Today in World War II History—April 26, 1942
“Fire Blitz on Bath,” 1942, by Wilfred Haines (Imperial War Museum: ART LD 3052)
80 Years Ago—Apr. 26, 1942: German Reichstag meets for the final time and gives Hitler absolute power, removing all legal restrictions on him.
Luftwaffe flies retaliatory “Baedeker Raid” to historic Bath, England.
Hollywood Victory Caravan train leaves Los Angeles—two dozen movie stars will stage shows in 12 cities over the next two weeks, raising $700,000 for Army and Navy relief funds.
Eleanor Roosevelt on the White House lawn with entertainers on the Hollywood Victory Caravan, 30 April 1942. Seated, from left: Oliver Hardy, Joan Blondell, Charlotte Greenwood, Charles Boyer, Risë Stevens, Desi Arnaz, Frank McHugh, writer Matt Brooks, James Cagney, Pat O’Brien, Juanita Stark, Alma Carroll; (standing, from left) Merle Oberon, Eleanor Powell, Arleen Whelan, Marie McDonald, Fay McKenzie, Katharine Booth, Eleanor Roosevelt, Frances Gifford, Frances Langford, Elyse Knox, Cary Grant, Claudette Colbert, Bob Hope, Ray Middleton, Joan Bennett, Bert Lahr, director Mark Sandrich, writer Jack Rose, Stan Laurel, Jerry Colonna and Groucho Marx (Library of Congress Bob Hope Collection ID# bhp0124)
