Today in World War II History—October 30, 1939 & 1944

Japanese-American troops of US 442nd Regiment firing artillery, Bruyeres Sector, France, 18 October 1944 (Hawaii War Records Depository)

75 Years Ago—Oct. 30, 1939: German U boat U-56 fails in attack on battleship HMS Nelson with Winston Churchill, Dudley Pound, and Charles Forbes aboard.

70 Years Ago—Oct. 30, 1944: In the Vosges mountains in France, US 442nd Infantry Regiment (Nisei—Japanese-Americans) rescues the Lost Battalion with heavy losses. Aaron Copland/Martha Graham ballet, Appalachian Spring, premieres in the Library of Congress.