Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 94

Today in World War II History—May 8, 1943

German officer questioning Jews in Warsaw, Poland, 14-15 May 1943 (US National Archives)

80 Years Ago—May 8, 1943: Germans capture headquarters of Jewish resistance in the Warsaw ghetto.

New songs in Top Ten: “Comin’ in on a Wing and a Prayer” and “You’ll Never Know”; these songs are recorded a cappella to bypass the musicians’ union recording strike.

The post Today in World War II History—May 8, 1943 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—May 7, 1943

US troops and tanks in Bizerte, Tunisia, 7 May 1943 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—May 7, 1943: In Tunisia, US II Corps takes Bizerte and British take Tunis.

Lt. Gen. Jacob Devers takes command of US European Theater of Operations.

The post Today in World War II History—May 7, 1943 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—May 6, 1943

Map of Allied operations in Tunisia, 3-13 May 1943 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—May 6, 1943: Most intense Allied aerial bombardment yet in North Africa (by RAF and US Ninth and Twelfth Air Forces) as British drive for Tunis and US for Bizerte.

In the continuing attack on Allied convoy ONS-5, British destroyers and corvettes sink five German U-boats.

The post Today in World War II History—May 6, 1943 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—May 5, 1943

US poster featuring the North American P-51B Mustang, WWII

80 Years Ago—May 5, 1943: In the continuing German attack on Allied North Atlantic convoy ONS-5, eleven Allied ships and one German U-boat are sunk.

Adm. Sir Charles Little is named Allied Naval Commander-in-Chief Expeditionary Force for Operation Overlord (D-day); he will be succeeded by Adm. Sir Bertram Ramsay in October 1943.

Japanese launch an offensive south of the Yangtze River toward Chongqing.

First flight of production-model North American P-51B Mustang (with a Packard-built Merlin engine), at Inglewood, CA.

The post Today in World War II History—May 5, 1943 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Within These Walls of Sorrow by Amanda Barratt

When the Germans invade Poland, newlywed Zosia Lewandowska loses her husband, but she takes comfort in her growing friendship with her young neighbor Hania Silberman. But Hania is Jewish, and soon the Silberman family is forced to leave their home and belongings to move to the ghetto in Krakow.

As a pharmacist, Zosia takes a job at a pharmacy in the ghetto. Free to come and go, Zosia uses her position to sneak food and supplies to her friends. When deportations shatter the ghetto, the pharmacy staff does what it can to aid their neighbors, helping them hide and escape. But will it be enough to help Hania and those she loves? And can Zosia and the other pharmacists evade arrest?

Based on the true and stirring story of the Pad Orlem Pharmacy in Krakow, Within These Walls of Sorrow shines the light of hope on the horrors of life in Nazi-occupied Poland. The loving, sacrificial friendship between Zosia and Hania and the hope they cling to in the middle of unimaginable darkness touch the soul. And Amanda Barratt‘s gorgeous prose and outstanding research make the story shine. Do not miss this novel.

The post Within These Walls of Sorrow by Amanda Barratt first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—May 4, 1943

Capt. Clark Gable and a B-17 Flying Fortress with the US Eighth Air Force in England, 12 June 1943 (US Army photo)

80 Years Ago—May 4, 1943: In US Eighth Air Force mission to Antwerp, P-47 Thunderbolt fighters escort bombers for the first time and Capt. Clark Gable flies his first mission in a B-17 Flying Fortress with the 351st Bombardment Group.

Poster for Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter planes, World War II

The post Today in World War II History—May 4, 1943 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—May 3, 1943

Lt. Gen. Frank Andrews, WWII (US Army photo: 080305-F-3927P-004)

80 Years Ago—May 3, 1943: Lt. Gen. Frank Andrews, commander of US European Theater of Operations, is killed in a B-24 crash in Iceland.

US II Corps takes Mateur, Tunisia.

British 6th Airborne Division is established under Maj.-Gen. Richard Gale.

The Pulitzer Prize in Literature is awarded to Upton Sinclair for Dragon’s Teeth.

US 1st Infantry Division tank speeding to Mateur, Tunisia, 3 May 1943 (US Army Center of Military History)

The post Today in World War II History—May 3, 1943 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer

In 1861, Margaret Wakefield, daughter of a US senator, tries to help the wounded from the first battles of the Civil War and tries to decide if the intriguing Graydon Cooper is a Southern sympathizer . . . or a spy.

In 1941, Maggie Hollingsworth serves as a nurse on a US Navy hospital ship, where she meets Dr. Zechariah Philips . . . whose abrasive nature conceals both hurt and compassion.

In 2001, medical student Meg Clarke meets handsome young Congressman Seth Wallace in Washington, DC.

However, Margaret, Maggie, and Meg are the same woman, born with the mark of a time-crosser. Each morning she wakes up in a different path. In each path, her life is dedicated to healing. Each day, she must not do anything to change history. And on her fast-approaching twenty-first birthday, she must choose one path and forfeit the others forever.

A breath-taking journey through time and history! Burdened and blessed by knowledge of the future, the strong and compassionate heroine of In This Moment faces three of the most seminal moments in US history. The danger and dilemmas she faces, the intriguing men she meets, the heart-wrenching decision she must make—all keep you flipping pages. Add Gabrielle Meyer‘s impeccable research and three swoony romances . . . prepare to be entranced!

The post In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—May 2, 1943

RAAF Spitfires taking off from airfield near Darwin, Australia, 24 March 1943 (Australian War Memorial: 014484)

80 Years Ago—May 2, 1943: Japanese bomb Darwin in 54th air raid on Australia; RAAF shoots down a bomber and five Zeros, but loses eight Spitfire fighter planes.

In a Fireside Chat, Pres. Franklin Roosevelt appeals to striking coal miners to return to work.\

US poster based on Roosevelt’s May 2, 1943 Fireside Chat (US National Archives)

The post Today in World War II History—May 2, 1943 first appeared on Sarah Sundin.

Today in World War II History—May 1, 1943

Secretary of War Henry Stimson awarding the Medal of Honor to Staff Sgt. Maynard “Snuffy” Smith of 306th Bombardment Group, 12 July 1943 (US Army Air Force photo)

80 Years Ago—May 1, 1943: On his first mission with the US 306th Bomb Group, gunner Staff Sgt. Maynard “Snuffy” Smith puts out a fire in his B-17, aids wounded gunners, and mans his gun—his actions earn him the Medal of Honor.

US Second War Loan Drive ends, raising $18.5 billion (quota was $13 billion). Read more: “World War II War Bonds.”

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