Today in World War II History—June 16, 1944

POSTED: Sunday, June 16, 2019 by Sarah Sundin

Tank of Company A of the 746th Tank Battalion supported the 325th Glider Infantry entering St. Sauveur-Le Vicomte, France, 16 June 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

75 Years Ago—June 16, 1944: In drive across the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy, US First Army takes Ste. Colombe and St. Sauveur-le-Vicomte.

US Navy Seabees finish the first pier of Mulberry A harbor at St. Laurent-sur-Mer off Omaha Beach and the first ship unloads; Mulberry B at Arromanches in the British sector opens two more piers.

US Army 27^th Infantry Division lands on Saipan, joining the Marines who landed the day before.

Today in World War II History—June 15, 1944

POSTED: Saturday, June 15, 2019 by Sarah Sundin

US troops landing on Saipan, 15 June 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

75 Years Ago—June 15, 1944: US Marine 2^nd and 4^th Divisions land on Saipan in the Mariana Islands.

US B-29 Superfortress bombers fly first mission to Japan, to Yawata steel works on Kyushu.

Today in World War II History—June 14, 1944

POSTED: Friday, June 14, 2019 by Sarah Sundin

US 75-mm howitzer crew firing at Japanese positions in Myitkyina, Burma, June 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

75 Years Ago—June 14, 1944: US and Chinese troops attack besieged Japanese forces in Myitkyina, Burma.

Australia begins meat rationing (2 pounds per week).

Today in World War II History—June 13, 1944

POSTED: Thursday, June 13, 2019 by Sarah Sundin

V-1 “buzz bomb” falling over Covent Garden area of London, 14 June 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

75 Years Ago—June 13, 1944: Germans launch first V-1 buzz bomb at London; 7000 will be launched by Aug. 24, killing almost 5000.

At Villers-Bocage in Normandy, one German Tiger tank destroys 25 British tanks.

The King’s Mercy, by Lori Benton

POSTED: Wednesday, June 12, 2019 by Sarah Sundin

When Scottish soldier Alex MacKinnon is captured after the Battle of Culloden, he’s granted the king’s mercy–exile to the American colonies rather than execution, but it’s a mercy he loathes. Indentured to Edmund Carey to be a blacksmith on his plantation, Alex only dreams of escape. Somehow.

Joanna Carey, Edmund’s step-daughter, was thrown into the position as mistress of the plantation at too young of an age. Burdened by compassion for the slaves and the weight of her responsibilities, Joanna has a different vision for the plantation and takes great comfort in her faith, fed by itinerant preacher David Pauling. As her attraction to Alex grows, she angers Phineas Reeves, the overseer and the man her father wants her to marry, but a man she doesn’t quite trust.

As much as Alex tries to remain detached from the plantation, he’s drawn to the hurting souls around him. Elijah, the former blacksmith, disfigured in a mysterious explosion. Jemma, the young slave girl who dresses like a boy and works in the shop rather than the kitchen. And Joanna herself.

A string of accidents and tragedies strike the plantation, endangering the Careys’ livelihood. Is it possible for one person to be responsible for all the accidents? When suspicion turns to Alex, he faces a choice that will affect the lives of everyone he has come to care for.

Lori Benton is simply a master. Her characters and setting are live things, at turns warm and heartbreaking and sinister. The King’s Mercy is a touching and tense story, with a strong and meaningful faith story, and the characters will stay with you. Highly recommended.

Today in World War II History—June 12, 1944

POSTED: Wednesday, June 12, 2019 by Sarah Sundin

US war bond poster, 1944

75 Years Ago—June 12, 1944: Allies consolidate all five landing beaches in Normandy, a 50-mile front, as US forces from Omaha and Utah Beaches link near Carentan.

US Fifth War Loan starts, launched with a broadcast from President Franklin Roosevelt in his final Fireside Chat. (Read more: “World War II War Bonds”)

Big Bend National Park is established in Texas.

Today in World War II History—June 11, 1944

POSTED: Tuesday, June 11, 2019 by Sarah Sundin

SBD Dauntless after taking off from the carrier USS Lexington for strikes against Saipan in the Mariana Islands, 13 Jun 1944 (US National Museum of Naval Aviation)

75 Years Ago—June 11, 1944: US Fast Carrier Attack Force (TF 58) begins bombing the Mariana Islands in preparation for invasion.

Battleship USS Missouri is commissioned at Brooklyn, NY, the last battleship in the US Navy, currently a museum ship at Pearl Harbor. (See photos from my tour of the USS Missouri at Pearl Harbor)

USS Missouri firing a salvo in her shakedown period, August 1944 (US National Archives)

The Land Beneath Us Giveaway Winners

POSTED: Monday, June 10, 2019 by Sarah Sundin

Thank you for joining me for the cover reveal for The Land Beneath Us, Book 3 in the Sunrise at Normandy series, which is scheduled to be released from Revell Books on February 4, 2020. The book is now available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, and will be available on other sites soon. Pre-orders for the e-book and audiobook will be available at a later date.

I was so touched by all the wonderful comments – and I know the amazing people at Revell who designed the cover are just as thrilled.

There were 300 entries in the six-book giveaway! And the six winners are…

Melissa M. (honey bee email address)

Sarah Venable

Ginny Logan

Melissa Jordan

Jackie Hoch

Judith Jennings

I will contact each of you by email.

Thank you again!

D-Day 75th Anniversary Blog Tour

ALSO…don’t forget to join in the D-Day 75^th Anniversary Blog Tour! Seven authors of historical novels set in World War II are commemorating the brave men who stormed the beaches of Normandy 75 years ago. We’re also giving away TEN books, including the entire three-book Sunrise at Normandy series. This giveaway ends 16 June 2019.

Today in World War II History—June 10, 1944

POSTED: Monday, June 10, 2019 by Sarah Sundin

Flight nurses Lt. Suella Bernard and Lt. Marijean Brown, the first nurses to evacuate the wounded from Normandy to England, are greeted by their head nurse, Lt. Foster. (US Air Force photo)

Patch of the US Eighth Army, WWII

75 Years Ago—June 10, 1944: German SS troops massacre 642 civilians in Oradour-sur-Glane, France; only 10 survive.

First US nurses and female American Red Cross workers land in Normandy, with the 128^th Evacuation Hospital.

US flight nurses fly first medical air evacuation missions from France to England. (Read more about flight nurses: “Medical Air Evacuation in World War II – The Flight Nurse”)

US Eighth Army is activated at Memphis, TN under Lt. Gen. Robert Eichelberger (will serve in the Pacific).

At age 15, Joe Nuxhall with the Cincinnati Reds becomes the youngest player ever in Major League Baseball.