Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 49

Today in World War II History—July 1, 1944

Map of Allied advance in Normandy from 6 June-1 July 1944, showing secured Cotentin Peninsula (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—July 1, 1944: US First Army secures the Cotentin peninsula in Normandy, France.

United Nations Monetary Conference begins in Bretton Woods, NH; will establish International Monetary Fund and International Bank for Reconstruction & Development.

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Today in World War II History—June 30, 1944

View looking west on Omaha Beach, Normandy, during resupply operations, 1 July 1944 (US National Archives: SC 206826)

80 Years Ago—June 30, 1944: Adm. Sir Bertram Ramsay declares the conclusion of Operation Neptune, the naval portion of Operation Overlord, the invasion of Normandy.

US secures island of Biak off New Guinea.

In Copenhagen, Denmark, labor strikes spread to a general strike as a wave of Danish sabotage and rioting continues in response to increased German crackdowns; Germans cut off gas, water, electricity, and radio, and close roads out of the city.

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Today in World War II History—June 29, 1944

Abandoned vehicles of German 9th Army at Bobruysk, Byelorussia, July 1944 (public domain via Central Archives of the Russian Ministry of Defense: 194407)

80 Years Ago—June 29, 1944: Soviets take Bobruysk in Byelorussia, capturing 70,000 troops of German Army Group Center.

Gen. Friedrich Dollmann, commander of German 7th Army in Normandy, dies of a heart attack after Hitler threatens to court-martial him for the loss of Cherbourg.

In Nazi campaign against Italian partisans, Germans execute all 73 men in San Pancrazio, Tuscany.

Margaret Landon’s bestselling biography Anna and the King of Siam is published.

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Today in World War II History—June 28, 1944

Thomas Dewey, 1948 (US Library of Congress: cph.3c06327)

80 Years Ago—June 28, 1944: At the Republican convention in Chicago, Thomas Dewey is nominated for president.

Last Japanese planes leave New Guinea as Allies advance.

In Paris, resistance kills Philippe Henriot, Milice (pro-Nazi) leader and voice of Radio-Paris.

Glenn Miller’s Army Air Forces Band arrives in Scotland on HMT Queen Elizabeth.

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Today in World War II History—June 27, 1944

US infantry captain with German prisoners in Cherbourg, France, June 1944 (US National Archives: SC 190810)

80 Years Ago—June 27, 1944: US First Army liberates Cherbourg, France, but the Germans have destroyed the vital port facilities.

Movie premiere of musical Bathing Beauty, starring Esther Williams and Red Skelton.

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Today in World War II History—June 26, 1944

Frances Green, Margaret (Peg) Kirchner, Ann Waldner and Blanche Osborn leaving their B-17, “Pistol Packin’ Mama,” at the four-engine school at Lockbourne AAF, Ohio, during WASP ferry training (USAF photo: 160449 AC)

80 Years Ago—June 26, 1944: In Normandy, British launch Operation Epsom in attempt to take Caen.

US Army Air Force orders WASP (Women’s Airforce Service Pilots) program dissolved in December; women aren’t notified until October.

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Midnight on the Scottish Shore Cover Reveal!

To escape the Nazis, she must become a spy. To save the Allied cause, must he betray his heart?

Today I’m pleased to reveal the cover for my upcoming novel, Midnight on the Scottish Shore, which is scheduled to release from Revell Books on February 4, 2025. This is the second of three standalone novels, following three Dutch cousins who come to Britain in World War II.

Midnight on the Scottish Shore is now available for preorder at Baker Book House (40% off and free shipping!), Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and ChristianBook, and will be available on other sites soon. Preorders for the e-book and audiobook will be available at a later date.

Today I’m giving away TEN paperback copies of Midnight on the Scottish Shore, to be mailed in late January 2025.

Midnight on the Scottish Shore

The only way Cilla van der Zee can survive the German occupation of the Netherlands is to do the unthinkable—become a spy for the Nazis in Britain. She soothes her conscience with a plan to abandon her mission and instead aid the Allies. Her scheme is thwarted when naval officer Lt. Lachlan Mackenzie finds her along the Scottish shore and turns her in to be executed.

But perhaps she is more useful alive than dead. British intelligence sends her to Scotland to radio misleading messages to Germany, messages about the naval base at Scapa Flow to be crafted by Lachlan. At the station in the lighthouse at Dunnet Head, Lachlan and Cilla must work together if the war is to be won. But how can he trust a woman who arrived on his shores as a tool of the enemy—a woman certain to betray both him and the Allied cause?

Cover Reveal Video

Instead of my usual Facebook Live video, I put together a video of my wee grandson in his wee kilt giving me a wee bit of help with the cover reveal. I’ll share it on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter/X on June 25 at 10 am Pacific/1 pm Eastern. The video will be available for viewing afterward too.

Preorder Form

If you preorder Midnight on the Scottish Shore, fill out my Google form, and you’ll automatically be entered in the preorder goodie giveaway that will officially open in January 2025—no need to enter twice! You can also order bookmarks, postcards, and bookplates, which will be mailed in January 2025. By preordering, you’ll receive the book first—and you create interest in bookstores that helps the book succeed.

Giveaway

To enter the giveaway, please make sure you’ve subscribed to my email newsletter, then enter the Rafflecopter below (US mailing addresses only, please). Giveaway ends Monday, July 1, 2024, at 11 pm Pacific Time. I’ll announce the ten winners here on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, and by email. Winners must respond to the email within one week to receive the book.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Today in World War II History—June 25, 1944

German coast artillery shell falling between battleships USS Texas (background) and USS Arkansas (foreground) off Cherbourg, France, 25 June 1944 (US National Archives: 80-G-244210)

80 Years Ago—June 25, 1944: US battleships, cruisers, and destroyers bombard Cherbourg, France, in support of US troops besieging the port city.

US Eighth Air Force flies first “Zebra” mission: B-17s drop supplies and arms to French resistance fighters.

On Saipan, US Marines take Mt. Tapotchau, which dominates the island.

French Maquis receiving supplies from US B-17s (US Air Force photo)

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Today in World War II History—June 24, 1944

French partisans, August 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—June 24, 1944: Danish Schalburg Corps (Nazi) sets fire to Royal Danish porcelain factory and sets off bombs in Tivoli Gardens, in retaliation for resistance attack on Riffelsyndikatet and fireworks at Tivoli, destroying places dear to Danes.

Free French forces begin to leave Italy to prepare for Operation Anvil, the invasion of southern France.

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Today in World War II History—June 23, 1944

B-17 used as guided missile in Project Aphrodite (US Army Air Force photo: 60799 AC)

80 Years Ago—June 23, 1944: US Eighth Air Force establishes Project Aphrodite, which will attempt to use remote control to guide unmanned, war-weary planes loaded with bombs to targets.

Nazis give a tour of carefully staged Theresienstadt concentration camp to the International Red Cross and a Danish delegation.

On Midsummer Eve, Danish resistance sets off (illegal) fireworks in Tivoli Gardens, with handouts saying, “Greetings from fighting Denmark.”

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