.

The Anthropology Of Computing

The Anthropology of Computing looks at computers and their history. Their construction and usage is directly related to the development of culture and the circumstances surrounding them in history. Computers have grown as society has. Investigating their history reveals the developments in society as a whole in the fairly recent past.

Media In Cultural Context: Popular Readerships

Media in Cultural Context: Popular Readerships is a courseware collection that focuses on media as it has related to, affected, and has been influenced by culture. It speaks of popular reading and how that has evolved over time. It examines the history of popular reading as a barometer for cultural attitudes and interests over time. This course gives unique insight into cultural perspectives throughout history.

Art History

Art History is a collection that takes you through a comprehensive history of Western art. It includes discussions of sculpture, painting, and architecture throughout history. It may seem like an interesting addition to a history curriculum, but you can tell a lot about a culture through its art.

These 7 excellent open courseware collections for history buffs provide an interesting snapshot of history. The history of any nation or of the world at large is a massive topic that will allow any history buff to continue studies of this fascinating field indefinitely. This collection of resources will give a nice mix of historical perspectives to pique anyone’s interest in history.

Thomas Rheinecker is a freelance author and writes about education topics, such as how to research online university rankings, accreditation, and more.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/open-courseware-for-history-buffs/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/lst-325-joins-historic-list http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/lst-325-joins-historic-list#comments Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:06:50 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=550 Indiana Based WW II Ship Joins Historic List
By AP – Tuesday Jul. 07, 2009 – West Kentucky Star

The National Park Service granted the designation to the LST-325, which it says is one of the few surviving American vessels to go ashore on D-Day in 1944. The ship has been permanently moored at Evansville since 2005.

Ship commander Robert Jornlin tells the Evansville Courier & Press that while several American battleships are on the National Register, the LST-325 is unique because it is still a working ship.

The LST-325 will be included in the Military Vehicle Preservation Association’s convention in Evansville next month, after which it will travel to Jeffersonville for an American Legion convention.

You can visit the dedicated webpage for the LST-325 here: http://www.lstmemorial.org/.

The LST-325 was launched on 27 October 1942 and commissioned on 1 February 1943, with Lieutenant Ira Ehrensall the commanding officer. On February 17, during her shakedown cruise, Lt. Ehrensall was transferred to the USS LST-391 and Ensign Clifford E. Mosier replaced him. Mosier would remain the ship’s commanding officer until June 1945.

LST-325 – DUCK I Exercise, Slapton Sands, January 1944

On 5 June 1944 LST-325 sailed from Falmouth, England carrying elements of the 5th Special Engineer Brigade. LST-325 was part of Force “B”, the back-up force for the troops going ashore at Omaha Beach on 6 June. On 7 June they anchored off Omaha Beach and unloaded the men and vehicles onto DUKW’s and LCM’s.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/lst-325-joins-historic-list/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-6 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-6#comments Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:38:34 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=549 Today in WWII History

World War II History for July 6

1942 - Diarist Anne Frank and her family took refuge from the Nazis in Amsterdam.

1942 - Japanese forces landed on Guadalcanal Island and began constructing an airfield. On February 1, 1943 the Japanese forces began to withdraw.

Japanese Machine Gunners on Guadalcanal

1944 - Hartford Circus Fire

The Hartford Circus Fire was one of the worst fire disasters in US history. While thousands of spectators were enjoying an afternoon performance of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, a fire broke out on the southwest sidewall of the tent. The big top, waterproofed with a coating of paraffin and gasoline, quickly collapsed in flames, trapping hundreds beneath it. Circus Bandleader Merle Evans is said to be the person who first spotted the flames, and immediately directed the band to play Stars and Stripes Forever, the tune that traditionally signaled distress to all circus personnel.

1944 - Georges Mandel, French patriot, is executed

On this day in 1944, Georges Mandel, France’s minister of colonies and vehement opponent of the armistice with Germany, is executed in a wood outside Paris by collaborationist French.

Born into a prosperous Jewish family (his given name was Louis-Georges Rothschild, though no relation to the banking family) in 1885, Mandel’s political career began at age 21 as a member of the personal staff of French Premier Georges Clemenceau. He went on to serve in the National Assembly from 1919 to 1924, and then again from 1928 to 1940. Although a political conservative, he fell into conflict with fellow conservatives over their too-often pro-German sympathies, especially during the two world wars.

In 1940, he was transferred to the Ministry of the Interior by then French Premier Paul Reynaud, with whom he shared the conviction that no armistice should be made with the German invaders, and that the battle should continue, even if only from France’s colonies in Africa. After the resignation of Reynaud and the establishment of the Petain/Vichy government, Mandel sailed to Morocco, where he was arrested and sent back to France and imprisoned. He was then handed over to the Germans, and put in concentration camps in Oranienburg and Buchenwald. On July 4, 1944, he was shipped back to Paris, where the French security police, the Milice, took him out to a wood and shot him. As he was being handed over to his countrymen by the German SS, he said: “To die is nothing. What is sad is to die without seeing the liberation of the country and the restoration of the Republic.” [1]

[1] “Georges Mandel, French patriot, is executed,” History.com, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=6511 (accessed Jul 6, 2009).

