Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 273
February 4, 2017
Today in World War II History—Feb. 4, 1942
Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, Commander of the German forces in North Africa, with his aides during the desert campaign, 1942 (German Federal Archive: Bild 101I-785-0287-08)
75 Years Ago—Feb. 4, 1942: In North Africa, British retreat from German drive ends at Gazala, Libya.
Japanese take Ambon, Netherlands East Indies from small Australian garrison.
British seize Egyptian palace in Cairo to force the abdication of pro-Axis King Farouk.
February 3, 2017
Today in World War II History—Feb. 3, 1942
75 Years Ago—Feb. 3, 1942: Japanese begin air raids on Port Moresby, New Guinea.
Chiang Kai-shek agrees to send Chinese troops to aid the British in Burma.
Canadian Women’s Auxiliary Air Force redesignated RCAF, Women’s Division (nicknamed “WD” or “Wids”).
February 2, 2017
Today in World War II History—Feb. 2, 1942
75 Years Ago—Feb. 2, 1942: US 808th Engineer Aviation Battalion arrives in Melbourne to build airfields near Darwin, Australia.
Allied ships begin withdrawal from Singapore to East Indies.
February 1, 2017
Today in World War II History—Feb. 1, 1942
Lt. Cdr. Bill Burch and Ens. Thomas Reeves flying SBD dive bombers over Makin, Gilbert Islands, 1 Feb 1942 (public domain via WW2 Database)
75 Years Ago—Feb. 1, 1942: German Navy starts using 4-rotor Enigma machines, throwing off Allied code-breaking for eleven months.
Nazis form puppet government in Norway with Vidkun Quisling as prime minister.
US ships and aircraft from carriers Enterprise and Yorktown strike the Marshall and Gilbert Islands in the first offensive action by the US in the war.
January 31, 2017
Today in World War II History—Jan. 31, 1942
Smoke from burning oil tanks rising above Singapore, Feb 1942 (Imperial War Museum)
75 Years Ago—Jan. 31, 1942: British forces complete withdrawal from Malaya to Singapore and blow up the causeway.
British withdraw from Moulmein, Burma; Japanese occupy.
New song in Top Ten: “Blues in the Night.”
January 30, 2017
Today in World War II History—Jan. 30, 1942
75 Years Ago—Jan. 30, 1942: California congressional delegation urges evacuation of “enemy aliens.”
Emergency Price Control Act gives US Office of Price Administration right to control prices.
Last automobiles from Chevrolet and DeSoto roll off US assembly lines until 1945.
January 29, 2017
Today in World War II History—Jan. 29, 1942
75 Years Ago—Jan. 29, 1942: Iran signs treaty of alliance with Britain and USSR, which promise to depart Iran 6 months after Axis defeat.
German troops under Gen. Erwin Rommel retake Benghazi, Libya from British.
German advances in Libya, January 21-July 7, 1942 (US Army map)
January 28, 2017
Today in World War II History—Jan. 28, 1942
75 Years Ago—Jan. 28, 1942: US Navy pilot claims to sink U-boat, radios “Sighted sub—sank same,” but no U-boat was sunk, an honest error.
US Eighth Air Force activated in Savannah, Georgia under Brig. Gen. Asa Duncan; originally intended for North Africa but will serve in Britain.
US Naval Magazine at Port Chicago CA established as subcommand of Naval Ammunition Depot at Mare Island.
January 27, 2017
Today in World War II History—Jan. 27, 1942
Lt. Gen. Arthur Percival meeting with war correspondents, Singapore, circa late Jan 1942 (Imperial War Museum)
75 Years Ago—Jan. 27, 1942: Soviets take key rail center of Lozovaya, Ukraine, but Ukrainian offensive stalls.
British withdraw from Batu Pahat, Malaya and begin withdrawal to Singapore.
Off Midway, US sub Gudgeon sinks Japanese sub I-73, first US sub-on-sub victory.
January 26, 2017
Today in World War II History—Jan. 26, 1942
US Army troops in Northern Ireland, 1942 (US Army Center of Military History)
75 Years Ago—Jan. 26, 1942: First US Army troops arrive in Britain: Convoy AT-10 carrying the 34th Infantry Division arrives in Belfast to relieve British troops.
US and Filipino forces withdraw to final defense line on Bataan Peninsula, behind Pilar-Bagac road.
