Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 116

Today in World War II History—October 24, 1942

US Marines at the mouth of the Matanikau River, 24 October 1942 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 24, 1942: Main detachment of Western Task Force leaves Hampton Roads, VA & Casco Bay, ME, for Operation Torch landings in Morocco, under Rear Adm. Kent Hewitt.

Australians secure Goodenough Island off New Guinea.

On Guadalcanal, Japanese attack the Lunga perimeter and at the Matanikau River, but are repulsed.

New songs in Top Ten: “Dearly Beloved,” “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition.”

The post Today in World War II History—October 24, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—October 23, 1942

Australian soldiers running toward the front lines during reenactment of Second Battle of El Alamein, 24 Oct 1942 (Imperial War Museum: 4700-32 E 18474)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 23, 1942: Second Battle of El Alamein begins: British Eighth Army under Gen. Bernard Montgomery breaks through German defenses in Egypt.

First detachment of Western Task Force departs Hampton Roads, VA, for landings in Morocco.

Eleanor Roosevelt arrives in Britain for a three-week visit, in which she promises soldiers warmer socks and faster mail.

King George VI, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Queen Elizabeth, in London, England, 23 Oct 1942 (US National Archives: ARC 195320)

The post Today in World War II History—October 23, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—October 22, 1942

British recruitment poster, WWII

80 Years Ago—Oct. 22, 1942: Britain reduces age of conscription to 18.

First transports for Operation Torch, the Allied landings in North Africa, depart Britain (cargo ships).

The post Today in World War II History—October 22, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—October 21, 1942

Lt. Gen. Mark Clark aboard USS Ancon off Salerno, Italy, 12 Sept 1943 (US National Archives: 80-G-87335)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 21, 1942: Maj. Gen. Mark Clark lands by submarine at Cherchel, Algeria, for a clandestine meeting with the Vichy French in preparation for the upcoming Allied invasion.

WWI ace Eddie Rickenbacker’s B-17 ditches in the central Pacific; crew afloat for 24 days.

Congress passes Revenue Act of 1942, which raises $7 billion in new income taxes and reduces deductions, adding 13 million new taxpayers into the system.

Movie premiere of For Me and My Gal with Gene Kelly in his debut and Judy Garland.

The post Today in World War II History—October 21, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—October 20, 1942

US poster encouraging lumber production, 1943

80 Years Ago—Oct. 20, 1942: US War Production Board orders stop to all non-essential civil construction projects.

Southern Conference on Race Relations issues Durham Manifesto urging voting rights and equal educational and job opportunities.

The post Today in World War II History—October 20, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—October 19, 1942

US poster encouraging tin can collection, WWII

80 Years Ago—Oct. 19, 1942: German Jews are no longer allowed meat, wheat products, milk, or eggs.

King Christian X of Denmark falls from his horse and becomes disabled, ending his daily rides unaccompanied through Copenhagen.

US War Production Board mandates tin can collection in cities with a population greater than 25,000. (See Make It Do – Scrap Drives During World War II)

King Christian X riding through Copenhagen on his 70th birthday, 26 September 1940 during the German occupation of Denmark (public domain via Wikipedia)

The post Today in World War II History—October 19, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—October 18, 1942

Vice Adm. William Halsey, 1941 (US Naval History and Heritage Command: NH 95552)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 18, 1942: Hitler orders execution of all Allied commandos taken prisoner, even if in uniform.

Vice Adm. William Halsey replaces Vice Adm. Robert Ghormley as Commander South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force.

The post Today in World War II History—October 18, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—October 17, 1942

US Army V-Disc with Bing Crosby recordings of “White Christmas” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” 1945 (public domain via Wikipedia)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 17, 1942: Germans take stronghold of the Tractor Factory in Stalingrad.

Abel’s Field opens at Fasari, New Guinea, named after missionary Cecil Abel who constructed the airfield with native help.

New song in Top Ten: “White Christmas.”

The post Today in World War II History—October 17, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—October 16, 1942

Submarine USS Thresher after launch, March 1940 (US Navy photo)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 16, 1942: Cyclone kills 40,000 in Bengal, leading to serious famine in 1943.

USS Thresher lays mines in the approaches to Bangkok, Thailand, in the first US Navy submarine mine plant of WWII.

Aaron Copland ballet Rodeo premieres at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City.

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

Today in World War II History—October 15, 1942

Soldiers of US 92nd Infantry Division with German prisoner captured in civilian clothes, Lucca, Italy, September 1944 (US National Archives: 535566)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 15, 1942: Japanese execute three American airmen captured after the Doolittle Raid.

US 92nd Infantry Division (“Buffalo Soldiers”) is reactivated at Fort Huachuca, AZ, composed of African-American troops.

US begins rationing of fuel oil for heating in the East and Midwest.

The post Today in World War II History—October 15, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.