Today in World War II History—March 21, 1943
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 by Sarah Sundin
Cornelia Fort, 1940 (US Air Force photo: 050406-F-1234P-100)
80 Years Ago—Mar. 21, 1943: Another assassination attempt on Hitler’s life: Col. Rudolf-Christoph von Gersdorff carries explosives under his coat at the Heroes Day celebration in Berlin but doesn’t have an opportunity.
In Tunisia, US Army Rangers ambush Italians near Gafsa and take 1000 POWs, while New Zealanders bypass the Mareth Line and surprise the Germans at Tebaga Gap.
Cornelia Fort becomes first WAFS member (Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, precursor of the WASPs) to be killed, in a midair collision while ferrying a BT-13 in Texas, the first female American pilot to be killed in active duty.
