Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 462
September 9, 2012
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Sept. 9, 1942: Mount Emily Episode: Japanese Zero launched from sub I-25 drops incendiary bombs in Brookings, Oregon. British land at Majunga in western Madagascar to subdue remaining Vichy forces.
September 8, 2012
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Sept. 8, 1942: On Tulagi off Guadalcanal, Edson’s Raiders (Marines) destroy Japanese artillery ammunition dump.
September 7, 2012
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Sept. 7, 1942: Battle of Alam el Halfa Ridge ends when Rommel is forced back almost to original positions and Montgomery pauses to prepare for offensive. Australians give Japanese first land defeat of war, as organized resistance ends at Milne Bay, New Guinea.
September 6, 2012
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Sept. 6, 1942: Germans take Novorossisk, chief port on east coast of Black Sea.
September 5, 2012
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Sept. 5, 1942: Japanese reach Owen Stanley Gap in drive toward Port Moresby, New Guinea. New song in Top Ten: “I’ve Got a Gal in Kalamazoo.”
September 4, 2012
Giveaway Winners! Midnight Madness & Release Day
Thank you, everyone, for helping me celebrate the release of
With Every Letter
, the first book in the Wings of the Nightingale series!
The Midnight Madness giveaway offered a $50 gift card for your favorite online bookstore. And the winner is...Jackie Wisherd! Jackie, thank you for sending your email address. I'll contact you to find out which gift card you'd like.
For the Release Day giveways...The winner of With Every Letter is...Mary Robey! Mary, thanks for leaving your email address. I'll contact you so I can get the book in the mail.
The winner of Mellie's First Aid Kit is...Pauline! Pauline, you did NOT leave your email address. Please leave a comment below with your email address in the following format: sarah[at]sarahsundin[dot]com.
Thank you for your support and prayers! I appreciate every one of you!
Today in World War II History
Technician Third Class70 Years Ago—Sept. 4, 1942: US Marines secure Savo Island off Guadalcanal. US Army adds “T” to chevrons for technician third, fourth, and fifth class.
September 3, 2012
Lessons from the 1940s - Labor Counts
On Labor Day I thought it was appropriate to honor the vital role of production in the Allied victory in World War II.The United States was well situated to become the "Arsenal of Democracy." Other than a handful of bombings from Japanese submarine-based planes and shellings from submarines, America was undamaged. The factories and shipyards functioned free from danger. The US also had a large industrial infrastructure with Yankee flexibility. Assembly lines for automobiles and washing machines were reconfigured to crank out jeeps and tanks. Women stepped forward to work in the factories, with 16 million women in the workforce by 1943.
Work days were lengthened and manufacturing wages rose, from an average of $25 per week in 1940 to $45.70 in 1944, while civilian prices and rents were frozen.
American industry and workers stepped up production so that by 1944, real economic output had increased 150%. By 1942, the United States produced more arms than all the Axis countries combined. As a result, America was able to keep itself and the rest of the Allies well supplied.
Dark spots existed. Despite taking a "no-strike pledge" after Pearl Harbor, unions launched many strikes that slowed production, especially in the railroads and the coal and steel industries. The threat of government takeover, public outrage, and disgust from the military ended these strikes. In June 1944, sailors on the USS Coos Bay sarcastically sent $412 in pennies to buy off the workers at the Wright aircraft factory in Ohio.
In the end, American production was a key factor in the Allied victory. By keeping the Allies suppled with arms, vehicles, planes, ships, equipment, uniforms, medical supplies, and food, the "Arsenal of Democracy" lived up to its name.
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Sept. 3, 1942: US Fifth Air Force activated (formerly Far East AF) under Lt. Gen. George Kenney in Brisbane, for US forces in Australia and New Guinea. First cargo flight to Guadalcanal (Navy R4Ds).
September 2, 2012
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Sept. 2, 1942: RAF bombs Karlsruhe, Germany using 8000-lb bombs.
