Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 137

Today in World War II History—April 12, 1942

US soldiers in Malinta Tunnel on Corregidor, April 1942. (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Apr. 12, 1942: Pandit Nehru, head of the Indian Congress Party, pledges to cooperate with the Allies.

Japanese begin bombardment of Corregidor.

Royce Raid: US Brig. Gen. Ralph Royce leads 3 B-17s and 10 B-25s to the Philippines, bombs, then evacuates 44 officers and civilians the next day.

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

The Lines Between Us by Amy Lynn Green

When the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, a budding romance between Dorie Armitage and Gordon Hooper is clipped short as Dorie is appalled by Gordon’s pacifism. Worse, in Dorie’s eyes, Gordon influences her brother Jack into becoming a conscientious objector. Dorie herself enlists in the Women’s Army Corps, even though her penchant for defying rules makes military life rather difficult for her.

As conscientious objectors, Gordon and Jack are trained as smokejumpers, parachuting into the Oregon forests to fight wildfires. But an alarmingly high number of fires erupt in the off-season, one of which critically injures Jack. Suspicious, Gordon begins to investigate.

Just as suspicious, Dorie arrives for her own investigation, telling a bushel of lies along the way. Gordon and Dorie have no interest in working together, but their mutual need to find the truth drives them to set aside their distrust. Roadblocks impede their investigation at every turn, and it becomes more and more apparent that the fires are no accident – and someone doesn’t want the truth revealed.

Amy Lynn Green returns with a sophomore novel as delightful as her thoroughly delightful debut! With vivid characters, The Lines Between Us explores fascinating aspects of the US Home Front in World War II – and with a flair. Humor and danger are deftly woven with thoughtful themes about honesty and the true meaning of courage. I adored this novel and recommend it highly!

The post The Lines Between Us by Amy Lynn Green first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—April 11, 1942

US Merchant Marines poster, 1943 (US National Archives via American Merchant Marine at War)

80 Years Ago—Apr. 11, 1942: Germans contain Soviet landings at Eupatolia in the Crimea.

US authorizes the Distinguished Service Medal for Merchant Marines.

The post Today in World War II History—April 11, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—April 10, 1942

American prisoners on the Bataan Death March, April 1942 (US National Archives: 532548)

80 Years Ago—Apr. 10, 1942: Bataan Death March begins: 75,000 US & Filipino troops are forced on a 55-mile march to Camp O’Donnell over the next two weeks; about 10,000 will die.

James Landis is officially made the director of US Office of Civilian Defense.

Candy and cigarettes are rationed in the Netherlands.

The post Today in World War II History—April 10, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—April 9, 1942

American and Filipino troops surrendering at Bataan, Luzon, Philippines, 9 Apr 1942 (US National Parks Service)

80 Years Ago—Apr. 9, 1942: US surrenders to Japanese at Bataan: 35,000 Filipino troops and 35,000 US troops, the largest surrender in US history.

British carrier HMS Hermes and Australian destroyer HMAS Vampire are sunk off Ceylon by Japanese carrier aircraft.

Danish resistance paper Frit Danmark is established by conservative politician Christmas Møller and communist politician Aksel Larsen.

The New York Times Best Seller list first shows nationwide sales; had listed only New York City best sellers since 1931.

The post Today in World War II History—April 9, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Yours Is the Night by Amanda Dykes

All Mireilles has ever known is living in the Argonne woods with only her beloved father and grandfather. But then the Great War leaves her alone and in danger she can’t begin to fathom.

Matthew Petticrew serves in the US Army, quiet and serious, with a deep need for the belonging he has never known in his lonely life. Out in the trenches, Matthew is surrounded by a mismatched band of misfits. Henry, the farm boy turned reporter, who hides behind a façade. George, an irresponsible Englishman who thought he could escape the war by going to America and then by becoming a chaplain – although he and the Lord are not well acquainted. And Capt. Jasper Truett, a famous war hero with painful secrets.

