Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 366
November 4, 2014
Today in World War II History—November 4, 1939 & 1944
1939 Packard
75 Years Ago—Nov. 4, 1939: US Congress approves “Cash and Carry” clause in Neutrality Act to sell arms to Britain and France. Packard exhibits first air-conditioned automobile in Chicago.
70 Years Ago—Nov. 4, 1944: Liberation of Greece is complete as final German troops evacuate.
November 3, 2014
Book Beat – Lightbearer by Marcy Weydemuller
For many years, I’ve been hoping to feature this book on my blog. Marcy Weydemuller was one of the first people I met on my writing journey, and she has become a dear friend, critique partner, and brainstorming buddy. Her knowledge of story and her lyrical writing have always impressed and inspired me.
About a decade ago, Marcy sent me home with a manuscript for her mythic fantasy novel, Lightbearer, so my teen son and I could read it. The story entranced me – and Stephen stayed up way past his bedtime and declared it the best book he’d ever read! Fantasy has always been a hard sell in the Christian market, so Marcy was thrilled to finally receive a contract for this book of her heart.
Here’s the story blurb:
In the mythic land of Lorica, prophecies lie forgotten beneath the dust of time. What remains is myth and legend intertwined with history. Except in High Valley where eons before a remnant found refuge. There the faithful tend the flame of truth and protect the ancient scrolls, although none are left with knowledge to read them.
Jolted by a stranger’s piercing remarks, Jonne discovers his call to the ancient vocation of Lightbearer—among this faithful community who stand as watchmen for El Olam, God everlasting. Jonne must wrestle with doubts and opposition to answer timeless questions about his purpose and identity in the world. When the darkness returns, will he be ready?
Although I haven’t read this book in years, it has stuck with me. Marcy Weydemuller infuses this lovely story with mythic elements and beautiful writing. The novel is appropriate for upper elementary up through adults. I highly recommend Lightbearer and look forward to more in the Lorica Prophecies series.
Today in World War II History—November 3, 1939 & 1944
Japanese fire balloon reinflated at Moffett Field, CA after it had been shot down by a Navy aircraft January 10, 1945 (US Army photo)
75 Years Ago—Nov. 3, 1939: Royal Navy chases Nazi-captured US freighter City of Flint into harbor at Haugesund, Norway, where she is seized by Norwegian sailors.
70 Years Ago—Nov. 3, 1944: Canadians clear Breskens Pocket on the Scheldt Estuary in the Netherlands, taking 12,500 German POWs. Japanese begin releasing 16,000 bomb-carrying balloons to float to the US (about 150 arrive).
November 2, 2014
Today in World War II History—November 2, 1944
US soldiers struggling up a hill in the Hürtgen Forest. (US Army Center of Military History)
70 Years Ago—November 2, 1944: Liberation of Belgium is complete, as Canadians take Zeebrugge. US First Army begins drive on Schmidt, Germany through the Hürtgen Forest.
November 1, 2014
Today in World War II History—November 1, 1939 & 1944
Lt. Aleda Lutz of 802nd Medical Air Evacuation Transport
Squadron in C-47 in North Africa. (US Air Force photo)
75 Years Ago—Nov. 1, 1939: Aircraft designer Ernst Heinkel demonstrates the first jet aircraft, the He 178, to German military leaders, but they’re not impressed.
70 Years Ago—Nov. 1, 1944: US C-47 medical air evacuation flight crashes in southern France—the crew, patients, and flight nurse Aleda Lutz are killed.
October 31, 2014
Today in World War II History—October 31, 1939 & 1944
75 Years Ago—Oct. 31, 1939: British Royal Navy mobilized. New York World’s Fair closes.
70 Years Ago—Oct. 31, 1944: Soviet forces trap German Army Group North in the Courland Peninsula of Lithuania for the rest of the war.
October 30, 2014
Today in World War II History—October 30, 1939 & 1944
Japanese-American troops of US 442nd Regiment firing artillery, Bruyeres Sector, France, 18 October 1944 (Hawaii War Records Depository)
75 Years Ago—Oct. 30, 1939: German U boat U-56 fails in attack on battleship HMS Nelson with Winston Churchill, Dudley Pound, and Charles Forbes aboard.
70 Years Ago—Oct. 30, 1944: In the Vosges mountains in France, US 442nd Infantry Regiment (Nisei—Japanese-Americans) rescues the Lost Battalion with heavy losses. Aaron Copland/Martha Graham ballet, Appalachian Spring, premieres in the Library of Congress.
October 29, 2014
Today in World War II History—October 29, 1939 & 1944
WPA poster for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition (Library of Congress)
75 Years Ago—Oct. 29, 1939: Golden Gate International Exposition closes on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay (will re-open 5/25/40).
70 Years Ago—Oct. 29, 1944: Soviets withdraw from Norway and northern Finland.
October 28, 2014
Today in World War II History—October 28, 1939 & 1944
Heinkel He 111 bomber, September 1940. (German Federal Archives, Bild 101I-343-0694-21 / Schödl (e) / CC-BY-SA)
75 Years Ago—Oct. 28, 1939: A Heinkel He 111 bomber is shot down over Scotland, the first German aircraft shot down over Britain.
70 Years Ago—Oct. 28, 1944: Axis Bulgaria signs armistice with the Allies. US B-29s fly first mission from the Marianas—to Japanese base at Truk.
October 27, 2014
Today in World War II History—October 27, 1939 & 1944
British Achilles tank destroyer crossing the River Savio, Italy, 24 October 1944 (Imperial War Museum)
75 Years Ago—Oct. 27, 1939: US consul meets with British at Gibraltar to protest protracted British detention of US merchant ships.
70 Years Ago—Oct. 27, 1944: In Italy, Gen. Maitland Wilson orders halt to Allied offensive for the winter due to fatigue, heavy rains, and flooding; US Fifth Army drive halts 9 miles short of Bologna.
