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Today in
World War II History

Today in World War II History—March 28, 1944

Poster for Australia’s First Victory Loan, March 28-May 9, 1944 (Australian War Memorial: ARTV10405)Poster for Australia’s First Victory Loan, March 28-May 9, 1944 (Australian War Memorial: ARTV10405)

Poster for Australia’s First Victory Loan, March 28-May 9, 1944 (Australian War Memorial: ARTV10405)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 28, 1944: Germans begin evacuation of Odessa, Ukraine.

Soviets take Nikolaev, Romania, on the Black Sea.

Headquarters US XX Bomber Command (B-29 Superfortress bombers) arrives at Kharagpur, India, under Maj. Gen. Kenneth Wolfe.

Australia launches first Victory Loan drive to raise £150 million.

Today in World War II History—March 27, 1944

Raupenschlepper Ost prime mover attempts to tow a 150-mm heavy field howitzer sFH 18 in spring mud in Kamenets-Podolsky pocket in Ukraine, March 1944 (German Federal Archive: Bild 101I-023-3496-29)

Raupenschlepper Ost prime mover attempts to tow a 150-mm heavy field howitzer sFH 18 in spring mud in Kamenets-Podolsky pocket in Ukraine, March 1944 (German Federal Archive: Bild 101I-023-3496-29)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 27, 1944: Soviets take Kamianets-Podilskyi in Ukraine as they work to close the “Kamenets-Podolsky pocket.”

Today in World War II History—March 26, 1944

New Zealand troops guard German POWs at Cassino, Italy, March 1944 (German Federal Archive: Bild 146-1975-014-31)

New Zealand troops guard German POWs at Cassino, Italy, March 1944 (German Federal Archive: Bild 146-1975-014-31)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 26, 1944: In Italy, the New Zealand Corps is disbanded at Cassino and sent to the Adriatic Coast to recover.

Soviets reach River Pruth at the Romanian border.

Germans and Milice (pro-Nazi French police) attack Maquis (French resistance) hideout on Glières Plateau in Haute-Savoie region, causing over 400 Maquis to scatter; 125 Maquis killed or executed, 700 Germans & 150 Milice killed.

Today in World War II History—March 25, 1944

Map of Japanese and Allied airfields in the Southwest Pacific Area, April 1944 (Source: US Air Force)

Map of Japanese and Allied airfields in the Southwest Pacific Area, April 1944 (Source: US Air Force)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 25, 1944: On New Guinea, heavy US Fifth Air Force bombing at Wewak causes Japanese to move air headquarters to Hollandia.

US secures Manus in the Admiralty Islands in the Pacific.

Today in World War II History—March 24, 1944

German troops and Italian collaborators round up civilians in front of the Palazzo Barberini, Rome, 23 March 1944, before the Ardeatine Caves Massacre (German Federal Archive: Bild 101I-312-0983-05)

German troops and Italian collaborators round up civilians in front of the Palazzo Barberini, Rome, 23 March 1944, before the Ardeatine Caves Massacre (German Federal Archive: Bild 101I-312-0983-05)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 24, 1944: Ardeatine Caves Massacre—Nazis kill 335 Italian civilians in reprisal for partisan bombing in Rome the day before.

“The Great Escape”—76 Allied airmen escape from German POW camp Stalag Luft III near Sagan; 50 are recaptured and murdered, 3 escape to Allied or neutral territory.

Countdown to D-day: Allies decide to postpone Operation Anvil (invasion of southern France) to free up more landing craft for Operation Overlord (landings in Normandy).

The word “gobbledygook” is invented, used in a memorandum from US Smaller War Plants Corporation director Maury Maverick promoting short and plain writing.

Today in World War II History—March 23, 1944

B-25 of the US 340th Bombardment Group at Pompeii Airfield, covered with volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, 23 March 1944 (USAF Photo)

B-25 of the US 340th Bombardment Group at Pompeii Airfield, covered with volcanic ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, 23 March 1944 (USAF Photo)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 23, 1944: Italian partisan bombing decimates a German SS police unit in Rome, 33 Germans & 10 Italian civilians are killed.

Volcanic ash from Vesuvius destroys almost all (about 80) B-25 Mitchell medium bombers of the US 340th Bombardment Group at Pompeii Airfield in Italy.

Today in World War II History—March 22, 1944

Poster explaining US gasoline rationing cards in WWII

Poster explaining US gasoline rationing cards in WWII

80 Years Ago—Mar. 22, 1944: New Zealanders make final assault on Monte Cassino, Italy, which fails.

RAF bombing raid to Frankfurt destroys the Altstadt (old town), and the house of Goethe’s birth is destroyed on the anniversary of his birth.

In US, “A” gas rationing cards (basic passenger car ration) are cut from three gallons per week to two gallons. Read more: “Make It Do—Gasoline Rationing in World War II”

Today in World War II History—March 21, 1944

B-25 Mitchells of the US 321st Bomb Group flying past Mount Vesuvius, Italy during its eruption of 18-23 Mar 1944 (US National Archives 50460 AC)

B-25 Mitchells of the US 321st Bomb Group flying past Mount Vesuvius, Italy during its eruption of 18-23 Mar 1944 (US National Archives 50460 AC)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 21, 1944: In Italy, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius buries villages of San Sebastiano and Massa; 6-km-high lava fountains are seen. See more pictures on the blog of the National World War II Museum. Also see a newsreel video of explosion.

Today in World War II History—March 20, 1944

African-American crewmen of the destroyer escort USS Mason, Boston Navy Yard, MA, 20 March 1944 (US National Archives: 80-G-218861)

African-American crewmen of the destroyer escort USS Mason, Boston Navy Yard, MA, 20 March 1944 (US National Archives: 80-G-218861)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 20, 1944: Countdown to D-day: Gen. Harry Crerar replaces Gen. Kenneth Stuart over First Canadian Army, which will land at Juno Beach on D-day.

Destroyer escort USS Mason is commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard, the first US Navy ship with a predominately African-American enlisted crew.

US Office of Price Administration announces continuation of shoe rationing, allowing for purchase of two leather pairs per year (Read more: “Make It Do—Shoe Rationing in World War II”).

The novel Strange Fruit is banned in Boston and Detroit for “lewdness”; namely, an interracial romance.

Today in World War II History—March 19, 1944

Damage to Ponte di Piave bridge in Italy after Mediterranean Allied Air Force raid, WWII (USAF photo)

Damage to Ponte di Piave bridge in Italy after Mediterranean Allied Air Force raid, WWII (USAF photo)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 19, 1944: Mediterranean Allied Air Force issues directive for Operation Strangle, air raids on railroads north of Rome to hinder German supply and reinforcement.

German troops occupy Hungary to prevent the nation’s withdrawal from the war.

Embers in the London Sky cover
“Another masterful installment in Sundin’s roster of WWII novels.”
—Booklist starred review for Embers in the London Sky
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