Today in World War II History—December 28, 1939 & 1944

Consolidated XB-24 Liberator in flight, 1939. (US Air Force photo)
80 Years Ago—December 28, 1939: First flight of the XB-24 Liberator, at Lindbergh Field, San Diego, CA, the prototype for what will be America’s most-produced four-engine bomber of the war.

The Hiding Place, by Corrie ten Boom
75 Years Ago—Dec. 28, 1944: Corrie ten Boom is released from Ravensbrück concentration camp due to a clerical error; she will later write The Hiding Place about her experiences.
Musical On the Town premieres on Broadway, featuring hit song “New York, New York (It’s a Wonderful Town).”