Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 135

Today in World War II History—April 29, 1942

US poster, WWII

80 Years Ago—Apr. 29, 1942: Japanese take Lashio in Burma, cutting Burma Road and blockading China.

First US coastal convoy leaves New York for the Delaware River; tanker traffic resumes along US East Coast.

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Today in World War II History—April 28, 1942

US poster, WWII

80 Years Ago—Apr. 28, 1942: US Office of Price Administration freezes prices of 60% of food items and all essential items, including tobacco, medicines, toiletries, and infant food.

Britain orders more “austerity” garments and bans lace on clothing.

Marquees in New York’s Times Square are blacked out as coastal dim-outs go into effect in a 15-mile strip around New York City.

US poster, WWII

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Today in World War II History—April 27, 1942

Canadian recruitment poster, WWII (Imperial War Museum)

80 Years Ago—Apr. 27, 1942: Explosion at a Japanese mine in Manchuria kills 1527—the worst mine disaster ever.

In US, registration begins for upcoming sugar rationing, and sale of sugar is halted for a week (Read more “Make It Do—Sugar Rationing in World War II”).

In plebiscite, Canadian voters approve military conscription, except voters in Québec.

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Today in World War II History—April 26, 1942

“Fire Blitz on Bath,” 1942, by Wilfred Haines (Imperial War Museum: ART LD 3052)

80 Years Ago—Apr. 26, 1942: German Reichstag meets for the final time and gives Hitler absolute power, removing all legal restrictions on him.

Luftwaffe flies retaliatory “Baedeker Raid” to historic Bath, England.

Hollywood Victory Caravan train leaves Los Angeles—two dozen movie stars will stage shows in 12 cities over the next two weeks, raising $700,000 for Army and Navy relief funds.

Eleanor Roosevelt on the White House lawn with entertainers on the Hollywood Victory Caravan, 30 April 1942. Seated, from left: Oliver Hardy, Joan Blondell, Charlotte Greenwood, Charles Boyer, Risë Stevens, Desi Arnaz, Frank McHugh, writer Matt Brooks, James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, Juanita Stark, Alma Carroll; (standing, from left) Merle Oberon, Eleanor Powell, Arleen Whelan, Marie McDonald, Fay McKenzie, Katharine Booth, Eleanor Roosevelt, Frances Gifford, Frances Langford, Elyse Knox, Cary Grant, Claudette Colbert, Bob Hope, Ray Middleton, Joan Bennett, Bert Lahr, director Mark Sandrich, writer Jack Rose, Stan Laurel, Jerry Colonna and Groucho Marx (Library of Congress Bob Hope Collection ID# bhp0124)

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Today in World War II History—April 25, 1942

US poster, WWII

80 Years Ago—Apr. 25, 1942: Britain’s Princess Elizabeth registers for youth war service. (Read more: “The British Royal Family in World War II”)

US War Shipping Administration requisitions privately owned tankers and cargo ships.

New song in Top Ten: “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree.”

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Today in World War II History—April 24, 1942

US Marine Corps recruiting poster, WWII

80 Years Ago—Apr. 24, 1942: US Marine Corps raises maximum age for recruits from 33 to 36.

Lucy Maud Montgomery, author of Anne of Green Gables, dies in Toronto, Ontario, age 67.

Lucy Maud Montgomery, 1930s (Library and Archives, Canada: C-011299)

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Today in World War II History—April 23, 1942

“Study for a Fire Guard Team,” Exeter, 1943, by William Clausen, after the Baedeker Raid to Exeter (Imperial War Museum: ART LD 3197)

80 Years Ago—Apr. 23, 1942: Luftwaffe bombs Exeter in first “Baedeker Raid,” bombings of British historical sites listed in the Baedeker tourist guides.

As the Japanese advance, Chinese 6th Army retreats from Burma back into China.

First supply U-boat, U-459, delivers fuel and supplies to U-boats, extending their range, nicknamed Milchkuh (milk cow) U-boats.

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Today in World War II History—April 22, 1942

US C-46 Commando cargo plane flying over the “Hump” during World War II (US Army Air Forces photo)

80 Years Ago—Apr. 22, 1942: US Tenth Air Force begins regular air supply service over the “Hump” between India and China and begins evacuating 4500 personnel from Burma to India.

Movie premiere of Hitchcock’s Saboteur, starring Robert Cummings and Priscilla Lane.

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Today in World War II History—April 21, 1942

Map of locations where German-American civilians were interned in World War II (via Wikimedia Commons, CrystalCity1945)

80 Years Ago—Apr. 21, 1942: President Roosevelt orders seizure of all patents held by enemy nations.

Kenedy Alien Detention Center opens in Texas for enemy alien civilians (German, Italian, and Japanese citizens).

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Shadows in the Mind’s Eye by Janyre Tromp

When Samuel Mattas returns home to Arkansas after serving as a sailor in World War II, he only wants to run the family peach orchard and start over with his beloved wife, Annie, and the daughter he’s never met.

Annie has been getting by the best she can in Sam’s absence, with welcome help from Sam’s brother and his best friend – and unwelcome help from the father she’s rejected due to his lofty position in the corrupt local government.

But Sam’s scars from piloting landing craft onto beaches in the Pacific run deep. He has nightmares and startles at sounds. And when he sees lights in the sorting shed and hears voices at night, his family begins to wonder if his scars run too deep. Sam wonders too. Or has he stumbled on a secret that could bring unspeakable danger to all he loves?

Oh my! What a story! Shadows in the Mind’s Eye is a stunner of a debut novel. Sam and Annie’s love is beautifully rendered, Sam’s combat fatigue (what we now call PTSD) is compassionately portrayed, and Janyre Tromp‘s writing effortlessly captures the Southern voice. And the last half of the book is one dangerous, breathtaking twist after another, as Sam’s worst nightmares come to pass. A compelling look at a town struggling to find its soul and a wounded couple struggling to reclaim their love. Not to be missed.

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