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-july-6/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/video-pacific-carriers http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/video-pacific-carriers#comments Thu, 02 Jul 2009 17:50:11 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=548 Video Clip: WWII In Color – Aircraft Carriers in the Pacific

Table of WWII Aircraft Carriers

Fleet Carriers
ID	Name	Commission	Tons	Fleet	Lost
CV -1	Langley (AV-3)	redesignated	19,360	542	Java
CV -2	Lexington	12/14/2027	33,000	910	Coral Sea
CV -3	Saratoga	11/16/2027	33,000	910
CV -4	Ranger	6/4/1934	14,500	769
CV -5	Yorktown	9/30/1937	19,800	827	Midway
CV -6	Enterprise	5/12/1938	19,800	827
CV -7	Wasp	4/25/1940	14,700	739	Guadalcanal
CV -8	Hornet	10/20/1941	20,000	809	Santa Cruz
CV -9	Essex	12/31/1942	27,100	874
CV-10	Yorktown II	4/15/1943	27,100	874
CV-11	Intrepid	8/16/1943	27,100	874
CV-12	Hornet II	11/29/1943	27,100	874
CV-13	Franklin	1/31/1944	27,100	874
CV-14	Ticonderoga	5/8/1944	27,100	885
CV-15	Randolph	10/9/1944	27,100	885
CV-16	Lexington II	2/17/1943	27,100	874
CV-17	Bunker Hill	5/24/1943	27,100	874
CV-18	Wasp II	11/24/1943	27,100	874
CV-19	Hancock	4/15/1944	27,100	885
CV-20	Bennington	8/6/1944	27,100	874
CVL-22	Independence	1/14/1943	11,000	619
CVL-23	Princeton	2/25/1943	11,000	619
CVL-24	Belleau Wood	3/31/1943	11,000	622
CVL-25	Cowpens	5/28/1943	11,000	622
CVL-26	Monterey	6/17/1943	11,000	622
CVL-27	Langley II	8/31/1943	11,000	619
CVL-28	Cabot	7/24/1943	11,000	622
CVL-29	Bataan	11/17/1943	11,000	619
CVL-30	San Jacinto	12/15/1943	11,000	622
CV -31	BonHommeRichard	11/26/1944	27,100	874
CV -38	Shangri-La	9/15/1944	27,100	885

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/video-pacific-carriers/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/what-if-wwii-happened-today http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/what-if-wwii-happened-today#comments Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:16:00 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=547 A Fresh Look at History from a Curious Perspective
By Dane Schad

A few nights ago I saw the movie Valkyrie, which is very closely based on a a real attempt by German officers to assassinate Adolf Hitler. As usual I immediately researched the actual events and surrounding history after the movie ended, because as you may know I am fascinated by that stuff.

Of course, understanding a historical event requires an observer to look at the surrounding history because people act and react based on what has happened previously, especially in their lifetime. The usual method of exploring history is for the observer to go back in time to the events to witness them. But this method fails to (or at least half-assed) let the observer see the effects of previous events on the event he happens to be focusing on, thus giving a tunnel-vision impression of an event. So I propose to bring history to the observer, allowing the observer’s own experiences coupled with his concept of passage of time to more fully understand how shit went down.

What I have done is not very complicated (writing this note took much more time) but hopefully at least a little creative. I took the major events leading to World War II and shifted the dates to modern times. I would rather have done this experiment from a German’s perspective, since his was surely more surreal, but since we are more familiar with American events I stuck with events from an American’s perspective. To maximize the “recent event” effect, I chose the Invasion of Normandy (aka D-Day) as the current event. And so, I need you to pretend. But don’t go back in time. Today is today, and you are you. Instead, pretend we are at war with the Nazis and today is (for posterity) June 30, 2009 (so basically, today).

***T H E N E W Y O R K T I M E S***
June 30, 2009
Massive Military Offensive in Europe

London –Today American and British troops ended their nearly month long execution of a massive military offensive on the beaches of Normandy, France. It would appear that the Allies now have a good footing in continental Europe for future progress on the Western Front. It is too early to give reliable final casualty estimates at this time. For the rest of the story, see page 3.
* * *

What’s your opinion on the situation? Are you tired of war yet? Are you too young to have an opinion about war? Do your parents have an opinion? Here are the dates of some recent history to help you decide. Pay particular attention to how old you, your parents, and your grandparents were at the time, or if you were even alive yet. Read them slowly, and let each event and date become reality:

