Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 131

Today in World War II History—June 6, 1942

SBDs from carrier USS Hornet over Japanese cruiser Mikuma, 6 Jun 1942 (US National Archives: 80-G-17054)

80 Years Ago—June 6, 1942: In Battle of Midway, SBD dive bombers from US carriers Enterprise and Hornet sink Japanese heavy cruiser Mikuma.

Japanese occupy Kiska in the Aleutians.

Nationwide movie premiere of Yankee Doodle Dandy, starring James Cagney as songwriter George M. Cohan.

Theatrical poster for US release of Yankee Doodle Dandy, 1942 (public domain via Wikipedia)

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Today in World War II History—June 5, 1942

Japanese carrier Hiryu burning, photographed by a plane from Japanese carrier Hosho, 5 Jun 1942 (US Naval History and Heritage Command: NH 73064)

80 Years Ago—June 5, 1942: In the Battle of Midway, Japanese scuttle carriers Akagi and Hiryu, which had been damaged by SBD dive bombers from carrier USS Enterprise the day before.

British Eighth Army attacks German forces in “The Cauldron” at Gazala, Libya, but is driven back.

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Today in World War II History—June 4, 1942

Oil tanks burning on Midway Atoll after Japanese attack, 4 Jun 1942 (US National Archives: 80-G-17056)

80 Years Ago—June 4, 1942: In the Battle of Midway, Japanese planes attack Midway Island but are driven off by US Marine Corps aircraft.

SBD from carrier USS Enterprise on the flight deck of carrier USS Yorktown due to fuel exhaustion, 4 Jun 1942 (US Naval History and Heritage Command: NH 95557)

At Midway, US Navy carrier aircraft attack the Japanese fleet—the first round of TBD torpedo bombers is decimated, but they draw off enemy fighters, allowing SBD dive bombers to attack. SBDs from USS Enterprise sink Japanese carrier Kaga, and SBDs from USS Yorktown sink Japanese carrier Soryu.

Lt. (jg) William Leonard’s F4F-4 Wildcat taking off from carrier USS Yorktown during Battle of Midway, 4 Jun 1942 (US National Archives: 80-G-312016)

German SS Gen. Reinhard Heydrich dies in Prague, shot by Czech resistance fighters May 27.

Movie premiere of Mrs. Miniver, starring Greer Garson and Walter Pidgeon (Academy Award winner—best picture, best actress).

Theatrical release poster for the 1942 film Mrs. Miniver (public domain via Wikipedia)

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Today in World War II History—June 3, 1942

B-17E bombers taking off from Midway Atoll, 3-4 Jun 1942 (US Air Force photo: 22635 AC)

80 Years Ago—June 3, 1942: US Navy Catalina discovers Japanese fleet bound for Midway.

US Seventh Air Force B-17s from Hawaii ineffectively bomb Japanese carriers headed for the Battle of Midway.

Planes from Japanese carriers Junyo and Ryujo bomb Fort Mears and Dutch Harbor, Unalaska Island, Alaska.

Buildings in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, in flames after Japanese strike, 3 Jun 1942 (US Army photo)

The post Today in World War II History—June 3, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—June 2, 1942

Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Guadalcanal alongside captured German U-boat U-505, 4 June 1944 (US Naval History and Heritage Command: 80-G-49170)

80 Years Ago—June 2, 1942: BBC reports news from the Polish underground of Nazi mass extermination of Jews.

Henry J. Kaiser proposes building auxiliary carriers; the Navy awards him a contract for the Casablanca class by the end of the month (renamed escort carriers in July 1943).

Jazz trumpeter and bandleader Bunny Berigan dies in New York City, age 33.

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Today in World War II History—June 1, 1942

William Baldwin, the first African-American US Navy recruit for General Service, 2 Jun 1942 (US National Archives: 208-NP-8B-2)

80 Years Ago—June 1, 1942: RAF launches 1000-bomber raid on Essen, Germany.

Nazis open Treblinka concentration camp in occupied Poland.

US Navy lets Blacks enlist in services other than the mess—but not as officers and only in segregated units.

Permanente Health Plan is established for employees of Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond, CA.

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Today in World War II History—May 31, 1942

Grumman TBF-1 Avenger torpedo bomber with early 1942 markings (US Navy photo)

80 Years Ago—May 31, 1942: US Navy TBF Avenger torpedo bombers are first deployed in Pacific Theater: 6 are dispatched to Midway.

US War Stamp drive ends—the drive raised $7.25 million through sales in drugstores. (Read more: “World War II War Bonds”)

Japanese midget subs enter Sydney Harbor in Australia and sink accommodation vessel HMAS Kuttabul and damage Dutch sub K-IX; 3 midget subs are lost.

Japanese midget submarine raised from Sydney Harbor, Australia, the day after the attack, 1 Jun 1942 (Australian War Memorial: 060696)

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On This Memorial Day

US Navy sailors honoring fellow sailors killed during the Pearl Harbor attack, Naval Air Station Kaneohe, Oahu, 30 May 1942 (US National Archives: 80-G-K-13328)

On Memorial Day, we remember those who gave their lives in defense of our country.

We live in freedom because they fought tyranny.

We live without fear because they faced danger.

We live in comfort because they gave up all comforts.

We live because of their sacrifices.

 

Let’s never take these gifts for granted. They were purchased at high cost.

Over 1 million Americans have given their lives in war (Source: English, June A., Jones, Thomas D., Scholastic Encyclopedia of the United States at War, New York NY: Scholastic Reference, 1998).

American Revolution: 4,435War of 1812: 2,260Mexican-American War: 13,283Civil War: 498,332Spanish-American War: 2,446World War I: 116,708World War II: 407,316Korean War: 33.651Vietnam War: 58,168Gulf War: 293War on Terrorism (Source: icasualties.org): 4586 in Iraq, 2465 in Afghanistan

On this Memorial Day, take a moment to remember. And take a moment to thank God for freedom and life.

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Today in World War II History—May 30, 1942

US Navy sailors honoring fellow sailors killed during the Pearl Harbor attack, Naval Air Station Kaneohe, Oahu, 30 May 1942 (US National Archives: 80-G-K-13328)

80 Years Ago—May 30, 1942: RAF Operation Millennium: first 1000-bomber raid, to Cologne, Germany.

USS Yorktown leaves Pearl Harbor for Midway after hasty repairs from damage at the Battle of the Coral Sea.

Germans execute French writer Jacques Decour in Paris; Decour founded a resistance group for writers as well as three literary resistance papers.

United States commemorates Memorial Day.

Aircraft carrier USS Yorktown in Dry Dock #1, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, 29 May 1942 (US National Archives: 80-G-13065)

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Today in World War II History—May 29, 1942

Premiere of Yankee Doodle Dandy at New York’s Hollywood Theatre; New York governor Al Smith and his wife are in the horse-drawn carriage, 29 May 1942 (public domain via Wikipedia)

80 Years Ago—May 29, 1942: First flight of the only Australian-produced aircraft of WWII, the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation CA-12 Boomerang fighter.

Actor John Barrymore dies of pneumonia in Los Angeles, age 60.

In New York City, special premiere of musical Yankee Doodle Dandy, starring James Cagney as songwriter George M. Cohan, with tickets only available with purchase of a war bond.

Australian-built CAC Boomerang fighter Sinbad II of No. 5 (Tactical Reconnaissance) Squadron RAAF, Mareeba, Queensland 15 March 1944 (Australian War Museum: NEA0408)

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