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Today in
World War II History

Today in World War II History—March 8, 1944

Map of the Imphal and Kohima Campaign in Burma, 1944 (public domain via Mike Young, Wikipedia)

Map of the Imphal and Kohima Campaign in Burma, 1944 (public domain via Mike Young, Wikipedia)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 8, 1944: Japanese launch offensive in Burma toward major British base at Imphal, India.

Today in World War II History—March 7, 1944

Nazi German poster, 1940s, stating “Mothers! Fight for your children!”

Nazi German poster, 1940s, stating “Mothers! Fight for your children!”

80 Years Ago—Mar. 7, 1944: Nazis make house-to-house calls to recruit women ages 17-45 for war work.

Today in World War II History—March 6, 1944

US Eighth Air Force B-17s bombing Berlin, 1944 (USAF photo)

US Eighth Air Force B-17s bombing Berlin, 1944 (USAF photo)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 6, 1944: US Eighth Air Force loses 69 of 730 bombers in mission to Berlin—its costliest raid ever.

Countdown to D-day: US Navy’s Force U is established under Rear Adm. Don Moon for support off Utah Beach on D-day.

Today in World War II History—March 5, 1944

Lt. Charles "Chuck" Yeager of the 357th Fighter Group, with his P-51 Mustang "Glamorous Glen," 17 October 1944 (Imperial War Museum, Roger Freeman Collection)

Lt. Charles “Chuck” Yeager of the 357th Fighter Group, with his P-51 Mustang “Glamorous Glen,” 17 October 1944 (Imperial War Museum, Roger Freeman Collection)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 5, 1944: Future test pilot Flight Officer Chuck Yeager of the US 357th Fighter Group is shot down in his P-51 over Gironde, France; he evades capture with help of French resistance.

In Second Chindit Raid, Wingate’s Special Force (British/Indian) and US Army engineers make airborne drops in Burma and build “Broadway” airstrip; C-47s double-tow gliders to Broadway airstrip but nearly all are damaged.

Today in World War II History—March 4, 1944

Lt. Gen. Alexander Patch, August 1945 (US Army Center of Military History)

Lt. Gen. Alexander Patch, August 1945 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 4, 1944: Maj. Gen. Alexander Patch assumes command of US Seventh Army in Algiers, to prepare for landings in southern France.

US Eighth Air Force flies its first bombing mission to Berlin.

Today in World War II History—March 3, 1944

US VI Corps Headquarters in a wine cellar near Anzio, Italy, 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

US VI Corps Headquarters in a wine cellar near Anzio, Italy, 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 3, 1944: Allies repel final German counterattack at Anzio; forces will remain at standstill for next two months in bad weather.

Former Belgian premier Paul-Émile Janson dies in Buchenwald concentration camp, age 71.

Today in World War II History—March 2, 1944

Theatrical release poster for the film Casablanca, 1942 (public domain via Warner Bros, via Wikipedia), Promotional photograph for the original Broadway production of Watch on the Rhine, starring Paul Lukas, May 1941 (public domain via Theatre Arts, Inc., via Wikipedia), Theatrical release poster for the 1943 film The Song of Bernadette (public domain via Twentieth-Century Fox, via Wikipedia)

Theatrical release poster for the film Casablanca, 1942 (public domain via Warner Bros, via Wikipedia), Promotional photograph for the original Broadway production of Watch on the Rhine, starring Paul Lukas, May 1941 (public domain via Theatre Arts, Inc., via Wikipedia), Theatrical release poster for the 1943 film The Song of Bernadette (public domain via Twentieth-Century Fox, via Wikipedia)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 2, 1944: Academy Awards ceremony is held:

  • Best picture of 1943—Casablanca
  • Best actor—Paul Lukas in Watch on the Rhine
  • Best actress—Jennifer Jones in Song of Bernadette
  • Best director—Michael Curtiz for Casablanca.

Today in World War II History—March 1, 1944

Advertisement about penicillin from Schenley Laboratories, 14 August 1944

Advertisement about penicillin from Schenley Laboratories, 14 August 1944

80 Years Ago—Mar. 1, 1944: In Brooklyn, Pfizer opens first commercial plant for large-scale production of penicillin by submerged-culture method.

In the US, toothpaste buyers no longer have to turn in old tubes to buy new (required since 4 April 1942 due to tin shortage). Read more: “Make It Do—Metal Shortages in World War II”

Today in World War II History—February 29, 1944

First wave of US Army troops landing on Los Negros in the Admiralty Islands, 29 Feb 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

First wave of US Army troops landing on Los Negros in the Admiralty Islands, 29 Feb 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Feb. 29, 1944: US Army lands on Los Negros in the Admiralty Islands.

Today in World War II History—February 28, 1944

The Hiding Place, by Corrie ten Boom

The Hiding Place, by Corrie ten Boom

80 Years Ago—Feb. 28, 1944: German Gestapo raids the home of Corrie ten Boom in Haarlem, the Netherlands, and arrests 30 family members & friends, but 6 Jews in hiding are not discovered. All but Corrie, Betsie, and their father Casper are released; Casper dies 10 days later, and Betsie dies in Ravensbrück on December 16, 1944. Corrie ten Boom survives the war to write her moving account, The Hiding Place.

First Victory ship (larger and faster than Liberty Ships), the United Victory, is completed by Oregon Shipbuilding Corporation.

Embers in the London Sky cover
“Another masterful installment in Sundin’s roster of WWII novels.”
—Booklist starred review for Embers in the London Sky
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