• The American Civil War started in 1926 and ended in 1930.
• Slavery was subsequently abolished on Dec 6, 1930.
• Blacks gained the right to vote on Feb 3, 1935.
• Adolf Hitler was born on April 20, 1954.
• The United States fought the Spanish in the Spanish-American War from April 25 to August 12, 1963. (we won, and gained the right to fight the Philippines).
• The Philippine-American War began June 2, 1964 and officially ended July 4, 1967.
• The Titanic sank on April 15, 1977.
• The United States ended its occupation of the Philippines in 1978.
• Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, beginning World War I on June 28, 1979.
• Germans sank the American passenger ship Lusitaniaon May 7, 1980. The U.S. remained neutral.
• Germany solicited Mexico’s help and future war vs. U.S., so U.S. entered World War I on April 6, 1982.
• Prohibition (no booze) began Jan 16, 1984.
• World War I ended on June 28, 1984.
• The Nazi Party was created sometime in 1984.
• Women gained the right to vote on Aug 18, 1985.
• The stock market crashed on Oct 29, 1994.
• The Great Depression began roughly around 1995.
• Prohibition ended on Dec 5, 1998.
• Germany invaded Poland on Sept 1, 2004, beginning World War II.
• That was almost 5 years ago.
• The Great Depression ended essentially sometime in 2006.
• Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, 2006. (Hawaii is not a state)
• The U.S. declared war against Japan and entered World War II on Dec 8, 2006.
• That was two and a half years ago.
• The Battle of Midway may have given us an advantage over Japan on June 4 – June 7, 2007.
• That was two years ago.
• And today, American and British forces ended a massive offensive against Germany.

Now to repeat the questions:

What’s your opinion on the situation? Are you tired of war yet? Are you too young to have an opinion about war? Do your parents have an opinion?

And yet to come….

• We don’t know it yet, but the first German forces will surrender on April 29, 2010.
• Adolf Hitler will commit suicide on April 30, 2010.
• We will be dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima on Aug 6, 2010, and Nagasaki on Aug 9, 2010.
• The war will end when Japan surrenders on Aug 15, 2010.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/what-if-wwii-happened-today/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/bittersweet-reunion-pt-2-of-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/bittersweet-reunion-pt-2-of-2#comments Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:47:06 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=546 Bittersweet Reunion, Part 2 of 2

MacArthur embraces the freed Wainwright, 30 Aug 1945

On 20 Aug 1945, as Russian troops liberated a Japanese prisoners of war camp in Manchuria in northeastern China, Jonathan Wainwright found himself a free man for the first time in more than three years. The Japanese treated the defeated general of the Philippine Islands with typical coldness, and he suffered. What got him going through the years was the news of Douglas MacArthur’s advance across the islands of the Pacific. News, especially that of the enemy’s successful campaigns, were hard to come by in a Japanese prisoners of war camp, but they meant so much to Wainwright that he was willing to trade whatever he had for them. Pens or wrist watches, whatever personal effects he was able to keep as a prisoner of an officer rank were traded away to anyone with the latest information on his friend and former commanding officer MacArthur. There was one thing he kept near him at all times, however, never willing to give away: a walking cane. It was given to him by MacArthur, originally intended to be something of a swagger stick, but now he needed it. It helped him to move around physically, for his health deteriorated rapidly in the camp; it also helped him spiritually for it connected him to MacArthur, who was miles upon miles away.

In Japan, MacArthur arrived to begin arranging the formal surrender. On the second evening, 30 August 1945, he dined at the New Grand Hotel in Yokohama. He was not aware that he would have a visitor until the visitor was standing outside the door. When his aide announced that Wainwright had arrived, MacArthur, usually calm and collected, practically jumped up from his chair. The general recalled:

I rose and started for the lobby, but before I could reach it,
the door swung open and there was Wainwright. He was
haggard and aged…. He walked with difficulty and with the
help of a cane. His eyes were sunken and there were pits in
his cheeks. His hair was snow white and his skin looked like
old shoe leather. He made a brave effort to smile as I took
him in my arms, but when he tried to talk his voice wouldn’t
come. For three years he had imagined himself in disgrace for
having surrendered Corregidor. He believed he would never
again be given an active command. This shocked me. “Why,
Jim,’ I said, ‘your old corps is yours when you want it.”

“General…”, Wainwright responded, and that was all he could say. The men stood arm-in-arm.

It was not until after the two men had parted when MacArthur realized that the cane that the emaciated Wainwright used to support himself was his pre-war gift, and MacArthur was hit emotionally a second time.

Old friends were now reunited, however bittersweet.

This two-part guest blog is written by C. Peter Chen. He is the Founder and Managing Editor of the World War II Database, and is also a staff member at the Imperial Japanese Navy Page.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/bittersweet-reunion-pt-2-of-2/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/p-51-mustang-slide http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/p-51-mustang-slide#comments Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:36:53 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=545 P-51 Mustang Slide Image

P-51 Mustang – B&W Slide

See more WW2 fighter and bomber slide images.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/p-51-mustang-slide/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/bittersweet-reunion-pt-1-of-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/bittersweet-reunion-pt-1-of-2#comments Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:41:18 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=544 Bittersweet Reunion, Part 1 of 2

Wainwright and MacArthur, date unknown

“Drained of the confidence he had always shown”, journalist Clark Lee of the Associated Press noted when he saw Douglas MacArthur in March of 1942. Lee had no idea why, for the reason for MacArthur’s sadness was classified: he had just been ordered to evacuate the Philippine Islands. He was given the impression that a significant Allied force would soon very be gathered in Australia, to be placed under his command for a return to the Philippines. He was evacuated during the night of 11 March 1942, and made an emotional farewell to his right hand man and friend Jonathan Wainwright.