At night, the soldiers hear the “Angel of the Argonne” singing over them. On patrol, they stumble upon Mira and her forest home. Matthew is enchanted by her and realizes he needs to bring her to safety, to Paris, where she may have family she’s never met. Captain Truett sends Matthew, Henry, and George on this very mission. The journey is long and arduous and will bring Mira and each man in the band to new understanding.

Whenever I read a novel by Amanda Dykes, I’m transported by her lyrical writing into an almost otherworldly world – ours but not quite – a world where story lives on a higher plane, where characters like Matthew and Mira wrench your heart even as George makes you laugh. Best of all, Amanda’s writing sings like her fictional Angel of the Argonne, beckoning with hope and spreading light in a dark world. Yours Is the Night is not to be missed.

The post Yours Is the Night by Amanda Dykes first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—April 8, 1942

Shoulder patch of US Ninth Air Force, WWII

80 Years Ago—Apr. 8, 1942: In the Philippines, Gen. Jonathan Wainwright escapes from Bataan to Corregidor with 2,000 US troops.

US Tenth Air Force flies first supply mission over “The Hump” from India into China, with 10 DC-3s carrying fuel for the Doolittle Raid bombers.

US Ninth Air Force is established at New Orleans Army Air Base, Louisiana; will serve in North Africa and later in Britain.

The post Today in World War II History—April 8, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—April 7, 1942

A boy and his personal effects at 2020 Van Ness Avenue as part of the contingent of 664 residents of Japanese ancestry, first to be evacuated from San Francisco on April 6, 1942 (US National Archives: 536059)

80 Years Ago—Apr. 7, 1942: US Navy announces that Blacks can enlist for general service (Seabees, shore duty, stevedores), not just in the mess, as of 1 June 42, allowing time to build segregated facilities.

Representatives from 11 western states meet with War Relocation Authority to protest Japanese-Americans evacuating to their states; Colorado alone agrees to accept voluntary relocation of “enemy aliens.”

The post Today in World War II History—April 7, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

A Rose for the Resistance by Angela K. Couch

In June 1940, Rosalie Barrieau watches in horror as the Nazis invade her beloved French village of Sainte-Mère-Église and execute her boyfriend, and as her young brother joins the Resistance. She just wants to keep the family nursery blooming and to protect her withdrawn mother. However, as Nazi brutality increases in the next few years, she decides she can no longer remain passive.

Injured German SS soldier Franz Kafka (no connection to the surrealist author!) is sent by his high-ranking SS officer stepfather to the quiet backwaters of Normandy to recover in a safe posting – but he’s beginning to doubt his nation’s ideology. When he aids Rosalie after she’s confronted by one of his fellow soldiers, he’s drawn to her. Later, he finds an injured RAF pilot. Instead of turning him in, he impulsively brings him to Rosalie’s home, crossing a dangerous line for both of them.

Rosalie doesn’t know what to think of the continuing help she receives from Franz as he overlooks family resistance activities. Can she trust him? Or is he setting them all up for a greater fall?

A lovely romance and a touching story of a wounded family. Set amid the bleakness of Nazi-occupied Normandy, A Rose for the Resistance raises thoughtful questions about loyalty and courage and trust. Rosalie and Franz both find strength in dire circumstances, and their love grows from impossible to inevitable. You will lose yourself in Angela K. Couch’s beautiful and suspenseful story!

The post A Rose for the Resistance by Angela K. Couch first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—April 6, 1942

Japanese-American WWI veteran at the Santa Anita Park Assembly Center, Acadia, CA, 5 Apr 1942 (US National Archives: 537044; photographer: Dorothea Lange)

80 Years Ago—Apr. 6, 1942: Japanese air raid on Vizagapatam and Cocanada, India, helps tip India to support the Allies.

Germany cuts ration of bread, meat, and fats.

Due to heavy Luftwaffe raids, British Royal Navy begins to withdraw surface ships from Malta to Gibraltar and Alexandria.

Seven hundred Japanese-Americans are assembled at Santa Anita Racetrack.

First group of Japanese-Americans are evacuated from San Francisco.

The post Today in World War II History—April 6, 1942 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.