Today in World War II History—October 26, 1939 & 1944

American survivors of the Battle of Leyte Gulf rescued by US Navy ship on 26 October 1944 (US National Archives)

75 Years Ago—Oct. 26, 1939: Germany annexes former Polish areas of Upper Silesia, West Prussia, Pomerania, Poznan, Ciechanow, Danzig, and part of Lodz; all the rest of German-occupied Poland to come under the “General Government.”

70 Years Ago—Oct. 26, 1944: The Battle of Leyte Gulf concludes with a decisive US victory, despite heavy Japanese kamikaze attacks; this battle marks the virtual collapse of the Japanese Navy.