Today in World War II History—June 10, 1940 & 1945

Italian leader Benito Mussolini declaring war on France, from the Palazzo Venezia Balcony in Rome, 10 June 1940 (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)

80 Years Ago—June 10, 1940: In France, German troops cross the Seine, and British troops begin to evacuate from Le Havre and St. Valéry.

Italy declares war on England and France.

President Roosevelt makes first speech pledging aid to Britain, in his commencement speech at University of Virginia, where his son, Franklin Jr., is receiving his degree.

Soldiers of the Australian 2/43rd Battalion on a landing vehicle at Labuan Island in Brunei Bay, 10 June 1945 (Australian War Memorial: 108852)

75 Years Ago—June 10, 1945: Australian troops land at Brunei on Japanese-occupied Borneo, an important port, and capture Labuan airfield.