Today in World War II History—August 22, 1941

German poster about the assassination of a German officer in Paris and announcing that French hostages will be shot for violence against Germans, 22 August 1941 (public domain via Gallica Digital Library)
80 Years Ago—Aug. 22, 1941: Gen. Otto von Stülpnagel, German military commander of occupied France, announces all French prisoners are hostages and can be executed in reprisal for attacks on Germans, including prisoners held for minor infractions such as violating curfew.
Maj. Gen. Adna Chaffee Jr., “Father of the Armored Force,” dies of cancer in Boston, MA, age 56.
First class graduates from US Naval Mine Disposal School, Washington, DC, precursor of Explosive Ordnance Disposal.

Maj. Gen. Adna Chaffee Jr. (US War Department photo)