Today in World War II History—June 21, 1942

German generals Erwin Rommel and Fritz Bayerlein in Tobruk, Libya, late June 1942 (German Federal Archive: Bild 101I-785-0299-08A)

75 Years Ago—June 21, 1942: German forces under Rommel take Tobruk, Libya, after a long siege (33,000 POWs).

Erwin Rommel is promoted to Field Marshal.

Japanese sub I-25 shells Fort Stevens, OR at mouth of Columbia River, no damage, the first enemy attack on US continental military installation since War of 1812, the only one of WWII.

Crater resulting from Japanese shelling of Fort Stevens, OR, 21 June 1942 (US National Archives)