Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 246
September 28, 2017
Today in World War II History—Sept. 28, 1942
Australian soldier examines Japanese artillery shells abandoned at Ioribaiwa, New Guinea, Sept. 1942 (Australian War Memorial)
75 Years Ago—Sept. 28, 1942: Australians take Ioribaiwa in drive back up Kokoda Trail on New Guinea.
September 27, 2017
Today in World War II History—Sept. 27, 1942
Glenn Miller, Billboard Magazine, 16 May 1942 (public domain)
75 Years Ago—Sept. 27, 1942: US Liberty ship Stephen Hopkins sinks German auxiliary cruiser Stier off South Africa, but sinks too; 15 US survivors make 31-day lifeboat trip to Brazil; the only US ship to sink a German surface warship in WWII.
Glenn Miller and his orchestra perform together for the last time before Miller enters the US Army Air Force, at Central Theater, Passaic, NJ.
September 26, 2017
Today in World War II History—Sept. 26, 1942
75 Years Ago—Sept. 26, 1942: US War Labor Board issues directive for women to have equal pay for equal work (not implemented until April ‘43).
Auxiliary carrier USS Bogue is commissioned, Tacoma, WA.
New song in Top Ten: “Serenade in Blue.”
Auxiliary carrier USS Bogue (ACV-9) underway near Norfolk, VA, 20 June 1943 (US Navy photo)
September 25, 2017
Today in World War II History—Sept. 25, 1942
Girls from Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, CA, train in marksmanship with the High School Victory Corps, 1942 (US National Archives)
75 Years Ago—Sept. 25, 1942: Australians launch offensive toward Ioribaiwa on Kokoda Trail, New Guinea.
In first joint US-Canadian mission, US Eleventh Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force bomb Kiska and Little Kiska.
Camp Pendleton is officially established in California, the main Marine Corps facility on West Coast.
US establishes High School Victory Corps for wartime training and service.
September 24, 2017
Today in World War II History—Sept. 24, 1942
Gen. Franz Halder, 1938 (German Federal Archive: Bild 146-1970-052-08)
75 Years Ago—Sept. 24, 1942: Over Stalingrad, Soviet pilot Olga Yamschchikova becomes the first female pilot to shoot down an enemy aircraft.
Hitler dismisses Gen. Franz Halder, Chief of Army General Staff, for criticizing policy, replaced by Gen. Kurt Zeitzler.
September 23, 2017
Today in World War II History—Sept. 23, 1942
75 Years Ago—Sept. 23, 1942: Brig. Gen. James Doolittle is named the new commander of the US Twelfth Air Force, which will go to North Africa.
US Marines launch offensive on Lunga perimeter on Guadalcanal to drive Japanese out of range of Henderson Field.
September 22, 2017
Today in World War II History—Sept. 22, 1942
US Army rank insignia for master sergeant, WWII
75 Years Ago—Sept. 22, 1942: Germans split Soviet army in Stalingrad, occupy southern half of city.
US Army raises grade of first sergeant to that of master sergeant, adds third “rocker” to chevron.
September 21, 2017
Today in World War II History—Sept. 21, 1942
Boeing XB-29, 1942 (US Air Force photo)
75 Years Ago—Sept. 21, 1942: British and Indian troops launch assault into the Arakan Peninsula in Burma.
First test flight of Boeing XB-29 Superfortress heavy bomber in Seattle.
September 20, 2017
Today in World War II History—Sept. 20, 1942
75 Years Ago—Sept. 20, 1942: As of this date, US production of Liberty ships exceed sinkings of cargo ships.
Allied Combined Chiefs of Staff approve final plan for Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa in November 1942.
September 19, 2017
Today in World War II History—Sept. 19, 1942
British poster recruiting women for Fire Service, WWII
75 Years Ago—Sept. 19, 1942: Britain expands Compulsory Fire Watch duty to women ages 20-45 with exemptions for pregnant women and mothers of children under 14.
Canada begins rationing gasoline—civilians receive 2.5 gallons per week.
New song in Top Ten: “Wonder When My Baby’s Coming Home?”
