Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 300

Today in World War II History—May 26, 1941

Betsy Ross House, Philadelphia, PA, 1903 (Library of Congress)

75 Years Ago—May 26, 1941: On Libya-Egypt border, Rommel retakes Halfaya Pass from British. Betsy Ross’s house is donated to the city of Philadelphia.

Today in World War II History—May 25, 1941

Convoy at Sea, World War II. The U.S. Flag frames a convoy of transports and cargo ships. (U.S. Army Photograph, USA C-468)

75 Years Ago—May 25, 1941: German Admiral Raeder declares US ships escorting convoys to Britain is an act of war. In the Ganges Delta in India, a storm kills 2500.

Today in World War II History—May 24, 1941

Bismarck firing on Hood and Prince of Wales, Battle of Denmark Strait, 24 May 1941 (US Naval History and Heritage Command)

75 Years Ago—May 24, 1941: British battlecruiser HMS Hood sunk by German battleship Bismarck and heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen in the Denmark Strait—only 3 survive out of crew of 1416.

Today in World War II History—May 23, 1941

Capt. Louis Mountbatten on the bridge of HMS Jackal, 1940s (Imperial War Museum)

75 Years Ago—May 23, 1941: Off Crete, Luftwaffe sinks British destroyer Kelly under Lord Louis Mountbatten (181 killed, 297 survive including Mountbatten). Joe Louis defeats Buddy Baer to retain heavyweight boxing title.

Today in World War II History—May 22, 1941

The harbor at Suda Bay, Crete, where two ships, hit by German bombers, burn themselves out, May 1941 (Imperial War Museum)

75 Years Ago—May 22, 1941: Luftwaffe attacks British fleet off Crete in history’s first major air-sea battle, sinking British light cruisers Gloucester and Fiji, and British destroyer Greyhound.

Today in World War II History—May 21, 1941

75 Years Ago—May 21, 1941: Neutral US freighter Robin Moor is sunk by German U-boat U-69 in the South Atlantic, the first US ship sunk in the war; the crew survives but spends over 2 weeks in lifeboats. Germans attempt amphibious landings on Crete but are stopped by the Royal Navy.

Map depicting the German assault on Crete, Greece, 20-31 May 1941 (US Military Academy map)

Today in World War II History—May 20, 1941

German paratroopers landing in Crete, Greece, 20 May 1941 (public domain)

75 Years Ago—May 20, 1941: Germans invade Crete in first major airborne invasion in history. US forms Office of Civilian Defense under Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia of New York.

Anchor in the Storm All Hands on Deck Prize Pack Giveaway!

To celebrate the release of Anchor in the Storm, I’m teaming with Litfuse Publicity for the All Hands on Deck Prize Pack Giveaway!

One grand prize winner will receive a prize pack including:

Anchor necklace made from copper reclaimed from the USS Constitution in Boston during restoration.

A signed copy of Anchor in the Storm
A nautical tote bag lined with anchor fabric
An anchor necklace made from copper reclaimed from the USS Constitution in Boston during restoration
365 Devotions for Hope by Karen Whiting
Shine: Nautical Inspirational Adult Coloring Book
“Hope Anchors the Soul” journal
Set of two nautical tea towels

In Anchor in the Storm, Lillian Avery wears an anchor necklace to remind herself that the Lord is her anchor no matter what storms she faces.

The giveaway is open from May 19 to June 8, 2016. US residents only please. The winner will be announced here on my blog on June 9, 2016. Enter here!

Today in World War II History—May 19, 1941

Ethiopian men gather in Addis Ababa to hear proclamation announcing return of Emperor Haile Selassie in May 1941 (Imperial War Museum)

75 Years Ago—May 19, 1941: Italian army in Ethiopia surrenders to British, ending organized resistance in East Africa. Luftwaffe attacks RAF fields on Crete; RAF evacuates from Crete to Egypt.

Today in World War II History—May 18, 1941

Partition of Yugoslavia, 1941 (Source: Wikipedia, public domain)

75 Years Ago—May 18, 1941: Italy annexes Yugoslavian province of Dalmatia. USSR begins purge of Soviet air force officers, only a month before the German invasion of the USSR.