Today in World War II History—November 19, 1943

F6F Hellcat (foreground) and SBD Dauntless aircraft on deck of carrier USS Essex, 20 March 1943 (US National Archives: 80-G-K-698)
80 Years Ago—Nov. 19, 1943: Nazis liquidate Janowska concentration camp in Lvov; prisoners make a mass escape attempt and a few succeed.
Lt. Hamilton McWhorter of carrier USS Essex squadron VF-9 becomes the first F6F Hellcat ace (5 victories) when his fighter downs a Japanese G4M bomber over Tarawa.