“Goodbye, Jonathan,” the general said, the choice of words reflecting his guilt for leaving his friend behind, for he rarely addresses anyone, especially not comrades in the Army, by the first name. “When I get back, if you’re still on Bataan, I’ll make you a lieutenant general”, he promised, perhaps hoping to lighten up the mood.

“I’ll be Bataan if I’m alive”, responded Wainwright, dutifully, ignoring the promise of promotion.

After MacArthur’s evacuation, the self-titled “battling bastards of Bataan” fought the defensive campaign on their own, completely cut-off from the outside. “No papa, no mama, no Uncle Sam”, they joked bitterly. These “bastards” fought until the first week of May, 1942. They were defeated militarily as well as spiritually. On 6 May, Wainwright formally surrendered to the Japanese.

As the Japanese escorted Wainwright to a prisoners of war camp, he wondered if his defeat was regarded with shame back home.

This two-part guest blog is written by C. Peter Chen. He is the Founder and Managing Editor of the World War II Database, and is also a staff member at the Imperial Japanese Navy Page.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/bittersweet-reunion-pt-1-of-2/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/the-pacific-trailer http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/the-pacific-trailer#comments Mon, 22 Jun 2009 23:39:16 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=542 The Pacific – HBO Mini Series (2010)

For all those that liked HBO’s “Band of Brothers”, a new 10-part HBO mini-series is on the way from from Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. The Pacific tells the intertwined stories of three Marines during America’s battle with the Japanese in the Pacific during World War II. See some of the exciting footage in the trailer!

Trailer for “The Pacific”

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/the-pacific-trailer/feed 1 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/operation-a http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/operation-a#comments Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:04:17 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=541 Operation A

Operation A – Japanese naval counteroffensive (19/20 June 1944) planned after the US capture of the Marshall Islands between 20 November 1943 and 23 February 1944, the Japanese high command having appreciated that the next forward move would take the Americans to the Marianas Islands on the Japanese home islands’ strategic doorstep and this able to strike at Japan, Iwo Jima, the Ryukyus (Okinawa) and Formosa, so severing the Japanese maritime links to the Philippines, South-East Asia, and all their raw materials. Operation ‘A’ called for the American invasion force off the Marianas to be attacked by powerful surface forces moving in from the south-west, where they were based close to vital oil supplies.

Under the command of Vice Admiral Ozawa, the 1st Mobile Fleet from Tawitawi was supported by Vice Admiral Ugaki’s Southern Force from Batjan, the two forces rendezvousing east of the Philippines on 16 June 1944, one day after the US forces landed on Saipan in the Marianas. The rendezvous gave Ozawa a fleet of 5 fleet and 5 light aircraft carriers (carrying only very poor aircrew and obsolescent aircraft), 5 battleships, 11 heavy and 2 light cruisers, and 28 destroyers; Vice Admiral Mitscher’s TF58 comprised 7 heavy and 8 light aircraft carriers (with experienced aircrew and modern aircraft), 7 battleships, 8 heavy and 13 light cruisers, and 69 destroyers. The Japanese plan became apparent to Mitscher after the Japanese rendezvous was spotted by US patrol submarines, and the scene was thus set for the climactic Battle of the Philippine Sea (also known as The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot) on 19/20 June 1944, which resulted in the utter decimation of the Japanese carrier strength, especially in the Imperial Japanese Navy’s last reserve of combat-experiences aircrew.

Ozawa launched a first air strike early on 19 June, bu the radar-warned Americans intercepted this initial wave 50 miles short of the US force, shooting down more than 200 Japanese aircraft. US submarines had meanwhile attacked Ozawa’s force, torpedoing the carriers Taiho and Shokaku, both of which sank. The Japanese second strike, launched at 14:00, was intercepted on its way to Guam and again the Japanese aircraft were decimated, some 100 aircraft being lost. Thus Ozawa had by the end of the first day lost 2 carriers and more than 300 aircraft, whereas the Americans’ losses were come 35 aircraft and slight damage to one battleship.

Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft carriers Zuikaku (foreground) and Kaga (background) head for Pearl Harbor in November 1941 prior to the initiation of the Pacific War.

