Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 53

Today in World War II History—May 28, 1944

British Adm. Sir Bertram Ramsay, Allied Naval Commander for D-day, and US Navy Rear Admiral John Hall, commander of amphibious operations, aboard command ship USS Ancon, 25 May 1944 (US National Archives: 80-G-45713)

80 Years Ago—May 28, 1944: Countdown to D-day: Gen. Dwight Eisenhower sets H-hours for each force.

At 1800, Adm. Sir Bertram Ramsay orders “execute Operation Neptune,” announcing D-day (June 5) and H-hour for each force.

Allied naval units for D-day go into lockdown with no one permitted to leave ships or bases.

The post Today in World War II History—May 28, 1944 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

On This Memorial Day

US Coast Guardsman honors the fallen in the Pacific, Memorial Day, 30 May 1944 (US Coast Guard photo)

On Memorial Day, we remember those who gave their lives in defense of our country.

We live in freedom because they fought tyranny.

We live without fear because they faced danger.

We live in comfort because they gave up all comforts.

We live because of their sacrifices.

 

Let’s never take these gifts for granted. They were purchased at high cost.

Over 1 million Americans have given their lives in war (Source: English, June A., Jones, Thomas D., Scholastic Encyclopedia of the United States at War, New York NY: Scholastic Reference, 1998).

American Revolution: 4,435War of 1812: 2,260Mexican-American War: 13,283Civil War: 498,332Spanish-American War: 2,446World War I: 116,708World War II: 407,316Korean War: 33.651Vietnam War: 58,168Gulf War: 293War on Terrorism (Source: icasualties.org): 4586 in Iraq, 2465 in Afghanistan

On this Memorial Day, take a moment to remember. And take a moment to thank God for freedom and life.

The post On This Memorial Day first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—May 27, 1944

US LSTs and LVT(A)s unloading at Biak, May 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—May 27, 1944: Countdown to D-day: at night, the German Luftwaffe bombs Portland and Weymouth harbors, where Allied D-day forces are assembling; destroyer USS McCook is lightly damaged, but is repaired in time for D-day.

US 41st Infantry Division lands on Biak Island in Geelvink Bay of New Guinea and faces heavy resistance.

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

Today in World War II History—May 26, 1944

Patient being loaded into a C-47 for a medical air evacuation flight, Nettuno, Italy, June 1944 (US Army Medical Department, Office of Medical History)

80 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.

Countdown to D-day: Assembly of D-day assault forces in southern England is complete.

All rail bridges across the Seine north of Paris have been knocked out by Allied pre-invasion air raids and will remain so for 30 days.

US 802nd Medical Air Evacuation Transport Squadron begins air evacuation from Anzio-Nettuno in Italy.

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

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)

80 Years Ago—May 25, 1944: US VI Corps from Anzio joins US II Corps from the Gustav Line near Littoria, Italy.

French Milice (pro-German) arrest Dr. & Mrs. Sumner Jackson of American Hospital in Paris and their 16-year-old son Phillip for resistance activities; Mrs. Jackson & Phillip survive, Dr. Jackson killed in sinking of Thielbek in May 1945.

German paratroopers raid the hideout of Yugoslavian partisan leader Tito, almost capturing him and visitor Randolph Churchill, son of Winston Churchill.

Countdown to D-day: Outgoing mail from US soldiers in in Britain is impounded until after D-day as a security precaution.

Map showing link-up of US II and VI Corps in Italy, 25 May 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

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

Today in World War II History—May 24, 1944

Aerial view of Terracina, Italy, May 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—May 24, 1944: US II Corps takes Terracina in Italy unopposed, opening Highway 7 to Anzio.

Mussolini’s government in northern Italy executes Adm. Inigo Campioni, former governor of Italian Aegean Islands, for refusing to support Mussolini.

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

Today in World War II History—May 23, 1944

US patrol in Cisterna, Italy, 25 May 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—May 23, 1944: In Italy Allies launch assault to break out at Anzio and cut Highway 7 below Cisterna.

In breakout from Anzio, US 3rd Division suffers 1000 casualties, among the costliest days for any US division of the war.

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

Today in World War II History—May 22, 1944

Destroyer escort USS England off San Francisco, CA, 9 Feb 1944 (US Naval History and Heritage Command: 19-N-60938)

80 Years Ago—May 22, 1944: In the Solomon Islands, destroyer escort USS England sinks RO-106, the second of six Japanese submarines sunk in twelve days, the most successful antisubmarine operation by a single ship in history.

French resistance blows up hydroelectric station in Bussy.

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

Today in World War II History—May 21, 1944

Sailors fighting fires on USS LST-480 resulting from explosion of LST-353 the previous day, Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, 22 May 1944 (US National Archives: SC 185701)

80 Years Ago—May 21, 1944: US Eighth and Ninth Air Forces conduct first “Chattanooga” strafing mission against railroad targets in Germany and occupied France.

At Pearl Harbor, ammunition explosion on landing craft USS LST-353 kills 163, destroys 8 other ships.

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

Today in World War II History—May 20, 1944

Men of US 163rd Infantry Regiment hit the beach from Higgins boats during the invasion of Wakde Island, New Guinea, 18 May 1944 (US National Archives: 111-SC-190968)

80 Years Ago—May 20, 1944: US troops secure Wakde Island off New Guinea.

Iceland holds referendum: 99.5% will vote to sever ties with Denmark and establish a new republic.

Polish resistance captures an intact German V-2 rocket and will ship the parts to England in July.

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