Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 311
February 24, 2016
Today in World War II History—February 24, 1941
USS Bear in Antarctica, 1939 (US Navy photo)
75 Years Ago—Feb. 24, 1941: RAF Manchester bomber first flies in combat, in mission to Brest, France. US Navy survey ship Bear and motor ship North Star arrive in Antarctica to evacuate remaining US personnel from Byrd’s 1939-40 expedition.
February 23, 2016
Today in World War II History—February 23, 1941
Pellets of plutonium, 1945 (US Department of Energy)
75 Years Ago—Feb. 23, 1941: Dr. Glenn Seaborg & Dr. Arthur Wahl chemically identify new element of plutonium at University of California, Berkeley; discovery kept secret until after the war. Greece agrees to allow British soldiers to help defend Greece from Italians.
February 22, 2016
Today in World War II History—February 22, 1941
75 Years Ago—Feb. 22, 1941: First mass round-up of Jews in Amsterdam; 430 deported in reprisal for murder of Dutch Nazi party member. Bread ration in Jewish ghetto in Warsaw reduced to 3 oz/day.
February 21, 2016
Today in World War II History—February 21, 1941
Swansea, Wales after the Blitz (via South Wales Evening Post)
75 Years Ago—Feb. 21, 1941: Third and final day of Swansea Blitz (Luftwaffe bombing of Swansea, Wales): 230 killed, but docks and facilities are undamaged.
February 20, 2016
Today in World War II History—February 20, 1941
75 Years Ago—Feb. 20, 1941: British and German patrols make first contact in North Africa near El Agheila, Libya.
February 19, 2016
Today in World War II History—February 19, 1941
Seal of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary
75 Years Ago—Feb. 19, 1941: Luftwaffe switches focus from attacking London to attacking shipping centers, such as Portsmouth, Plymouth, Bristol, and Cardiff. US Coast Guard Auxiliary (non-military) and Reserve (military) is established.
February 18, 2016
Today in World War II History—February 18, 1941
75 Years Ago—Feb. 18, 1941: Australian troops arrive in Singapore.
February 17, 2016
Today in World War II History—February 17, 1941
Silver salvaged from wreck of SS Gairsoppa in 2011 (Sarah Sundin collection)
75 Years Ago—Feb. 17, 1941: Off Ireland, U-101 sinks British freighter Gairsoppa (85 killed) carrying 2800 bars of silver to fund war (110 tons recovered in 2011).
February 16, 2016
Today in World War II History—February 16, 1941
Chemical structure of sulfanilamide.
75 Years Ago—Feb. 16, 1941: Sulfanilamide recommended as treatment for trachoma.
February 15, 2016
Today in World War II History—February 15, 1941
Duke Ellington publicity photo, 1940s (public domain)
75 Years Ago—Feb. 15, 1941: Norwegian Lutheran bishops denounce Nazi brutality. Duke Ellington records “Take the ‘A’ Train.” Listen to the original recording or watch a video of the song from the 1942 movie “Reveille with Beverly” on the Smithsonian website!
