Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 278

Today in World War II History—Dec. 17, 1941

Admiral Nimitz addressing officers after assuming command of US Pacific Fleet, Pearl Harbor, 31 Dec 1941; Admiral Kimmel at right (US Naval History and Heritage Command)

75 Years Ago—Dec. 17, 1941: Due to Pearl Harbor attack, Rear Adm. Husband Kimmel is replaced as Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet by Adm. Chester Nimitz.

North Platte Canteen opens at Union Pacific station in North Platte, Nebraska, will serve 6 million servicemen.

Today in World War II History—Dec. 16, 1941

Lt. Boyd “Buzz” Wagner (US Air Force photo)

75 Years Ago—Dec. 16, 1941: Japanese land in British Borneo.

In Philippines, Lt. Boyd Wagner becomes the first US Army Air Force ace in World War II.

Today in World War II History—Dec. 15, 1941

75 Years Ago—Dec. 15, 1941: With Germans in retreat, the Soviet government returns to Moscow.

American Federation of Labor adopts no-strike policy in war industries.

Many US universities agree to cut undergraduate programs to three years by going year-round.

Today in World War II History—Dec. 14, 1941

Troops of the Japanese 15th Army preparing to cross into Burma, late Dec 1941 (public domain via WW2 Database)

75 Years Ago—Dec. 14, 1941: Japanese land at Penang, Malaya and Victoria Point, Burma.

US armed forces extend term of service for enlistments to “duration plus six months.”

Today in World War II History—Dec. 13, 1941

Japanese air attack on Nichols Field on Luzon, 10 December 1941 (US Army Center for Military History)

75 Years Ago—Dec. 13, 1941: Japanese air raid on airfields in the Philippines virtually destroys US air strength.

British attack German General Rommel’s Gazala line in Libya.

On Niihau, Hawaii, a Japanese pilot downed during the Pearl Harbor attack attempts to seize documents and is killed by islanders.

New song in the Top Ten: “The White Cliffs of Dover.”

Wreckage of the Japanese Zero that crashed on Niihau during the attack on Pearl Harbor, at the Pacific Aviation Museum at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (Photo: Sarah Sundin, 7 Nov 2016)

Remember Pearl Harbor – Commemorative Item Giveaway Winner

Thank you so much for all of you who joined me for my tour of the Pearl Harbor Historic Sites, as I shared photographs from my visit last month and some historical background.

Day 1: The Role of Aviation During the Attack – Pictures from the Pacific Aviation Museum

Day 2: The US Navy’s Role at Pearl Harbor – Pictures from the USS Arizona Memorial

Day 3: From Tragedy to Triumph – Pictures from the USS Bowfin and the USS Missouri

In honor of the 75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, I’m giving away some commemorative items from Pearl Harbor – the official 75th anniversary commemorative ornament, Pearl Harbor: The Way It Was by Scott C.S. Stone, and a pen. Many of asked where you can purchase the ornament – it’s available at the USS Bowfin’s online store.

There were a total of 143 entries on the three blog posts and via email. Using a random number generator, I selected one winner… Sierra White! Sierra, I’ll email you for your address. Congratulations!

Today in World War II History—Dec. 12, 1941

75 Years Ago—Dec. 12, 1941: Japanese make small-scale landings at Legaspi, Luzon in the Philippines.

Today in World War II History—Dec. 11, 1941

Adolf Hitler declaring war on the United States at the German Reichstag, Berlin, 11 Dec 1941 [Photo: German Federal Archive Bild 183-1987-0703-507]

75 Years Ago—Dec. 11, 1941: Germany and Italy declare war on US; US reciprocates.

US Marines repulse Japanese landing at Wake in the only successful repulsion of an amphibious landing by shore defenders of the war.

Isolationist “America First” committee disbanded.

John Gillespie Magee Jr., an American serving in the RCAF, is killed in a midair collision over Lincolnshire (age 19) shortly after writing his famous poem “High Flight.”

12 Days of Christmas Giveaway – Day 10

On the tenth day of Christmas, my favorite authors gave to me…

I hope you’ve been joining us for the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway! If not, we still have a few days to go, so dash through the snow…and the books! Today I’m adding my novel Anchor in the Storm to the festive mix.

Here’s how it works: We’ll randomly select a winner every day for the first twelve days of December. And each day the prize builds with another book or book-related goody.

The tenth day winner will receive:

Hazardous Holiday by Liz Johnson



Audiobook download of Watercolor Dreams by Sherry Kyle



Concealed Identity by Jessica Patch



A Family Arrangement by Gabrielle Meyer

His Prairie Sweetheart by Erica Vetsch

Where Two Hearts Meet by Liz Johnson

The Gingerbread Pony by Patricia Bradley

Yuletide Redemption by Jill Kemerer

A darling bookmark from Susan Tuttle

Anchor in the Storm by Sarah Sundin! The Christmas connection…the novel starts with the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and with the Avery family’s Christmas celebration in the shadow of that attack.

For plucky Lillian Avery, America’s entry into World War II means a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston. The challenges of her new job energize her. But society boy Ensign Archer Vandenberg’s attentions only annoy—even if he is her brother’s best friend.

During the darkest days of the war, Arch’s destroyer hunts German U-boats in vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast. Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves—and with drowsiness. Could there be a link to the large prescriptions for sedatives Lillian has filled? The two work together to answer that question, but can Arch ever earn Lillian’s trust and affection?

Be sure to visit Lindsay Harrel’s blog on December 11 to learn about the Day 11 prize!

Enter in the Rafflecopter giveaway below by following some of your favorite authors on social media and signing up for their newsletters. Every entry carries over for the next 2 days of the contest–so the sooner you enter, the more chances you have to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Christmas question for you – what’s your favorite Christmas ornament, and why?

Today in World War II History—Dec. 10, 1941

Crew of battleship HMS Prince of Wales abandoning ship, off Malaya, 10 Dec 1941 (Australian War Memorial)

75 Years Ago—Dec. 10, 1941: British enter Tobruk, Libya, relieving 242-day German siege.

Off Malaya, Japanese aircraft sink British battleship Prince of Wales and British battlecruiser Repulse—first time in history that battleships are sunk by planes.

Japanese take Guam, Makin, and Tarawa.

First US bombing mission of the war, as B-17s of the 19th Bomb Group attack Japanese ships off Luzon in the Philippines.