Today in World War II History—Jan. 2, 1942

Japanese light tanks advancing on Manila, 2 Jan 1942 (US Army Center of Military History)

75 Years Ago—Jan. 2, 1942: British and South African troops take Bardia, Libya after a long siege.

Japanese take Manila in the Philippines as well as Clark Field and Cavite Navy Yard.

Thirty-three members of a German spy ring under Fritz Duquesne are convicted in the largest espionage case in US history.

US Army orders 300,000 D-ration chocolate bars from Hershey, designed to melt at higher temperatures and not taste too good, so soldiers would save them for emergencies.

Thirty-three mug shot portraits of the Dusquesne spy ring; Duquesne is in the first row, far right. (Library of Congress)