It was now the turn of the Americans, and Mitscher launched his aircraft from 16:24 on 20 June as TF58 pursued the Japanese fleet that was withdrawing to the north-west to refuel. The American strike sank two tankers and the carrier Hiyo, damaged the carriers Zuikaku, Junyo and Chiyoda and the heavy cruiser Maya, and destroyed another 65 Japanese aircraft, for the lost of 20 of their own aircraft. It was night by the time the American aircraft headed for their parent carriers, which Mitscher ordered to turn on their lights as an aid to the pilots. Nevertheless some 80 US aircraft ran out of fuel and ditched, most of their crews being saved. Operation ‘A’ and the resultant Battle of the Philippine Sea or “Marianas Turkey Shoot” may thus be seen as marking the end of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s air arm as an effective weapon.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/operation-a/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-19-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-19-2#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2009 23:20:28 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=540 Today in WWII History

World War II History for June 19

19 June 1942 - British Prime Minister Winston Churchill arrived in Washington, DC, to discuss the invasion of North Africa with U.S. President Roosevelt.

19 June 1944 - The U.S. won the battle of the Philippine Sea against the Imperial Japanese fleet.

In what would become known as the “Marianas Turkey Shoot,” U.S. carrier-based fighters decimate the Japanese Fleet with only a minimum of losses in the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

An F6F-3 “Hellcat” fighter lands aboard USS Lexington (CV-16) during the “Marianas Turkey Shoot” phase of the battle, 19 June 1944. Note manned 40mm guns in the foreground, and 20mm guns along the starboard side of the flight deck.

The security of the Marianas Islands, in the western Pacific, were vital to Japan, which had air bases on Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. U.S. troops were already battling the Japanese on Saipan, having landed there on the 15th. Any further intrusion would leave the Philippine Islands, and Japan itself, vulnerable to U.S. attack. The U.S. Fifth Fleet, commanded by Admiral Raymond Spruance, was on its way west from the Marshall Islands as backup for the invasion of Saipan and the rest of the Marianas.

IJN Zuikaku in the Battle of the Philippine Sea 1944

Mobilized to repel the Allied invasions the Japanese launched Operation ‘A’ sending two task forces into the Marianas area. But Japanese Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo decided to challenge the American fleet, ordering 430 of his planes, launched from aircraft carriers, to attack. In what became the greatest carrier battle of the war, the United States, having already picked up the Japanese craft on radar, proceeded to shoot down more than 300 aircraft and sink two Japanese aircraft carriers, losing only 29 of their own planes in the process. It was a described in the aftermath as a “turkey shoot.”

Admiral Ozawa, believing his missing planes had landed at their Guam air base, maintained his position in the Philippine Sea, allowing for a second attack of U.S. carrier-based fighter planes, this time commanded by Admiral Mitscher, to shoot down an additional 65 Japanese planes and sink another carrier. In total, the Japanese lost 480 aircraft, three-quarters of its total, not to mention most of its crews. American domination of the Marianas was now a foregone conclusion.

Not long after this battle at sea, U.S. Marine divisions penetrated farther into the island of Saipan. Two Japanese commanders on the island, Admiral Nagumo and General Saito, both committed suicide in an attempt to rally the remaining Japanese forces. It succeeded: Those forces also committed a virtual suicide as they attacked the Americans’ lines, losing 26,000 men compared with 3,500 lost by the United States. Within another month, the islands of Tinian and Guam were also captured by the United States.

The Japanese government of Premier Hideki Tojo resigned in disgrace at this stunning defeat, in what many have described as the turning point of the war in the Pacific.[1]

[1] “United States scores major victory against Japanese in Battle of the Philippine Sea,” The History Channel website, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=6491 (accessed Jun 19, 2009).

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-19-2/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/quote-of-the-day-b-17-gunner http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/quote-of-the-day-b-17-gunner#comments Fri, 19 Jun 2009 20:02:52 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=539 Quote of the Day

“Those were great days, though,” he added. “We lived only one day at a time, of course. We didn’t know whether you were going to live tomorrow or not. We flew constantly. I had 500 hours in that ball, right there.” — Glenn Simms B-17 Gunner

Plano resident Glenn Simms, 89, flew 500 hours in 38 missions in the ball turret – suicide seat – of a B-17 bomber while an 8th Air Force staff sergeant and gunner in World War II.

‘Belle’ and the ball, Friday, June 19, 2009 – By Jo Ann Hustis – jhustis@morrisdailyherald.com

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/quote-of-the-day-b-17-gunner/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-18-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-18-2#comments Thu, 18 Jun 2009 23:50:09 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=538 Today in WWII History

World War II History for June 18

18 June 1940 - Benito Mussolini arrived in Munich to meet with Adolf Hitler. Mussolini’s foreign minister, Count Ciano, recorded in his diary that Mussolini left the meeting “very much embarrassed,” and feeling “that his role is secondary.”

