This Day in World War II History: June 19
June 19 marked turning points across multiple years of World War II—from desperate defenses in Europe to game-changing air battles in the Pacific. Here’s a detailed look at significant events that occurred on June 19 between 1940 and 1945.
June 19, 1940: France Crumbles, Britain Prepares
As the German blitzkrieg continued to overwhelm France, the Ministry of Information
issued the “If Invaders Come” leaflet to British households, preparing civilians for the worst. The British Jockey Club suspended all horse racingindefinitely—an ominous sign of wartime prioritization.
Meanwhile, the Germans captured key French cities, including Strasbourg, Brest, and Tours. Rommel’s forces seized Cherbourg, and the Wehrmacht pushed south toward Lyon and the Loire River. France was now asked to send representatives to negotiate an armistice.
Over 100 German bombers raided Britain, signaling the rising intensity of the air war. Several French naval vessels sought refuge in British ports, as the situation across the Channel deteriorated.
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June 19, 1941: Darkness Before Barbarossa
With war on the Eastern Front imminent, the Soviet Union ordered blackouts in major border cities. Yet Stalin still refused to mobilize his troops, ignoring warnings—including confessions from two German deserters—that a German invasion was imminent.
In retaliation for U.S. actions, Germany and Italy expelled American consular staff, another diplomatic escalation.
At the same time, Churchill and Roosevelt met to coordinate Allied offensive plans for 1942. These included:
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Operation Rutter: A cross-Channel raid on Dieppe
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Operation Sledgehammer: A proposed landing at Cherbourg
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Operation Jupiter: Targeting northern Norway
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Operation Gymnast: An Anglo-American invasion of French North Africa, later renamed Operation Torch
In North Africa, Rommel launched a surprise attack on Tobruk, catching British defenders off guard and breaching the perimeter defenses.
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June 19, 1942: Pacific Theater Takes Shape
Vice Admiral Robert Ghormley assumed command of the U.S. South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force, establishing his base in Auckland, New Zealand—a pivotal organizational step in the Pacific War.
In the U.S., pharmacists were urged to surrender excess quinine supplies, a vital anti-malarial drug needed for tropical deployments.
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June 19, 1943: Berlin Declared Judenfrei
RAF bombers struck the Schneider armament works at Le Creusot, targeting the German war machine.
Meanwhile, Joseph Goebbels declared Berlin “Judenfrei”, claiming the city had been “cleansed of Jews”—a grim milestone in the Holocaust and the Nazi regime’s genocidal policies.
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June 19, 1944: The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot
In what became one of the most decisive air battles of the Pacific War, U.S. Navy pilots shot down 402 Japanese aircraft during the Battle of the Philippine Sea—a confrontation now famously known as the “Great Marianas Turkey Shoot.”
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Lieutenant Alex Vraciu recorded six kills in under eight minutes, becoming a Navy ace in a single day.
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The battle decimated Japanese naval air power, shifting control of the skies to the Americans permanently.
Elsewhere in Normandy, a violent Channel storm destroyed the U.S. Mulberry Harbor at Omaha Beach, disrupting supply chains just as 20 Allied divisions squared off against 16 German divisions.
The British Air Ministry officially announced details of the V-1 flying bombs, dubbed “Doodlebugs,” with stats: 150-mile range, 300–350 mph speed, and a 2,000-lb warhead.
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June 19, 1945: War Nears Its End
In Southeast Asia, Australian forces secured both sides of the Brunei Bay entrance, tightening control over Borneo as the Pacific campaign approached its climax.
Back in the United States, General Dwight D. Eisenhower received a ticker-tape parade in New York City, celebrating his leadership in the Allied victory in Europe.
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Why June 19 Matters in World War II History
From blitzkrieg breakthroughs in 1940 to air supremacy in 1944, June 19 reflects the evolving nature of World War II—from early Axis domination to the Allies’ strategic counterpunch. Each year on this date reveals new dimensions of courage, catastrophe, and change.