Today in
World War II History

Finnish soldiers crossing the Finnish-Soviet border set at the end of the Winter War in 1940, crossing from Tohmajärvi, Finland, to Pälksaari, Russia, 12 July 1941 (Military Museum of Finland: 79952).

85 Years Ago—July 12, 1941: Britain and USSR sign mutual assistance pact, pledging not to seek a separate peace.

German Luftwaffe bombs Moscow for the first time.

In Continuation War against the USSR, the Finnish Army of Karelia takes Kokkari and Tolvayärvi.

Jimmy Dorsey’s song “Green Eyes” hits the charts in the US.

William “Wild Bill” Donovan as head of the US Office of Strategic Services (OSS), 1945 (US National Archives: 6851006)

85 Years Ago—July 11, 1941: US establishes Office of Coordinator of Information under William Donovan to coordinate intelligence and propaganda.

American Federation of Musicians orders members to play “Star-Spangled Banner” at concerts.

Sheet music: The ‘Jelly Roll’ Blues, by Ferd Morton, 1914 (public domain via Wikipedia)

85 Years Ago—July 10, 1941: Finnish Army of Karelia launches an offensive against the Soviets south toward Leningrad.

Early jazz great “Jelly Roll” Morton dies in Los Angeles, age 50.

German generals Fedor von Bock, Hermann Hoth, and Wolfram von Richthofen, USSR, 8 Jul 1941 (German Federal Archive, Bild 101I-265-0048A-03)

85 Years Ago—July 9, 1941: British cryptographers crack Enigma code for the Eastern Front.

Germans take Vitebsk, Byelorussia.

Australians take Damour, the final battle in the Lebanon campaign.

US Army troops arriving in Reykjavik, Iceland, January 1942 (US Army photo)

85 Years Ago—July 8, 1941: US Marines land in Iceland to relieve British troops in defense of Iceland.

Germany requires Jews in the Baltic States to wear yellow stars.

View from battleship USS New York with USS Arkansas and cruisers USS Brooklyn and Nashville as they leave Reykjavik, Iceland, after escorting the US Marine landing force, 12 Jul 1941 (US Navy photo: 80-G-K-5919)

85 Years Ago—July 7, 1941: Germans murder 5000 Jews in Kovno, Lithuania.

As American fleet enters Reykjavik harbor, Iceland agrees to allow US occupation under pressure from Britain.

Vichy France forms Légion des Volontaires Français (LVF) of French troops to fight with Germany against USSR.

Broken bridge at the mouth of the Damour River, Syria, 1941 (British government photo, public domain)

85 Years Ago—July 6, 1941: In Syria and Lebanon, Australians attack Vichy French troops in Battle of Damour.

Peru invades Ecuador over border clash and launches air strikes against Ecuadorian cities.

German U-boat U-255, painted white in Arctic camouflage, returning to port after attack on Convoy PQ-17, flying four victory pennants and the flag of the merchant ship Paulus Potter (US Naval History & Heritage Command: NH71317)

85 Years Ago—July 5, 1941: RAF bombs Münster in first large-scale attack on this German city.

German U-boats begin to operate in Arctic waters.

In Iceland occupation force off Greenland, destroyer USS Charles F. Hughes picks up 14 survivors from sunken Norwegian steamer Vigrid, including 4 US Red Cross nurses (see June 24, 1941 post).

US poster, WWII

85 Years Ago—July 4, 1941: Communist Party of Great Britain decides to support war effort, now that Germany has invaded the Soviet Union.

Communist Yugoslavian leader Tito (Joseph Broz) calls for Yugoslavians to revolt against Nazi rule.

Justice Harlan F. Stone, c. 1925-32 (Library of Congress: cph.3c37254)

85 Years Ago—July 3, 1941: Stalin declares scorched earth policy in Soviet retreat from Germans.

Harlan F. Stone becomes the 12^th Chief Justice of the US Supreme Court, a position he will hold until his death in 1946.