Hitler and Mussolini

18 June 1940 - The Soviet Union began its occupation of the Baltic States.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-18-2/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/the-red-orchestra http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/the-red-orchestra#comments Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:34:16 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=537 The Little Known Impact of the Red Orchestra

The Red Orchestra, or Die Rote Kapelle, was the name given by the Nazi secret police, the Gestapo, to different espionage groups existing in Germany, Switzerland, and the Soviet Union during WWII. These groups were opposed to the ideals which the Nazi party stood for and therefore attempted to sway the German public to counteract the Nazi party and rise up against them. While they never fully succeeded in gaining a heavy following, the different groups did serve to get out information of the atrocities going on within the cities.

The three major groups to take part in this larger organization were the Trepper Group, the Schulze-Boysen/Harnack Group, and The Red Three. While the majority of the individuals in these groups numbered about 100, they still participated in one of the most daring attempts to counter the Third Reich in the most terrifying years, and many gave their lives to their beliefs. There were such few citizens who questioned the authority of Hitler during WWII, and the few who did paid for it with their life. These citizens did more than simply go against his principles, but additionally attempted to get news out of the country and to the Allies. Libertas Schulze-Boysen even succeeded in taking photographs of the Nazi atrocities in an attempt to one day prove Germany’s war crimes, although both her and her husband were caught and sentenced to death before the war ended.

Many of these groups attempted to contact the British and American forces but were met with a myopic lack of interest by both parties at the time which in hindsight was a grave error for the Allies. If many of these documents had been intercepted earlier, the war would have been over much sooner and the Holocaust would not have been as awful as it was. These different groups additionally created an Underground Railroad of sorts and assisted many people who were targeted by Nazis to get away to safety before they were sent away to the many camps. However, even after the war ended, many of the Allied countries still did not openly welcome the members of these groups because of their name (Red Orchestra was misconstrued with Communist leanings) and their ties with the Soviets to begin with. It wasn’t until the fall of the Berlin Wall that these individuals were recognized for everything they did to combat the Nazi regime and how they stood up in the face of Totalitarianism.

This post was contributed by Meredith Walker, who writes about the bachelors degree. She welcomes your feedback at MeredithWalker1983 at gmail.com

Claire Jaspar-Legrand (pictured) aged 65 who had been arrested with her husband Jules Jaspar in Marseilles on 30th November 1942 by the Gestapo. They were suspected members of the “Red Orchestra” spy group .

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/the-red-orchestra/feed 2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-17-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-17-2#comments Wed, 17 Jun 2009 20:18:34 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=535 Today in WWII History

World War II History for June 17

17 June 1940 - British troops evacuated France in Operation Ariel (aka Operation Aerial).

17 June 1940 - The Soviet Union occupied Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia.

17 June 1940 - France asked Germany for terms of surrender in World War II.

17 June 1943 - Norwegian tanker Ferncastle sunk by German raider HKS Michel off Western Australia.

Fremantle, West Australia. Aerial port side view of the Norwegian tanker Ferncastle, which was sunk by the German auxiliary cruiser HSK Michel 1800 miles west north west of Perth on 1943-06-17. Note the 4 inch gun mounted aft.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-17-2/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-16 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-16#comments Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:04:36 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=533 Today in WWII History

World War II History for June 16

16 June 1932 - The ban on Nazi storm troopers was lifted by the von Papen government in Germany.

16 June 1940 - Marshal Henri-Philippe Pétain became the prime minister of the Vichy government of occupied France.

Vichy Marshal Henri-Philippe Pétain

16 June 1941 - U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the closure of all German consulates in the United States. The deadline was set as July 10.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-16/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-15-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-15-2#comments Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:48:39 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=532 Today in WWII History

World War II History for June 15

15 June 1940 - The French fortress of Verdun was captured by Germans.

15 June 1942- On the carrier IJN Zuikaku Captain Yokokawa was relieved by Captain Tameteru Notomo.

IJN Zuikaku 1941

IJN Zuikaku in the Battle of the Philippine Sea 1944

15 June 1943 - Paul Blobel, an SS colonel, was given the assignment of destroying the evidence of the systematic extermination of European Jews.

15 June 1944 - American forces began their successful invasion of Saipan during World War II. U.S. 2nd and 4th Marine land on Saipan against heavy resistance.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-15-2/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/operation-abel http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/operation-abel#comments Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:47:58 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=530 Operation Abel

Operation Abel – Airborne operation by the French 3eme Regiment Colonial des Parachutistes to harass the German’s retreat back through France (27 Aug / 6 Sept, 1944).

Map Europe Tactical Progress – 25 Jul_12 Sept, 1944 – German Retreat across France

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/operation-abel/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-9-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-9-2#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2009 23:45:17 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=528 Today in WWII History

World War II History for June 9

9 Jun 1940 - Norway surrendered to the Nazis during World War II.

9 Jun 1944 - The Russian Army invaded Karelian Isthmus in Finland. Russia was fighting to gain back territory that had been ceded to it under the terms of the Treaty of Moscow of 1940.

