Today in World War II History—March 5, 1942
80 Years Ago—Mar. 5, 1942: Gen. Sir Alan Brooke becomes chairman of British Chiefs of Staff, in addition to his position as Chief of Imperial General Staff.
British expand conscription to men 41-45 and women 20-30.
First Naval Construction Battalion is established and officially nicknamed “Seabees.”
US Civil Air Patrol begins antisubmarine patrols on East Coast; base established at Rehoboth, DE.
Dmitri Shostakovich’s Seventh Symphony premieres at the Bolshoi Theater, inspired by his experiences in the siege of Leningrad.