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Today in World War II History

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Posts Categorized: WWII Articles

Troops of Company E, 16th Infantry, US 1st Infantry Division approach Fox Green section of Omaha Beach in an LCVP landing craft, Normandy, 6 Jun 1944 (US National Archives: 195515)

A D-Day Remembrance

Monday, June 6, 2016 by Sarah Sundin
Today we commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the D-Day landings. On June 6, 1944, the Allies landed on the beaches of Normandy to liberate Europe from Nazi power. In August 2007, I was privileged to stand on Omaha Beach on a misty, overcast morning not unlike the men faced that historic day. As I stood on that long stretch of sand and gazed at those high bluffs which once bristled with machine guns, I was moved deepl... Read Article

If Only They’d Listened

Monday, December 7, 2015 by Sarah Sundin
On December 7, 1941, two Army Air Force radar operators on Oahu reported a blip on their screen, which looked like dozens of planes approaching Pearl Harbor. They reported it to Lt. Kermit Tyler, who had been on the job only two days. Tyler knew a squadron of twelve B-17 Flying Fortresses was due to arrive from San Francisco and land at Hickam Field at 8:00 am. He told the operators, “Don’t worry about it.” (ht... Read Article
Come see World War II era destroyers, as featured in Sarah Sundin's new novel, Through Waters Deep. Today, see the armament that made the destroyer so effective.

Through Waters Deep – Destroyer Tour: Gunnery

Friday, August 7, 2015 by Sarah Sundin
For over one hundred years, destroyers have served as versatile naval workhorses. In World War II, US destroyers escorted convoys, hunted submarines, fought surface battles, bombarded shore positions, rescued downed airmen and stranded sailors, and served as radar pickets to detect and fight incoming kamikaze flights. In my new novel Through Waters Deep, Ens. Jim Avery serves on a fictional Gleaves-class destroyer, t... Read Article
Come see World War II era destroyers, as featured in Sarah Sundin's new novel, Through Waters Deep. Today, see where sailors lived and worked.

Through Waters Deep – Destroyer Tour: Below Decks

Wednesday, August 5, 2015 by Sarah Sundin
For over one hundred years, destroyers have served as versatile naval workhorses. In World War II, US destroyers escorted convoys, hunted submarines, fought surface battles, bombarded shore positions, rescued downed airmen and stranded sailors, and served as radar pickets to detect and fight incoming kamikaze flights. In my new novel Through Waters Deep, Ens. Jim Avery serves on a fictional Gleaves-class destroyer, ... Read Article

Through Waters Deep – Destroyer Tour: Topside

Monday, August 3, 2015 by Sarah Sundin
For over one hundred years, destroyers have served as versatile naval workhorses. In World War II, US destroyers escorted convoys, hunted submarines, fought surface battles, bombarded shore positions, rescued downed airmen and stranded sailors, and served as radar pickets to detect and fight incoming kamikaze flights. In my new novel Through Waters Deep, Ens. Jim Avery serves on a fictional Gleaves-class destroyer, ... Read Article
US War Bond Poster, 1942

Lessons from the 1940s Woman – Women’s Work Is Good Work

Monday, June 22, 2015 by Sarah Sundin
The World War II era was a pivotal time for women, a hinge between the traditional home-based women’s role and the modern career-based role. Wartime posters show the fullness of a woman’s place in society and reveal the values that drove this generation to victory. Through these posters we’ll see lessons we can learn from women of that era. She’s canning. In a frilly apron. And she’s smiling.   To many mo... Read Article
US War Bond Poster, 1942

Lessons from the 1940s Woman – Be Involved!

Monday, June 15, 2015 by Sarah Sundin
The World War II era was a pivotal time for women, a hinge between the traditional home-based women’s role and the modern career-based role. Wartime posters show the fullness of a woman’s place in society and reveal the values that drove this generation to victory. Through these posters we’ll see lessons we can learn from women of that era. When World War II began, women sprang to action as volunteers. This wa... Read Article
Poster for US Victory Loan Drive, 1945

Happy V-E Day Anniversary!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013 by Sarah Sundin
Sixty-eight years ago today, the Allies celebrated Victory in Europe. People went to church and prayed. Bells rang. Parades rejoiced through small towns and cities. The cost of victory was high. Tens of millions were killed in battle. More tens of millions were murdered and starved in concentration camps. And more millions perished as civilian casualties of bombing. Many of Europe’s great cities lay in heaps of... Read Article
US poster promoting canning, 1943

Lessons from the 1940s – Yes, I Can!

Monday, August 6, 2012 by Sarah Sundin
My plum tree overfloweth. Right now, two bags full of ripe plums are sitting on my kitchen counter, saying, “We want to jam!”  Soon I’ll boil jars, pit and puree plums, measure sugar, and emotionally bond with my ancestors. Something about canning appeals to me. I love my food processor, heavy-duty mixer, and modern stove. I love buying my meat already butchered and wrapped in clear plastic. I lov... Read Article

Girl Scouts in World War II

Thursday, March 15, 2012 by Sarah Sundin
This week, the Girl Scouts celebrated their 100th birthday. Founded by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia on March 12, 1912, the Girl Scout organization promoted character building through outdoor activities, community service, arts and crafts, and homemaking skills. When World War II started, the Girl Scouts were well poised to take a solid role on the Home Front. Organization In the 1940s, the Girl Scouts ha... Read Article