Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 264
April 18, 2017
Today in World War II History—Apr. 18, 1942
Lt. Col. James Doolittle (L) and Capt. Marc Mitscher (R) aboard USS Hornet, 18 Apr 1942 (US Naval History and Heritage Command)
75 Years Ago—Apr. 18, 1942: Doolittle Raid: 16 B-25s launched from carrier USS Hornet bomb Tokyo, led by Lt. Col. James Doolittle; little damage inflicted, but significantly increases morale in US and decreases morale in Japan.
US establishes War Manpower Commission to maximize effective use of workers.
Stars and Stripes newspaper re-established for US servicemen.
US B-25 taking off from USS Hornet for the Doolittle Raid, 18 Apr 1942 (US National Archives)
April 17, 2017
Today in World War II History—Apr. 17, 1942
Captured French Army General Giraud at the house where he was imprisoned, Germany, 1940-1941 (US National Archives)
75 Years Ago—Apr. 17, 1942: French Gen. Henri Giraud escapes from Königstein Castle, Dresden, Germany to Switzerland.
RAF Lancasters fly daylight raid to Augsburg, Germany; 7 of 12 bombers shot down.
April 16, 2017
Today in World War II History—Apr. 16, 1942
US government poster, 1942, via American Merchant Marine at War
75 Years Ago—Apr. 16, 1942: Japanese land on Panay and Negros in the Philippines.
US forces on Panay under Col. Albert Christie retreat to mountains to wage guerilla warfare, but will surrender in May.
US Navy orders temporary halt to oil tanker traffic on the US East Coast due to heavy losses to German U-boats.
April 15, 2017
Today in World War II History—Apr. 15, 1942
Eighth Air Force Installations, Aug. 1942 (US Army Air Forces via hyperwar)
75 Years Ago—Apr. 15, 1942: US Eighth Air Force Bomber Command sets up headquarters at High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
King George VI awards the George Cross to Malta for civilian heroism under Luftwaffe bombing, will not be received until September.
April 14, 2017
Today in World War II History—Apr. 14, 1942
German sailors of U-85 are buried with military honors at Hampton National Cemetery, Hampton, VA, 15 Apr 1942 (US Navy photo)
75 Years Ago—Apr. 14, 1942: Off North Carolina, destroyer USS Roper sinks U-85 in first US naval victory over a German U-boat (all 46 killed).
British destroy Yenangyaung oil fields in Burma as Japanese advance.
Yenangyaung oilfields being destroyed by retreating British troops, Burma, 15 Apr 1942 (Imperial War Museum)
April 13, 2017
Today in World War II History—Apr. 13, 1942
Navigation Officer Gerald Ford taking a sextant reading aboard the USS Monterey, 1944 (The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum)
75 Years Ago—Apr. 13, 1942: Future president Gerald Ford is commissioned as an ensign in the US Navy.
Vice Adm. Robert Ghormley is designated Commander, South Pacific Area.
April 12, 2017
Today in World War II History—Apr. 12, 1942
US soldiers in Malinta Tunnel on Corregidor, April 1942. (US Army Center of Military History)
75 Years Ago—Apr. 12, 1942: Pandit Nehru, head of Indian Congress Party, pledges to cooperate with Allies.
Japanese begin bombardment of Corregidor.
Royce Raid: US Brig. Gen. Ralph Royce leads 3 B-17s and 10 B-25s to Philippines, bombs, then evacuates 44 officers and civilians.
April 11, 2017
Today in World War II History—Apr. 11, 1942
US Merchant Marines poster, 1943 (US National Archives vis American Merchant Marine at War)
75 Years Ago—Apr. 11, 1942: Germans contain Soviet landings at Eupatolia in the Crimea.
US authorizes Distinguished Service Medal for Merchant Marines.
April 10, 2017
Today in World War II History—Apr. 10, 1942
American prisoners on the Bataan Death March, April 1942 (US National Archives)
75 Years Ago—Apr. 10, 1942: Bataan Death March begins: 75,000 US & Filipino troops forced on 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.
April 9, 2017
Today in World War II History—Apr. 9, 1942
American and Filipino troops surrendering at Bataan, Luzon, Philippines, 9 Apr 1942 (US National Parks Service)
75 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.
The New York Times Best Seller list is first published.
