Today in
World War II History

Pre-invasion Bombing of Pointe du Hoc by US Ninth Air Force A-20 light bombers, spring 1944. (US Army Center for Military History)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 15, 1944: Countdown to D-day: US Ninth Air Force in England begins pre-invasion tactical missions for Operation Overlord (D-day).

Second Allied aerial attack destroys town of Cassino, Italy, in largest massed tactical air raid yet: 1,200 tons of bombs plus 200,000 rounds of artillery.

Town of Cassino during Allied bombing, 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

US Army recruiting poster, WWII

80 Years Ago—Mar. 14, 1944: Countdown to D-day: Commodore Cyril Douglas-Pennant takes command of Royal Navy’s Force G, which will conduct landings and provide support at Gold Beach.

In Burma, Japanese cut road from Tiddim north to Imphal, India; Indian troops are unable to retreat.

US Selective Service cancels all draft deferments for men ages 18-26 except for certified “key men” in essential occupations.

German Tiger I tank in front of the Altare della Patria, Rome, 1944 (German Federal Archives: Bild 101I-310-0880-38)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 13, 1944: To eliminate Rome as an Allied air raid target, Germans order removal of all military installations except medical, quartermaster, butcher, and bakery, and place Vatican City off limits to soldiers.

In Ukraine, Soviets cross the lower Dnieper at Kherson and take Kherson.

Edvard Beneš, president of Czechoslovakian government-in-exile, 1942 (US Library of Congress: LC-USW33- 019089-C)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 12, 1944: Czechoslovakian government-in-exile in London urges uprising against the Nazis to meet the approaching Soviet army.

Neutral Eire (Ireland) refuses to expel German diplomats and is isolated by the Allies.

Patches of the US Fifth Air Force and the US Fifteenth Air Force, WWII

80 Years Ago—Mar. 11, 1944: In Denmark, Germans arrest 13 members of Hvidsten Group (resistance) and an SOE agent.

US Fifth Air Force begins neutralizing Japanese airfields at Wewak, New Guinea, in preparation for April landings at Hollandia.

US Fifteenth Air Force (based in Italy) bombs Toulon, France, sinking German U-boats U-380 and U-410 and several French warships that had been raised by the Germans.

Poster for US Navy Construction Battalions (Seabees), WWII

80 Years Ago—Mar. 10, 1944: Countdown to D-day: Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force issues Operation Overlord directive to ground, air, and naval forces for D-day.

National movie premiere of The Fighting Seabees starring John Wayne.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur decorates Lt. Marvin J. Henshaw with the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions on Los Negros, 29 Feb 1944 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Mar. 9, 1944: US Sixth Army secures Los Negros in the Admiralty Islands in the Pacific.

Chinese take Walawbum, Burma, opening Hukawng Valley for Ledo Road construction (will connect to Burma Road to supply China).

Allied construction of the Ledo Road in Burma (US Army Center of Military History)

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.

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.

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.