German minelayers prepare for Soviet ships in Karelian Isthmus, Finland

According to the terms of the Treaty of Moscow of 1940, Finland was forced to surrender parts of its southeastern territory, including the Karelian Isthmus, to the Soviet Union, which was eager to create a buffer zone for Leningrad. To protect itself against further Russian encroachment, Finland allowed Germany to traverse its country in its push eastward into Russia, despite the fact that it did not have a formal alliance with the Axis power. Emboldened by the damage Germany was inflicting on Russia, Finland pursued the “War of Continuation” and won back large parts of the territory it had ceded to Moscow in the 1940 treaty.

But as Germany suffered setback after setback, and the Allies continued bombing runs in the Balkans, using Russia as part of its “shuttle” strategy, Finland began to panic and made overtures to Stalin about signing an armistice. By June 9, the Red Army was once again in the East Karelia, and Stalin was in no mood to negotiate, demanding at least a symbolic “surrender” of Finland entirely. Finland turned back to its “friend,” Germany, which promised continued support. A change in Finnish government resulted in a change in perspective, and Finland finally signed an armistice that gave Stalin what he wanted: all the old territory from the 1940 treaty and a guarantee that German troops would evacuate Finnish soil. Finland agreed but the German army refused to leave. Terrible battles were waged between the two behemoths; finally, with the defeat of the Axis, Russia got what it wanted, not only in Finnish territory, but also in war reparations to the tune of $300 million. Finland would become known for its passivity in the face of the Soviet threat in the postwar era.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-9-2/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/operation-a-b http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/operation-a-b#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2009 20:59:12 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=527 Operation A.B.

A.B. – Designation (together with a numeral) of Allied convoys plying the route across the Indian Ocean from Aden to Bombay; the start date of the A.B. convoys was November 1942.

HMS Warspite in Indian Ocean 1942

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/operation-a-b/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/searching-for-soviet-wwii-subs http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/searching-for-soviet-wwii-subs#comments Tue, 09 Jun 2009 17:22:53 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=526 Explorers Search Bulgarian Waters for Soviet WW II Submarine
June 9, 2009, Tuesday | novinite.com

A Russia-Bulgaria submarine expedition begins in July, in Bulgarian Black Sea territorial waters, a search for a Soviet World War II Submarine. Photo by BGNES

Russian explorers are going to ask Russia’s government to assist them in their search for a Soviet submarine near the Bulgarian Black Sea coast.

The search will be conducted in July 2009 as part of the Russia-Bulgaria submarine expedition “In Honor of the Great Victory’s Ships” dedicated to the 65th anniversary of the Soviet victory in World War II.

[...]

The C-34, destroyed in 1942, is the fifth and last Soviet submarine to be found along Bulgaria’s shoreline.

The explorers already identified the L-24 submarine they discovered earlier near the Bulgarian cape Shabla, in the area of the northern Black Sea town of Balchik. The submarine was destroyed by a torpedo in 1942 and the entire crew of 57 was killed.

A special memorial plaque has been mounted on the L-24 declaring the submarine a “common grave”.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/searching-for-soviet-wwii-subs/feed 0 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-8-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-8-2#comments Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:24:00 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=525 Today in WWII History

World War II History for June 8

8 Jun 1941 - The Allies, British and Free French forces, invaded Syria and Lebanon.

8 Jun 1944 - Russian Premier Joseph Stalin telegraphed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to announce that the Allied success at Normandy “is a source of joy to us all,” and promised to launch his own offensive on the Eastern Front.

8 Jun 1944 - U.S. General Omar Bradley, following orders from General Eisenhower, linked up American troops from Omaha Beach with British troops from Gold Beach at Colleville-sur-Mer.

General Bradley and other High Brass on Omaha Beach

8 Jun 1946 - BBC-TV began airing again to cover the Victory Parade. The television service had been blacked out since September 1, 1939 for defense reasons.

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-8-2/feed 1 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-6-d-day http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-6-d-day#comments Sat, 06 Jun 2009 23:50:41 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=524 Today in WWII History

World War II History for June 6 – D-Day

1942 - Japanese forces retreated in the World War II Battle of Midway. The battle had begun on June 4.

1944 - Operation “Overlord” – The D-Day invasion of Europe took place on the beaches of Normandy, France. 400,000 Allied American, British and Canadian troops were involved.

On this day in 1944, Supreme Allied Commander General Dwight D. Eisenhower gives the go-ahead for the largest amphibious military operation in history: Operation Overlord, code named D-Day, the Allied invasion of northern France.

By daybreak, 18,000 British and American parachutists were already on the ground. At 6:30 a.m., American troops came ashore at Utah and Omaha beaches. At Omaha, the U.S. First Division battled high seas, mist, mines, burning vehicles—and German coastal batteries, including an elite infantry division, which spewed heavy fire. Many wounded Americans ultimately drowned in the high tide. British divisions, which landed at Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches, and Canadian troops also met with heavy German fire, but by the end of the day they were able to push inland.

