Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 227
March 24, 2018
Today in World War II History—Mar. 24, 1943
Brigadier Orde Wingate, leader of the Chindits (US Army Center of Military History)
75 Years Ago—Mar. 24, 1943: First Chindit Raid ends (British/Indian raids in Japanese-occupied Burma); although one-third of the men were lost, the raid raised morale.
March 23, 2018
Today in World War II History—Mar. 23, 1943
US armor near El Guettar, Tunisia, 23 March 1943 (US Army Center of Military History)
75 Years Ago—Mar. 23, 1943: In heaviest air raid to date, RAF drops 2000 tons of bombs on Dortmund, Germany.
In tank battle at El Guettar in Tunisia, US infantry defeats German armor.
In a free election in occupied Denmark, the Government Party wins 143 seats while the Danish Nazi Party wins 5 seats.
March 22, 2018
Today in World War II History—Mar. 22, 1943
Men of the US 1st Armored Division at railroad station in Maknassy, Tunisia, 22 March 1943 (US Army Center of Military History)
75 Years Ago—Mar. 22, 1943: Nazis extend work week in the occupied Netherlands to 54 hours.
US forces under Patton occupy Maknassy, Tunisia.
March 21, 2018
Book Beat – Wildwood by Elinor Florence
Molly Bannister’s life is falling apart. She’s lost her accounting job in Phoenix, and her four-year-old daughter, Bridget, needs expensive therapy for her selective muteness. Then she learns that she will inherit her great-aunt’s farm, worth $1.5 million, if she agrees to live on the farm for one year. However, the farm lies in the far north of Alberta, Canada, miles from the nearest neighbor. No cell phone service, no internet, no electricity, no plumbing.
Desperate and determined, Molly discards her germophobic ways and plunges into the strange new lifestyle. When she finds her great-aunt’s diary from 1924, she draws strength and wisdom from the plucky pioneer. A young native girl forces Molly to confront her own painful youth, and an intriguing farmer forces her to confront her painful history with men. But can she survive the brutal winter and the trials it brings?
Wildwood by Elinor Florence is a glorious novel! With flawed and relatable characters, gorgeous description, and a loving but realistic look at a difficult lifestyle, Wildwood satisfies on every level. Through Molly’s modern eyes, we see the fortitude of pioneers in a refreshing way—and see our comfortable and rushed lives in a new way as well. Uplifting and thought-provoking, this is a novel to savor.
Today in World War II History—Mar. 21, 1943
Cornelia Fort, 1940 (US Air Force photo)
75 Years Ago—Mar. 21, 1943: Another failed assassination attempt on Hitler’s life, at Heroes Day celebration in Berlin.
In Tunisia, US Army Rangers ambush Italians near Gafsa and take 1000 POWs.
Cornelia Fort becomes first WAFS member (Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, precursor of the WASPs) killed, in a midair collision while ferrying a BT-13 in Texas, the first female American pilot to be killed in active duty.
March 20, 2018
Today in World War II History—Mar. 20, 1943
British field gun firing during the assault on the Mareth line, 30 March 1943 (Imperial War Museum)
75 Years Ago—Mar. 20, 1943: In Tunisia, British Eighth Army launches assault on the Mareth Line, and US II Corps drives for Maknassy.
British Field Marshal Archibald Wavell orders abandonment of Arakan offensive in Burma.
New song in Top Ten: “As Time Goes By.”
March 19, 2018
Today in World War II History—Mar. 19, 1943
Gen. Henry H. “Hap” Arnold, circa 1945 (US Army photo)
75 Years Ago—Mar. 19, 1943: German U-boats break off attacks on Allied North Atlantic convoys HX-229 and SC-122, ending the largest convoy battle of the war.
Henry H. “Hap” Arnold promoted to four-star general, a first for the US Army Air Force.
March 18, 2018
Today in World War II History—Mar. 18, 1943
US Army Air Force recruiting poster, WWII
75 Years Ago—Mar. 18, 1943: US II Corps takes El Guettar, Tunisia.
After successful US Eighth Air Force mission to Vegesack, Germany, US experiment with daylight bombing is declared a success.
March 17, 2018
Today in World War II History—Mar. 17, 1943
Lt. Gen. George Patton in Tunisia, 30 Mar 1943 (Library of Congress)
75 Years Ago—Mar. 17, 1943: Climax of the Battle of the Atlantic (through March 19): German U-boats sink 22 Allied ships, 20% of convoys HX-229 & SC-122, with only one U-boat lost, the last big U-boat victory.
Lt. Gen. George Patton launches drive in Tunisia from Fériana, and occupies Gafsa.
Japanese launch counterattack on the Arakan Peninsula in Burma, leading to Indian retreat.
March 16, 2018
Today in World War II History—Mar. 16, 1943
“Zero Hour” by Jack Chaddock, depicting the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders advancing during the Battle of the Mareth Line, 1943 (Imperial War Museum)
75 Years Ago—Mar. 16, 1943: Montgomery’s British Eighth Army attacks Mareth Line in southern Tunisia, but fails with heavy casualties.
