Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 78

Today in World War II History—October 3, 1943

Map of the Solomon Islands area, WWII (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 3, 1943: Japanese finish evacuating Kolombangara, their last air base in the Solomons, after the island had been bypassed and isolated by the Allies.

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Today in World War II History—October 2, 1943

Australian transport company unloads supplies at Finschhafen, Oct. 1943 (Australian War Memorial: 068605)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 2, 1943: During the night of Oct. 1-2, the Nazis arrest Danish Jews, but most are in hiding, and only 284 are arrested that night—474 will be arrested in Denmark overall; that evening, Sweden offers asylum to all Jews in Denmark—through November, 7,700 will be safely transported to Sweden. Read more: “Denmark in World War II.”

Australians take Finschhafen, New Guinea.

NFL season opens with new team, the Philadelphia-Pittsburgh Combine, the “Steagles,” since the Steelers and the Eagles had been decimated by the draft.

New song in Top Ten: “Pistol Packin’ Mama.”

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Today in World War II History—October 1, 1943

1st King’s Dragoon Guards at the town hall in Naples, 1 October 1943 (Imperial War Museum NA 7433)

80 Years Ago—Oct. 1, 1943: In Italy, US Fifth Army and British X Corps enter Naples, while British Eighth Army occupies Foggia and its airfields.

US Third War Loan Drive ends, raising $19 billion (quota $15 billion). Read more: World War II War Bonds.

Poster for US Third War Loan Drive, Sept. 9-Oct. 1, 1943

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Today in World War II History—September 30, 1943

Danish Jews crossing from Denmark to Sweden, Sept-Oct 1943 [Museum of Danish Resistance (Frihedsmuseet)]

80 Years Ago—Sept. 30, 1943: Danish Resistance begins ferrying Jewish people by fishing boats and other vessels to Sweden; through November, over one thousand trips will be made, rescuing 7,700 people.

As the Allies advance in Italy, the Germans begin evacuating Naples, destroying facilities and leaving booby traps.

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Today in World War II History—September 29, 1943

Italian Premier Pietro Badoglio and Gen. Dwight Eisenhower on battleship HMS Nelson for Italian surrender to Allies at Malta, 29 September 1943 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Sept. 29, 1943: Gen. Dwight Eisenhower and Italian premier Pietro Badoglio sign the official Italian armistice on battleship HMS Nelson at Malta.

US 100th Infantry Battalion (Japanese-Americans primarily from Hawaii) is attached to the US Fifth Army in Italy.

In morning pre-Rosh Hashanah service in Copenhagen, Denmark, Rabbi Marcus Melchior warns the congregation about the round-up planned for the night of October 1-2.

Half-Jewish Nobel Prize-winning physicist Niels Bohr & his wife flee from Copenhagen to Sweden at night.

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Today in World War II History—September 28, 1943

Georg Duckwitz, 1960 (German Federal Archive: B 145 Bild-F008672-0027)

80 Years Ago—Sept. 28, 1943: Roman Jews pay ransom of 50 kg of gold to Nazis with help from the Vatican; however, it will not be honored.

German naval attaché Georg Duckwitz, stationed in Copenhagen, Denmark, learns of Gestapo plan to round up Danish Jews; he warns Danish Resistance at great personal risk, allowing Danes to save almost all of Denmark’s Jews.

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Heart in the Clouds by Jennifer Mistmorgan

In 1942, Maggie Morrison serves in the WAAF as the calm voice on the radio helping pilots to land at their English airfield. But she’s reeling from the loss of her mother and from a heart shattered by a rakish pilot.

Australian pilot Alec Thomas is as confident with women as he is in the cockpit of his Lancaster bomber, so he’s taken aback to receive a chilly reception from Maggie. Impulsively, he accepts a bet that he can win a kiss from her before New Year’s Day. But as his combat tour winds down, the challenges ramp up – both in the air and on the ground.

A sweet and compelling romance that doesn’t shy away from the difficulties of war. Heart in the Clouds is beautifully researched, based on Jennifer Mistmorgan‘s grandfather’s experiences as a pilot in the RAAF. Perfect for both World War II buffs and for those who simply enjoy a lovely story and characters who feel like friends. Don’t miss this one!

 

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Today in World War II History—September 27, 1943

Australian commandos and crew of MV Krait en route to Singapore, September 1943 (Australian War Memorial: 045421)

80 Years Ago—Sept. 27, 1943: On night of Sept. 26-27, Australian & British commandos enter Singapore Harbor on a fishing boat and sink or damage 7 Japanese ships with limpet mines.

US Eighth Air Force bombers have escort by P-47 Thunderbolt fighters all the way to targets in Germany for the first time.

Soviets take Temyruk, Russia, the last German-held port on the Black Sea.

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt (US Air Force photo)

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Today in World War II History—September 26, 1943

Wreckage in the dock area of Naples, Italy, caused by the Germans before they left the city, 1943 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Sept. 26, 1943: As the Allies advance north in Italy, an anti-Fascist uprising begins in Naples; 300 civilians will be killed in the next week.

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Today in World War II History—September 25, 1943

Bette Davis & John Garfield, founders of the Hollywood Canteen, 1942 (public domain via Wikipedia)

80 Years Ago—Sept. 25, 1943: Soviets take Smolensk and Roslavl in Russia.

Movie premiere of musical Thank Your Lucky Stars; the all-star cast donates their salaries to the Hollywood Canteen.

The post Today in World War II History—September 25, 1943 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.