Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 299
June 4, 2016
Today in World War II History—June 4, 1941
Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany in exile in Doorn in the Netherlands, 1933 (German Federal Archives, Bild 136-C0804)
75 Years Ago—June 4, 1941: Ex-Kaiser Wilhelm II, who led Germany during World War I, dies in exile in Doorn in the Netherlands.
Croatian Jews required to wear star.
June 3, 2016
Today in World War II History—June 3, 1941
Sign erected by the Germans at Kandanos, Crete, which reads: “Kandanos was destroyed in retaliation for the bestial ambush murder of a paratrooper platoon and a half-platoon of military engineers by armed men and women.” (German Federal Archive, Bild 101I-779-0003-22)
75 Years Ago—June 3, 1941: Germans massacre 180 civilians in Kandanos, Crete for “partisan activities”—fighting the German invasion.
June 2, 2016
Today in World War II History—June 2, 1941
Baseball player Lou Gehrig as a rookie with the New York Yankees, 11 June 1923 (public domain)
75 Years Ago—June 2, 1941: Vichy France orders census of Jews and bans Jews from public office.
Lou Gehrig dies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), age 37.
June 1, 2016
Today in World War II History—June 1, 1941
German paratroopers in Crete, Greece, late May 1941 (public domain)
75 Years Ago—June 1, 1941: Germans secure Crete; however, heavy German losses lead Hitler to suspend further large-scale airborne operations.
Britain begins clothes and shoe rationing—66 coupons per year, providing one complete outfit.
Pro-British government reinstated in Iraq, under Amir Abdul Illah.
May 31, 2016
Today in World War II History—May 31, 1941
British troops looking at Baghdad, 11 June 1941 (Imperial War Museum)
75 Years Ago—May 31, 1941: Armistice signed between British and Iraqis, removing pro-Axis Iraqi government. Luftwaffe accidentally bombs Dublin in neutral Eire (Ireland).
May 30, 2016
Memorial Day Tribute
On Memorial Day, we remember those who gave their lives in defense of our country.
We live in freedom because they fought tyranny.
We live without fear because they faced danger.
US Coast Guardsman honors the fallen in the Pacific, Memorial Day, 30 May 1944 (US Coast Guard photo)
We live in comfort because they gave up all comforts.
We live because of their sacrifices.
Let’s never take these gifts for granted. They were purchased at high cost.
Over 1 million Americans have given their lives in war (Source: English, June A., Jones, Thomas D., Scholastic Encyclopedia of the United States at War. New York NY: Scholastic Reference, 1998).
•American Revolution: 4,435
•War of 1812: 2,260
•Mexican-American War: 13,283
•Civil War: 498,332
•Spanish-American War: 2,446
•World War I: 116,708
•World War II: 407,316
•Korean War: 33,651
•Vietnam War: 58,168
•Gulf War: 293
•War on Terrorism (Source: icasualties.org): 4502 in Iraq, 2381 in Afghanistan
On this Memorial Day, take a moment to remember. And take a moment to thank God for freedom and life.
Today in World War II History—May 30, 1941
No. 2 Armoured Car Company RAF waits outside Baghdad, Iraq, for negotiations to conclude, 30 May 1941. (Imperial War Museum)
75 Years Ago—May 30, 1941: German commander in Crete orders deadly reprisals for civilian resistance. In Iraq, British troops enter Baghdad.
May 29, 2016
Today in World War II History—May 29, 1941
75 Years Ago—May 29, 1941: US Army Air Corps forms the Ferrying Command. At an isolationist America First rally in Philadelphia, Charles Lindbergh controversially calls for “new leadership in America.”
May 28, 2016
Today in World War II History—May 28, 1941
Wounded British troops at an Egyptian port after evacuating from Crete, Greece, 31 May 1941 (Imperial War Museum)
75 Years Ago—May 28, 1941: British begin evacuation of Crete as Germans advance. Britain starts rationing of eggs and tightens rationing of fish and milk.
May 27, 2016
Today in World War II History—May 27, 1941
Survivors of battleship Bismarck being pulled aboard HMS Dorsetshire, 27 May 1941 (Imperial War Museum)
75 Years Ago—May 27, 1941: German battleship Bismarck is sunk by British battleships King George V and Rodney, and British heavy cruisers Norfolk and Dorsetshire off Ireland (115 survivors, 2106 killed). On Crete, Germans take Canea, capital of Crete, and Suda Bay. In Fireside Chat, President Roosevelt declares an unlimited national emergency, allowing more military shipments to Britain and increased patrols in Atlantic.; 65% of the nation listens to the broadcast, the largest radio audience in history to date.
