Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 93

Today in World War II History—May 18, 1943

US troops traveling across snow and ice during the Battle of Attu in the Aleutian Islands, May 1943 (Australian War Memorial: P02018.119)

80 Years Ago—May 18, 1943: On Attu in the Aleutians, southern and northern landing forces of the US Army link.

Allies begin a major air offensive against the island of Pantelleria between Sicily and Tunisia in the Mediterranean.

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Today in World War II History—May 17, 1943

B-17 Memphis Belle and her crew in England, 7 June 1943 (US Air Force photo)

80 Years Ago—May 17, 1943: The crew of B-17 Memphis Belle becomes the first entire crew to complete a 25-mission tour in the US Eighth Air Force in England.

On Attu in the Aleutians, US Army secures Holtz Bay and Jarmin Pass.

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Today in World War II History—May 16, 1943

Möhne Dam in Germany after the RAF Dambuster Raid, 18 May 1943 (British Government photo)

80 Years Ago—May 16, 1943: RAF’s Dambuster Raid: 19 modified Lancaster bombers destroy the Möhne and Eder dams in Germany’s Ruhr Valley with “bouncing bombs,” causing severe flooding.

Germans crush the Jewish ghetto uprising in Warsaw; 13,000 were killed in the uprising, 50,000 were captured.

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Today in World War II History—May 15, 1943

Fire caused by errant bats from the experimental bat bomb, Carlsbad Army Air Base, NM, 15 May 1943 (US Army Air Force photo)

80 Years Ago—May 15, 1943: Germans launch fifth offensive against Tito’s Partisans in Yugoslavia.

US Army ends experiment in using “bat bombs” as bats burn down newly constructed, unoccupied Carlsbad Army Air Base, NM; plan was for bats carrying incendiary bombs to be dropped over Japan, where they would roost under eaves and destroy buildings.

American Broadcasting System is founded by Edward J. Noble to enable purchase of the NBC Blue Network; will be renamed American Broadcasting Company (ABC).

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Today in World War II History—May 14, 1943

Australian poster commemorating sinking of hospital ship HMAS Centaur

80 Years Ago—May 14, 1943: Australian hospital ship Centaur is sunk by Japanese sub I-177 off Brisbane; 268/334 killed, including 11/12 nurses.

US Eighth Air Force in England launches its first mission with over 200 bombers and its first with B-26 Marauder medium bombers.

US Army Air Forces recruiting poster featuring B-26 Marauders, WWII

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Today in World War II History—May 13, 1943

Axis prisoners of war at Mateur, Tunisia, 9 May 1943 (US Army Center of Military History)

Emblem of the US 94th Bombardment Group

80 Years Ago—May 13, 1943: Official surrender of Axis forces to the Allies in Tunisia, placing all North Africa in Allied hands.

Four new bomb groups begin operations with the US Eighth Air Force in England, doubling strength (94th, 95th, 96th, and 351st BGs with B-17s).

B-17 Hell’s Angels of the US 303rd Bombardment Group is the first heavy bomber in the Eighth Air Force to finish a 25-mission tour (not the first complete crew to finish a tour).

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Today in World War II History—May 12, 1943

German Gen. Jürgen von Arnim after his surrender to the Allies in Tunisia, May 1943 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—May 12, 1943: German and Italian troops surrender in Tunisia, ending the campaign in North Africa; Allies take 225,000 prisoners.

British First Arakan Campaign in Burma ends as Indian troops evacuate Maungdaw.

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Today in World War II History—May 11, 1943

US Army troops landing at Massacre Bay, Attu, Aleutian Islands, US Territory of Alaska, 11 May 1943 (Library of Congress)

80 Years Ago—May 11, 1943: US 7th Infantry Division lands on Attu in the Aleutians, at Massacre and Holtz Bays and at Alexai Point; heavy opposition from the Japanese; this is the only WWII land battle on US territory.

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Today in World War II History—May 10, 1943

German troops surrender to the crew of a Stuart tank in Tunisia, 6 May 1943 (Imperial War Museum: NA 2514)

80 Years Ago—May 10, 1943: In Tunisia, British First Army takes Hammamet, cutting off Cap Bon Peninsula.

The post Today in World War II History—May 10, 1943 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—May 9, 1943

Card made for mothers to send to their sons in uniform, Mother’s Day, 9 May 1943 (Source: US Marine Corps)

80 Years Ago—May 9, 1943: US II Corps breaks through to Tunisian east coast, dividing Axis forces.

US celebrates Mother’s Day.

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