German pillbox on Monte Lungo, Italy, 1943 (US Army Center of Military History)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 16, 1943: US Fifth Army takes Monte Lungo in Italy, almost encircling San Pietro, but third attack on San Pietro fails.
After mission to Berlin, RAF loses 29 Lancaster bombers in landings in England in the fog, the RAF’s worst losses to accidents of the war.
US Army 112th Cavalry Regiment landing at Arawe, New Britain, 15 December 1943 (public domain via WW2 Database)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 15, 1943: US Army lands at Arawe, New Britain in Bismarck Archipelago.
Headquarters Allied 21 Army Group forms the Joint Planning Committee to coordinate ground, naval, and air planning for Operation Overlord (D-day).
US Navy approves commissioning of first 22 black officers; 36 will be commissioned by the end of the war.
Movie premiere of Madame Curie, starring Greer Garson & Walter Pidgeon.
P-51D Mustangs of the US 357th Fighter Group, Leiston, England, 1944-45; P-51 in foreground in natural finish, P-51 in background in camouflage paint (US National Archives)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 14, 1943: Soviets begin winter offensive, take Cherkassy, Ukraine.
US Army Air Force decides to stop using camouflage paint on planes, with the exception of night fighters and transports, to increase speed and range.
Maj. James Stewart confers with B-24 crewmen, England, 1943 (US Air Force photo)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 13, 1943: Capt. James Stewart of the US 445th BG flies his first mission in a B-24 Liberator bomber for the US Eighth Air Force in England.
In US, an extra two red ration points (used for meat, cheese & fats) are awarded for each pound of used cooking fats turned in. Read more: Make It Do—Rationing of Butter, Fats & Oils in World War II.
US poster, WWII
Field Marshal Rommel and Luftwaffe Lt. Gen. Rupprecht inspecting artillery position, Dunkirk, France, 22 Dec 1943 (German Federal Archive: Bild 101I-295-1599-08A)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 12, 1943: Field Marshal Erwin Rommel named commander of German Army Group B in France.
German film Titanic is released, which blames the disaster on British greed, the most expensive German film yet made.
Frank Sinatra, Maj. Mann Holiner, Dinah Shore and Bing Crosby on Command Performance, Armed Forces Radio, CBS Studio, Hollywood, CA, 1944 (public domain via US Armed Forces Radio Service)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 11, 1943: Field Marshal Albert Kesselring permits German troops to occupy Monte Cassino in Italy, excluding the abbey itself.
Singer Frank Sinatra is declared 4-F in the draft, unacceptable for military service, due to a perforated eardrum.
Canadian 48th Highlanders in drive for Ortona, Italy, 10 December 1943 (public domain via WW2 Database)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 10, 1943: In Italy, British Eighth Army takes Vino Ridge in drive for Ortona.
F4U-1A Corsair of Marine Squadron VMF-216 at Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, 10 Dec 1943 (US Marine Corps photo)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 9, 1943: In Italy, British Eighth Army secures Moro River beachhead near Ortona.
US airfield opens at Torokina on Bougainville in the Solomon Islands, only 220 miles from major Japanese base at Rabaul.
Douglas C-47 Skytrain of US Air Transport Command, 1940s (US Air Force photo)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 8, 1943: Italian troops, in first combat action for the Allies, attack Monte Lungo, Italy, but are repelled with heavy casualties.
US Twelfth Air Force C-47 cargo planes fly first mission dropping supplies to partisans in northern Italy.
“On the seventh day of Christmas, my author friends gave to me…”
Welcome to the 7th day of the 12 Days of Christmas Giveaway! Every day the prizes build. Today’s winner will receive ALL of the below:
It’s not too late to enter in the Rafflecopter giveaway below by following some of your favorite authors on social media and signing up for their newsletters. We draw a new winner every day, and on December 12, we’ll give away a $150 Amazon Gift Card OR a 1-Year Audible Gold Subscription (winner’s choice) in addition to all the other great prizes!
Merry Christmas!
Don’t forget to visit Lindsay Harrel‘s website tomorrow to see what new prize will be added!
Also…if you’re in the mood for Christmas stories, and you can’t wait to see if you’ve won a prize, Where Treetops Glisten is currently on sale in ebook format for only $1.99! This award-nominated novella collection by Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, and me, follows one family through the Christmases of World War II. Turn back the clock to a different time, listen to Bing Crosby sing of sleigh bells in the snow, as the realities of America’s involvement in the Second World War change the lives of the Turner family in Lafayette, Indiana.
