Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 84

Today in World War II History—August 8, 1943

US Army medic administering plasma to wounded Private Roy Humphrey, Sant’Agata, Sicily, Italy, 9 Aug 1943 (US National Archives: 111-SC-178198)

80 Years Ago—Aug. 8, 1943: Torpedo boats USS PT-157 and PT-171 rescue Lt. John F. Kennedy and the crew of USS PT-109 from Olasana island in the Solomons.

US Seventh Army lands at Sant’Agata on Sicily’s north coast to outflank the Axis, takes San Fratello Ridge and Sant’Agata, but fails to cut off German retreat.

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Today in World War II History—August 7, 1943

German tanks taking a hill near Belgorod, Russia, 13 Aug 1943 (German Federal Archive: Bild 146-1975-080-22)

80 Years Ago—Aug. 7, 1943: Soviets launch offensive near Smolensk, Russia.

Fighting erupts between nationalists and communists in Shantung Province, China.

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Today in World War II History—August 6, 1943

Troina, Sicily, WWII (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Aug. 6, 1943: Battle of Vella Gulf: 6 US Navy destroyers sink 3 Japanese destroyers in the Solomon Islands, ending Japanese plans to reinforce New Georgia.

After a heavy battle, US Seventh Army takes Troina, Sicily, to find most Germans had evacuated the night before.

Gen. Terry Allen and his deputy Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (Pres. Theodore Roosevelt’s son) are removed from command of US 1st Infantry Division on Sicily.

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Today in World War II History—August 5, 1943

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 (US Air Force photo)

80 Years Ago—Aug. 5, 1943: British Eighth Army takes Catania, Sicily.

US Army secures Munda Field on New Georgia, to become a major airfield in the South Pacific, putting all the Solomon Islands in range of fighters.

US establishes WASP (Women’s Airforce Service Pilots) by combining Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron and Women’s Flying Training Detachment, under Miss Jacqueline Cochran.

Munda Airfield, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, WWII (US Army Center of Military History)

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Today in World War II History—August 4, 1943

San Fratello Ridge, Sicily (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Aug. 4, 1943: US Seventh Army launches attack on San Fratello Ridge on Sicily’s north shore.

The US Navy Expert Pistol Shot Medal is first awarded to a woman, Ens. Rosalie Thorne of the WAVES.

WAVES firing pistols at a range at Treasure Island Naval Base, CA, 11 Feb 1943 (US National Archives: 80-G-40594)

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Today in World War II History—August 3, 1943

Gen. George Patton talking to wounded soldiers of the US 3rd Infantry Division waiting for air evacuation, 1943 (US National Archives RG-208-AA-158-A-015)

80 Years Ago—Aug. 3, 1943: German paratroopers arrive outside Rome to “protect” against an Allied invasion, but really to occupy the city in case Italy surrenders.

Gen. George Patton slaps a patient at the US 15th Evacuation Hospital at Nicosia, Sicily, for supposed cowardice—the patient suffered from malaria and combat fatigue (first of two such incidents).

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Today in World War II History—August 2, 1943

USS PT-109 and crew, 1943, Lt. John F. Kennedy at right (US National Archives: 306-ST-649-9)

80 Years Ago—Aug. 2, 1943: Torpedo boat USS PT-109, commanded by future president Lt. John F. Kennedy, is sunk in the Solomon Islands by Japanese destroyer Amagiri; 2 killed, the 11 survivors swim 4 hours to a deserted island.

At Treblinka concentration camp, Jewish prisoners lead an armed revolt and burn buildings; 300 escape, and about 100 escape recapture.

A C-46 cargo plane flying from India to China crashes in the jungle; 20 bail out and trek to Chongqing, including CBS correspondent Eric Sevareid.

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Today in World War II History—August 1, 1943

US B-24D Liberator over Astra Romania oil refinery in Ploesti, Romania, Aug 1 1943 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Aug. 1, 1943: US Ninth Air Force flies disastrous low-altitude bombing raid on Nazi oil refineries in Ploesti, Romania; 52 of 179 B-24 bombers are lost, 5 Congressional Medals of Honor are earned.

Leading Soviet female pilot, Lydia Litvak, is shot down & killed in her Yak-1b fighter plane after downing two Luftwaffe Bf 109s.

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Today in World War II History—July 31, 1943

Italian soldiers captured by the Germans in Bolzano, Italy, September 1943 (German Federal Archive: Bild 183-J15358)

80 Years Ago—July 31, 1943: German troops enter Italy under pretense of reinforcing forces in Sicily, but actually to occupy the country in case Italy surrenders.

Movie premiere of John Huston’s Academy Award-winning documentary Report from the Aleutians.

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Today in World War II History—July 30, 1943

P-47Cs of the 78th Fighter Group (US National Archives)

80 Years Ago—July 30, 1943: First US Eighth Air Force fighter pilot achieves ace status (five victories)—Capt. Charles London, 78th Fighter Group, flying a P-47 Thunderbolt.

Anti-Fascist riots break out in Milan, Italy.

US WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) celebrates its one-year anniversary.

Cartoon commemorating WAVES first anniversary (US Naval History & Heritage Command: NH 89582-KN)

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