Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 351
February 27, 2015
Today in World War II History—February 27, 1940 & 1945
Finnish Army machine gun crew during the Winter War, 21 Feb 1940
75 Years Ago—Feb. 27, 1940: Soviets launch offensive toward Viipuri, Finland.
US troops raise the flag on Corregidor in the Philippines, 2 March 1945 (US Army Center of Military History)
70 Years Ago—Feb. 27, 1945: Syria and Lebanon join many other nations in last-minute declarations of war on Germany and Japan—all who join Allies before March 1 will be invited to the upcoming United Nations conference. US Sixth Army secures Corregidor in Philippines.
February 26, 2015
Today in World War II History—February 26, 1940 & 1945
US Sixth Army troops in Manila, 1945. (US Army Center of Military History)
75 Years Ago—Feb. 26, 1940: US War Department activates Air Defense Command under Brig. Gen. James Chaney.
70 Years Ago—Feb. 26, 1945: US Ninth Army reaches Rhine south of Düsseldorf. US Sixth Army begins assault on last three Japanese strongholds in Manila.
February 25, 2015
Today in World War II History—February 25, 1945
M26 Pershing heavy tank of US 9th Armored Division, near Vettweiss, Germany, Mar 1945 (US Army photo)
70 Years Ago—Feb. 25, 1945: US Fifth Fleet carrier aircraft and B-29 bombers strike Tokyo in devastating raid. US M26 Pershing tanks are first used in combat in Europe, by the US 3rd Armored Division near the Roer River.
February 24, 2015
Today in World War II History—February 24, 1945
70 Years Ago—Feb. 24, 1945: Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Maher Pasha declares war on the Axis and is immediately assassinated in the parliament chamber. Hitler makes his last speech in Chancellery in Berlin.
February 23, 2015
Today in World War II History—February 23, 1940 & 1945
Raising the US flag atop Mount Suribachi, by Joe Rosenthal, Iwo Jima, 23 Feb 1945. (US National Archives)
75 Years Ago—Feb. 23, 1940: Britain announces wool shortage due to enthusiastic knitters knitting for the troops. Woody Guthrie writes “This Land Is Your Land.”
70 Years Ago—Feb. 23, 1945: US Marines capture Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima and raise flag; immortalized by photographer Joe Rosenthal. Troops of US 11th Airborne liberate 2147 POWs at Los Baños, Luzon. In Arctic convoy RA-64, straggling US freighter Henry Bacon shoots down 3 German bombers, a Liberty ship record, but is sunk in turn—the last Allied ship lost to German aircraft in the war.
February 22, 2015
Today in World War II History—February 22, 1940 & 1945
German destroyer Z-1 Leberecht Maass. (Division of Naval Inteligence of the US Navy)
75 Years Ago—Feb. 22, 1940: In North Sea, Luftwaffe accidentally sinks German destroyer Leberecht Maass (280/340 killed); during rescue,German destroyer Max Schultz is sunk by mine (all 308 killed).
70 Years Ago—Feb. 22, 1945: 6000 US and British aircraft launch Operation Clarion to destroy German communications and isolate the industrial Ruhr Valley. US Fifth Army secures Upper Reno Valley in Italy.
February 21, 2015
Today in World War II History—February 21, 1940 & 1945
Eric Liddell at the British Empire versus United States of America meet at Stamford Bridge, London, 19 July 1924 (Public domain)
75 Years Ago—Feb. 21, 1940: Cavity magnetron used for first time, at the University of Birmingham, England. Britain reduces passenger train service due to coal shortage.
70 Years Ago—Feb. 21, 1945: US Sixth Army secures Bataan Peninsula on Luzon. Scottish Olympic runner Eric Liddell (memorialized in Chariots of Fire) dies in Japanese internment camp in China, where he had served as a missionary.
February 20, 2015
Today in World War II History—February 20, 1945
Man of US 9th Marines with flamethrower, Motoyama Airfield (Airfield Number 2), Iwo Jima, Feb 1945 (US Naval History and Heritage Command)
70 Years Ago—Feb. 20, 1945: US Marines take Airfield 1 on Iwo Jima.
February 19, 2015
Today in World War II History—February 19, 1945
Men of USMC 5th Division advancing through the volcanic ash hills of Red Beach No. 1 at Iwo Jima, 19 Feb 1945 (US Naval History and Heritage Command)
70 Years Ago—Feb. 19, 1945: US Marines invade Iwo Jima and establish beachhead despite heavy casualties.
February 18, 2015
Book Beat – At Home in Last Chance
One thing I love in book series is watching characters I dislike come to redemption. And one thing I adore is authors who can make you love the unlikable character.
Cathleen Armstrong does just that in At Home in Last Chance. In Welcome to Last Chance and One More Last Chance, we met selfish Steven Braden, who thinks he’s all that with an extra dose of hot chili, and Kaitlyn Reed, who left her young daughter with her brother so she could gallivant around with a boyfriend.
Very. Unlikable.
So when I found out At Home in Last Chance featured these two characters, I was giddy with expectation. I knew Cathleen could bring these two to redemption without ever resorting to sentimentality. And what a story.
Kaitlyn Reed has joined her brother and daughter in Last Chance, New Mexico, despising her past actions and determined to change. She dislikes her job at the Dip ‘n’ Dine but sees it as the price she needs to pay. Steven Braden is also straightening out after a lifetime of irresponsibility and is preparing to enter the police academy. Steven’s reputation is such that his own dear grandmother warns Kaitlyn to steer clear of him. Kaitlyn intends to do just that. However, Steven and Kaitlyn find common ground in dealing with judgmental attitudes in the community and low expectations from those who love them, and they encourage each other.
This story truly touched me. Kaitlyn’s deep regret and shame over her past drew me in, and I hurt for her as she dealt with distrust from others and her own self-loathing. I also loved how Kaitlyn and Steven grew past their initial flirtation and rejection to develop a friendship that built each other up. As with the other Last Chance novels, the town is a character all its own, and the side characters live and breathe, full of quirks and strengths and foibles. A story full of depth and truth. Please don’t miss it!
