Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 222

Today in World War II History—May 11, 1943

US Army troops landing at Massacre Bay, Attu, Aleutian Islands, US Territory of Alaska, 11 May 1943 (Library of Congress)

75 Years Ago—May 11, 1943: US Army 7th Infantry Division lands on Attu in the Aleutians, at Massacre and Holtz Bays and at Alexai Point; heavy opposition from the Japanese; this is the only WWII land battle on US territory.

Today in World War II History—May 10, 1943

German troops surrender to the crew of a Stuart tank in Tunisia, 6 May 1943 (Imperial War Museum)

75 Years Ago—May 10, 1943: In Tunisia, British First Army takes Hammamet, cutting off Cap Bon Peninsula.

Today in World War II History—May 9, 1943

Card made for mothers to send to their sons in uniform, Mother’s Day, 9 May 1943 (Source: US Marine Corps)

75 Years Ago—May 9, 1943: US II Corps breaks through to Tunisian east coast, dividing Axis forces.

US celebrates Mother’s Day.

Today in World War II History—May 8, 1943

German officer questioning Jews in Warsaw, Poland, 14-15 May 1943 (US National Archives)

75 Years Ago—May 8, 1943: New songs in Top Ten: “Comin’ in on a Wing and a Prayer,” and “You’ll Never Know”; these songs are recorded a cappella to bypass the musicians’ union recording strike.

Nazis capture headquarters of Jewish resistance in the Warsaw ghetto.

Today in World War II History—May 7, 1943

US troops and tanks in Bizerte, Tunisia, 7 May 1943 (US Army Center of Military History)

75 Years Ago—May 7, 1943: In Tunisia, US II Corps takes Bizerte and British take Tunis.

Lt. Gen. Jacob Devers takes command of US European Theater of Operations.

Britain expands conscription of women for war work from ages 19-30 to ages 18-45.

Today in World War II History—May 6, 1943

Map of Allied operations in Tunisia, 3-13 May 1943 (US Army Center of Military History)

75 Years Ago—May 6, 1943: Most intense Allied aerial bombardment yet in North Africa (by RAF and US Ninth and Twelfth Air Forces) as British drive for Tunis and US for Bizerte.

In continuing attack on Allied convoy ONS-5, British destroyers and corvettes sink five German U-boats.

Today in World War II History—May 5, 1943

US poster featuring the North American P-51B Mustang, WWII

75 Years Ago—May 5, 1943: In continuing attack on Allied North Atlantic convoy ONS-5, eleven Allied ships and one German U-boat are sunk.

Adm. Sir Charles Little is named Allied Naval Commander-in-Chief Expeditionary Force for Operation Overlord (D-day); he will be succeeded by Adm. Sir Bertram Ramsay in October.

Japanese launch offensive south of Yangtze River toward Chungking.

First flight of production-model North American P-51B Mustang (with a Packard-built Merlin engine), at Inglewood, CA.

Today in World War II History—May 4, 1943

Capt. Clark Gable with a B-17 Flying Fortress in England, 1943 (US Army photo)

75 Years Ago—May 4, 1943: In US Eighth Air Force mission to Antwerp, US P-47 Thunderbolt fighters escort the bombers for first time and Capt. Clark Gable flies his first mission in a B-17 Flying Fortress with the 351st Bombardment Group.

Today in World War II History—May 3, 1943

Lt. Gen. Frank Andrews, WWII (US Army photo)

75 Years Ago—May 3, 1943: Lt. Gen. Frank Andrews, commander of US European Theater of Operations, is killed in a plane crash in Iceland.

US II Corps takes Mateur, Tunisia.

British 6th Airborne Division is established under Maj. Gen. Richard Gale.

Pulitzer Prize in Literature awarded to Upton Sinclair for Dragon’s Teeth.

US 1st Infantry Division tank speeding to Mateur, Tunisia, 3 May 1943 (US Army Center of Military History)

Today in World War II History—May 2, 1943

RAAF Spitfires taking off from airfield near Darwin, Australia, 24 March 1943 (Australian War Memorial)

75 Years Ago—May 2, 1943: Japanese bomb Darwin in 54th air raid on Australia; RAAF loses eight Spitfire fighter planes when intercepting bombers and Zero fighters.

In a Fireside Chat, Pres. Franklin Roosevelt appeals to striking coal miners to return to work.