Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 319
December 13, 2015
Today in World War II History—December 13, 1940
Pierre Laval, 1931 (Bibliothèque nationale de France)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 13, 1940: Pierre Laval dismissed as Vichy vice-premier and arrested for suspicions of plotting pro-Nazi coup (he’s released two days later and will return to power in April 1942).
December 12, 2015
Today in World War II History—December 12, 1940
Head of the Library of Congress Archibald MacLeish and British Ambassador Lord Lothian posing in front of the Magna Carta, Washington DC, 28 Nov 1939 (Library of Congress)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 12, 1940: Luftwaffe bombs Sheffield, England in a raid that lasts nine hours. Philip Kerr, Lord Lothian, British ambassador to the US, dies in Washington DC.
December 11, 2015
Today in World War II History—December 11, 1940 & 1945
US Fleet Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., 1945 (US Navy photo)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 11, 1940: Battleship HMS King George V is commissioned.
70 Years Ago—Dec. 11, 1945: William Halsey promoted to fleet admiral.
December 10, 2015
Today in World War II History—December 10, 1940
The Nobel Prize
75 Years Ago—Dec. 10, 1940: British take Sidi Barrani, push Italians out of Egypt. Nobel Prize Committee announces they will give out no awards this year, banned by Nazi occupiers of Norway.
December 9, 2015
Book Beat – Carry Me Home by Dorothy Adamek
A properly raised British lady, Finella Mayfield arrives in Australia in 1875, expecting to marry a respectable pastor. However, she’s met at the pier by the pastor’s friend, Shadrach Jones. The pastor is dying, and Shadrach promised to watch over Finella…to marry her.
Shadrach takes Finella to his farm to watch his “simple” sister, Molly, while he lives in an outbuilding. Appalled at the rustic and muddy conditions, Finella can’t wait to return to England. But will Shadrach’s kind heart and Molly’s giving spirit win her over?
In Carry Me Home, Dorothy Adamek gives a familiar tale a fresh Australian twist. With gripping characters, a playful romance, delightful writing, and heart-rending moments, this novel held me tight and wouldn’t let me go. Why, this gifted writer even makes mud romantic! A sterling debut!
Today in World War II History—December 9, 1940 & 1945
Matilda tank of British 7th Royal Tank Regiment in North Africa, 19 Dec 1940. (Imperial War Museum)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 9, 1940: British advance against larger Italian force at Sidi Barrani, Egypt and take three forts.
70 Years Ago—Dec. 9, 1945: American Gen. George S. Patton is injured in a car accident near Neckarstadt, Germany.
December 8, 2015
Today in World War II History—December 8, 1940 & 1945
Poster for US Victory Loan Drive, 1945
75 Years Ago—Dec. 8, 1940: Canada passes 25% luxury tax on consumer products, bans import of US goods not related to war effort. Chicago Bears beat Washington Redskins in NFL Championships, 73-0, widest margin in history.
70 Years Ago—Dec. 8, 1945: US Victory Loan Drive (Eighth War Loan Drive) ends.
December 7, 2015
If Only They’d Listened
On December 7, 1941, two Army Air Force radar operators on Oahu reported a blip on their screen, which looked like dozens of planes approaching Pearl Harbor. They reported it to Lt. Kermit Tyler, who had been on the job only two days. Tyler knew a squadron of twelve B-17 Flying Fortresses was due to arrive from San Francisco and land at Hickam Field at 8:00 am. He told the operators, “Don’t worry about it.” (http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/24/local/la-me-kermit-tyler25-2010feb25).
Radar was in its infancy, American planes were expected, and Tyler hadn’t been adequately trained, but we still wonder what would have happened if he’d heeded the warning. The damage at Pearl Harbor would have been less if the sailors and antiaircraft gunners had been prepared and fighter planes had been dispatched. If more ships had survived, would the Japanese conquests around the Pacific have been slowed or stopped? We’ll never know.
While Lieutenant Tyler had legitimate excuses, King Jehoiakim of Judah did not. In 605 B.C., King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and his mighty army pressed his attack on Jerusalem. The Lord told Jeremiah to write down the description of the destruction that would come if they continued in their ungodly ways—and that if they repented, the Lord would forgive them. When the scroll was read to King Jehoiakim, he used his knife to cut up the scroll, strip by strip, and burned it.
He—and all of Judah—paid the price for his contemptuous dismissal.
God gives us warnings in Scripture for our own good. His warnings have two promises—continue in your sin and something bad will happen, or repent and be forgiven. He always offers hope and redemption, but only if we choose it. Rejoice in His love always, but never dismiss His warning. Unlike 1941-era radar, God’s word is reliable.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9.
Today in World War II History—December 7, 1940 & 1945
Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita imprisoned at Manila, circa Oct-Nov 1945. (US National Archives)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 7, 1940: New songs in the Top Ten: “Down Argentine Way” and “Frenesi.”
70 Years Ago—Dec. 7, 1945: Japanese Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita is sentenced to death for his role in atrocities in the Philippines.
December 6, 2015
Today in World War II History—December 6, 1940 & 1945
75 Years Ago—Dec. 6, 1940: SS executes mentally ill inmates in Stralsund and Chelm, Poland, including Hitler’s second cousin, Aloisia Veit. Gen. Ugo Cavallero assumes command of Italian army (Comando Supremo) after Marshal Badoglio resigns.
70 Years Ago—Dec. 6, 1945: USASTAF is inactivated (USA Strategic Air Forces), based in the Pacific. Movie premiere of drama The Bells of St. Mary’s, starring Bing Crosby, Ingrid Bergman.
