Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 61

Today in World War II History—March 13, 1944

German Tiger I tank in front of the Altare della Patria, Rome, 1944 (German Federal Archives: Bild 101I-310-0880-38)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 13, 1944: To eliminate Rome as an Allied air raid target, Germans order removal of all military installations except medical, quartermaster, butcher, and bakery, and place Vatican City off limits to soldiers.

In Ukraine, Soviets cross the lower Dnieper at Kherson and take Kherson.

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Today in World War II History—March 12, 1944

Edvard Beneš, president of Czechoslovakian government-in-exile, 1942 (US Library of Congress: LC-USW33- 019089-C)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 12, 1944: Czechoslovakian government-in-exile in London urges uprising against the Nazis to meet the approaching Soviet army.

Neutral Eire (Ireland) refuses to expel German diplomats and is isolated by the Allies.

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Today in World War II History—March 11, 1944

Patches of the US Fifth Air Force and the US Fifteenth Air Force, WWII

80 Years Ago—Mar. 11, 1944: In Denmark, Germans arrest 13 members of Hvidsten Group (resistance) and an SOE agent.

US Fifth Air Force begins neutralizing Japanese airfields at Wewak, New Guinea, in preparation for April landings at Hollandia.

US Fifteenth Air Force (based in Italy) bombs Toulon, France, sinking German U-boats U-380 and U-410 and several French warships that had been raised by the Germans.

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Today in World War II History—March 10, 1944

Poster for US Navy Construction Battalions (Seabees), WWII

80 Years Ago—Mar. 10, 1944: Countdown to D-day: Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force issues Operation Overlord directive to ground, air, and naval forces for D-day.

National movie premiere of The Fighting Seabees starring John Wayne.

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Today in World War II History—March 9, 1944

Gen. Douglas MacArthur decorates Lt. Marvin J. Henshaw with the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on Los Negros, 29 Feb 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 9, 1944: US Sixth Army secures Los Negros in the Admiralty Islands in the Pacific.

Chinese take Walawbum, Burma, opening Hukawng Valley for Ledo Road construction (will connect to Burma Road to supply China).

Allied construction of the Ledo Road in Burma (US Army Center of Military History)

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Today in World War II History—March 8, 1944

Map of the Imphal and Kohima Campaign in Burma, 1944 (public domain via Mike Young, Wikipedia)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 8, 1944: Japanese launch offensive in Burma toward major British base at Imphal, India.

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Today in World War II History—March 7, 1944

Nazi German poster, 1940s, stating “Mothers! Fight for your children!”

80 Years Ago—Mar. 7, 1944: Nazis make house-to-house calls to recruit women ages 17-45 for war work.

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Today in World War II History—March 6, 1944

US Eighth Air Force B-17s bombing Berlin, 1944 (USAF photo)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 6, 1944: US Eighth Air Force loses 69 of 730 bombers in mission to Berlin—its costliest raid ever.

Countdown to D-day: US Navy’s Force U is established under Rear Adm. Don Moon for support off Utah Beach on D-day.

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Today in World War II History—March 5, 1944

Lt. Charles “Chuck” Yeager of the 357th Fighter Group, with his P-51 Mustang “Glamorous Glen,” 17 October 1944 (Imperial War Museum, Roger Freeman Collection)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 5, 1944: Future test pilot Flight Officer Chuck Yeager of the US 357th Fighter Group is shot down in his P-51 over Gironde, France; he evades capture with help of French resistance.

In Second Chindit Raid, Wingate’s Special Force (British/Indian) and US Army engineers make airborne drops in Burma and build “Broadway” airstrip; C-47s double-tow gliders to Broadway airstrip but nearly all are damaged.

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Today in World War II History—March 4, 1944

Lt. Gen. Alexander Patch, August 1945 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 4, 1944: Maj. Gen. Alexander Patch assumes command of US Seventh Army in Algiers, to prepare for landings in southern France.

US Eighth Air Force flies its first bombing mission to Berlin.

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