Today in World War II History—April 4, 1940 & 1945

American ships unloading supplies on the beach of Okinawa, Japan, 4 Apr 1945 (US Army photo)
80 Years Ago—April 4, 1940: In France, spreading communist or antiwar propaganda is declared a capital offense.
75 Years Ago—Apr. 4, 1945: US Third Army liberates Ohrdruf concentration camp, the first liberated by US troops.
US Tenth Army encounters first strong resistance on Okinawa.
Soviet 2nd & 3rd Ukrainian Fronts finish occupation of all of Hungary.
US Marine Corps Commandant Alexander Vandegrift is promoted to general and US Coast Guard Commandant Russell Waesche is promoted to admiral; both men are the first in their service to attain four-star rank.