1933 The burning down of the Reichstag building in Berlin gives the Nazis the opportunity to suspend personal liberty with increased power. 1940 The Soviets launch offensive toward Viipuri, Finland. 1941 The first encounter of the Afrika Korps and the British forces. 1942 The Battle of the Java Sea begins and continues for three days, […]
World War II Today: February 27 Read More »
Where does the name “D-Day” come from, and how D-Days were there?. What is the actual meaning of the D in D-Day?. A popular view in France is that it stands for disembarkation or debarkation, referring to the invading Allied troops disembarking from their landing craft. Another, more romantic, explanation is decision, deliverance or doom.
Other D-Days in WW2 Read More »
1936 Japanese military troops march into Tokyo to conduct a coup and assassinate political leaders. 1940 US War Department activates Air Defense Command under Brig. Gen. James Chaney. 1941 Franco, in response to Hitler’s appeal to enter the war, says ‘I stand today already at your side, entirely and decidedly at your disposal,’ but refuses
World War II Today: February 26 Read More »
1941 British Commando’s land on the Italian held Island of Castelorizzo in the Dodecanese. The British submarine, HMS Upholder, sinks the Italian Cruiser Armando Diaz to the southwest of Malta. British Nigerian troops of the 11th African Division occupy Mogadishu, the capital of Italian Somaliland, having advanced up the coast. The 12th African Division pushes
World War II Today: February 25 Read More »
“Hell is on us.” – Mamoru Shigemitsu , June 1944 (capture of Saipan) Mamoru Shigemitsu (07/29/1887 — 01/26/1957) was appointed ambassador to the Nanjing Nationalist Government two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor and by the end of WWII was the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs. He came into that position on April 20,
Mamoru Shigemitsu Quote “Hell is on us.” Read More »
1941 The 2-engine Manchester bomber is used for the first time during an RAF raid against Brest. Reconnaissance elements of the German 5th Light Division clash with British forces for the first time in Africa, at Nofilia near El Agheila. US Navy survey ship Bear and motor ship North Star arrive in Antarctica to evacuate remaining US personnel from
World War II Today: February 24 Read More »
1938 Twelve Chinese fighter planes drop bombs on Japan. 1940 Sweden announces that she will not permit British or French troops to cross through her territory on their way to Finland. The Soviet Union announces its final conditions for peace. Finland must hand over the Karelia Isthmus and the shores of Lake Ladoga. It must
World War II Today: February 23 Read More »
James Gavin (1907-1990) was raised adopted from an orphanage in Brooklyn by a struggling coal miner. Inspired by his school readings on the American Civil War, Gavin decided to seek a better future by joining the army. He was 17 when he enlisted as a private, lying about his age as he knew his adoptive
General James Gavin: the Jumping General Read More »
1940 Two IRA bombs explode in London; 12 people injured. n North Sea, Luftwaffe accidentally sinks German destroyer Leberecht Maass; during rescue,German destroyer Max Schultz is sunk by mine. 1941 The first mass round-up of Jews in Amsterdam; 430 deported in reprisal for murder of Dutch Nazi party member. Bread ration in Jewish ghetto in Warsaw reduced to
World War II Today: February 22 Read More »
1940 Britain reduces passenger train service due to coal shortage. 1941 Third and final day of Swansea Blitz (Luftwaffe bombing of Swansea, Wales): 230 killed, but docks and facilities are undamaged. 1942 Convoy ON-166 (60 ships) sailing from Britain to North America, is attacked in the North Atlantic by 19 U-boats from wolfpacks Ritter and
World War II Today: February 21 Read More »
