Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 75

Today in World War II History—November 1, 1943

LCVP landing craft circling off Cape Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands before landing, 1 Nov 1943 (US Marine Corps photo USMC 67319)

80 Years Ago—Nov. 1, 1943: US Marines land on Bougainville in the Solomons at Empress Augusta Bay.

US Twelfth Air Force in the Mediterranean divides into Twelfth AF (tactical, under Lt. Gen. Carl Spaatz) and the newly activated Fifteenth AF (strategic, under Maj. Gen. James Doolittle).

US War Ration Book Four becomes valid, designed to streamline the system and eventually reduce to one book lasting two years (Read more: “Make It Do—Meat & Cheese Rationing in World War II”).

US government seizes coal mines in response to a major strike.

Notice from US Department of the Interior about takeover of coal mines, Nov. 1943 (US Government Printing Office: 1943-O-525251)

The post Today in World War II History—November 1, 1943 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—October 31, 1943

F4U-2 night-fighter Corsairs equipped with air intercept radar aboard carrier USS Intrepid in the Marshall Islands, 1944—see radome in right outer wing (US Navy photo)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 31, 1943: Over New Georgia in the Solomon Islands, US Navy F4U Corsair accomplishes first night air radar-guided victory, shooting down a Japanese G4M1 bomber.

US Fifth Air Force renders all Japanese airfields in southern Bougainville inoperable (in the Solomons).

The post Today in World War II History—October 31, 1943 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee

High in the Great Smoky Mountains in 1943, midwife Bertie Jenkins lives with her four unmarried sisters on the family homestead. When they find a pregnant teenager on their land, shot by her own father, the sisters take her in and hide her, nicknaming her Songbird on account of her beautiful singing voice. The sisters grow fond of Songbird and her baby, but what would happen if her abusive father learned where she was?

In 1973, country music star Walker Wylie learns he was adopted, shattering all he believes about himself.  He enlists the help of Reese Chandler, a midwife and an adoption advocate, to help him find his birth parents. But are Walker and Reese prepared for the heartache they may unearth?

Rich in description and atmosphere, Appalachian Song transports you to the culture and lifestyle of the Great Smoky Mountains. Through beautifully rendered characters in heart-wrenching dilemmas, Michelle Shocklee asks profound questions about life and family and belonging. An evocative read you are sure to savor!

The post Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—October 30, 1943

US poster, WWII

80 Years Ago—Oct. 30, 1943: Soviets cut off German forces on the Crimean peninsula.

US coasts are reduced to Category of Defense “A”—probably free from attack.

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Today in World War II History—October 29, 1943

Maj. Glenn Miller and his Army Air Force band in an open-air concert, WWII (USAF Photo)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 29, 1943: Maj. Glenn Miller’s Army Air Force band records “St. Louis Blues March.”

US War Production Board somewhat relaxes prohibition on use of aluminum. Read more: Make It Do: Metal Shortages in World War II.

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Today in World War II History—October 28, 1943

Landing ship tank USS LST-30, San Francisco Bay, 1945 (US Naval History & Heritage Command: NH 82164)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 28, 1943: US Marines land on Shortland and Choiseul in the Solomons as a diversion from the upcoming Bougainville landings.

USS LST-30 arrives in England from the US, the first LST (landing ship, tank) to arrive for D-day, and launches an LCT (landing craft, tank) from the deck before a crowd.

Los Angeles County forms Smoke & Fumes Commission to deal with smog.

The post Today in World War II History—October 28, 1943 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—October 27, 1943

New Zealand soldiers training with a 3-inch mortar on Mono, Treasury Islands, 1943 (National Library of New Zealand: WH-0556)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 27, 1943: New Zealanders land on and take Stirling, Soanotalu, and Mono in the Treasury Islands, their first opposed amphibious landing since Gallipoli in WWI.

US movie premiere of Guadalcanal Diary.

American musicians are allowed to record V-discs for the military, bypassing the recording strike.

US celebrates Navy Day.

Poster for US Navy Day, 27 Oct 1943

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Today in World War II History—October 26, 1943

US Thirteenth Air Force B-25 bombers over Bougainville, 1944 (US Air Force photo)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 26, 1943: US Thirteenth Air Force bombers and fighters and US Navy dive-bombers and fighters attack Japanese-occupied Bougainville in the Solomon Islands in advance of the Allied invasion.

The post Today in World War II History—October 26, 1943 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—October 25, 1943

Adm. Sir Bertram Ramsay, Allied Naval Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Forces, at his London Headquarters at Norfolk House, 1944 (Imperial War Museum: A 23443)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 25, 1943: Adm. Sir Bertram Ramsay becomes Allied Naval Commander-in-Chief Expeditionary Force (ANCXF) for Operation Overlord (D-day).

Japanese withdraw from Finschhafen area of New Guinea.

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Today in World War II History—October 24, 1943

Soviet soldiers preparing rafts to cross the Dnieper (the sign reads “Onward To Kiev!”), Battle of the Dnieper, 1943 (public domain via Wikipedia)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 24, 1943: In the Battle of the Dnieper in Ukraine, the Soviets take Dniepropetrovsk.

The post Today in World War II History—October 24, 1943 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.