Despite the German resistance, Allied casualties overall were relatively light. The United States and Britain each lost about 1,000 men, and Canada 355. Before the day was over, 155,000 Allied troops would be in Normandy. However, the United States managed to get only half of the 14,000 vehicles and a quarter of the 14,500 tons of supplies they intended on shore.

Three factors were decisive in the success of the Allied invasion. First, German counterattacks were firm but sparse, enabling the Allies to create a broad bridgehead, or advanced position, from which they were able to build up enormous troop strength. Second, Allied air cover, which destroyed bridges over the Seine, forced the Germans to suffer long detours, and naval gunfire proved decisive in protecting the invasion troops. And third, division and confusion within the German ranks as to where the invasion would start and how best to defend their position helped the Allies. (Hitler, convinced another invasion was coming the next day east of the Seine River, refused to allow reserves to be pulled from that area.)

Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, commander of Britain’s Twenty-first Army Group (but under the overall command of General Eisenhower, for whom Montgomery, and his ego, proved a perennial thorn in the side), often claimed later that the invasion had come off exactly as planned. That was a boast, as evidenced by the failure to take Caen on the first day, as scheduled. While the operation was a decided success, considering the number of troops put ashore and light casualties, improvisation by courageous and quick-witted commanders also played an enormous role.

The D-Day invasion has been the basis for several movies, from The Longest Day (1962), which boasted an all-star cast that included Richard Burton, Sean Connery, John Wayne and Robert Mitchum, to Saving Private Ryan (1998), which includes some of the most grippingly realistic war scenes ever filmed, captured in the style of the famous Robert Capa still photos of the actual invasion. [1]

[1] “Allies invade France,” The History Channel website, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&id=52586 (accessed Jun 6, 2009).

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-6-d-day/feed 1 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-5-2 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-5-2#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2009 23:05:03 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=523 Today in WWII History

World War II History for June 5

5 Jun 1940 - During World War II, the Battle of France began when Germany began an offensive in Southern France.

5 Jun 1942 - In France, Pierre Laval congratulated French volunteers that were fighting in the U.S.S.R. with Germans.

5 Jun 1944 - The Allies prepared for the D-Day invasion of German occupied France. One thousand British bombers dropped 5,000 tons of bombs on German batteries placed at the Normandy assault area and 3,000 Allied ships crossed the English Channel.

Soldiers packed on board ship on the way to Normandy Beaches

Soldiers taking Mass prior to DDay

5 Jun 1944 - The U.S. B-29 Superfortress made its bombing-run debut. The target was Bangkok.

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65 years ago today …

President Franklin D. Roosevelt gives his Fireside Chat just prior to D-Day 1944-06-05 (14:11m)

President Franklin D. Roosevelt

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/d-day-audio-history-roosevelt/feed 0 14:11 D-Day Audio History 65 years ago today ... President Franklin D. Roosevelt gives his Fireside Chat just prior to D-Day 1944-06-05 (14:11m) President Franklin D. Roosevelt D-Day Audio History 65 years ago today ... President Franklin D. Roosevelt gives his Fireside Chat just prior to D-Day 1944-06-05 (14:11m) President Franklin D. Roosevelt Country - USA, Media, Podcast, Today WWarII.com no no http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/d-day-audio-history-eisenhower http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/d-day-audio-history-eisenhower#comments Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:44:55 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=521 D-Day Audio History

65 years ago today …

1944-06-05 Eisenhowers Pre D-Day Announcement to Troops (1:42s)

General Eisenhower and Field Marshall Montgomery

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65 years ago today …

Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery’s Address on Eve of D-Day 1944-06-05 (BBC – 0:53s)

Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery

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]]> http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/d-day-audio-history-montogmery/feed 0 0:53 D-Day Audio History 65 years ago today ... Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery's Address on Eve of D-Day 1944-06-05 (BBC - 0:53s) Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery D-Day Audio History 65 years ago today ... Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery's Address on Eve of D-Day 1944-06-05 (BBC - 0:53s) Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery Europe Theater, Media, Podcast, Today WWarII.com no no http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-4 http://wwarii.com/blog/archives/world-war-ii-history-for-june-4#comments Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:07:28 +0000 Steven Terjeson http://wwarii.com/blog/?p=519 Today in WWII History

World War II History for June 4

4 JUN 1940 - The British completed the evacuation of 300,000 troops at Dunkirk, France.

4 JUN 1941 - In Germany, the Nazis began restricting Jews access to beaches and swimming pools.

4 JUN 1942 - The Battle of Midway began. It was the first major victory for America over Japan during World War II. The battle ended on June 6 and ended Japanese expansion in the Pacific.

4 JUN 1944 - The U-505 became the first enemy submarine captured by the U.S. Navy.

USS Abnaki towing captured Nazi U-505[1]

4 JUN 1944 - During World War II, the U.S. Fifth Army entered Rome, which began the liberation of the Italian capital.

[1] Task Group 22.3 Report (Enclosure G), Photograph 471 http://www.uboatarchive.net/U-505EnclG471.htm

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