Today in World War II History—Aug. 5, 1940 & 1945

Focke-Wulf Fw 200 C Condor (German Federal Archive, Bild: Bild 146-1978-043-02)
80 Years Ago—Aug. 5, 1940: German Fw 200 Condor long-range bombers begin patrols over convoy routes around Britain.
Germany requires citizens to carry Ahnenpass, proving “racial purity” back to 1800.
Art “Donny” Donahue becomes the first American pilot to engage enemy aircraft in WWII (flying with the RAF in a Spitfire).
75 Years Ago—Aug. 5, 1945: Missing items from Holy Roman Empire Imperial regalia are found buried in Nürnberg, Germany.