Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 113

Today in World War II History—November 18, 1942

US poster urging more P-38 Lightning production, WWII (US National Archives: 514398)

80 Years Ago—Nov. 18, 1942: In Tunisia, Germans attack Free French troops at Medjez el Bab.

Australians take Popendetta, Papua New Guinea.

First P-38 Lightning victories in the Southwest Pacific: 2 US P-38s shoot down 3 Japanese Zeros over Tonolei Harbor in the Solomons.

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Today in World War II History—November 17, 1942

Map of first Allied actions in Tunisia, 16-23 November 1942 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Nov. 17, 1942: In Tunisia, British take Beja, and US takes Gafsa and its airfield.

British open Bône Harbor in Algeria.

Vichy French ambassador to the US Gaston Henri-Haye is interned at Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA, with other Vichy French; those who ally with the Free French are released.

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Today in World War II History—November 16, 1942

Troops of the US 128th Infantry Regiment passing through Simemi Village on way to Buna-Gona area, November 1942 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Nov. 16, 1942: British troops coming from Algeria first encounter German troops in Tunisia.

In Papua New Guinea, US and Australians launch drive to clear the Buna-Gona area.

The post Today in World War II History—November 16, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green

When World War II comes to Derby, Maine, wealthy Louise Cavendish decides to close her private town library to open a nursery for the children of factory workers. Avis Montgomery’s reading consists of magazine articles on How to Be the Perfect Housewife, but when her librarian brother goes to war, Avis takes his position. And when Louise unveils her plans to close the library, Avis impulsively founds the Blackout Book Club to convince Louise that the library is necessary to the town and even the war effort.

The book club soon attracts a mishmash of colorful characters. Boisterous Ginny Atkins, who has been thrust from her beloved fishing boats into a factory job. Quiet Martina Bianchini, hiding from her ne’er-do-well husband and facing discrimination as an Italian immigrant. Freddy, Louise’s mysterious new young gardener. And Martina’s bright and spirited children, Gio and Rosa.

As the effects of war are felt in the seaside town, a love of books draws these very different people together into unlikely – and binding – friendship.

A salute to the power of books and of friendship! Not only does the writing sparkle with Amy Lynn Green’s trademark wit, but the characters become your dear friends, slowly exposing the hurts and secrets that have shaped them. Come to The Blackout Book Club for the fun—stay for the depth.

The post The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—November 15, 1942

Battleship USS Washington firing at Japanese battleship Kirishima off Guadalcanal, 14 Nov 1942 (US Navy photo)

80 Years Ago—Nov. 15, 1942: British church bells ring to celebrate El Alamein victory, ringing for first time since June 1940, and the BBC broadcasts a nationwide relay from church belfries.

Naval Battle of Guadalcanal: battleship USS Washington sinks Japanese battleship Kirishima and a Japanese destroyer; Japanese sink 2 US destroyers.

President Roosevelt signs bill lowering draft age from 20-44 years to 18-38 years to spare fathers.

US War Production Board launches official collection program for silk and nylon stockings (Read More: “Make It Do – Stocking Shortages in WWII” )

Deena Clark, Civilian Defense (right), and Tech. Sgt. Leo Malkins of the Army Air Forces (left) collecting used stockings, 1942 (Library of Congress: LC-DIG-fsa-8b08080)

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Today in World War II History—November 14, 1942

Japanese transports Hirokawa Maru and Kinugawa Maru beached and burning after a failed resupply run to Guadalcanal, 15 November 1942 (Australian War Memorial: P02018.165)

80 Years Ago—Nov. 14, 1942: British and Americans launch an offensive from Algeria toward Tunisia.

Naval Battle of Guadalcanal: US naval & land-based aircraft sink a Japanese heavy cruiser, two Japanese troop transports, and five Japanese cargo ships.

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Today in World War II History—November 13, 1942

US poster commemorating the five Sullivan brothers who died in the sinking of the USS Juneau in November 1942

80 Years Ago—Nov. 13, 1942: Naval Battle of Guadalcanal: Japanese ships sink a US light cruiser and 4 US destroyers; US ships and aircraft sink Japanese battleship Hiei and 2 Japanese destroyers.

In Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Rear Adm. Daniel Callaghan & Rear Adm. Norman Scott are killed.

In Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Japanese sub I-26 sinks light cruiser USS Juneau (687/697 killed, including 5 Sullivan brothers).

In a controversial decision, General Eisenhower places Vichy Adm. François Darlan over French North Africa.

WWI ace Eddie Rickenbacker and B-17 crewmen are rescued by US Navy in the Ellice Islands after 21 days afloat.

Japanese battleship Hiei evading bombing, Solomon Islands, 13 Nov 1942; seen from B-17 of US 11th Bombardment Group (US Army photo)

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Today in World War II History—November 12, 1942

Maj. Gen. Lewis Brereton, WWII (public domain via Wikipedia)

80 Years Ago—Nov. 12, 1942: US Ninth Air Force is formed in Egypt under Lt. Gen. Lewis Brereton.

Morocco and Algeria are in Allied hands (770 Americans and 240 British were killed in Torch landings).

Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond, CA, launches Liberty Ship Robert E. Peary four days after the keel is laid, a wartime record.

The post Today in World War II History—November 12, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Veterans Day 2017

Veterans Day 2022 poster (US Department of Veterans Affairs)

At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, the First World War came to an end.

The Armistice was signed for the War to End All Wars, but peace was built on a shoddy foundation, and war returned, nastier than ever.

The end of the Second World War brought the United Nations and the promise of rational negotiation and eternal peace. Instead the nuclear era introduced the tense decades of the Cold War, flaring up in brutal regional wars in Korea, Vietnam, and throughout Africa and Central and South America.

The collapse of the Soviet Union and the fall of the Berlin Wall brought optimism for a peaceful, democratic world. This was shattered by the terrorist tactics of a new enemy without borders to attack or a government to negotiate with. A cowardly enemy that cheers when children blow up children or when tourists are mowed down on their holidays.

The human heart yearns for peace but is drawn to war. We can argue about it and say it shouldn’t be this way, but it is.

That’s why our armed services are vital. Our veterans have repelled the forces of fascism, totalitarianism, and communism, and for this we owe them our eternal gratitude. Our active servicemen and servicewomen are currently fighting the forces of terrorism and standing guard against dictators, and for this we owe them our active support and appreciation.

On this 11th day of the 11th month, we thank the members of our armed services, past and present, for protecting our lives, our homes, and our freedom. May God bless you.

The post Veterans Day 2017 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—November 11, 1942

French Gen. Auguste Paul Noguès is met by US Col. Hobart R. Gay at Fedala, French Morocco, to negotiate an armistice, 11 November 1942 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Nov. 11, 1942: US takes Casablanca, French Morocco.

Allied and French forces cease fire is effective in North Africa at 0700.

German troops occupy Vichy France in response to the French surrender in North Africa, occupy all but Marseille and Toulon.

British Eighth Army enters Libya, pushing Germans out of Egypt.

Three Air Evacuation Squadrons are activated at Bowman Field, KY (Read more: “Medical Air Evacuation in World War II”).

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