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Today in World War II History

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Posts Categorized: WWII Articles

See pictures from inside German U-boat U-505 and read the story of its capture!

When Tides Turn U-Boat Tour, Part 2

In When Tides Turn, my fictional hero, Lt. Dan Avery, serves aboard the auxiliary carrier USS Bogue. The aircraft of the Bogue were the first to sink a German U-boat without assistance from surface ships. The escort carriers soon became the nuclei of “hunter-killer” groups, along with destroyers or destroyer escorts. These groups not only escorted convoys, but were sent to hunt down U-boats based on intelligence ... Read Article
See German U-boat U-505 and read the story of her capture by escort carrier USS Guadalcanal in 1944.

When Tides Turn U-Boat Tour, Part 1

In my novel When Tides Turn, my fictional hero, Lt. Dan Avery, serves aboard the auxiliary carrier USS Bogue (later called an escort carrier). The aircraft of the Bogue were the first to sink a German U-boat without assistance from surface ships. The escort carriers soon became the nuclei of “hunter-killer” groups, along with destroyers or destroyer escorts. These groups not only escorted convoys, but were sent... Read Article
Troops of Company E, 16th Infantry, US 1st Infantry Division approach Fox Green section of Omaha Beach in an LCVP landing craft, Normandy, 6 Jun 1944 (US National Archives: 195515)

A D-Day Remembrance

Today we commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the D-Day landings. On June 6, 1944, the Allies landed on the beaches of Normandy to liberate Europe from Nazi power. In August 2007, I was privileged to stand on Omaha Beach on a misty, overcast morning not unlike the men faced that historic day. As I stood on that long stretch of sand and gazed at those high bluffs which once bristled with machine guns, I was moved deepl... Read Article
US poster commemorating Pearl Harbor, 1942

If Only They’d Listened

On December 7, 1941, two Army Air Force radar operators on Oahu reported a blip on their screen, which looked like dozens of planes approaching Pearl Harbor. They reported it to Lt. Kermit Tyler, who had been on the job only two days. Tyler knew a squadron of twelve B-17 Flying Fortresses was due to arrive from San Francisco and land at Hickam Field at 8:00 am. He told the operators, “Don’t worry about it.” (ht... Read Article
Come see World War II era destroyers, as featured in Sarah Sundin's new novel, Through Waters Deep. Today, see the armament that made the destroyer so effective.

Through Waters Deep – Destroyer Tour: Gunnery

For over one hundred years, destroyers have served as versatile naval workhorses. In World War II, US destroyers escorted convoys, hunted submarines, fought surface battles, bombarded shore positions, rescued downed airmen and stranded sailors, and served as radar pickets to detect and fight incoming kamikaze flights. In my new novel Through Waters Deep, Ens. Jim Avery serves on a fictional Gleaves-class destroyer, t... Read Article
Come see World War II era destroyers, as featured in Sarah Sundin's new novel, Through Waters Deep. Today, see where sailors lived and worked.

Through Waters Deep – Destroyer Tour: Below Decks

For over one hundred years, destroyers have served as versatile naval workhorses. In World War II, US destroyers escorted convoys, hunted submarines, fought surface battles, bombarded shore positions, rescued downed airmen and stranded sailors, and served as radar pickets to detect and fight incoming kamikaze flights. In my new novel Through Waters Deep, Ens. Jim Avery serves on a fictional Gleaves-class destroyer, ... Read Article

Through Waters Deep – Destroyer Tour: Topside

For over one hundred years, destroyers have served as versatile naval workhorses. In World War II, US destroyers escorted convoys, hunted submarines, fought surface battles, bombarded shore positions, rescued downed airmen and stranded sailors, and served as radar pickets to detect and fight incoming kamikaze flights. In my new novel Through Waters Deep, Ens. Jim Avery serves on a fictional Gleaves-class destroyer, ... Read Article
US War Bond Poster, 1942

Lessons from the 1940s Woman – Women’s Work Is Good Work

The World War II era was a pivotal time for women, a hinge between the traditional home-based women’s role and the modern career-based role. Wartime posters show the fullness of a woman’s place in society and reveal the values that drove this generation to victory. Through these posters we’ll see lessons we can learn from women of that era. She’s canning. In a frilly apron. And she’s smiling.   To many mo... Read Article
US War Bond Poster, 1942

Lessons from the 1940s Woman – Be Involved!

The World War II era was a pivotal time for women, a hinge between the traditional home-based women’s role and the modern career-based role. Wartime posters show the fullness of a woman’s place in society and reveal the values that drove this generation to victory. Through these posters we’ll see lessons we can learn from women of that era. When World War II began, women sprang to action as volunteers. This wa... Read Article
US poster promoting canning, 1943

Lessons from the 1940s – Yes, I Can!

My plum tree overfloweth. Right now, two bags full of ripe plums are sitting on my kitchen counter, saying, “We want to jam!”  Soon I’ll boil jars, pit and puree plums, measure sugar, and emotionally bond with my ancestors. Something about canning appeals to me. I love my food processor, heavy-duty mixer, and modern stove. I love buying my meat already butchered and wrapped in clear plastic. I lov... Read Article