Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 43

Today in World War II History—August 27, 1944

“Tempests Attacking Flying Bombs,” painting by Thomas Monnington, 1944, of two Tempest aircraft attacking a V-1 flying bomb above a farmhouse with an oasthouse (conical structure) alongside (Imperial War Museum: ART LD 4588)

80 Years Ago—August 27, 1944: The final group of Chindits, British commandos operating behind Japanese lines in Burma, is evacuated to India.

Germans fire 97 V-1 buzz bombs at England, but 87 are downed by antiaircraft guns, barrage balloons, or fighter planes.

Outside Paris, French 2nd Armored Division captures a train full of art from Jeu de Paume looted by the Germans; a Jewish lieutenant recognizes one of his family’s paintings among the loot.

The post Today in World War II History—August 27, 1944 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—August 26, 1944

French civilians seeking cover as a German sniper opens fire, Paris, France, 26 Aug 1944 (US National Archives: 111-SC-193008)

80 Years Ago—August 26, 1944: Gen. Charles de Gaulle leads a parade down the Champs-Élysées; German snipers shoot at him there and later inside Notre-Dame Cathedral; snipers also shoot at celebrating Parisians at place de la Concorde.

New song enters Top Ten: “It Had to Be You.”

The post Today in World War II History—August 26, 1944 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—August 25, 1944

French 2nd Armored Division parading through the Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France, 26 Aug 1944 (US Library of Congress: LC-USW36-1 A)

80 Years Ago—August 25, 1944: Free French troops liberate Paris; the Tricolor is flown from the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.

US XVIII Airborne Corps is activated over 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions under Maj. Gen. Matthew Ridgway; Maj. Gen. James Gavin replaces Ridgway over 82nd Airborne, the youngest American general to command a division in the war (age 37).

US Army’s “Red Ball Express” completes its first truck shipment of supplies across France.

Members of US 4th Infantry Division sightseeing in Paris, France, Aug. 25, 1944 (US Army photo: NARA 208-MFI-3B-1)

The post Today in World War II History—August 25, 1944 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—August 24, 1944

Map of Operation Dragoon: Allied landings in Southern France, 15-28 August 1944 (United States Military Academy)

80 Years Ago—August 24, 1944: US Third Army crosses the Seine south of Paris.

Following an appeal by resistance-captured radio in Paris, Notre-Dame Cathedral rings its bells at 11:22 pm, for the first time since June 1940.

In southern France, US Seventh Army takes Avignon and Cannes.

The post Today in World War II History—August 24, 1944 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—August 23, 1944

King Michael I of Romania, 1947 (public domain via Kawalerowie Orderu Zwyciestwa, Warschau via Wikipedia)

80 Years Ago—August 23, 1944: Romanians overthrow pro-German Prime Minister Gen. Ion Antonescu; King Michael I offers unconditional surrender of Romania to the USSR.

Future baseball star Lt. Jackie Robinson is court-martialed for July 6, 1944 incident when he refused to give up a bus seat; he will be acquitted.

The post Today in World War II History—August 23, 1944 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—August 22, 1944

French resistance fighter Simone Segouin (nom de guerre Nicole Minet) posing with a MP 40 submachine gun in Paris, 23 Aug 1944 (US National Archives: 111-SC-193559)

80 Years Ago—August 22, 1944: French resistance controls all public buildings in Paris.

US flight nurses arrive in southern France and begin air evacuation to Italy.

The post Today in World War II History—August 22, 1944 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—August 21, 1944

Corporal Charles H. Johnson of the 783rd Military Police Battalion waves on a “Red Ball Express” motor convoy near Alenon, France, 5 September 1944 (US National Archives: 111-SC-195512)

80 Years Ago—August 21, 1944: Dumbarton Oaks Conference begins in Washington, DC, for Allies to discuss the establishment of the United Nations.

US Army Transportation Corps announces Red Ball Express to speed supplies from Saint-Lô to Paris; 75% of trucks are manned by African-American troops.

French civilians launch an insurrection in Marseille against the Germans.

French troops near the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica, Marseille, France, August 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

The post Today in World War II History—August 21, 1944 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—August 20, 1944

Auxiliary carrier USS Bogue (ACV-9) underway near Norfolk, VA, 20 June 1943 (US Navy photo: 80-G-71314)

80 Years Ago—August 20, 1944: In Paris, resistance seizes Hôtel de Ville (city hall).

US secures Biak off New Guinea.

Off Newfoundland, aircraft from escort carrier USS Bogue sink German U-boat U-1229, which is on a mission to land German spy Oskar Mantel in Maine; 18 are killed and Mantel is captured.

The post Today in World War II History—August 20, 1944 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—August 19, 1944

Trucks carry German POWs from the Falaise Pocket, August 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—August 19, 1944: French resistance launches an uprising in Paris.

In France, Canadian troops link with the US Third Army at Chambois, closing the Falaise Gap; 50,000 German prisoners will be taken, but 20-30,000 escape.

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Today in World War II History—August 18, 1944

Battle flag of submarine USS Rasher, WWII (US Navy photo)

80 Years Ago—August 18, 1944: Off Luzon in the Philippines, submarine USS Rasher sinks Japanese aircraft carrier Taiyo, as well as a troop transport, a cargo ship, and an oiler.

In southern France, US Task Force Butler under Brig. Gen. Frederic Butler strikes northwest, taking advantage of weak German resistance to make a rapid drive.

The post Today in World War II History—August 18, 1944 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.