Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 288

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

Werner Heisenberg and Niels Bohr at Copenhagen Conference, 1934 (US Department of Energy photo)

75 Years Ago—Sept. 17, 1941: US begins escorting British convoys from Newfoundland to Iceland, violating neutrality: TU 4.1.1 of five destroyers begins escorting Convoy HX-150.

Germany begins general deportation of German Jews.

At a conference in Copenhagen, German physicist Werner Heisenberg warns Niels Bohr that Germany is working on atomic weapons.

During exercises in Louisiana, US Army first drops paratroopers, using DC-3s.

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

75 Years Ago—Sept. 16, 1941: German army orders 100 Russians to be killed for every German killed by partisans.

In Iran, Reza Shah Pahlavi abdicates in favor of his son, Mohamed Reza Pahlavi, favored by the Allies.

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

Inside a hangar, a British paratrooper learns to land correctly using a special harness, August 1942 (Imperial War Museum)

75 Years Ago—Sept. 15, 1941: First battalion of British Parachute Regiment established (previously the 11th Air Service Battalion).

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

Soviet troops in action, 21 Sep 1941 (Russian International News Agency)

75 Years Ago—Sept. 14, 1941: Germans encircle two Soviet armies near Kiev.

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

Gen. Georgi Zhukov speaking in Moscow, 1 Sep 1941 (Russian International News Agency)

75 Years Ago—Sept. 13, 1941: German army decides Soviet POWs will have smaller rations than other POWs.

Gen. Georgi Zhukov replaces Marshal Klement Voroshilov in defense of Leningrad.

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

USCG cutter Northland in Greenland, 1944 (US Coast Guard photo)

75 Years Ago—Sept. 12, 1941: In Mackenzie Bay, Greenland, US Coast Guard cutters Northland and North Star seize Norwegian trawler Buskoe carrying 30 Germans establishing a weather station; the first capture of an Axis ship by US in WWII, first true violation of US Neutrality Act.

Daily bread ration in Nazi-besieged Leningrad reduced to 300-500 grams.

First flight of prototype Airspeed Horsa glider.

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

Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House, delivering radio address, 11 September 1941. Note his black armband for his mother’s death four days before (US National Archives)

75 Years Ago—Sept. 11, 1941: Ground-breaking ceremony for the Pentagon.

In radio address, President Roosevelt says US Navy will “shoot on sight” at German or Italian ships in US waters or any attacking US ships or ships under US protection (due to USS Greer incident on 9/4/41).

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

Corvette HMCS Moose Jaw, 1941 (Canadian Navy photo)

75 Years Ago—Sept. 10, 1941: In convoy SC-42 off Greenland, Canadian corvettes Moose Jaw and Chambly sink U-501, the first U-boat sunk by Canadian ships.

First US-made B-24 Liberator bombers leave for Britain for use by the RAF under Lend-Lease.

Cab Calloway records “Blues in the Night.”

Today in World War II History—Sept. 9, 1941

Lt. Gen. Sir Alan Cunningham when commanding the British Eighth Army in the Western Desert (Imperial War Museum)

75 Years Ago—Sept. 9, 1941: Iran formally submits to Allied occupation (USSR north of Tehran, UK south, Tehran shared), which aids in bringing supplies to USSR.

British Eighth Army established under Lt. Gen. Alan Cunningham, will fight in North Africa.

US Senate opens investigation into pro-war propaganda in film and radio, launched by isolationist Sen. Burton Wheeler (D-MT); adjourns in 1 week after firestorm of criticism.

Today in World War II History—Sept. 8, 1941

Soviet troops in a trench in Leningrad, Russia, 1 Sep 1941 (Russian International News Agency)

75 Years Ago—Sept. 8, 1941: Siege of Leningrad begins as Germans completely surround the city; the siege will last 872 days.