Today in World War II History—June 21, 1941

Free French Gen. Georges Catroux and Gen. Paul Louis Le Gentilhomme enter Damascus, June 1941, escorted by French Gardes Tcherkess (Australian government photo)

75 Years Ago—June 21, 1941: Vichy France excludes Jews from schools.

British Gen. Sir Claude Auchinleck replaces Gen. Archibald Wavell as C in C forces Middle East Command; while Wavell takes Auchinleck’s place over Indian Army.

Free French occupy Damascus, Syria.

US State Department orders closure of all Italian consulates in US by July 15.