Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 386
May 26, 2014
Today in World War II History—May 26, 1944
Patient being loaded into plane for air evacuation, Nettuno, Italy, June 1944. (US Army Office of Medical History)
70 Years Ago—May 26, 1944: Gen. Mark Clark makes controversial decision to send the US Fifth Army toward Rome rather than to Valmontone to cut off the retreating Germans. 802nd Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron begins air evacuation from Anzio/Nettuno.
May 25, 2014
Today in World War II History—May 25, 1944
German prisoners of war at Cisterna, Italy, 25 May 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)
70 Years Ago—May 25, 1944: US VI Corps from Anzio joins US II Corps from Gustav Line near Littoria, Italy. US VI Corps takes Cisterna, Italy. German paratroopers raid the hideout of Yugoslavian partisan leader Tito, almost capturing him—and visitor Randolph Churchill, son of Winston Churchill.
May 24, 2014
Today in World War II History—May 24, 1944
Aerial view of Terracina, Italy, May 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)
70 Years Ago—May 24, 1944: US II Corps takes Terracina, Italy unopposed, opening Hwy 7 to Anzio.
May 23, 2014
Today in World War II History—May 23, 1944
US patrol moves through Cisterna, Italy, 25 May 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)
70 Years Ago—May 23, 1944: Allies launch assault to break out at Anzio at 0545, cut Hwy 7 below Cisterna; US 3rd Division suffers 1000 casualties, among the costliest days for any US division of the war.
May 22, 2014
Today in World War II History—May 22, 1944
70 Years Ago—May 22, 1944: French Resistance blows up hydroelectric station in Bussy.
May 21, 2014
Book Beat – Chateau of Secrets by Melanie Dobson
In Nazi-occupied France, German troops occupy Gisèle Duchant’s family château – while Gisèle harbors French resistance members in the tunnels beneath the home. When Gisèle’s best friend, who is Jewish, disappears, Gisèle chooses to shelter her friend’s small child, risking the lives of all who depend on her. As she struggles to protect innocent lives from the Nazis in her own home, she must rely on help from an unexpected source.
In modern-day America, Chloe Sauver has just been betrayed by her politician fiancé. Desperate to escape the media frenzy, she accepts the offer from filmmaker Riley Holtz, who wants to make a documentary about Chloe’s grandmother – Gisèle Duchant. As Chloe and Riley unravel the secrets of the ancestral home, they find more than they were looking for.
Seldom do I read an entire book in one day, but I did with Melanie Dobson’s Château of Secrets - which is based on a true story! I was entranced by the beautifully researched setting and the complex web of characters. The layers of secrets are expertly woven into an intriguing tapestry you long to unravel, even as you ask yourself what decisions you’d make in Gisèle’s situation. Melanie Dobson has written a masterful novel!
Today in World War II History—May 21, 1944
Sailors try to put out fires on LST-480 resulting from an explosion the previous day, Pearl Harbor, 22 May 1944 (US National Archives)
70 Years Ago—May 21, 1944: First “Chattanooga” strafing mission against Nazi railroad targets (US Eighth and Ninth Air Forces). At Pearl Harbor, explosion on landing craft LST-353 kills 163, destroys 9 other ships.
May 20, 2014
Today in World War II History—May 20, 1944
Men of 163rd Infantry Regiment hit the beach from Higgins boats during the invasion of Wadke Island, New Guinea, 18 May 1944 (US National Archives)
70 Years Ago—May 20, 1944: US troops secure Wakde Island off New Guinea.
May 19, 2014
Book Beat – Out of the Ruins by Karen Barnett
All Abby Fischer wants is for her beloved sister Cecelia to be healed from her leukemia, and handsome physician Robert King offers hope. His experiments with the new X-ray treatments show promise, and Abby grips that promise with all her heart. The family relocates to San Francisco to be near Cecelia. When the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake strikes, the Fischer family is separated as fires rage in the ruined city. Abby’s life, her family, her love, and her faith are shaken to the core – will she be able to find the firm foundation she needs?
An earthquake, a medical drama, inner turmoil, and a touching romance! Karen Barnett masterfully weaves these together with heartfelt emotion, believable characters, and impressive research. The story of early X-ray treatment for cancer is startling and fascinating, and the details about the San Francisco Earthquake are excellent. The novel illustrates the terror of being separated from loved ones in times of danger, with no way of getting in contact. Truly gripping. I couldn’t stop flipping pages. Out of the Ruins is a story to savor!
Today in World War II History—May 19, 1944
B-17G Fortress “Miss Donna Mae II” drifted under another bomber on a bomb run over Berlin, 19 May 1944. (US National Archives)
70 Years Ago—May 19, 1944: On Eighth Air Force mission to Berlin, B-17 Miss Donna Mae of the 94th Bomb Group is lost when a bomb falls on her from above, all 11 men are killed. Final U-boat victory in the Mediterranean as U-453 sinks British freighter Fort Missanabie.
